"What if we…"
We had been at this for hours and, yet it had felt like days. I combed my manicured fingers through my slick, black ponytail only to have a few strands of straightened hair stay behind between my fingers. I feared this was from the stress and frustration I had been feeling these past few weeks. This presentation is going to be perfect before I dare show it to a group of the most prestigious men this country has to offer. It had to be. I will not put my professional career and appearance at risk for anything less than flawless.
"Tyah, are you even listening to me?" questioned my assistant, while she waved her tanned arm in front of my face.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry Fi. This presentation has me running on empty."
"I hear that. I can already hear mi mami, "No puedo seguir quemando la vela en ambos extremos, mija."
Fi shakes her head and scoffs, as if she's heard the saying a million times. Her wavy, chocolate brown locks fall around her face as she begins to pick up her papers and clean the table located in the middle of my office. She straightens out her black pencil skirt and matching blazer before standing up to grab the rest of her stuff from her desk that's right outside my door. Though Fi is younger than me by almost 10 years, she has always had an aura of wisdom radiate off her. It's almost like she was born with it. She returned a few moments later with a beige pea coat draped over her arm and a white knitted hat, accompanied by a fluffy yarn ball on top, neatly placed over her head so that it framed her heart shaped face. It was only the middle of May here in Emerald Cove, Wisconsin so outside was still a little cool. I make my way over to my desk to put on my black heels that I had taken off hours prior. The pain they cause the heels of my feet make it hard to focus. Fi is busy typing away on her iPhone XXXIV but when she looks up at me through her brown eyes, she notices I am still confused by her sudden change in language.
"It means go to sleep, Tyah. Don't worry, we'll finish this presentation. I'll see you in the morning." Fi chuckled light-heartedly and ran out of my office as if she was late to a presidential dinner. I smiled in response. The clock read 6:24 pm. This is the earliest I've ever gotten out of the office, I thought to myself. I stood up from my desk and sighed as I went to grab my things when I realize I missed a call. I prayed it wasn't from Mark. He never understood that my career was just as important as his and that conversation always ended in a loud and unnecessary fight. I smile, almost in relief, when I notice it was from my dad. I quickly gather my black mid length jacket with matching leather gloves and lock up the office before calling him back.
"Hey sugar, what took you so long?", he asked. He always knew how to make me smile.
"Hey dad. I'm just finishing up at work. What's up?", I answered, while getting into my silver 2110 Audi Supernova. I swear the names for these cars just keep getting weirder every year.
"Your mother and I were wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner. Your brother is coming home for a few weeks and she's making Kimchi, so we thought we would make this a real shindig. What do you say?" I grinned at the idea of a family meal. We haven't had one in a while and it would really make this day a hell of a lot better.
"Sure dad. I'll be there!" I could almost hear his amused look through the phone.
"Great! But remember, forks up at 7. We won't hesitate to start without you. See you soon sugar. Love you!" He was so excited, he didn't even wait for me to say it back before he hung up. Dad was a real mystery to me. No matter how busy he got, being the Senior Financial Advisor at one of the biggest banks in the state, he never forgot about my brother and me. He always made time for his family, and I admired that about him. He's the reason I got into finances and worked my way up to be a partner at M.A.R Accounting, the biggest accounting firm in four surrounding states. The 'R' stands for Rivers, as in Tyah Rivers. It's pretty sweet.
I went to my apartment to change before heading to my parent's house. I set my purse and phone on my white sectional and continued through my bedroom, to my closet. I wasn't going to show up in white wide leg trousers paired with a navy-blue button up, a white fitted blazer, and black heels; my family would never let me hear the end of it. They always claimed that I could never let loose and relax. I changed into a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a simple purple hoodie. I threw on some classic white converse and headed out after noticing that I only had 15 minutes to get to my parent's house. I was going to need all 15 to get there on time.
I walked up to the house I've known all my life. I had stormed through this door so many times growing up, yet I had never really taken the time to look at it. Even though the weather stripped away most of the color, there were still traces of blue paint left behind. Directly in front of my face was a dark green wreath with a red ribbon around it, tied in a bow. My mother insisted to keep a wreath on the door all year round. She said they spread happiness and cheer no matter what time of year it was. I knocked on the door, cursing as I almost chipped off the white polish at the ends of my fingernails. I was so worried about my nail beds that I didn't notice the door open.
"T!" I looked up to see a familiar face as the door opened wide enough for me to enter.
"Lucas! It's been so long! How are you?" Lucas extended his arms for a hug, which I gladly accepted. He looked different, older. He was taller, that's for sure. He wore his hair short, but I could still see the curls. His toned arms were covered in a grey long sleeve that was a little too tight, which I knew he wore on purpose, and he paired it with black sweatpants. He could never look professional and it was going to bite him in the ass after law school.
"I'm doing really good T. School is great, the boys are even better…" he continued with a smirk. Lucas had a full soccer scholarship to Stanford Law School in California. And though he is a great brother, and an even more talented athlete, he is awful with relationships. He moved on from one guy to the next, sometimes after a month, most times after a night. I have no idea where he got that thought process from. In college, I barely spoke to anyone, too focused on my future. I wasn't going to let anyone get in my way. I shook my head at him, complete with an annoyed grin, and started towards the kitchen.
I heard my mother before I saw her. She was going on and on about her secret Korean family recipes that had been passed down to her through twelve generations. I hesitated to enter knowing exactly how her greeting would go.
"Ah, Tyah! We've missed you! Come here!" she motioned. I shuffled over to her, and I was awarded with a bone-crushing hug. My mother might be shorter than me, but she sure is strong. I smiled into the hug and instantly smelled the wonderous scent that is her famous kimchi. I love kimchi. Everyone should love kimchi. After acknowledging me, my mother turned back around and continued with the exquisite dish. My father was sitting at the breakfast bar, per usual, watching the World News network on his
"Hey dad. What's going on in the world?" I asked.
"Not much sugar. Say, I haven't seen that man of yours on here for a while. You guys still good?"
"They better be. Mark is sent from heaven! He's so wonderful and handsome," my mother chimed. She has always been fond of Mark. I was too, at first. He was funny, charismatic, and kind. He opened doors for me and always asked about my day. He was beyond handsome, with a chiseled jaw line and toned muscles, everywhere. His smooth, dark bald head contrasted with his brooding and thick eyebrows. He was everything I had ever wanted. That was until he got the job. Mark used to be a small-time news reporter, behind the scenes of the World News, the biggest news station in the world. When he got promoted to be the main news anchor, he changed. He became arrogant and possessive. He got jealous over nothing and mad over everything.
"…and charming!" My mother pitched in, almost out of nowhere, pulling me from my thoughts. Lucas rolled his eyes and sat down next to my dad.
"Yeah, Mark is in Mill Creek for the next few days. He's covering a top-secret story," I said, finally answering my dad. After responding, I realized that Mark hasn't called me in three days. I don't know if I should be worried, or relieved.
"Is it chow time or what?" Lucas enquired. Lucas doesn't like to talk about Mark. He thinks Mark is a quote on quote "tool". I don't have the heart to tell him that he kind of is too.
"Alright, let's eat!" my mother exclaimed.
Dinner with my family was exactly what I needed. We talked about our days, our lives, and everything in between. Our night was filled with laughter and happiness while our bellies were filled with the best food ever created. I have a great family, a great job, and great friends. What more do I need? I love my life.