CHAPTER 2

"Poor girl. She's probably never even been in a hotel like this. I hope he at least helped picked out her dress so she doesn't show up in a trash bag."

"I am sure that he is just using her for sex until he's tired of her or finds something new to pay attention to."

"How can she even show her face here tonight? Doesn't she have any self respect? Using her body to get ahead. How distasteful?"

"Yes, I heard that she barely got into the program at Seattle Grace."

Cristina's face is feeling hot. Not being able to listen to them any longer she comes out of the bathroom stall.

The two women stop to notice Cristina "Oh, we didn't realize anyone else was in here. Wow, that dress is stunning!"

Cristina smiles "Thank you."

"I'm Elizabeth Riley, chairperson for this event, and this is my friend Barbara Leonard." They extend their hand to shake Cristina's who is touching up her makeup "I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression from our chatter. Girlfriends and gossip…you know how it is" Elizabeth chuckles and Cristina continues looking in the mirror "Sometimes at these events, you unfortunately have a mix of people from different levels of society. Not like the three of us and we inevitably have questions about their…intentions. Now I don't think we've met before. You are?"

Cristina pauses for a moment pretending to look at herself in the mirror while crafting an appropriate response "Dr. Cristina Yang but if you are more comfortable you can continue to refer to me as Preston Burke's toy."

Cristina continues to primp as the two women stand there for a moment with their mouths open not sure what they should do.

"Awkward isn't it? Well, how about I just lay out my resume for you and you can feel free to pass along whichever pieces appall you the most. Grew up in Beverly Hills, stepfather is the President of the American Association of Orthodontists, my debutante ball was attended by the governor of California and I am fluent in Korean and French."

Cristina had struggled growing up with the idea of privilege and people's perceptions of her. She had seen her mother use her wealth and status time and again in an attempt to gain respect and accomplish things. She had vowed a long time ago not to use her privilege to get ahead so that she would always know that she earned things not that they were given to her because of her name or wealth. At this moment, though, the words rolling off Cristina's tongue were all instinct.

Adele Webber and Addison Sheppard walked in as Cristina was talking. The other two women looked frozen and Cristina continued making her point.

"Last I checked I used my brain to graduate first in my class at Smith and Stanford and get into the program at Seattle Grace while turning down an offer from Harvard. As far as being comfortable in this room, $1000 plate dinners are more my speed but this is nice too. And this trash bag courtesy of Valentino."

Adele grinning interrupts "Elizabeth, Barbara I see you have met Preston's girlfriend. Cristina, Preston's been looking for you."

"I was delayed at the hospital and was just finishing in here. A little bit of advice…first rule they teach debutantes about bathroom gossip – check the stalls. It's just a little finishing school trick that might come in handy." The two women walk away and are barely out the door before an embarrassed Cristina is trying to explain herself to Adele and Addison.

"Look, I know that was wrong but they called me Burke's toy."

"It's okay Cristina. They're two of the biggest gossips. Nice work." The three women start to laugh.