Enjoy.
EVA
"No, can you reschedule my three o'clock appointment for five? Thanks girl," I said to my assistant Emily, before getting my things together. My job is done for now, I have to go to my parents' for dinner. Might as well because I won't be doing any cooking.
While making my way to my parents' house I was rushing because I was late for dinner. Kind of got caught up at the office. The magazine business is a ton of work. What I wore to work today would be good for dinner: a black peplum top with khaki slacks, and black Red Bottoms, along with a matching diamond earring and necklace set that had gold accents. I entered the gates of my parents' villa. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree; just like me my parents owned their own businesses. My dad owns and invests in realty and my mother was an attorney she had her own firm. I parked right in front, got out and made my way to the gigantic double doors. Just my luck, they were open. As soon as I stepped foot in the home, the aroma of food hit my nose.
"That better be my baby girl!" My father's deep, masculine voice echoed through the foyer along with the clacks of his shoes.
"Hey Daddy," I cooed as we hugged and he kissed me on the forehead. "Where's Mama?" I said as I looked around with a confused look on my face she was always by his side they never really parted..
"In the kitchen baby girl, come on," he said and we went to the kitchen. As we entered the kitchen, Mama was standing in front of the stove.
"Eva baby," she said with the apron on, coming towards me.
"Mama," I said with a smile on my face .I absolutely adore my parents.
"Where is Evan?" I referred to my little brother.
"Girl, he somewhere 'round here," she said and continued putting the plates out on the dining room table.
Here I am, thinking I was late and they are not even ready. I kicked off my heels beside the couch in the living to make my way upstairs to see about my little brother.
"Evan!" I barged in his room.
This boy was asleep, snoring and all. I snapped a picture for Instagram while laughing. I began to shake him. "Evan, get the fuck up." I shook him while repeating myself.
"E...gooooo..." he said in between grunts. I continued to shake him.
"Aight, I am up!" he said.
I laughed. "Okay good, now put on a shirt, nobody want to see ya' little bird chest. And come downstairs when you're done." I closed his door then left. The love I have for my little brother is indescribable, he is truly my dog. He is only eighteen but acts as if he is my age and that is a no-no. He is graduating this year, and is planning on going to college.
I came back downstairs and went into the dining room. I sat down in my usual spot.
"Where that boy at?" my daddy said. "EV-" He began to yell.
"No Daddy, he is on his way down," I said with a laugh.
Evan soon came to the table. Mama said Grace and then we all dug in. Mama threw down too - barbecue chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, asparagus and rolls.
"So how is work honey?" my mother asked me.
"It's good," I said with a smile. "That's good." She redirected her attention to my brother. "How is school, Evan?"
"It's good. I am staying on top my grades," he said. I could tell he was proud of himself.
"Good, now don't be bringing no little nappy-headed girl up in this house and that goes for you too, E," Daddy chimed in.
"Of course not, Daddy," I replied with a smirk.
After dinner I made my way to my uptown Miami apartment. Parking my car in the usual spot, I sighed because my life is so repetitive. The same thing happens every day. I made my way up to my floor and began to walk down the hall. Unlocking the door, I kicked off my heels and threw the keys on the bar counter and my purse on the couch. Today was a very long day. My phone began to ring, signaling to me it was my cousin. My cousin Hazel and I are like sisters; since I don't have one, our moms would always pair us together. We've been through everything together. First boyfriends, first kisses, all that stuff. She is probably the only female I trust, other than of course my mother and assistant.
"Hello," I spoke politely.
"E, what's up love?"
"Nothing, just got home."
"Oh, well do you think you can watch Riley for me?" she said. Riley is her five-year-old son and he was just as cute as he could be.
"Girl, no problem," I reassured her.
"Aight, see you then," she said and hung up the phone. I don't mind watching little RJ for Hazel and Riley. Even though he is my little cousin, he calls me 'Auntie'. Someday I hope for children of my own, but that will have to wait. Vogue is my life right now and I really don't have time for anything else. Later on, I was in full Auntie mode when RJ came over.
"RJ what you want to watch?" I asked. We were both lying in my bed as I flipped through the TV channels.
"Um, it doesn't matter," he said as we both scooped strawberry ice cream into our mouths. He is such a good boy. Hazel is always working, so while she is doing that he is with me, which is fine.
"Auntie E are you lonely?" he looked up at me and asked. I paused because that isn't a question you would normally hear a five-year-old ask.
********
While going through some written articles at my desk, there was a knock. "Come in," I said, then prepared myself for the person's presence. This was a good morning, so I guess I could be nice, but I wasn't expecting anyone.
"Good morning Ms. Marks," Cedric came in and said. Cedric is in charge of all the photography in the magazine. He handed me a Starbucks Mocha frappe with a smirk. I gladly accepted, it's my favorite.
"Thank you so much Ced," I said with a smile. He sat down and replied with a simple "No problem. How's your day so far?" Somehow I knew he would try to make small talk, I had no problem with that.
I sighed. "It's good, I have a bunch of reviewing to do and that is about it."
He nodded his head. "Well I'll see you later Ms. Marks." He closed my office door and left.
Cedric is a really good friend of mine. We tried a relationship in college but it didn't work out as well as I thought it would. Guess it wasn't meant to be. He is a player, or womanizer, shall I say? He is good-looking, though.
My work phone began to ring. I answered it quickly because the tone is too annoying. "Eva Marks, Vogue Magazine," I spoke reciting the cliché line.
"Eva," my brother's voice came through.
"What, Evan?" I said, annoyed. I don't have time for this boy today.
"Can I spend the night with you?"
My eyes got big.
"What? Why?" I replied.
"Well, there is this party and I want to go, but Dad won't let me."
"Mhmm, so you trying to use me," I said jokingly.
He laughed. "Nah, you know I love you."
"Love you too baby brother, see you tonight."
The call ended and I continued doing my reviews and leaving notes. I came across one review that I absolutely loved. I figured I would go to the writer's cubicle. I got up from my desk and began making my way towards one of the fashion column writers, Pharah.
"Hey Pharah," I said with a smile as I leaned on her cubicle wall.
"Hi Ms. Marks " she said shyly while fixing her shirt. Pharah is a very pretty young lady.
"I just wanted to come by personally to commend you on the work you have been doing, girl. Keep it up and we can talk about a raise," I said with a smile.
Her eyes lit up with joy. "Thank you so much Ms. Marks and I sure will. You can always count on me," she said and continued working. I decided that Pharah is definitely getting a raise. I walked back to my office and checked my email to see what was scheduled for the rest of my day. I opened a message from Emily. I have a lunch meeting at Bone Fish. It was eleven now and this lunch meeting was at two. I have to hold off on my lunch. Might as well get to this reviewing. An issue is being put out next week and we need to get to work. I don't publish crappy work.
Two o'clock came around quickly.
"Em, I'll be back around three, maybe three thirty, who knows?" I said as I put on my black Fendi shades. She nodded her head and I made my way to the elevator. Walking through the lobby, I was feeling like a boss with my designer shades. "Hey hey, um, excuse me," I heard a voice say. I stopped in my tracks and looked at the man. "Yes?" I replied.
"Do you know what floor Pharah Hanes is on?" he said, eyeing me up and down. Can't lie, I was eyeing him down also. I noticed that he kind of looked like Pharah, but I don't have time to gaze at this man.
"Eight." I smiled then walked off. I had a very important meeting to attend.