🎶 Good Morning Gorgeous, sometimes you gotta look in the mirror and say, Good Morning Gorgeous. 🎶
The song mellowed through the speakers she had installed throughout her home, her morning wake-up call. She rolled over, peeled the covers back, stretched, and yawned all at once. Sliding her feet into her favorite bear slippers, she headed to the bathroom to begin her routine.
🎶 All the times that I hated myself, all the times I wanted to be someone else 🎶
The lyrics carried on as she started her skin care routine.
“Alexa, read me my morning mantra.”
The music paused.
“Shea, you are divine. You are worthy. You are unstoppable. And the world is yours to develop. Make sure it’s clear.”
She repeated the words while looking at herself in the mirror and finished softly,“Asè.”
Her phone chimed.
Once.
Then again.
Her brow furrowed as she walked back into the bedroom and reached for it.
Aces:
Kayla: No morning inspo today, huh.
Jason: It’s too early for whatever you’re on.
Kayla: Guess you and your true bestie got the same size sticks up y’all butts.
Shea read the messages, then tossed the phone across the bed.
“Ugh.”
She stopped mid-step, pressed her fingertips together, and released a deep breath.
“I will not allow negativity to consume my space today,” she said aloud.
Her palms were damp, her heart rate elevated, but she breathed through it. One inhale. Then another. She returned to the mirror and finished the light, natural beat she had started.
Xavièr showered using his favorite Nivea Men’s body wash, his mind fixed on one thing. This consult had to go well.
He shut off the water, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped toward the sink. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and applied a little more body oil than usual.
His phone lit up.
Consultation 8:00 a.m.
He pulled on black Armani sweatpants and a copper-toned tee that clung to the muscle of his upper body. He sprayed Jaguar cologne, fastened a platinum cross around his neck, secured his favorite Rolex on his wrist, grabbed his bag, and walked out the door.
Jason dialed Shea’s number as soon as he slid into his Bentley Continental GT.
“This is Shea.”
“Good morning. What the heck is Kayla’s problem?”
Shea rolled her eyes. “We passed words last night. Well, she passed words. I hung up on her.”
“Passed words about what? She really has to get it together, Shea. We’re way too old for the antics.”
“I agree,” Shea said. “You headed to the office?”
“Not yet. I have something to handle this morning. Why are you up this early though? Your days never start this early.”
“I have a consult at eight. I’m walking up to the shop now to open.”
“Interesting,” Jason replied. “Talk to you later then?”
“Yes, that’s fine. I love you, pie.”
Jason chuckled. “I love you, cake.”
They disconnected.
Shea unlocked the door, flipped the sign from closed to open, and stepped inside her office.
“Alexa, play House of Bach by Enzima.”
The strings filled the space, the volume resting perfectly between barely there and present.
Bells chimed.
She turned toward the door.
A man stood there, dressed comfortably, his attire relaxed but intentional. His posture carried confidence, the kind that didn’t announce itself. Composed. Assured. Established, with just enough edge to make her pause.
“Good morning,” he said. “My name is Xavièr. I’m here for a consult with Shea.”
Shea couldn’t help the quick assessment. Head to toe. Clean. Grounded. When her brain caught up with the moment, she straightened.
“Good morning,” she said. “Sorry about the delayed response. I’m Shea.”
Xavièr smiled, clearly noticing the shift.
“No problem at all.”
Shea smiled, “you can follow me to my office.”
Jason arrived at Klineville Memorial Cemetery shortly after hanging up with Shea. He sat there for a moment, hands resting on the steering wheel, eyes drifting through the tinted glass.
He reached over to the passenger seat, gathered three dozen white roses, and stepped out of the car.
The headstone was beautiful. Heart-shaped marble, flanked by two eternal flames. The inscription read:
In Loving Memory of Ava Renee Singleton.
His eyes filled as he replaced the flowers in the vase he had installed.
“This hasn’t gotten any easier, babe,” he whispered.
He pressed two fingers to his lips, tapped her photo etched into the stone, then turned and walked away.
Back in the car, he noticed two missed calls and a text. He was not in the mental space to look.
He turned the radio up just enough to hear the song.
🎶 It’s kinda hard with you not around, know you in heaven smiling down. 🎶
Jason wiped his face, slipped on his Marc Jacobs shades, pulled through the gate, and headed toward the office.
“So, what can I help you with, Mr.” Shea glanced at her computer screen. “Sterling.”
“Please, Xavièr,” he said quickly. “Or Xae is fine. I was told you’re the best when it comes to portfolio work. So here I am.”
She smiled slightly. “And who do I have to thank for the referral?”
He grinned. “I’ve been instructed not to tell.” He chuckled softly.
Her brows lifted. “Oh, I see.”
“Modeling,” she asked. “Or acting?”
“Both,” he replied. “I need updated stills for a few upcoming roles.”
“Well,” Shea said, standing, “let’s see how the camera likes you. Follow me.”
The bells chimed again.
“I’ll be right with you,” Shea called out. Then she turned to Xavièr. “One second. I’m so sorry.”
“No problem,” he replied.
Shea headed toward the front of the studio and stopped short.
Kayla stood there, one hand planted on her hip. Her top strained to contain her chest, and the skirt wrapped around her curves so tightly that one wrong move would have split it clean open.
“Kayla, now is not the time.”
“Girl, it’s never the time, let you tell it.”
“I have a client,” Shea said evenly. “Can we please do whatever this is later?”
Kayla sucked her teeth. “Yeah, whatever this is will be handled later. At your house.”
Shea rolled her eyes. “Kayla, grow up. But fine. I’ll see you later.”
Kayla twisted her way out the door so dramatically that Shea was sure a hip had to be sacrificed in the process.
When she returned to the studio, she stopped.
Xavièr stood there in nothing but his sweats. No shirt. Skin lightly oiled. Relaxed. Unbothered.
His muscles caught her attention first. Then the scent of his cologne reached her, warm and subtle.
Shea’s mouth parted before her mind could intervene.
Xavièr looked up and smiled.
Kae Jaye The Writer 