Mallory slapped at Rina and some of the coffee left my mouth. "Oh my God, you are so gross and you've been living with the twins too long already.”
There was no need to tell her that she was correct in her assumption. "I'll let him know you're interested."
"You really are a great boss," Rina said, flouncing out of the room.
Mallory gave me a look and shook her head as they both exited. They closed the door behind them and I started checking emails. My eyes adjusted to the screen but even that seemed to be over stimulating my eyes. White light flares seemed to send me into a dizzying tailspin. Not being able to take much more of it, I put my head down on my desk and just lay there.
Twenty minutes passed before a knock came on the door. I called for whomever to come in and found Mallory standing there with a bunch of black roses along with a frown on her face. I stood and frowned.
"Did someone die?" She asked, sitting the bouquet down on the desk.
Upon inspecting them I saw that they were so red they just appeared to be black. There was a card attached and I plucked it from the card holder. Reading the bold words:I'm still thinking of a punishment fit for a Tribute. Yours Truly, President Snow.
I chuckled just a bit and put the card into my desk. Mallory was still standing there so I asked her to take the roses to the front so that they could get some sunlight.
"So you're not going to tell me who they're from?" she asked over her shoulder.
"No," I replied following her out. "How are things looking for today?"
"Miguel's booked up and the twins are leaving early. You have three people scheduled for this afternoon and Rina is in with someone now."
"Perfect," I replied. "Sounds like a full...."
The sounds of screaming were coming from the front and I had no idea what was going on. Both Mallory and I hurried to the front to see a brunette arguing with both Ax and AJ. She did not look happy but they were both laughing in unison.
"Oh you think passing around Chlamydia is hilarious?" she asked.
"Look..."
"It's Nadia!" she screamed. "Oh my God, the two of you are trash."
I had no idea whether to step in and say something, but Mallory gave me a look as she put the flowers down on her desk. She came back over as I heard Rina coming from down the hall. The unmistakable click of the red high heels on the concrete floor.
"What in the hell is going on?" she asked us as if we had a clue.
Mallory and I both shrugged. Suddenly, Nadia's very irate and upset self unbuttoned her coat, while still screaming. "One of you is the father! Now laugh about that because when I pop this kid out someone is going to be helping me pay for it."
We all winced at her words.
Ax and AJ had turned white, the smiles falling from their faces. While I was enjoying the show, I needed this to not be happening in my place of business.
"Mallory, can you find them somewhere to discuss this," I looked over at her.
Rina was shaking her head. "Who didn't see this coming?"
The bell above the door rang, and peering around the scene happening my eyes abourt bulged out my head. That Key Lime coffee creamer must’ve had me seeing shit. There was no way in hell that my brother was standing in my shop again.
"Sis," he smiled his toothy grin.
Albie was the last person I wanted to see.
He was the last person I wanted in my shop. Before he could get any further into my space, I met him immediately.
"Whatever it is Albie, I can't help you..."
His face fell but I didn't care. Pushing him outside before my own family drama could play out in front of the other artists. The winter sun reminded me of why I'd worn sunglasses in the first place. A black town car sat idling nearby.
"Dad's inside," Albie said once we stopped.
