Chapter 3 Middleton Girls

Sophie placed the key in the lock and strolled inside the apartment that she shared with her older sister, Bella. She spotted her moving around the kitchen. "Hey, sis," she yelled. "When did you get back in town?"

"This morning. "Bella opened the refrigerator and removed a plastic container.

"Why didn't you call me? " She rolled the luggage next to the sofa and placed her purse on top of it. A make-up artist, Bella had worked on some of the top and upcoming celebrities in the business.

"I figured you were busy. I wanted to surprise you."

Sophie sat on a stool at the kitchen counter. "You are right on both counts. My feet are killing me. " She removed one Gucci pump and then the other.

"Van Horn strikes again," Bella said.

Sophie began rubbing her feet. "I took one of Kyle's projects at the last minute. I got the contract for him."

"You go all out for him. How's my future brother-in-law?"

"Swamped like me," Sophie said. "He's stopping by later."

"What happened to you starting your own business?" Bella said. "Isn't that the reason you went to work for Van Horn Designs? You wanted to get experience so that you can open your own interior design business. What happened to that dream?"

"It's still my dream," Sophie said. "I've been saving every dime I can get my hands on. Why do you think I have been working so hard?"

"You used to talk about it all the time," Bella said. "Now, you barely mention it, especially since you began going out with Kyle."

"That's not true," Sophie argued.

"Yes, it is," Bella replied. "What does Kyle think about you opening your own business?"

Sophie became quiet.

Bella shook her head. "You haven't mentioned it to him."

"I mentioned it to him once."

"He's your fiancée."

"I know," Sophie said. "Like, I said, I mentioned it once, but we were in bed, so I don't remember what he said or if he even heard me."

Bella took the stool next to Sophie. "Why haven't you mentioned it to him? You don't think he'll be supportive?"

"I think he'd be very supportive."

Bella bit into a strawberry. "Maybe you guys can go into business together."

"Don't think I haven't thought about it. " Sophie smiled.

"You should really get on it," Bella said. "From what you're always telling me, you're doing the work, and your boss is taking all the credit. That's not right."

"I do work for Van Horn Designs," Sophie argued. "It comes with the territory."

"Still doesn't make it right," Bella said. "How much have you saved?" She took a sip of water.

"About seventy-five-thousand," Sophie said. "I want to start up with at least one-hundred-thousand."

"You can get a business loan for the rest," Bella said. "I'm sure you can put together a knockout proposal."

"I can do that in my sleep," Sophie said.

"I have about ten thousand saved," Bella said.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Sophie said. "Besides, you're looking at the new partner at Van Horn Designs."

"You made partner? " Bella asked.

"It's just a matter of formality," Sophie said.

The sound of Sophie's cell phone filled the air. She rushed over to her purse, rambling around in the side pocket to retrieve it. She recognized her mother's familiar number "It's Mom," she mouthed to Bella. "Hi, Mom." She placed the call on speaker. "How are you? You don't have to worry."

Bella smiled and gave a thumb up.

"When I don't hear from you, I worry," her mother said. "One of the conditions of you moving to DC was that you would call at least twice a week. I haven't heard from either of my girls in about a month."

Bella mimicked her mother.

Sophie waved her off. "Mom, I'm sorry. Things have been so hectic at work that I haven't had a chance to call. It's not an excuse. It's the truth. But I promise I will do better," she quickly added. "I will call more often."

"Me too," Bella threw in. "Sorry, Mom."

"Bella!" Mother squealed. "When did you get back? Why aren't you answering your phone?"

"This morning," Bella asked. "I'm charging my phone."

Awkward silence fell between them.

Sophie was the first to break the silence. "Mom, you still there?"

"Yes, I am here. I was just thinking how well you girls turned out. I wish your father was alive to see it. He'd be so proud."

Sophie nodded in agreement. Their father died was she was 10-year-old. Their mother raised her and Bella working as a grade school teacher. She never remarried. With her and her sister out of the house, it must be lonely. "I hope he would be." She heard a doorbell in the background.

"Listen girls, I have to cut you off. The ladies are here," Mother said.

"What ladies? " Bella asked.

"I'm meeting up with some of the ladies from the Retired Teacher's Association," she explained. "We're going to Atlantic City for the weekend."

Sophie looked over at Bella in surprise. In the past, her mother would not be caught dead in a gambling casino. "You're going to the casino?"

"Not only am I going to the casino," Mother chuckled, "I plan on taking in some shows. I can't wait to see the boss, Diana Ross," she bragged.

"Go head, Mom," Bella exclaimed in the background.

"I don't know, Mom," Sophie began.

"Your father died when you were young. I raised you and Bella the best of my ability. I am retired now. You girls are gone. I'm going to go out there and live my life while I can," Mother explained. "Now, I have to go." Without another word, she ended the call.

"Wow," Bella said. "Mom has changed. I remember when she wouldn't even buy a lottery ticket. " She chuckled. "She says she misses us, but I don't know. It doesn't sound like it. What time is Kyle getting here? " She changed the subject.

Sophie looked at the clock on the wall. It was 8:45 p.m. "He should be on his way. If not, I have plenty of work to keep me busy. I have some designs to look over."

"Work? " Bella said. "That's all you do."

"Look who's talking? " Sophie asked. "Do you have plans for tonight?"

"Matter-of-fact, I have a date tonight," Bella bragged. "I'm just grabbing a quick snack before I head out."

"Where are you going?" Sophie asked.

"Some friends of mine are getting together to unwind. We are waiting to hear if we're going to be working on a new movie that's going to be filmed in Egypt."

Sophie whistled. "Egypt?" She was proud of her sister. Hair and makeup were what she loved to do, and she turned it into a career. "What's the name of it?"

"King David."

"King David," Sophie said. "Are you serious?" She was familiar with King David. He was her favorite person from the bible.

Bella's face lit up. "I am dead serious. You won't believe who may be playing the lead?"

"Who?"

"Cal Jenkins. The most handsome man the Lord has created. Beautiful, smooth, pecan skin, light brown eyes, tall, and six pack abs. Gets me all worked up just thinking about him."

"I saw him on the London Meadow Show this morning," Sophie said. "A client of mine's mother was watching it."

"Then you saw him?" Bella asked. "He is all that."

"He's kind of handsome."

"Kind of? You need your eyes checked," Bella replied. "Sierra Bordreaux is one lucky woman."

Sophie stood. "That's the fiancée, right? " She strolled over and opened the refrigerator door. She grabbed a Perrier water. "She's pretty."

"If that's what you want to call her," Bella said. "I mean, she's okay. The typical actress. She has the weave down her back, breast implants, had her lips done, and some folks say the butt too."

Sophie almost choked on the liquid. "The butt? I've never heard of anyone getting butt implants." She glanced at her own backside. She could use a little more in the rear, but there was no way she would get implants.

"Lots of women these days are getting them," Bella said, "especially in Hollywood."

Sophie cringed. "That's disgusting."

"Tell me about it," Bella continued. "I hated her in the movie, All Is Love. She can't act her way out of a paper bag, but she looks good on the screen."

Sophie leaned back a little. "Ouch! Tell me how you really feel about her?"

"I'm sorry, but a man like Cal Jenkins deserves better. The man is ultra-talented," Bella said. "And she's too young for him."

"How old is she?" Sophie asked.

"She's about twenty-five? Twenty-six? " Bella said. "Cal is thirty-two? Thirty-three?"

Sophie stood. "In today's day and time, that's acceptable. A Hollywood relationship is about opportunities and climbing the ladder, isn't it?"

"I would love him to climb me," Bella said. "The other actor being considered is Stoner Johns. He's okay. Not much experience, though. " She clasped her hands together in a praying gesture. "I pray I get to do Cal Jenkins's makeup. Not that he needs it. I just want to touch that beautiful face."

"You're too much." Sophie giggled.

"I'm serious," Bella teased. She glanced at her watch. "I better go get dressed. Why don't you and Kyle hang out with us tonight? " She said on the way to her bedroom.

"No, thank you," Sophie said. "We're going to spend the night in."

Bella stuck her head out the bedroom door. "Sounds romantic."

"Nothing like that." Sophie giggled. "We're just going to stay in and relax. Why don't you join us tomorrow night for Miss Van Horn's birthday party?"

"I can't. I have plans," Bella yelled back.

"Will I get to spend any time with my older sister?"

"We will see," Bella yelled back.