A Pryce Worth Paying

“Oh Rafael, it’s stunning,” Aliziana raised her hand to cover her mouth in awe as she praised him, “Frances’ granddaughter will be amazed with it I’m sure - this set is the most beautiful that we’ve ever worked on, isn’t it?” It was worth the effort. With a price tag just under two hundred thousand dollars, it had to be the best to be worthy of the Ferretti hallmark as well as receiving the final approval from Frances Ellery-Chambers.

A Pryce Worth Paying - 12

“Si, signorina,” he smiled proudly, as he placed the wooden jewelry case into the security briefcase and passed it carefully to his boss. He removed his gloves and breathed out heavily with relief,”ah, finito!”

He was a sweet older man of few words, she grinned and pinched his cheek as a customary gesture of endearment. “Sei bravo! Wish me luck.”

# # #

Aliziana was feeling tense and not sure why. She had carried expensive jewelry before, so maybe it was the grey, gloomy weather that had set the eery tone of the day she thought to herself in complete denial. Moments later she finally admitted that she was terrified. She couldn’t endure being disappointed if Frances rejected the final design. That would be humiliating for her well-regarded reputation, she told herself as shook her hands anxiously and then clenched them at her sides to stop her nervous habit.