Lovely Lady VII

-“Dude, where have you been? I went to your apartment to look for you, and there was no answer. I even left you a text message!” Cindy reprimanded Sandra.

-“I’m sorry hon. I’ve been tied up – literally. But I called you, because I need to see you. Let’s meet for lunch today at our regular place – my treat.”

-“OK, see you at 1:30 pm, anytime before that is the crack of dawn for me.”


Cindy walked towards the table where Sandra was sitting while still wearing her dark sunglasses, just as if she were a vampire who shunned the light of day.

-“Look at you! What have you done to yourself Sandra? Your hair! – All of you! You seem like a new woman!” Cindy commented as she checked Sandra’s casual- chic attire.

-“How you’ve been Cindy?” Sandra asked as she rose to embrace her best friend.

-“Oh you know, same ole. At least I got half-priced Valentine’s day chocolates from my loser boyfriend – like a week after Valentine’s day! But I’m hanging on, you know?” Cindy said in a cheerful tone.

The bright light of the day, emphasized the fine lines starting to mark the passage of time on Cindy's young face, much like a rose in full bloom which starts to wilt, and dry up like a prune.

Taking hold of Cindy’s hand, Sandra lays out her plan. –“Listen Cindy. There’s a lot happening. To me, to the economy, which really has affected our trade, and I think this is a good time to plan and alternate life plan.

Remember the last time we spoke, you mentioned that you might consider taking online classes? Well, I want you to really consider it. I want you to help me take off a fledging business plan. We will start small and lean, but with ingenuity, hard work, and perseverance, I can really see it flourishing down the line.

-“You gotta be joking Sandra. Where are you going to get funding for any business enterprise in this climate of frozen credits? And even if you did, too many businesses’ are filing for bankruptcy.” Cindy said with skepticism.

-“It’s been a crazy week for me Cindy. I another two weeks, I will have in my hands a modest, although considerable amount, and I have a potential investor interested if I can show that my plan is viable. I want to compete in a smaller scale – for now – with catalog , and online sales of our own lingerie line. I want to call it, Lovely Lady.

At the beginning we can work from home, although eventually, I would like to lease a boutique. While it’s true that many businesses’ on the current climate are failing, it’s mainly in part because they are not changing with the times.

You know how expensive Victoria’s Secret underwear is for instance? If we produce something that is truly nice, and inexpensive, and market it just like they do, with gorgeous models – yourself for instance, I feel that we have a shot. Look how Mc Donald’s, and dollar stores are thriving thanks to the affordability of their products? Well, we will follow the same concept!

Just check this out. A corset in a boutique in Hollywood Boulevard, averages $200 to $250. We can import those from China on a wholesale basis with our own brand, for as little as five percent of that inflated retail cost.


We will under price the competition mercilessly, glamorize the brand, and use the prettiest colleagues for our catalog and online store. When we grow enough we will do live fashion shows where men will also be invited, and also attend fashion trade shows to promote our line. So there you have it, and besides the lingerie, I'd also like to produce a line of flirty dresses with a built-in spandex mesh, that will not only offer firm strapless bust support, but also a streamlined figure as well. So what do you think? Do you want to study the business management aspect, or design?

-“Are you shitting me? Do you know how much money is involved?” Cindy asked.

-“Look, all I know is that hooking is not paying what it used to. I will have seed money to launch the project, and I have a friend who might invest some of her savings if I can guarantee that at the very least, she won’t lose her investment.

Look at us Cindy, we can’t be hooking all our lives. Do you want to be like those women in their seventies still looking for work in the whore ranches in Nevada – that’s just sad Cindy! Besides, our models will work for like $20 per hour. And besides, we can recruit them to sell via catalog our product line to their friends, and make a commission on each sale.

I’ve got nothing to lose Cindy, and perhaps… perhaps, everything to gain. Are you in?”

-“Sure, I’m in. But I don’t know how I can help you besides the modeling. I guess I need to test the water to see where my aptitude lies.” Cindy said with nascent interest.

-“Good! Okay I have made a deal with a professional photographer. In return for nude pictures, he will take pictures of you for our online store, and print catalog. At first, we will model samples which can be bought here on a wholesale basis, but those eventually can be made with out brand – provided we buy in bulk direct from China.

I just need you to be ready next Monday morning at ten, for the picture taking. I should have the samples in my hands. Please try to sleep early the night before, so that you won’t have dark circles under your eyes Cindy. This is important, for me, and for you. I need you to come fully on board and show up on time. This is the address to the photographer’s studio.”





Looking down at her cell phone once again, Sandra read the time as 11:45 am. She paced the studio like a caged lioness. How could Cindy not answer her cell phone, nor be here as arranged? How could she do this to her?

-“Look, I have other appointments. I can’t wait for your model forever. What do you want to do. I will wait thirty minutes, and then you have to leave.” The photographer said.

In response, Sandra dialed Cindy’s cell phone, for the twentieth time.


To be continued…



.