The following day was uneventful, except Brenda felt guilty when Mario arrived. Brenda was having a hard time looking him in the eye. She would have to make up for what she had done to him.

Friday came and Tiffany returned to the office.

“Hey Tiff, it’s good to see you back,” Brenda said.

“It’s nice to be back. Is Melissa in yet?”

“No, she must have seen her boyfriend last night. She’s always late when she does.”

“Have you found out anything else about the drugs?”

“Not yet, but I should know more today. How was Niagara?”

“It was fun. I felt like a star with all the attention. I could really get used to this kind of life,” Tiffany said.

“Being a girl is more fun than you thought it would be, isn’t it?” Brenda asked.

“I guess,” Tiffany answered grudgingly.

“Come on Tiffany, you know you like it. You’re a star and a beautiful woman, besides, what more could you ask for?” Brenda asked.

“You’re right Brenda, I do like who I’ve become, maybe too much and that’s what scares me. I want to be Dirk when this is over and I’m afraid that Tiffany might win this whole thing,” Tiffany said.

“I see your point. I would just die if I was a beautiful world famous model with the world at my feet. God, yes make me a boring skinny stud like Dirk,” Brenda giggled.

“Fuck you Brenda,” Tiffany said, as she extended her middle finger.

What disturbed Tiffany even more was how pretty that finger looked with her brightly painted nail extending beyond its tip. Even more unsettling was that she liked the way it looked, beautifully feminine. Brenda might just be right, she mused.

“What do you have going on today?” Brenda asked.

“I think there’s a show at Bloomingdale’s later on, they’re showing dress gowns and I have to be there at two.”

“It sounds as though you never get any rest. When are they going to show the commercials?”

“They edited them yesterday and today, so they could show them during the Knicks game on Saturday night.”

“I can’t wait to see them. What kind of car is it?”

“It’s a new model called a Sunstar. Kind of a stupid name, isn’t it?” Tiffany giggled.

“Hey, if it sells cars, who cares?”

The door opened and Melissa walked into the office.

“Tiffany, you’re back, I need to talk to you in my office. Is every thing okay with you Brenda?”

“Yes Melissa, everything’s perfect if you know what I mean,” Brenda responded.

“Remember what I told you sweetheart, if you need anything just ask,” Melissa said.

“I’m sure I will. Thank you Melissa.”

Tiffany closed the door behind her as she entered the office.

“Tiffany, we have a lot of things to plan. I know Thanksgiving is next week, but the summer fashions come out the first of January and you will have shows everyday for a week. Margaret Voss is expanding her line and she wants you to wear one of her designs to the Golden Globes award ceremony. You’ll be escorted by a young up and coming actor, and it’s important that you attend. You’ll stay with a movie director at his home with his wife, so don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen.”

“We close for the week between Christmas and New Years, so take advantage and rest. Between now and then I’ve scheduled you for shows almost everyday. If you get too tired, see Brenda. I gave her something that will make you feel better.”

“Yes Melissa, I have a show this afternoon, so I should get ready to go,” Tiffany replied.

“Yes dear, you run along now and remember what I said about Brenda having something for you if you need,” Melissa said.

“Yes Melissa.”

Bill called Brenda later that day and told her the results of the test on the cocaine.

“Brenda, this batch was mixed by someone new. It’s a different formula than the first sample we tested. It matches drugs taken from a bust last year up in Harlem and we’re not sure if we’re working with two or more sources. I’d really like you to get a sample from Susan Marques, if she is willing to sell you some. If it matches this new batch we might be able to finally break this case.”

“I’ll see if she will,” Brenda said.

“How’s Tiffany doing on her end? She really hasn’t done much for the investigation, maybe we should pull her out,” Bill said.

“Don’t be stupid Bill, Tiffany is the one that told us about Connie and she has access to the models. Pulling her now would be premature,” Brenda said.

“I guess you’re right. See Susan as soon as possible and call me when you have something.”

“Yes Bill.”

Brenda called Susan to see if she might be free to visit.

“Susan, hi, it’s Brenda. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to see you since the last time we had dinner. I was wondering if you might be free tonight?”

“Brenda, it’s nice to hear from you. I can’t this evening, I have something to do and it is awfully short notice. Are you busy tomorrow, maybe we can have lunch?” Susan said.

“I can do that, lets say one in the afternoon at the same restaurant?”

“I’ll see you then Brenda.”

Brenda met Susan the next day and the girls were soon deep in conversation.

“How have you been Brenda? You look wonderful,” Susan said.

“I feel wonderful, I went out with someone new Thursday night and now I’m not sure how I feel about Mario,” Brenda said.

“Why, what did you do?”

“I had dinner at his restaurant and then he drove me home.”

“Why would that make you feel differently about Mario?”

“We were very intimate, even more than I have been with Mario.”

“You had sex with him didn’t you?” Susan asked.

“Oh Susan, I’m so ashamed, I’ve never done anything like that before,” Brenda said and her eyes began to water.

“What did you do Brenda? Did you go to bed with him?”

“No, I gave him oral sex.”

“Is that all? My God, we girls do that all the time. It satisfies the guy and you don’t have to worry about becoming pregnant. I personally don’t like the taste, but with a little garlic and pepper it might not be so bad,” Susan said, as she broke out laughing.

Brenda couldn’t contain herself after that remark and she too started to laugh. Susan had defused the situation.

“Can you imagine pulling away from the guy and telling him that you have to add garlic and pepper before he cums?” Susan shrieked and the girls doubled over in laughter.

“Please honey, I have to add hot sauce,” more laughter.

“A little oregano,” more laughter.

“Do you like the guy as much as Mario?” Susan asked after they gained control.

“No, and that’s why I’m so upset. I don’t even know why I did what I did,” Brenda said.

“You were seduced, there is always a first time for girls. Some guy will take advantage of a girl that’s inexperienced and depending on what kind of man he is will go as far as he can. If a girl lets it happen, her hormones will control what she does and the guy will have his way. The worse part is that a girl will think it’s love and the guy knows its just sex. When you get older you’ll understand. Don’t let what you did influence your relationship with Mario, he’s a wonderful man and just think of what you did as a learning experience. Kind of like going to woman school, you’ll be fine. It was just sex and after a while you’ll come to understand that it’s okay to have sex. Women like us have our needs and sex is a way of making ourselves feel better. Having sex isn’t love, it’s just sex, and it did feel good didn’t it?”

“I suppose it did.”

“See, your learning to enjoy life already.”

“Susan, there’s something else I have to ask you?”

“What’s that Brenda?”

“I hope you won’t think badly of me, but I want to buy some cocaine.”

“From me?” Susan asked.

“Yes, I thought you might know where I could get some,” Brenda said.

“What about getting it from Melissa, everyone knows she has plenty for sale.”

“She already gave me some and told me if I wanted more just to ask, but she also said that I might have to give sexual favors to men as repayment. I'd rather just pay cash for it instead.”

“I see your point. I have a small amount in my purse, maybe fifty dollars worth, you can have that. Next time, give me notice and I’ll have more for you.”

“Thank you Susan, you’re a friend.”

“When did you start using coke Brenda?”

“I only tried it once last week and it was fun but I don’t want to get anymore from Melissa,” Brenda said.

Susan opened her purse and slipped a small package into Brenda’s hand. Brenda took it and placed it in her purse and gave Susan the money for the drug.

“Is this the small sideline business you told me about Susan?”

“Yes, I keep it small that way the cops won’t bother me. I’m not like Melissa, she sleeps with the top cop and knows if things are getting too hot for her.”

“Where does she get her drugs?” Brenda asked.

“I don’t know, maybe the same place I get mine, from some very nasty Colombian importers.”

“Oh by the way, how’s Ron’s brother?”

“He’s fine, but he’ll be in jail for another couple of years so I think I’m going to move on. I’ve started dating another guy. He’s very nice, maybe it’s time for me to be with someone that isn’t a bad boy for a change,” Susan said.

“But don’t you have needs?” asked Brenda.

“Believe me girl friend, those needs can be filled just as easily by a good boy as a bad boy and a good boy isn’t going to land in jail,” Susan laughed.

“I see your point, thanks again for the favor Susan. I really should be going, it’s late and it’s getting cold.”

“It’s almost winter, it’ll start snowing soon. Bundle up, a California girl like you will freeze to death,” Susan giggled.

“I will, see you next week Susan,” Brenda said.

Brenda hurried to the subway and decided she would start to wear warmer clothes. She was freezing, and there was no need to try to look sexy this time of year, and besides sweaters looked good too. Brenda would schedule a meeting with Bill for the next week because she was too busy for anything else right now, the investigation would have to wait.