Chapter song: Something About You – Majid Jordan
Chapter 5 – Something about you
APOV:
Monday afternoon.
You know how they say, April showers bring May flowers? Well, I don't know how that will be possible given that it's rained every single day for the past five days. We're in the last week of April and it just won't end.
Rain also equals less customers which equals less tips.
I need it to be summer already.
I grab my umbrella and head out of the house to walk the incredibly torturous two blocks to Katya and Hala Reen's house. Hala means Aunty in Turkish.
"Honey, I'm home!" I sing as I walk in.
"I'm in my office, Annie." I hear Reen beckon from the far corner of the house.
I first head to the kitchen to inspect the fridge for a treat. She always keeps chocolates in the fridge and I always take one. It's only fair since Katya's always at our place making me cook for her.
"What's up, kid? I haven't seen you in forever."
"You saw me at the diner two days ago, Reen." I laugh.
"I know, but it's never enough. You look so much like your Mom." She says wistfully and gives me a hug.
I know how much she misses mom. They were only two years apart, my mom being the younger one and they did everything together. It was like they were twins. When mom died, it was las if Reen lost a huge part of herself.
"I promise I'll come around more often. Or I'll show up at the office for a quick hello when I'm leaving my shift at the diner."
It's only two blocks away from the diner on my way to the subway.
"I'd like that." She smiles and we proceed to catch up on the happenings in life.
Since parking is a bitch in New York, a couple of years ago, Dad and Reen decided to pitch in for a car that we now share. We barely end up having to use it. Since Katya and I pretty much have the same schedules, we're the ones who end up taking it for grocery shopping and various domestic errands. It's role reversal. Our parents are successful and incredibly busy humans. While Katya and I are, fairly less busy and unsuccessful humans... for the time being.
I tell Reen, I'm taking the car to go pick up dad from JFK. His original plan was to fly in three weeks ago but he got last minute assignments in London and Portugal so now he's finally on his way home.
I get to JFK and park the car. I walk into the Terminal 4 waiting area and hold up my sign for dad. It's a tradition in the Steele family. Mom started it when Dad would go away for assignments. Whenever he was to return, we'd greet him with ridiculous costumes or signs. He always got a kick out of it. I try my best to continue it. I love the idea of picking up loved ones from the airport. The joy on their face when they realize they're home after such a long trip... it never gets old.
After about 10 minutes I see Ray Steele walking out of the baggage claim area scanning the waiting crowd for me. When he spots me he laughs out loud making everyone look in his direction. He has a really loud and scary laugh actually but I'm used to it. He walks closer and envelopes me in a big bear hug.
"Wanda's boyfriend?" He smirks with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Yep... I didn't know if you'd forgotten what I'd look like so I had to make sure I had something to hook you back in." I giggle.
I made this ridiculous sign with a picture of an elephant that I printed out with the words "Looking for Wanda's Boyfriend."
"I missed you, Steele Jr."
"I missed you too, Dad. Come on, let's go home. I made your favorite for dinner."
Friday evening, the following week.
Dad is heading out again this evening for a series of workshops he's teaching in South America and then some photo assignments around Central Asia and the Middle East. After mom died, dad started taking more assignments. He'd been devoted to mom in her time of need but after she died, I saw how lost he was. He needed to find himself. So Reen told him to start working again. He hadn't taken any jobs outside of New York in two years and we knew how much he loved travelling... it made sense that he start it up again. Reen and Katya were here to take care of me and J-Ro too in an emergency.
It never bothered me. My parents instilled in me the importance of following your dreams. That's what mom did. She already had been in the beginnings of establishing her dental practice with Reen and was making good money when she and Dad got together. She had no problem supporting his dreams. They were the perfect role models that way. A real team. I know I say I don't believe in love... I guess it's because I don't think I'll ever have it as good as my parents. I've never seen an example like theirs in real life outside of my bubble. I'm scared of dreaming to only find up I'm woken up in a nightmare.
I'm staring at myself in the mirror and I do not recognize this hoe looking back at me.
"Girl... you are so getting laid tonight."
'My dad is going to be there Katya."
"He has to leave for airport at 9pm... there will be enough hours later for you to get your freak on." Katya cheers from behind me and I roll my eyes.
Since my usual clothing is just jeans and graphic tees with very masculine looking blazers and maybe three silk tops... Katya took it upon herself to bring options.
Here I am, standing in a silk slip dress in a sinful shade of red. My hair is blown out in soft waves and I'm wearing a bold red lip and heels. I think it's too much but Katya assures me I look like a hot ass babe from the 90's. She's is the fashion expert in this relationship after all.
"You know if you wore this shit to your dates, you'd get laid in five minutes flat." Katya intones.
"Thanks Morozov. I'll keep that in mind next time." I groan. "You sure, this isn't me trying too hard?"
She holds up her finger and takes a picture of me. No doubt sending it to Mia. A second later I hear a ping.
Katya cackles. "Mia says she's taking your virginity tonight herself."
I roll my eyes and we head down to meet Reen and Dad.
Tonight is the feature launch for Elle's May cover along with a fundraiser for breast, ovarian and cervical cancer in honor of Mother's Day next weekend. The industry bigwigs will be there, some Hollywood types too. To say that I'm nervous would be putting it delicately.
We park the car at a nearby garage and walk over to the gigantic warehouse that's hosting the 'party'. I want to throw up. I'm so grateful I have Dad, Reen and Katya with me because this is almost too much. I spent all of yesterday afternoon after my shift at the diner setting up my installation at the warehouse with Katya and Mia. All the photographers were asked to make their 'exhibits' for the lack of a better word, a little interactive. So I bought a cheap vintage TV from ebay along with a milkshake figurine to place on top of it. JR helped with hooking up tech to have the TV play the little BTS video I made of Grace and Mia on loop. It black and white and has clips of them talking, laughing, eating and dancing, with a few of Katya and myself here and there my thankfully my face is hidden behind the viewfinder for the most part.
I had 12 images printed out and framed in various sizes to hang on the wall beside the TV, along with a mockup of the calendar that J-Ro had made for people to pre-order.
Did I mention my nerves are shot to shit?
Since J-Ro knew Dad had to leave a little early, he made sure that my presentation aka my worst nightmare since I hate public speaking and any attention, was at 8:30pm. What could possibly go wrong? I will let the Universe take a stab at it.
The event is in full swing. I swear these industry folk love to talk about themselves. I check out the other 19 photographers and their submissions. The ideas range from mother and daughter roadtrips, studio shoots, one was a weird bonfire theme, another one had a retro beach theme... I notice a lot of them really dolled up and I'm suddenly second guessing what I've done. My work looks too simple and frankly a little too goofy too... I wanted to keep it real and now I'm surrounded by all this very commercial and made up stuff. Did I fuck up?
"Dad, honestly tell me..." I look up at him unable to finish my sentence.
"Annie, remember what I told you... your work has to be a reflection of yourself and your values. Don't compare yourself. Your work is beautiful."
I shake my head and swallow. "Sorry... I'm just... I'm a little... I just feel out of place here."
"Your mom would've been so proud Annie. She lives through you and everything you create, kid."
I want to burst into tears but I hold it together. I feel Katya hug me from behind and rest her face on my shoulder.
Mia and Grace show up a little while later with her husband Carrick and Elliot. Katya makes herself incredibly scarce right after the introductions. She can't stand being around Elliot. She still feels something for him and it's difficult for her. How can one touch do that? She's been on several dates since then but nothing's changed. Anytime he comes into the diner, she freaks out.
"Shit, Steele... these are incredible." Elliot says in awe.
"Thanks, sparky..." I saw in a small voice.
"No, I really mean it. I've never seen my mom like this... you're a pro."
I give him a small smile and start to hear people gather behind me. J-Ro is hosting tonight so he's been introducing every photographer and then having said photographer explain their thought process behind every feature and now it's my turn.
Don't fuck it up, Steele.
I take the mic from him and look at a sea of eyes just staring a hole into me. Deep breaths. I look towards Dad, Reen, Katya and JR... they're smiling at me with encouragement and pride. I see Mia mouth 'you got this!' and I give her a small smile. I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
"Good evening, everyone. I'm Anastasia... when I was hired for this shoot, I immediately knew how I wanted to photograph it before I even met Grace and Mia. Meeting them the day of the shoot only confirmed that I had made the right choice. They're wonderful women who are down to earth and value the relationship they share... "
I swallow again and look at Dad and he gives me a thumbs up. "Usually in fashion, we're often reminded of the disparity between the haves and have-nots... but I wanted to take this opportunity to close that gap and celebrate a precious element of womanhood and motherhood. Women are incredibly strong beings and through these photos I wanted to take a moment to celebrate my own mother who lost her life to breast cancer a few years ago. I wanted to honor all the memories we had of meeting at this particular diner every Saturday morning for breakfast... because in our experience pancakes made everything better."
I finish with a small giggle and hear a few aww's and laughs mixed with applause. JR signals the DJ who then loads up the video I made of Grace and Mia on the bigger screens for the entire crowd to watch since the vintage TV is so small. Cyndi Lauper's voice blares through the speakers singing 'girls just wanna have fun' and everyone cheers and moves to the beat watching the BTS video of Grace and Mia.
I walk into Dad's embrace and he kisses my forehead and tells me how proud he is of me. Reen is a crying mess and I tell her to not embarrass me as I laugh. A few minutes later, Reen and Dad leave to head out for the airport and I'm dragged around by J-Ro to be introduced to various industry people to 'network'. I feel the hairs on my arms stand and I see goosebumps on my skin. Must be the temperature in this place. I shake my head and try to focus on the task at hand. This is my least favorite thing to do but I gotta do it if I have any hope of booking more gigs and making a name for myself.
About 10 minutes later I feel Katya behind me. I excuse myself from the conversation I'm having with a beauty editor and walk to a secluded corner.
"She's here." Katya says in a panic.
"Who?"
She open her eyes a fraction wider. Oh Fuck me...
"How is she even in this circle?"
"I don't know but all these money people know each other... if you don't want her to call the cops on you or go ballistic in front of everyone then we need to leave."
Katya and I quickly run trying to stay out of sight to get our coats and walk out of the warehouse. I text JR and let him know the situation and he tells me he'll handle J-Ro. I text Mia I suddenly feel ill and apologize profusely for my Irish Exit.
"Did you see who she was with?"
"No, I just clocked her walking in the entrance and told Mia I had to make a quick call and bolted the fuck out of her line of sight."
Remember, how I tempted the Universe? Fuck me, again.
CPOV
Getting in from Boston was a bitch an half with this weather. I'm so late to this launch with Mom and Mia. Driving from Jersey to Queens in this traffic as nightmarish as walking through Times Square.
I barely make it the warehouse in time. I'm tired as fuck and not entirely sure how I'm going to last even an hour of mundane conversation with a series of these vapid people but it's a big night for mom and Mia. Once I check in, I walk in and notice a see of people huddled in one area. I feel something in the air; almost like a current... and I'm hyperaware all of a sudden.
I hear a soft angelic voice through the speakers. "...I wanted to take a moment to celebrate my own mother who lost her life to breast cancer a few years ago. I wanted to honor all the memories we had of meeting at this particular diner every Saturday morning for breakfast... because pancakes made everything better."
She ends with a giggle and it's the most beautiful sound I've heard. The room roars with applause and the screens around the room light up with a video of Mom and Mia. They're dancing around the diner, twirling and laughing. Mom looks so beautiful and Mia looks like the kid I doted on when she was growing up. There are clips of them drinking milkshakes and eating pancakes as they throw their heads back and laugh. I see a glimpse of woman in a dress dancing with Mia and then the camera turns onto another woman with brunette locks but the camera is hiding her face and she brings the camera down for just a second, revealing her eyes... they're mesmerizing even in black and white, before turning away to run off... and then it cuts back to Mom dancing the twist.
I see the crowd start to disperse and I walk to Mom and Mia and give them hugs. I take a second to look at the photographs hanging of them both. They're exceptional and undeniably real. There are a mix of black and white with color photographs. It's as if I was right there witnessing the entire shoot myself. There's a picture of Mom and Mia with milk mustaches, another one where it's a close of mom's hand clasping Mia's as it rests on the table with plates of half eaten pancakes in the frame. Another image shows Mia and Mom sitting in the booth, with Mia's body turned towards mom and her head propped on an elbow while Mom looks towards her smiling as they converse.
"Bro, aren't these fucking amazing?" Elliot nudges my shoulder.
"Yeah, they're incredible... was that Ana speaking before?" I ask him.
"Yeah, she was just here... let me look..." I look around with him but he tells me he can't see her but he subtly points in the direction of Mia who is talking to one of the girls from the video. It's pretty dark in here so it's hard to make out what people look like unless they're standing closer to the outer walls where there's sufficient light illuminating the exhibits.
"Katya?" I ask.
"Yep, in the flesh." He smirks. "She's a beaut, right?"
"Okay, I see what you're saying." She is beautiful. I may not be into blondes but I can honestly say she's beautiful.
I turn back to talk to Mom and Dad for a bit when I hear Kavanagh grating voice in the distance. I had sincerely hoped she wouldn't make it today.
"Hey babe." She says in her saccharine voice while hugging Elliot and I swear I want to backhand the bitch for breathing the same air as me.
"Hey Katie, glad you could make it."
Kavanagh knows I hate her guts so she does her best to not acknowledge me.
Mom and dad greet her and sometimes I feel like they love her more than they love Elliot. It's ridiculous. A few minutes later Mia joins our group and tells us that Ana and Katya left because Ana wasn't feeling well.
Kate heads off to get a drink while Mom and Dad are pulled into conversation with some acquaintances.
"I really wanted to introduce you to Ana and Katya, they're really cool girls." Mia says while her eyes linger on the photos of mom and herself.
"She did an amazing job with your photos."
"She did, didn't she? They're great girls. They've been helping me with the soup kitchen stuff too. C, you need to come by the diner already."
"I will, Meems. Sorry, work has just been really crazy."
"I know... whenever you do finally visit, you better leave me a insane tip. You owe me." She giggles and I pull her into a hug.
Later at night before going to bed, I logged onto instagram... something I rarely do... but Mia forced me to make a private account, separate from the actual ChristianGrey one that mostly is handled by PR at GEH.
Mia uploaded a snippet of the video that was made for their exhibit and tagged Ana on to her main feed. I clicked and went to her profile, being careful to not like any of her posts or follow her and I see there are absolutely no pictures of her. Her full name is Anastasia Steele, intriguing. I wonder if there's any relation to the famous photographer Raymond Steele
Even her own website doesn't have any pictures of her. It's like this woman doesn't even exist. Her feed is full of different shoots and mostly conceptual stuff that showcases Katya. I look through Mia's instagram stories and I catch a selfie she's posted of herself with Katya and the third girl who I suspect is Ana but she's making a silly face with her eyes closed. I tap through and see small snippets of the speech Ana made and a full length picture of her. She's in a red silk dress and...
Holy fuck... she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
Spark.
A/N: SO CLOSE... YET SO FAR.
JB: thank you so much! I'm so honored you like my little story. This was a bit of a transitional chapter. We're about to get into the missed connections part of their story. The hamptons will definitely be electric in both a good and bad way! haha
ilenka: omg, can I just say how much I love your story too? I have some catching up to do, which i'm looking forward to doing this weekend... but hot damn your ana is a spitfire!
zeeulove: I tried to make this Ana a little different but I couldn't help it. this one will definitely come a cross a little more grumpy than the other one. she's an amalgamation of my cousin and bestfriend. the bff is queen of sass town and my cousin is super sweet. I'm the cursing grump in between them both. The photographer element is inspired by a guy friend of you so much for following this. much love!