Eva sits back, arms crossed, watching the conversation with half-lidded eyes. When there’s finally a lull, she leans forward. “So, Nicole,” she says, her voice deceptively sweet. “I have to ask. I heard your skincare line is trending on Reddit. And not in a good way.”
My stomach drops. “Oh? I haven’t checked recently.”
“It’s quite the thread,” Eva continues, scrolling through her phone. “People are posting the most hilarious reviews. Someone said using your face cream was like—what was it again?—’rubbing rotten eggs on my face while setting my money on fire.’”
Megan and Jade giggle, exchanging knowing looks.
“The first formula had some issues,” I admit, my voice tight. “Butwe’ve since reformul—”
“Didn’t you also try pet products?” Jade asks suddenly, tilting her head. “Like … dog treats?”
My fingers curl around my mimosa flute. “Briefly,” I say. “It was more of a test run—small batch, mostly friends.”
“Ah. Right, I remember hearing something about that.” Eva sighs. “Maybe it’s time to accept that some people just aren’t meant to be entrepreneurs.”
The words hit like a physical blow. I blink rapidly, willing myself not to cry in front of these women.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not like you need the money,” Megan says. “Your dad’s Nikko Farrarah, right? The tech guy?”
“Yes, but I want to succeed on my own,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to just be my father’s daughter.”
Eva shrugs. “Some people are meant to create empires, and others are meant to … well, enjoy them.”
Cocoa, sensing my distress, jumps onto my lap, and I’m grateful for the excuse to bury my hands in his fur, hiding how badly they’re shaking.
The three women exchange glances, and then Eva checks her Apple Watch with an exaggerated gasp. “Oh my, is that the time? I really need to head out for that client.” Eva stands, smoothing down her leggings. “This was lovely, though.”
“Yes, so nice,” Jade echoes, already reaching for her purse. “The food looked amazing.”
“Thanks for having us,” Megan adds, not quite meeting my eyes. “Good luck with that Alice Ketchling thing.”
Yeah, there’s no way I’m going to that…
I stand robotically, clutching Cocoa against my chest like a shield. “Thanks for coming,” I hear myself say.
As they reach the door, Eva turns back. “Just a bit of friendly advice?” she says softly. “Maybe stick to being a rich man’s daughter.”
And then they’re gone, the door swinging shut behind them with a soft click.
I stand frozen in the middle of the room, surrounded by untouched food and perfect place settings. Cocoa whines softly, licking at my chin.
My vision blurs as tears well, and I struggle to take a full breath. The silence of the room presses in on all sides, punctuated only by the gentle hum of the air conditioning.
I should clean up. I should pack away the food. I should do something other than stand here like an idiot.
But all I can hear is Eva’s voice echoing in my head.
Maybe stick to being a rich man’s daughter.
The tears spill over, sliding down my cheeks and dripping onto Cocoa’s fur.
If I can’t succeed on my own, then that’s all I am.
A placeholder. A last name.
Cocoa squirms in my arms, trying to lick the tears away, but there are too many.
“Well,” I whisper to him, my voice breaking. “That went exactly as terribly as I thought it would.”
