Monday
Today is the day that I will meet my sister's boyfriend, and I am terrified of this person.
Throughout my life, I have been exposed to the Mafia family in Los Angeles and their activities, and the concept of crossing them has never appealed to me.
I will be meeting one of them at this very moment.
The entrance to the house opens, and I see Alanie walk in via the front door. She comes over to approach me. "You're not going to chicken out on me, are you?"
Not at all; I will be present. At what time would you like me to meet up with you?
I will meet you at the café directly across the street from Miller Industries at one o'clock. I know you must report to work today, and I did not want to distract you from your task for a long time.
I embrace her. "Thank you very much, sister. Would you be interested in accompanying me to work? If so, check out the new line the gals plan to release.
"Really?"
"Yes, they told me the new line will be Revive."
It is then that she breaks into a broad smile. "I approve of the new line's name," she said. Are you under the impression that they will steal designs from another person?
From where I am standing, I gaze up. You could ask them if you brought any of your designs.
She pulls a folder out of her handbag. "It's in here." She sits down at the counter and takes a seat. "I have seen the designs you have sketched for years, including those for handbags, shoes, and dresses. "I am at a loss to understand why you have not shown them."
First, I get myself a cup of coffee; then, I bring it to the chair adjacent to hers. I placed the cup on the counter. "I'm not going to use my successful friends to launch a shitty line that I know won't succeed."
Her arms make a cross. Katherine, you don't know that. Can you overcome your fear of doing things?
"I'm not afraid." As I reach the end of the phrase, my voice begins to break.
"What a sham! Since you graduated from college, you have only been around fifty per cent of the person you were expected to be. She makes her way to her feet. "Kathy, you have my utmost respect and admiration. I want my older sister to return to me, willing to take a chance.
She passed away quite some time ago.
"I'm sorry that I can't be the person you looked up to all those years ago, Alanie," I say while looking at the ground. I am unable to continue dreaming. This is not how the world operates. You will need to put in much effort to achieve your goals.
At that very moment, Melvin enters the room, and he looks between Alanie and I he is looking at. "Is everything alright?"
"No," Alanie screams out in protest. "Tell her that she needs to bring her designs to work today and that she needs to meet with Zinnia and Seraphina today about our designs." The moment she reaches the entrance, she turns her attention to me. It is ten o'clock, and I will meet you at Miller Industries. You must put on your big girl pants and make arrangements to meet with the head of the company. It is she who exits the building.
"What's that about."
I let out a sigh. "She wants me to be who I was before I lost the baby." Taking a look at him tells me. "I don't remember who she was."
When Melvin comes over to me, he puts his hand on my face and then walks away. "She was a stunning young lady with far-reaching ambitions, and she was going to achieve success in everything she set her mind to. You were finally successful when you decided to pursue your aspirations of being a photographer. Nevertheless, you can alter your dream and engage in a new activity. Our lips are in contact with one another.
While kissing him more passionately, I wrap my arms around his neck.
Withdrawing from the situation, I require some time to get my breathing under control.
He breaks into a broad grin before his eyes. "Kathy, you never fail to leave me lacking for words. I will be there for you in whatever you want to do right now.
"Thanks, Melvin." I embrace him.
'Seraphina' appears on the screen as my phone begins to ring, and I watch it flash across the screen.
"I have to take this," I tell him as I leave the room.
Me: How are you?
Seraphina: Have you decided to come in today?
Me: Indeed, I am, I am. Why?
Seraphina: I need to show you some photographs of your photo shoot with Melvin and Alanie.
Okay, Seraphina, I will see you when you are here. I will see you then.
What is Seraphina?
Yeah, Seraphina said.
Today, Alanie and I would want to have a conversation with you.
Seraphina: I can accommodate you at 10:30.
Me: That's fantastic. I'll be at the office by nine o'clock.
Seraphina: Great.
After hanging up the phone, I enter the kitchen.
At this moment, Melvin is preparing bacon and eggs in the kitchen. "Do you want some?"
I give a head shake. "I'll get something on the way to the office."
He waves the spatula in the air. "How many times am I going to hear that line?"
I am honest with him and tell him "always."
"And how many times do you grab something to eat?"
That will not happen, but I won't tell him that fact.
"All the time."
It is a laugh. Even though I have accompanied you to the office multiple times, I have witnessed you consuming any food at lunchtime. It is a sandwich you have while you are on the move when you eat. It's almost as if you never finish."
I require something that will divert my attention.
"Do you know what day it is today, Melvin?"
The man gives a head shake.
I am crossing my arms. We first met Michelle on this day at the college we both attended. When we first met her, she was a typical person. What brought about her transformation is a mystery to me.
After Melvin has finished turning off the pan, he approaches me and says this while wrapping his arms around me: This was the last time her father called her. Her anticipation for his phone calls was constant throughout the day. They stopped talking one day, and she attempted to call him, but he never answered. At that moment, she became aware that no one cared about her. "When her father abandoned her, she was deprived of everything."
"So, she attached herself to you."
"Something like that." He makes a muttering sound.
I can see the time just by looking at the wall. "Melvin, I just have to leave. After work, I will be waiting for you.
"Don't forget your designs." He is pursuing me.
I won't do that.
After ascending the stairs to my room, I retrieved the folder where I stored all my belongings.
Honestly, I do not want to give anyone access to my belongings.
If I fail to do so, Alanie will examine my belongings and assert that she is their rightful owner.
However, when she finally obtained the funds, she handed it over to me and told me that others would have been interested in buying what I had to offer for sale.
Zinnia and Seraphina will be okay with that. We intend to increase the size of their line.
I was setting foot on the Audi R8 I used to commute to work.
*******
Seraphina is waiting for me in the office's garage. Bringing her iPad with her, she approaches me. "I want to show you some cute photos that I came across of Melvin and you."
While browsing through the photographs, she pauses at one of them, where Melvin looks at me with a stupid smile. I am looking at the camera for the picture.
I chuckle to myself. I adore the photograph. You must send it to me.
She goes through more, and the things that she goes through make me smile and giggle.
She turns her attention to me as she finishes the final one she is working on. "Are you going to tell me what you and Alanie want to see us for?"
I give a head shake. "I'm going to leave all the talking to my sister."
"You don't have much to say, do you?"
While I am walking, I pause and stare at her. "I have a lot to say, but I'm sure people don't want to hear it."
And she laughs. "You're probably right."