The next morning, Eve sat on the living room couch.
She wore her fuzzy blue pajama set. It had a pattern of cute white rabbits. Feet up on the tan cushion, she rested a bowl of cereal on one knee. The sun peeked behind the yellow curtains. Nothing played on tv.
It was a quiet Sunday.
Andie entered the doorway. She tied her dirty blonde hair in her signature messy bun. Unlike Eve, she wore a gray tank top with a pair of yoga pants. Her hands carried a tray of breakfast food. It contained two steaming mugs of coffee, a basket of breadsticks and a saucer of butter.
Instead of breakfast, it was more like an after breakfast snack.
“Still worried?” She asked, setting the tray on the coffee table. She plopped herself on the couch and bit on a breadstick. “You know nothing good is going to happen if you keep worrying, right?”
Eve stirred her chocolate malt cereal. The milk had darkened from the cereal’s flavor. She loved to drink it when she finished the grains. Now, she didn’t seem up for it. “I know I’m probably overreacting but I can suddenly lose my job from this.”
Andie shrugged, feeling the opposite. She had full confidence in the plan. “Even if you do, you have enough money for your sisters’ to finish high school. Think of it as early savings. I mean, you’d still find another job. It’s not the end of the world.”
“I know,” Eve lamented. She scooped out a spoon of cereal and ate it. “I can still feel bad about it.”
“Suit yourself,” her best friend chuckled. Her eyes fluttered as she smirked. “I wouldn’t mind if you lost your job. I’d just look forward to you becoming a full-time model.”
Eve kicked her thigh.
Andie doubled over laughing. She wrapped an arm around her stomach, still holding the breadstick. Her throat became hoarse. She had heard the story last night but found it just as funny!
Her stormy blue eyes flickered to her best friend. They crinkled at the corners and shined amusedly. “I can’t wait to see that campaign! I’d hunt down every Athon store even if you don’t tell me which one.”
“There’s only one Athon store in the city.” Eve frowned.
“They do have consignment in some malls.” Andie pointed out, the pitch of her voice rising higher by the end, “But thank you for narrowing it down for me.”
She leaned on the backrest and finished her breadstick. “It’s funny how you ended up in the industry after you rejected a previous recruitment.”
Eve rolled her eyes. “That guy looked shady. Besides, I’m a business major. Modelling doesn’t last for a long time. I already got the degree. Might as well make use of it.”
She put the spoon between her lips, pressing them together. At the time, she couldn’t rely on unstable income. She wanted something more safe and more concrete. She needed a constant flow of money.
Modelling had risks she couldn’t afford if she failed.
Andie took her mug of coffee. It had more cream compared to Eve’s. One side, the peach porcelain had full color drawings of cactuses. On the other, it had black cursive letters that read,
‘Don’t be a prick.’
It was love at first sight.
“When do you have to log in to the site?” She asked, sipping the warm beverage. The creamy and sweet caffeine delighted her taste buds. “Do you need to wear that wig when you chat?”
Eve knitted her brows. She ate the last of her cereal and stirred the leftover chocolate milk. “Why would I need to do that when he won’t see my face?”
Andie shrugged. She took another taste of her coffee. “What if he suddenly wants to video call? Those photos were his idea, right? Wouldn’t he want to check by asking for a video call?”
“...”
Now that she mentioned it, Eve started to believe it could be true. She had to prepare for any possibility. Her boss would be suspicious if she took a long time. She had yet to master putting on her contact lenses. If she didn’t wear them right away, what was she to do to cut the time?
Wear sunglasses?
“Anyway,” Andie said. She spread some butter on a breadstick. “When is it?”
“After lunch.” Eve sighed, draining the leftover milk in one go. “Mrs. Hathaway wants to look over last minute details with her son. I’m guessing she’d update me if there are any sudden changes.”
“Well… good luck?” It was a statement, not a question. Her best friend felt unsure on what to say in this situation. She laughed under her breath as she thought of more. “Break a leg? Steal his heart? Don’t get fired?”
Eve swung her legs, planting her feet on the floor. She rolled her eyes upwards and peeked at the ceiling. At least, one person found her situation amusing. There was still some time left before the appointed time.
Maybe she’d find something to ease her mind.
…
…
…
…
…
Meanwhile, a black Jaguar XK climbed up a small hill found at the outskirts of the city. It had its roof rolled down and had one passenger. The leather seats and the hood gleamed under the morning sun. It sped through the empty road, purring for more power.
Wild grass sprouted from either side of the path. Tiny yellow flowers littered among them. Lush green shrubs and trees stood in lines. Local volunteers had planted them. They added a bit more life to the quiet landscape.
The wind flew past Ambryan’s face. His onyx black hair whipped behind him. Aviator classic sunglasses shielded his violet eyes. The collar of his black dress shirt flapped against his neck. Fresh nature air filled his lungs.
It brought a small smile on his face.
His mother must really want to get on his good side.
Why else would she pick his favorite bristo?
The trail led to a two-storey building made of bricks and timber. Stitz Bristo’s architectural design had been inspired by infrastructures from the 15th century. The ground layout had a U-shape, placing the main entrance in between two wings. Apricot bricks lined up its foundation while cream timbers framed the second floor.
Toasty brown asphalt made up the gable roofs.
Ambryan parked his convertible beside the east wing. Workers welcomed him to the Stitz Bristo when he stepped out. Black dress shirt tucked in a pair of white pants, he hooked the keys on a belt loop. His dark boat shoes crunched on the brick pavement. They headed for the nearest side entrance.
He pushed the glass door open, sliding it to the side.
A round mahogany table greeted his eyes. He took off his aviator sunglasses and hooked them on his dress shirt. He headed for an empty chair, sitting across from his mother.
Avery had a cup of tea in one hand while the other held up a newspaper. The page showed her the show business section. No matter how advanced technology became, she still preferred to read the paper every morning. She had her phone on silent, leaving it inside her purse.
If she had anything urgent, a bodyguard would inform her instead.
“Good morning, mother,” Ambryan greeted her. Rolling up his sleeves, he scooped out a few tea leaves and began to brew his own cup.
The waiter assigned to their table left the room.
Avery looked up from her reading. She raised her eyebrows at the sight of her son. “You know… I do remember that I lectured you over different styles of clothing. Despite that, I somehow think you’d still come here wearing your business suit.”
She folded the newspaper, revealing her yellow summer dress. The neckline wrapped around the base of her neck and extended down in a halter cut. Pear droplets dangled from her ears.
“I could do that,” her son joked, wearing a neutral expression, “Maybe if I finally met your expectation, you’d be less disappointed in me.”
The cup Avery held clattered on its saucer. Accusation flared in her eyes. “I’m never disappointed in you.”
Ambryan scowled at the ceiling. “What was this website for again?”
Her mother rolled her eyes. Folding her hands over the table, a sigh escaped her lips. “It’s because I’m concerned. I know life hasn’t been easy on you but I hope you’d settle down with your own loving family. I just want you to consider it. This would be the last time I meddle in your affairs... so please cooperate?”
“What exactly did you call for me here today?” Her son asked, cutting to the chase. He took a test sip of his tea and grunted in approval.
“I prepared a timetable,” Avery began to say. “This is only for the first chat. I want you to talk to each girl for about 30 minutes. Don’t message more than one at a time. Focus on her only before the time is up. I already informed them of their schedules.
Yan put down his cup and tilted his head to the side. “You don’t get to see what conversations are, right?”
“Of course not.” Her mother snorted. “That would be unrealistic and unnecessary. One day, you’d meet in real life and go on dates. Would that mean I’d be there? Highly unlikely.”
“Sounds very likely to me.”
She glared in her son’s direction.
He merely smirked, patting the napkin on his lips. “Wouldn’t you love to see how our dates go? It sounds like a real life romance movie for you to watch.”
Avery gripped her fork and knife. The waiter had returned and served their dishes. A plate of pancakes and sausage appeared before her. The meat spices floated up her nose. It caused her stomach to rumble.
“Hmph!” She grunted, cutting a piece of sausage. She took a bite and muttered to herself, “We’ll see who has the last laugh when you meet Evangeline. Then, I’ll have a second laugh when you find out she’s your secretary after you fell for her.”
“What did you say, mother?”
“Nothing. This sausage is delicious. We should eat here again when your father comes home.”
ns 15.158.61.48da2
