3 Meet Corianne

I remember when we were trying to come up with office designs, Aurum wanted something formal. But, I begged to differ. Of course, formal is very boring. Instead, I pleaded for goofy and relatable designs. If I was going to spend so much time in a room, it has to be interesting and captivating.

Since we couldn't agree, we settled on a middle point.

The wallpapers were white and plain, while the ceiling was covered in stars. If you turn off the light, it illuminates and brightens the whole room. It was interesting enough to make me want to work even at night. Some of my best designs came to life while everyone else was asleep.

Aurum insisted that we had a proper office desk and a rotatable chair. I didn't argue, a few days later I brought home two red bean bags. That's what I mean when I talk about setting for a middle point.

I am blabbing about all these things because we are currently in the said home office, trying to think of what to do next. That is, about the newly signed contract.

"What do you think about a team meeting?" Aurum asked, comfortably slouching on one of the bean bags.

Not giving it much thought, "Too much work." I fiddled with the Rubik's cube on my desk. I hated the thing so much, was it supposed to test my IQ or be a constant reminder that I was terrible at maths? I only got it because it's colorful, and adds color.

"Isn't that the point of running a business?" She scrunched her nose at me, as if to examine if I'm mentally sane.

"No." Letting go of the cube, "The point is to make money." I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Making money involves working."

"Urgh. Too much work." Yes, I'm lazy. But, aren't we all?

As though she was a child, she stuck out her tongue at me, "You should have thought about that before going to sign with a high-profile organization. Duh."

Throwing my hands in the air, "I wanted the man!!!" Don't think too much about it, I also wanted the job.

"Aha, I knew it!!!" She pointed accusing fingers at me, trying to stand abruptly. It didn't turn out well, as she almost tripped over and landed on the bean bag.

It made me cackle without being graceful, finding her clumsiness funny. Aurum grimaced, about to protest as Corianne butted in.

"Which man?"

Just like my sister, Corianne is perfect. Her pale white skin had red spots on her cheeks as if the sun-kissed both sides of her cheeks. Meanwhile, her blonde hair was trimmed into a bob haircut. We went to the salon together last week, my hair doesn't look that good in its messy bun.

"Hey, girl." Winking suggestively, "You look perfect as always."

"You always say that." She waved me off, balancing on the other bean bag. It was right adjacent to Aurum's.

Picking up the math cube again, "I only say that to the two people I love the most." I plastered a seductive sly smile. A smile charming enough to get any man at the bar. {Of course, I exaggerate.}

Corianne melted into a smile of her own, "Awwn."

Aurum chose the perfect time to burst our bubbles.

"Don't fall for it coriander. She's trying to butter us up." She narrowed her eyes at me, suspiciously and keenly.

Shooting death glares at my sister, "Quit calling me that. Ginger!!!"

"Don't call me ginger!!!" Aurum also had a death glare on.

They both formed this habit of giving each other annoying nicknames. Aurum calls Coriane Coriander. It's an inside joke because Coriane was named after the spice {her mum loves coriander.} Meanwhile, Cory calls Aurum ginger. Aurum has ginger red hair and is short-tempered. I feel bad that she's just like the cliché ginger girl. Not every person with ginger hair has a terrible temper!!! That's just a stereotype. But sadly, my sister does.

Sliding in half-jokingly, "Can we stop talking about spices?"

They love each other to pieces, but it wouldn't stop them from bickering. Typical sibling rivalry, except we aren't really related to Coriane. But she's more like a sister than a best friend.

"Let me guess, you're hungry?" Stopping their back and forth immediately, Cory looked at me knowingly.

"Of course!" Duh. Food is life, I'm sure you agree.

Rolling her brown eyes at me, "Makena, you're always hungry."

I stuck out my tongue, grumbling in defeat.

"Back to what I was saying." Aurum took charge of the conversation, "She's trying to butter us up." I didn't need to look at her to know that she was scowling at me.

Cory didn't seem surprised, "What are doing for her this time?"She asked my sister, as she settled into the bean bag.

Aurum responded idly, "Calling a team meeting."

"Huh? Why?" For the first time since she got her, Corianne looked surprised.

It's shocking because I hate meetings. Even if it's about discussing my own business. That's why Aurum is my Assistant and Cory is in charge of marketing. They take charge!!! I'll rather just design the clothes.

"Guess who got hired by Right industries? Precisely their movie production." Aurum's lazy look was replaced with eyes filled with enthusiasm and a bright smile that showcased her perfect dentition.

Our eyes remained transfixed on Corianne, as we waited for the news to sink in.

Much to our disappointment, she scrunched her nose, "Jennie Lawson? I saw it coming, Her new designs are on fire!!!" Her face didn't have a single ounce of excitement. It was saying `what's the big deal? ʼ

"Sheesh." Not wanting to look at Cory, I rested my head on my desk, as my shoulders shook with laughter.

"Haha." Aurum also laughed, before explaining to her. "Makena just got hired. Not Lawson."

"Are you being serious? Don't pull my legs ginger." Forming her mouth into an O, she widened her eyes before narrowing them with suspicion.

"Pfft."

"OMG!!!!!"Cory still didn't seem certain, "Make Designs is going to work for a movie production??"

Make-Designs is the sloppy name of my business. It was supposed to be a pun. Makena makes designs. Now it makes me cringe.

"Yes. Do you want to do the happy dance?" Bobbing my head, I smirked mischievously at her. We all deserve that moment when we lose our self worth by dancing to no music.

"This isn't April." Cory continued to ponder aloud, "So this isn't an April fools joke?"How many pranks have we pulled for her to doubt us now?

Aurum didn't mince her words, "No, Sherlock, it's January."

"No Cory. Not a prank." I had to reassure her, before Aurum dies from one of Cory's death glare. She wasn't sparing any.

"We Are Rich!!!! We would get a car!!! " Saying the same thing Aurum did earlier, Cory jumped to her feet, jumping in joy. I failed to mention that I also thought about getting a car.

Aurum nodded slowly, "Yup" popping the P.

"Hold up." I held up my hand, making Cory stop dancing midway, "Who is the owner of the business here?"

I just heard Aurum say we're rich? Excuse me? We?

"All three of us." Cory was the one to respond, speaking blankly. Well, she isn't wrong. I might be the legal owner on paper. But, in practical terms we both own it.

Bursting out laughing, "Lies."

They joined in, as Cory took her seat, done dancing.

"Haha. How are we celebrating??"

I hated to be that person, but I didn't want to celebrate anymore, "By holding a team meeting."

"Boo" Corianne flipped me off, showing her disapproval of my suggestion.

"Cory is right, you're a joy kill." Aurum joined in, "Boo". Wasn't she the one suggesting this same meeting a few minutes ago?

"I don't want to go anywhere." I pouted, trying to make them see reason. Instead of reasoning, they downright ignored my existence, having their own conversation.

Aurum suggested, "I suggest we go to a bar."

"Nooo!!!" Cory was quick to disagree. Her reasons were simple, she's light-headed and Jacob wouldn't be around to drive her home. Bars were ruled out.

"Hmmm... I'm thinking about going to a movie." Cory appeared deep in thoughts, stroking her chin. "There's this new sci-fi that just came out."

"I don't like sci-fi movies." Cory disagreed again, furrowing her brows.

Waving my hands in the air, "Is anyone listening to me?" I tried getting their attention. It didn't work, they were more interested in ignoring me.

"There's this rom-com that also premiered a few days ago." Cory continued speaking, not sparing me any glance, "The ratings have been skyrocketing."

Aurum followed suit, "Ouuu, that sounds nice."

"Hello!!!" I continued waving like a mad person, yelling this time.

Cory sighed dramatically, "Yes? Makena?"

"What's the problem?" Aurum looked pissed, crossing her hands. Such drama queens.

"We are going to have a team meeting," I stated, sounding professional.

"Yes, tomorrow." That was Cory.

"Today, we're going to the movies." Aurum practically demanded, balancing her hands on her hips. "After which we would go to one of those fancy restaurants."

"Yes. Try not to act too weird."

It's not my fault human beings have problems. Yet another reason for me to remain at home.

"But.. But..." Stuttering, I protested.

Holding up her hand, "No buts." Cory left no room for excuses.

"We need to start working immediately!!! " Flipping some files on my desk, I skimmed through them briefly. Making a point.

"Tomorrow is immediate enough." Aurum waved me off.

"Besides, you know that we can't do anything today. It's almost 4 pm. How do you expect to gather everyone for a meeting."

"Jacob can come. Four us of can have a meeting."

I can tell you about Jacob. He is my beloved right-hand man, and Coriane's only man. My point is, that he is a wizard with threads and gracious enough for Coriane. Yes, she is dating my tailor, Lead tailor. He is the one that brings all my designs to life. He isn't the only one, but he's the head.

"Jacob went out to a baseball game. Why do you think I'm here?"

Batting my lashes, "Because you love us?" I don't understand how the concept of batting your lashes works, but I hear it's something people do to look cute.

"Nah. Because when my boyfriend is out with his boys, I become bored." She sighed with exhaustion, as though the memory of him out for some hours breaks her heart.

She just broke my heart too.

Crossing my arms over my chest, "Haven't you heard the rule?... " I winked at Aurum to complete my statement.

Without missing a beat, "It's sisters over misters." Aurum jumped on the track. Our sisterly dynamics were strong enough for her to know what I meant.

Meanwhile, Cory shook her head not agreeing with us, "Boyfriend over weirdos works for me."

"You break my heart girl." I formed a heart shape with my hands, before pulling it apart. Just to be theatric.

"Coriander is a terrible spice anyways." Aurum resorted to taking a jab at her ego indirectly. As expected, it riled her up. Before she could launch into a proper retaliatory remark, I stepped in as always.

"Haha." Chuckling awkwardly, "We both know that's not true."

Coriane took the hint, "Back to the topic at hand." She wiggled in her seat, "We are going to the movies!!"

"Yes!!!!" Aurum clapped happily, encouraging her.

In a twinkle of an eye, Aurum was already on her feet. "Let's go!!"

With a look of confusion etched on my face, "Right now??" I looked back and forth between the both of them.

They stared back at me grimly, neither of them saying anything. I know one thing for sure. If they both agree on a thing, there's no changing their mind.

"Allow me to change." Succumbing to their pressure, I allow myself to be forced to go to the movies.

Coriane didn't trust me to go to my bedroom and come back outside. "You look good", she said, eyeing me down.

It wouldn't be my first time I would be going to change and not coming back. The last time, they broke down my door {Yes, we do dramatic things like that.}

"Girl, I look like I'm going to conclude my divorce in court." Shaking my head frantically, I disagreed immediately. I kid you not, my outfit wasn't fit for the movies. It was a plain and boring black pencil skirt, paired with a long-sleeved buttoned white shirt, to be completed with black loafers. I looked good for an interview, not the movies.

"Keep those clothes. It might come in handy."

"Oh no...." Aurum dissolved into a peak of laughter, understanding what Cory meant.

"Give me five minutes to change out of the divorce outfit." Making air quotes when I got to the word divorce, as I tried to convince them to trust me.

"Not a second more or I'll be tearing down the door." Coriane was the one with the threats, pointing accusingly at me.

Wiggling my brows, "To see me naked?" I asked smugly.

"You wish." She scoffed instead, not missing a beat, "I don't bend that way."

I shrugged it off, getting up from the chair, "Your loss." Jacob was good enough for her already.

As I walked dramatically out of the office, swaying my hips side by side, Cory and Aurum made noises by whistling and catcalling.

It made me shake my head, as I said fondly. "Pfft, kids."

Yes, we went to the movies anyways. They allowed me to change into appropriate clothes. Which was just a pair of almost faded jeans and a plain t-shirt.

Cory said I now looked as if I lost the divorce case.