Chapter 1: Fly Me To The Moon
"I'm beautiful in my way
'cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way"
Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Capítulo 1: Fly Me To The Moon
O The alarm clock rings and I, like every day of my life, jump out of bed and go straight to the shower, the water is cold like every other morning. I finish my shower quickly, and still wrapped in the towel, I go back to my room, go to the closet and grab a navy blue dress and an orange cardigan, a perfect combination. I choose from the 54 pairs of shoes, an almost impossible mission, my new Jimmy Choo, a shiny black sandal with some blue feathers and lots of shiny pebbles. The 15 cm heel, I'm too short to wear a 10 or 12, I'm 1.64 tall, wearing a small heel would symbolize an even greater sin for people in the magazine, it was enough to be fat and short in the middle of the skeletal and frightening tall newsroom girls. I get ready quickly, today I decided to wear my hair braided, I put it to the side and let some strands down in front of my face, I put on my mascara, a little MAC pink lipstick and I'm ready. I grab my nerdy survival kit, the iPhone, my iPad, and the MacBook, the company had partnered with Apple, so every employee now sported the latest products from the big apple. I grab my Chanel bag and my Prada sunglasses, I'm already at the door when I remember my car keys, I run back to get it.
When I arrive at the garage, my flashy little Fiat 500 Cabrio is waiting for me in its red livery.
The car was a gift from Jebediah Kross, my boss and second father. Uncle Jebe, as I call him, is the owner of Empire Kross, which is among the largest communication conglomerates in the world and one of the few companies that in this digital age managed to maintain its sales and a stable number of monthly advertisers. Our print magazine is the only one that has kept its sales up while the others have dropped with the arrival of digital magazines. This success is due to the influence of Empire Kross Magazine on world fashion. If you want to be somebody, just hang out on EK. Even the other big magazines revolve around EK. The world of fashion, celebrities and even finance are concentrated in the magazine. Jebe built an empire in times of crisis.
NY traffic is like every day, jammed and slow. Before I go to work, I stop by a coffee shop and buy donuts for Jebe and Tessa, and of course, me.
I go back into traffic, and in twenty minutes I arrive at the company. It's eight in the morning and I know that not even half the employees are in the building, our shift starts at nine. I pass the security guards of the building and soon I'm going up to the top floor of Madeleine Hill. The building was named after Jebediah's late wife, an imposing tribute, the building has 45 floors, the age at which the wife died, it is completely mirrored on the outside, the deceased loved mirrors. The interior is all white granite with decor in a myriad of shades of blue, her favorite colors. The elevator beeps to a stop on the forty-fifth floor, the doors open and I step out with a big smile on my face.
“Good morning, Tessa. “ I smile at the receptionist who is my best friend and sister. Tess has shiny light brown hair and eyes a greenish shade of brown and just like me, too hot to fit a 38. “Is Jebe here yet?
“Good morning, Mol. “ He answers me with a big smile. “He was the first to arrive as usual. When I arrived, the security guards told me that he was already here.
“ Always punctual. “ I say, handing over one of the bags I was holding for her, I don't even need to say what it is.
I leave my friend to sink into the donuts as I go to the anteroom of Jebe's office and put my bag and my kit on the table, holding a box of donuts of different flavors, I enter the office with a big smile.
“Good morning, Uncle Jebe. “ I say walking to the table and placing the box on it, I smell coffee coming from the machine in the corner of the room. “Uncle Jebe? “ I call him, looking at the ajar door of the office bathroom, which is very strange. “Jebe? Are you there? “ I ask, taking a step forward.
“You should stop worrying about me young lady. “ I am startled by Jebe's deep voice coming from somewhere behind me.
“Stop complaining, Uncle Jebe, I know you love to be picked on. “ I say, turning to look at him.
Jebediah is as impeccable as ever. Dressed in a navy three-piece suit, shiny black Oxford shoes and a dark green tie. her white hair is combed back, making her eyes more prominent, they are a clear blue.
“ I brought donuts of different flavors today, they are wonderful.
“ I knew it would bring, everything to please this tired old man. “ He says with a goofy smile, picking up two cups and filling them with coffee. “That old man just made coffee for you.
“ And that's already a big thing, uncle, imagine how many people dream of having the honor of drinking a coffee made by Jebediah Kross, billionaire owner of the largest publishing group in the world? “ I smile at Jebe, opening the box of donuts.
“I'm not that important, anyone puts a capsule in a coffee maker. “ He hands me a cup before going behind his desk and taking a seat. “When I was a poor boy on a farm in Alabama, I drank coffee made from a cloth percolator, which was actually my mother's old silk sock, now we have these espresso machines that make all kinds of crazy coffee that you guys want. young people drink.
“ Do you miss that time, Jebe? “ I ask before taking a sip of the hot drink.
“ No, when I remember the bad things I went through in "Bama", I thank those espresso machines. “ Answers Jebediah, laughing. “ But when I miss coffee in the sock, I go to your grandmother's house and she makes me an old-fashioned coffee.
“Look at this, I'm going to tell Grandma that you're going to her house just for the coffee. “ I smile, picking up a cream donut, they're my favorite.
“Gossipy girl, your grandma already knows. “ Jebe speaks in a laughing tone. “Now we should stop the bullshit and discuss our agenda. That party they had scheduled, will it really be held today?
“ I don't even remember this party, they could have scheduled it on another date, but the organizers didn't want to. “ I say taking another sip.
“ Why would they do that? “ Questions me Jebe, picking up his first cinnamon donut, he was addicted to them.
“You know, it's Aunt Made's birthday today, I know you like to be alone when John doesn't come visit. “ I say with the voice in a lower tone.
“ I have to change some habits, my girl, it will be good to shake the skeleton a little. Jebe smiles, shrugging.
“ Rock the skeleton? Uncle, today it is said to enjoy a party or just dance. “ I say feigning indignation. “ Let no one hear you say shake your skeleton, they'll say you're outdated.
“Lucky I have my Marilyn to warn me about this. “I glare at Jebe, he knows I can't stand being called by my first name, but we soon burst out laughing.
Jebe and Clint are the only intimates who call me Marilyn. All my friends call me Ella, because I'm less formal. They both say my first name is beautiful and deserves to be used.
“I almost forgot, where were you when I arrived? I ask absently, pretending I'm not curious about the answer.
“ I went to talk to Patrick about some contracts. “ He says biting into his donut, I know he's hiding something from me, but I'd rather not ask.
I'm in a meeting when a message comes through from Tessa.
Tess_Dallas: You have to see the new company lawyer.♡.♡ I think I'm in love.
Ella_Albany: You said that of the last three that arrived, I doubt it's that beautiful.
Tess_Dallas: Soon you'll see, heading your way.
I look at the door almost automatically after reading the message, and I can tell that this time Tessa was right. Tall, dark, with golden brown hair and bright mahogany eyes, a Greek god in full glory enters the room. He sports a shy smile that would make anyone fall at his feet, he apologizes to everyone and introduces himself in a deep voice.
“ I'm Arthur Fox, the company's new attorney, sorry for the delay. “ He pauses and runs his tongue over his lips, I try to swallow a breath, but in a bizarre way, I end up choking.
“Marilyn, are you okay? “ Questions Jebe, looking at me worriedly as I start to cough.
" I am yes. “ I reply coughing. “ My throat that got too dry all of a sudden. “ I say trying to calm myself down.
“ Here, drink, it will help you. “ says Arthur, who is now beside me offering me a glass of water. The fact that he got there so quickly with the water amazes me.
" Thanks. “ I speak taking the glass and taking a long drink, I avoid looking around so I don't see the eyes on me.
“My young man, choose a place and sit down. “ Jebe glares at Arthur. “Ella, can we continue?
" Clear. “ I speak feeling my face burning, I look up and see that Arthur is watching me. Stop dreaming, Ella, he's not for you.
“ As we were saying, Empire is having a growth in sales while our competitors have had a considerable drop. “ Jebe addresses everyone, picking up a piece of paper that shows the percentage of sales, I separate another sheet with the estimate and hand it to him. “ If we keep sales at the same pace, we will have 40% profit above forecast...
I quickly tune out what Jebe is saying and focus on Arthur, his eyes, his lips, everything about him catches my attention. I feel my phone vibrate, but I ignore it. I'm staring at Arthur when he turns his gaze to me and smiles, I smile back and direct my attention to Jebe, who is watching me with a frown, then I'll have to work this out with him. I try to focus on the meeting, but the boy won't leave my mind.
“Tess, he kept looking at me and I would stare at him and smile, you had to see Jebe scowl. “ I say leaving the bathroom in Debbie's room. “I was watching the moment Jebe fight me, Debbie, have you ever seen him like this?
“ Marilyn, you should know by now that Jebe already has plans for you, he plans something big, certainly one of the company's lawyers is not at the level he expects. “ Warns Debbie Summers, the editor in chief of the magazine, my best friend and personal stylist, as well as being like an overprotective mother who always has my back. “ Now forget the handsome and focus here, what do you think of the dress?
I obey her order and look at myself in the mirror, I'm out of breath for a few seconds, the dress is a dream, all in blue lace with black embroidery at the waist and straps falling over the shoulders, the dress goes down to my feet, I feel enveloped in a cloud of income.
“ Debbie, you outdid yourself! “ I speak excitedly. " Is too beautiful.
“ All the best for my Ella. “She says smiling. “ Don't be mad at Jebe, he idealizes in you what he couldn't idealize in John, he only wants your good.
“I know, Debbie, I think of Jebe as a father. “ I say turning to look at her. “Well, now I have to go or I'll be late. “ I say going back to the bathroom, I take off my dress and put it in the bag, I put on my clothes and I run out of the bathroom, I grab my bag and go to the elevator.
I stop the car in front of the huge building where Jebe lives, at gleaming 432 Park Avenue, the newest and most luxurious residential building in New York. Did I mention it's the tallest residential building in America? Or the fact that it has seven bedrooms? Or just the windows that are everywhere providing an amazing view?
I get out of the car and walk to the entrance of the building, the doorman lets me in without blinking, then I'm going up to Jebe's penthouse. When the elevator stops on the floor and the doors open, the voice of Frank Sinatra singing Fly Me To The Moon welcomes me like an old friend, I enter the apartment looking around, the place is well decorated in shades of white and blue, Jebe it has been in place for less than four months, but the apartment already has its face. I see Jebe in front of the window, watching the city literally at his feet, I keep looking at Jebediah's form against the glare of the lights, his white hair seems to shine with the light that rises from the city, he looks like he owns the world, on top of Everything and Everyone.
“Marilyn, how long are you going to stand there looking at me? “ Questions Jebe, I can hear the smile in his voice, it makes me happy.
“I was thinking how you seem to own the whole town like that. “ I say walking to where Jebe is, I stop beside him, looking at the view of the city. “ I think you chose this song on purpose, up here you are already one step away from the moon.
“But not close enough. “ He says still looking out the window. “I am so close yet so far from the moon.
“Are you really mad at me? “ I ask, turning my attention to Jebe.
“No, I just don't want you to be distracted by things you shouldn't. “He says looking at me. “Marilyn, you have a bright future, one day when I join my sweetheart, you'll take my place, and I want you to be above trivial things like romances with college graduates, you'll never be a queen marrying a vassal. A queen marries a king. “ Jebe is silent for a few moments and I study his features as he seems to think. “ I already have a son who got lost in banalities, a son I don't know if I can trust, you are my last hope.
I am silent for a moment, trying to understand Jebe's words, "you will take my place", "you are my last hope". Jebe must be too old or delirious to think so.
“ Jebe, you have John, he will take your place because he is your son, and even with the life he leads, only he can keep the magazine and the companies. “ I say staring at him.
“John doesn't want any of that, he doesn't care about anything but living like crazy in a life of luxury and exaggeration. “ Jebe says with some disgust in his voice. “Sometimes I think my son wouldn't care if I died today.
“Don't even say that jokingly, Jebe, John loves you, he just needs some time for himself. “ I say putting my hand on Jebe's shoulder. “ Let's forget about it, we have a party to go to. “ Jebe laughs and offers me his arm, I take it and we head towards the elevator, Jebe touches a panel on the wall that turns off the lights in the apartment and silences the sound, we enter the elevator and I feel a shiver go up my spine, as if was the last time I was going to see that place or anything like that. When we get to the ground floor, we are informed that Jebe's limousine is already waiting for us in front of the building, we leave the street straight to the car. If I had known that this would not be the last night I would see the building, but Jebe, I would never have let him stay in his apartment alone after the party.