AVERAGE MARIA: CHAPTER 6

Maria
 

“Come on, Luis! We’re going to be late!” As I’m hopping around to get my heels on. For the third time this month, I’m wearing a suit and heels. From now on, only wearing this for important meetings and shit.
 

“I’m coming!” As my brother tries to wolf down the rest of his breakfast. Dad already left for work 10 minutes ago and I’m pretty sure Daniel is already at MODE, waiting for Luis and I. Finally got my heels on and grab my purse. Mom comes out of the kitchen with her mug of coffee. Mom kisses me on the cheek.
 

“Have a great first day and try not to kill your brother today. Or your cousin for that matter.”

“I make no promises. Luis! Come on!” Luis grabs his stuff with food in his mouth. Abuelo comes out of the kitchen with two bags in his hands alongside his cane.
 

“Don’t forget your lunches!” Luis and I take the bags from Abuelo as he hugs us.
 

“Thanks, Abuelo. Love you.” I open the door and walk out with Luis right behind me, still eating. I swear it takes Luis forever to finish eating. We head for the elevator and go downstairs. We head out for the town car waiting for Luis and I. We get into the car and the driver takes off as soon as the door closes behind Luis.

 

After a car ride, an elevator ride, and a mini tour, we’re finally at MODE. Weird to think that Daniel and I are in charge of this magazine. I just hope that we don’t prove them wrong about us not being like our parents with running MODE. Luis and I get closer to the meeting room and wow! That’s a lot of people in there! Including Grandma and Daniel.
 

“Ready to walk into hell?” I suppress a snort. Wasn’t expecting Luis to say that.
 

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” We head into the meeting, and everyone goes silent. Okay, that’s eerie to hear. Luis and I shuffle through people to get to Grandma and Daniel. And I see that Marc still works here. I thought he quit after that photoshoot I did here 4 years ago. I did piss him and Wilhemina off so much. I thought we were going to see them a lot redder than what I and the other models were wearing. Yes, I literally thought for the last 4 years that MODE had a different creative director. Looks like I was wrong. Marc gives Luis and I a look as we pass by him. Ooh, that cute receptionist from the front desk is here.
 

“Good, Maria and Luis are here. We can get this meeting started!” Grandma stands up as Luis and I sit down.
 

“Good morning, everyone. As you all know, today marks the end of Wilhemina Slater’s era at both MODE and Meade Publications. I know that some of you are having a hard time dealing with that, Marc.” Grandma side-eyes Marc. Kind of surprised that Grandma kept Marc since he did originally work for Wilhemina before he was promoted to Creative Director but, I guess he still makes money for MODE regardless.
 

“Today also marks the beginning of a new era for MODE. Please welcome MODE’s newest co-editors in chief and newest photographer, my grandchildren. Daniel, Maria and Luis Meade.” Most of the people in the room clap. Some just look bored and just want to get back to doing their jobs which I don’t blame them for feeling that way right now.
 

“Alright then. Everyone that aren’t my grandchildren, Marc, Amanda, Dario or Emily may leave.” Ms. Tanen-Sommers still works here? I thought she left MODE years ago. The room instantly clears out, leaving only us left in the room.
 

“Maria, I’m sure you’ve met MODE’s stylist and designer, Amanda Tanen-Sommers.”
 

“Yea. Hello again-” And her hands are on my face.
 

“What are you doing?”
 

“Just checking to make sure you’re really Betty’s kid.” Besides a shit of pictures of mom pregnant with Luis and I both times.
 

“I already told you that she’s Betty and Daniel’s daughter, Mandy. Just like the guy in the glasses is also Betty and Daniel’s son, her brother.” That makes her stop messing with my face long enough to look at Marc.
 

“I know but, we’re talking about Betty here.” Not really sure how to feel about that.
 

“Can you get your hands off my granddaughter’s face, Amanda?” Ms. Tanen-Sommers removes her hands off of my face.
 

“Sorry.” Grandma turns to Daniel.
 

“Daniel, this is MODE’s stylist and designer, Amanda Tanen-Sommers.” They shake hands.
 

“Bonjour.”
 

“Hell-lo! I’m Amanda!” Why is she talking to him like he’s stupid?
 

“I’m French, not stupid, madam.”
 

“Well then. Daniel, Maria, I would like to introduce you both to your new assistants. Luis, pay attention since you may have to go through them to get to your sister and/or your cousin.” Grandma walks over to the other woman in the room.
 

“Daniel, this is your assistant Emily Brier.” Daniel walks over to Emily to shake her hand.
 

“Bonjour Emily.”
 

“Hello, Mr. Meade.” Oh, she’s Scottish. Huh, just like Aunt Christina. I wonder how her, Uncle Stuart and William are doing.
 

“Please, call me Daniel.” Both of them retract their hands. I sense a repeat of my parents' love story here. I turn towards Grandma who’s now standing in between Marc and Ms. Tanen-Sommers and the blonde guy here.
 

“And Maria, this is your assistant Dario St James-Sommers. Marc and Amanda’s son.” Ooh, the cute guy from the front desk is my assistant. Wait a minute, did grandma say Marc and Ms. Tanen-Sommers’ son?
 

“Come again?”
 

“Yes, Muh-re-a. Dario is mine and Mandy’s pride and joy!” 1. He didn’t need to drag out my name and 2. Unless Marc got drunk and slept with Ms. Tanen-Sommers, I’m guessing Dario’s a test tube baby. Despite those facts in mind, it seems like my crush is still going strong.
 

“Well then, hello Dario.” We shake hands. He really does look like Marc and Ms. Tanen-Sommers. No shit since they’re his parents.
 

“Alright then. Anyone that aren’t my grandchildren, you may go back to work. Daniel, Maria, Luis, come with me.” Everyone except for Marc starts to head for the door.
 

“Uh, Claire, may I have a word with your granddaughter real quick?”
 

“Uh, sure. We’ll wait for you, Maria.”
 

“Okay, grandma.” Everyone else leaves the room, leaving only Marc and I in the room. I turn to look him directly in the eye as he lets out an exasperated sigh.
 

“Look, I’m only going to say this because of the fact that Daniel is your father and his history regarding Mandy. And his previous assistants before your mother.”
 

“Is there a point to this or are you just reminding me of how much of a whore my father was long before I existed?” If his eyes rolled any farther, they would be falling out of his head.
 

“I’m aware that you’re 22 and very painfully aware that my little boy is almost 21. I’m also aware that one way or another, you’re going to end up dating him.”
 

“How did you-”
 

“I saw the look on your face when you saw him earlier. All I’m going to ask is that you don’t repeat your father’s mistakes with Dario, okay? Please? I can’t handle another Meade hurting someone I love and care about.”
 

“Okay.” We come to some sort of silent truce as we walk out of the meeting room. Marc saunters off to his office while I join up with Grandma, Daniel and Luis.
 

“I’m going to show you where your offices are and where you’ll find Luis most of the time when he’s here. The lawyer should be here soon.”

“Lawyer?”
 

“Just some extra paperwork to cover our asses. Mainly in case Wilhemina gets bored of retirement.” I guess that makes sense. And Grandma’s walking away. She walks fast for an older woman. Grandma leads us to what I’m assuming to be Daniel’s office based on the fact of Emily’s desk sitting right in front of it.
 

“This is Daniel’s office. It was previously Wilhemina’s and for a short while, Alexis’.” And looks like we’re going inside his office. We get to the door connecting to another office and walk into the other office.
 

“This is Maria’s office. It was also previously Marc's office before moving to his new one, Daniel’s before he stepped down in 2010, and before then, Fey Sommers until she died.” Back up, this was dad’s office? And here come the images of my father that I don't want.

“This room has been heavily sanitized and has had different furniture since your father stepped down from MODE, Maria.” Not sure if that makes it any better.

 

Grandma shows us where we’ll probably find Luis most of the time when he’s here before we head back to the meeting room to meet with the lawyer.
 

“Children, I would like you all to meet Meade Publications newest lawyer, Nathan Grubstick.”

"Hello.” We all shake hands. He’s an attractive looking man. Looks to be maybe late 20’s, early 30’s. No wedding ring but, doesn’t mean much of anything anymore.
 

“This shouldn’t take too long. Just a little bit of paperwork to make sure that this company is iron clawed into the Meade family and a certain Wilhemina Slater can’t get to it again.” Nathan pulls out the paperwork we all have to sign. I look at the signatures at the bottom. That explains those pieces of paper that were on the table a couple of days ago. Daniel takes the pen from Nathan first and signs the papers. He hands the pen off to me and I hand it off to Luis after I sign them.
 

“Alright then. Just have to get these papers processed and that will be it.”
 

“Wonderful.” Grandma turns to both Daniel and I.
 

“The last issue with Wilhelmina being Editor-In-Chief goes to print tomorrow. We start the planning for you two’s first issue as Co-Editors-In-Chief on Wednesday. Good luck to both of you!” We get very tight hugs before Grandma walks out. Daniel walks out soon after with Luis following behind. I head for the door.
 

“You’re Maria, right?” I stop and turn towards him.
 

“Yea.” I turn for the door again.
 

“Are you single?” Straightforward aren’t we.

“Yeah. Are you?”

“Yes. I was wondering if you would like to grab coffee or dinner sometime.”
 

“Sure. I’m free tomorrow night.” I open my purse and pull out a napkin I didn’t know I had in here. I grab the pen on the table and write down my number. I hand the napkin to Nathan when I’m done writing it.
 

“Here’s my number.” He takes the napkin and replaces it with a business card.

“Here’s mine. Call me Nate.” I take the card.
 

“Guess I’ll talk to you later, Nate?”
 

“I guess so.” We exchange a small smile before I walk out and head to my office. I walk past Dario who clearly is trying to hide from someone. Based on the direction and the voices coming from that direction, I’m guessing he’s hiding from his parents. I enter my office and head for the desk. I plop my purse down on the desk and plop myself into the chair. Damn, this is a comfortable chair. I stare straight ahead.
 

Weird to think that 32 years ago it was dad in this chair with Wilhemina next door and mom where Dario is sitting. Er, well hiding in. Maybe everyone’s right. Maybe Daniel and I will do wonderful things for MODE that clearly dad and Aunt Alexis weren’t able to do as Co-Editors-In-Chief. I dig my laptop out of my purse. Open it and boot it up. I have an idea for our first issue. Since I’m half Mexican and Daniel’s half French, what better way to start our era than doing an issue celebrating both of our cultures. New era of MODE, here we come!