Ellevieu

[deviika]

Imam Al-Ghazali // Tennessee Williams

[ellevieu]

[ellevieu]

I think renders are very nice but I do wish they would not be used for CC previews. I really prefer in game previews of custom content. I understand a lot of Simmers are exclusively doing blender renders for Simstagram and stuff but maybe then a creator can do previews of both in game and rendered previews. Just a thought.

[ellevieu]

Remy: That’s a rich man’s watch.

Benjie: Catalina special ordered it for me from a Windenburg jeweler. Platinum. Look, it has diamonds all around the face.

Remy: Those shits look real.

Benjie: Oh they are. They’re real. And this right here? That’s a special mechanism that tells the time.

Remy: That’s always good for a watch. What else it got?

Nico watches his younger brothers, both unaware of his entrance into the room. He watches as Benjie continued to point out the features of his new watch, while Remy pick-pocketed him, slid Benjie’s wallet stealthily out of his back pocket without Benjie even realizing it.

He knew the scene would end with both brothers cracking up about it. Benjie would teasingly call his younger brother names- “Remy, you ain’t no fucking good, you fucking delinquent”- while Remy would pretend not to give the wallet back- “what kind of dummy keeps a wallet in a back pocket, it’s mine now on principle”. It would be easy, relaxed, fun...two brothers enjoying a lifelong friendship, kinship.

And in that moment, it annoyed the hell out of Nico. Made him irrationally angry. He had to clasp the back of his neck to control the wave of fury washing over him. The times where he could relax with his brothers were so few and far between. 

Had he ever really had brothers at all? They were more like his sons. 

Nico snaps: Benjie! Remy took your wallet out of your pocket. Remy, give it back to him. I don’t want to see or hear any damn jokes- how you two can joke when we got a serious situation on our hands is beyond me. But what else can I expect? I’m always the one who has to take control and handle shit, while you two fuck-ups laugh and make jokes. Like you ain’t grown ass men.

Was he being unfair? Most definitely. But he was too pissed off to care.

[ellevieu]

Remy: Well look who it is. My favorite BBB.

Benjie: What the fuck is a BBB?

Remy: Big bald brother. Ha. Every time I see you, you got less hair. I’m gonna be able to read your mind soon.

Normally his brother would laugh and make a smart remark right back but instead Benjie continued to frown.

Remy: What’s wrong with you? Why the face? Why you staring longingly at the liquor?

Benjie: Because. I’m debating whether to pour me some of this good whiskey Nico got. I feel like I’ma need it. Nico is in a shit mood. Like...bad. 

Remy: Damn. I might leave then. I don’t want to hear it. I got somewhere more interesting to be anyway.

Benjie: Don’t even think of leaving. When I got here he told me to wait. So I asked him was this gonna be long? Because I have reservations with Catalina and the kids and if it was gonna be long, I wanted to call her and tell her not to wait for me. And he said it would be as long as he wanted it to be and fuck whatever plans I had. That he’s sick of my shit. But what shit? What I done to Nico? Nothing. For him to be so mad.

Benjie shakes his head. He was a middle-aged man but his older brother still had a way of making him feel like a small disobedient child.

Remy shrugs: Ignore his ass. Lala said something about his dye job. Bet that’s why he’s being a dick. You’re bald, he’s grey, looks like I’m the only one with the good growing old DNA. Yo. That’s a real nice watch, Benjie.

Benjie: This watch here, right? It’s new. Catalina got it for me.

[ellevieu]

“I’m going to be President of Holmes Corp”.

Remy Holmes had promised to support Ava and he would-  up to a point. He’d keep the news of Ava’s pregnancy to just his immediate family. He’d  convince Manny to stay a hundred percent quiet about it.

But Ava taking over Holmes Corp was fucking absurd. Remy wasn’t certain he was on board with it, now that he was away from her and really thinking it over. Ava would only end up antagonizing Nico, making it worse for herself in the end. Ava was smart but she’d told him her intentions without even thinking of the consequences. How could she expect to take over anything when she was that transparent? 

He wasn’t sure what to do with the information she’d given him.

Tell Nico about it? That would probably be best. Quietly tell Nico Ava’s “plans”, convince his older brother to go easy on his daughter-in- law during her time at Holmes Corp. Nico had been young and ambitious once too. There had to have been times when he’d punched above his weight. Maybe his older brother would be sympathetic toward Ava- instead of angry and upsetting her and upsetting his future grandchild- if Remy approached him and reminded him she was a young woman with big dreams- not any real threat.

But what if...what if Ava were able to have Nico hand the company to her? There was an undeniable energy in his daughter in law, it couldn’t be ignored. What if she could make those lofty dreams a reality?

Remy shakes his head: Nah. Shit’s impossible. *pauses*  But maybe? No. She can’t, and especially not pregnant. *sighs* I’ll talk to Lala about it. See what she thinks.

He enters the meeting room Nico’s staff had directed him toward and finds his older brother Benjie waiting in the far corner of the room, a worried look on his face. 

[ellevieu]

Remy: I’ve kept Nico waiting long enough. And I bet you’re busy too. 

Ava: I do have to meet with some interns on the lower level.

Remy: Hold onto my arm, I’ll walk you to the elevator. Those heels look dangerous.

Ava laughs: They’re fine, they’re comfy work heels!  Dad- this is going to sound a bit weird but...did Manny ever have any other real girlfriends before he met me? Not like hook-ups. Like-  girls he was serious about?

Remy: That is a weird question. How you expect me to answer that? 

Ava: Truthfully.

Remy laughs: Truthfully? Hmm. Well. He dated this one girl he really liked. Emery. But they were both so young so not sure how real it was. Did you forget you met the boy when he was barely sixteen? He’s loved you for almost as long as he’s been alive.

Ava: Seventeen. We were seventeen. And Manny slept around so much he might as well have been forty.

Remy: I ain’t supporting this conversation, ladybug. 

[ellevieu]

Ava: You know I’m right, Dad.

Remy: You are.

Ava: And so- I want you to help me. I need you to support me.

Remy: I’ll keep my grandchild secret. You know I will.

Ava: Not just that. More than that. I need you to help me with Uncle Nico. 

Remy: Ava-

Ava: Dad, I’m not here to get rich. I’m already wealthy beyond my wildest dreams. I’m also not trying to wield some terrible power, like Daniel. I’m here because I’m trying to dismantle things that shouldn’t be with Nico and how he treats this family. 

Remy frowns: My brother is not a bad man, Ava. He’s a good man. He’s worked all his life for us. All his life- since he was a little boy and had no business taking on adult responsibilities. It’s why he’s so controlling. He doesn’t know any other way but to work hard for us and in turn, determine what’s right for us.

Ava gentle: So... don’t you think it’s time he rest? Enjoy his family the way he was never able to? Don’t you think he deserves that? And that we deserve to love him...not fear him? Don’t you think your big brother deserves that?

Remy looks away, his eyes distant. He clears his throat after a time, his voice gruff.

Remy: What kind of support do you need?

Ava small smile: I’m not sure yet. I have a plan but- it’s not anything I can articulate fully. Once I can? I’ll tell you. And you can either help me? Or sit and watch. I’d rather have you and Mom on my side though. I’d rather have your help.

Remy: I’ll help you.

[ellevieu]

Remy: Well. I don’t know what to say to that.

Ava: Why? Because you don’t think I’m capable? Because I’m a woman?

Remy: I think you’re extremely capable. But yes- because you’re a woman. 

Ava: Dad! How can you say such an ignorant thing? With how successful my mother in law is? Uncle Benjie’s wife- she works and helps runs Uncle Benjie’s business flawlessly. And Diosa writes her children’s books and Neely owns her floral shop and Nicole is an art dealer- there are women who have careers in this family and they’re damn good at what they do. They’re not all “philanthropists” like Allison. And even she runs her charities amazingly well. I’m disappointed you think I can’t do the same.

Remy: Ladybug, none of those women- including my wife- work HERE. Nico cannot stand the thought of women in this family working but he seems to turn a blind eye if they own their own businesses or work alongside their husbands, like my sister in law Catalina does. But here? You can’t work here - he’s only entertaining Manny and Allie by letting you be here. Because they’re okay with you here. But once you start showing? It’s over.

Ava: That’s not fair.

Remy: It ain’t. But it’s how it is. Ava- why don’t you try and open your own business, like Neely? Something Nico won’t meddle in- something Manny will be more accepting of- something-

Ava: Something my husband and my uncle approve of? Hmm...let me think about it...let’s see... How about no. No. I want to be the President of Holmes Corp. 

Remy: You can build something equal to this, Ava. On your own. I know you can.

Ava: I know I can. But there are things that need to change in this family. And they’ll only change when Nico and Allie are off sailing their yacht in Fiji, when they’re done dictating and controlling everyone. And that’ll happen once Nico steps down and lets go.

[ellevieu]

Ava: You just said it’s my choice. So it doesn’t matter if my keeping this private sits well with you or not.

Remy: Ah, damn. Don’t get mad, ladybug. It’s not good for the baby.

Ava: I can get mad if I want to, Dad! You telling me not to get mad because I’m pregnant is talking down to me. I’m not a fragile flower that can’t own my feelings, pregnant or not.

Remy: Fair enough. You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry.

Ava leans forward.

Ava: I can’t help but be upset. It doesn’t sit well with ME that Nico will force me out once I start showing. It’s why I’m doing this. It does make me sad Manny can’t announce it-

Remy: I can’t brag - I mean- announce it either. 

Ava continues: But it HAS to be this way if I want to be President of this company one day. I only have a small window of time to develop my plans to become the head of Holmes Corp.

Remy shocked: President? Head of Holmes Corp? Nico is President. He heads this company.

Ava matter of fact: I’m going to become President once Nico retires. Which I plan on getting him to do soon. He should have retired ages ago- even he realizes it. But he won’t admit or do it on his own. So I’m going to do it for him.

[ellevieu]

Ava: So...Manny told you? Or was it Mom? Because I know he slipped and told her.

Remy: Neither. I’m not a person anyone can keep secrets from. Not for long. People tell me or I get them to tell me.

Ava frowns. Her father in law was smiling, but there was something about his words that unsettled her. Because he was right. He had an uncanny ability to get information out of people, directly or indirectly. It was unsettling because it made her think of Daniel. But Ava couldn’t think of two people who were more different than Daniel and Remy Holmes.

Remy laughs: Honestly? You’re gonna need more than Lala’s help if you want to keep this good news secret. Manny can’t keep his mouth shut for nothing. Especially not when he’s excited.  And knowing my son, he’s very excited about this.

Ava low: I know.

Remy: But you’re not. Excited.

Ava: I am. I mean- this is a part of Manny. I love him and I love any part of him.

Remy: It’s a part of you too, Ava. Right now, I’d say it’s all you, you know?  This is all you for the next months, no matter how Manny feels. This is your choice. 

Ava: I know. And I’ve made my choice. I want to be a mother. But for right now? I want to put this to the back of my mind while I work toward my goals here. I think that should be my choice too.

Remy: It should. But once you start showing? Nico isn’t going to welcome you here. At all. He hardly wants you here now. And so I think this might not be the best way to go about things. I think maybe you should reconsider keeping my grandchild a secret. I understand wanting to wait until you’re further along to tell the family. But I’m thinking you’re gonna wait until you’re in the delivery room before you tell anyone. That don’t really sit well with me.

[ellevieu]

Remy: And especially if you’re working under the man. Don’t nobody should talk to their boss like that, ladybug.

Ava gritted teeth: Okay. Got it.

Remy smiles: What, now you mad at me?

Ava: No. I get aggravated at how we all have to “bite our tongue” with Uncle Nico, but- *sighs* You’re right. He’s my superior and I need to be more mindful.

Remy nods: There you go. Don’t trouble yourself. So- whatchu had to eat today? 

Ava confused: What did I eat?

Remy: Yeah. What’d you eat? You can’t be surviving on only coffee now, Ava. You gotta eat more than that. Can’t skip meals no matter how busy you get.

Ava: Huh.

Remy: And maybe you should think about wearing more comfortable shoes up in here. I almost slipped myself on these floors- they’re so polished. I think you should wear Crocs- like the nurses do? Get you some Crocs- I got some for Juno and he doesn’t fall as much now-

Ava raised eyebrow: You expect me to wear Crocs in a corporate setting?

Remy: Well, you know, slip into them when you have to walk around the building, no one will care-

Ava: Oh my God. You know. 

Remy innocent: Know what? These floors is fucking slippery as hell, and you in those heels- look you’re short, ain’t no amount of high heels gone change that, so own it and wear-

Ava: DAD. Sit. We need to talk.

Remy: You know what? I don’t want to keep Nico waiting, so I’ma head out now, ladybug- and you do what you do here and I’ll see you later-

Ava firm: Sit.

[ellevieu]

Ava surprised: Dad! What are you doing here?

Remy: Came to see Nico. I was supposed to meet up with Manny first but he’s still in the middle of getting you guys all moved out. So I said let me get Nico out the way and get to Manny after. Figured I’d say hello to you while I’m here. This is a good time?

Ava embraces her father-in-law. She was always happy to see him. She honestly considered him more of a father than an in-law.

Ava smiles: Of course it’s a good time, Dad. 

Remy concerned: Is that how you talk to Nico, Ava?

Ava stammers: No! Not at all. It’s- it was just- he was just in here and we kind of had a disagreement on something- he made me upset. A little upset.

Remy serious: Well damn. I’m sorry he upset you. We can’t have you upset now, not even a little. But listen to me, Ava. You can’t talk to Nico like that. No matter how much he pisses you off. It’s better to bite your tongue than snap at him. Just let him talk, is what I tell everyone.

Ava soft: It’s hard sometimes.

Remy: Trust me. I know. Still. There’s no getting through to Nico if he’s in a mood. So why upset yourself? It’s not good for you.

[ellevieu]

Ava’s conversation with Nico had her so annoyed she decided to take some moment to gather herself before meeting up with Irina and the new interns. She didn’t want to face them with any lingering bad energy.

Ava: At least he apologized. But what good does that do me? He’s going to resent that I made him look stupid. *sighs* I can do this. I have to focus... I can do this. I have to think about my plans, and focus.

She hears a knock at her office door and scowls. Was Nico back again to berate her? She wouldn’t be surprised if he found something else to complain about. He wanted her gone and it looked like nit-picking was going to be one of his tactics to do so.

Ava icy: I said I was busy, Uncle Nico. I meant it. I really can’t talk to you right now.

Remy: Wrong brother, ladybug. But if you’re busy- I can talk to you some other time.

[ellevieu]

Nico: That is neither here nor there. I don’t want you to think being sneaky will get you a top position here, Ava. 

Ava: I know it’s not. I know you’ve built this company on strong principles. I believe in them too. As for trying to gain an advantage over Daniel? As soon as I found out about the project? I managed to get the information over to him. I didn’t want to have a leg up on him.

Nico: How did you do that?

Ava: He’s been sleeping with my assistant. I had her tell him. I had her tell him as soon as I found out about the project.

Nico looks at Ava in surprise. It was a bold admission.

Nico: You knew about his affair with Irina?

Ava: I did. She’s not his immediate subordinate so I didn’t think there were any rules being broken. They were being discreet.

Nico: So...you’ve been feeding him information through her?

Ava: Yes. But not to be sneaky. Only because I do want to play fair. So now he’s had the same amount of time as I’ve had to prepare his team’s project. I appreciate Allison wanting to help me. But I can do this on my own. If she ever tries to give me “inside information” again- I’ll know to change the subject.

Nico looks at Ava, and she holds his gaze, her large eyes steady.

Nico stammers: Well...then...we still have to talk about how you’re going to support Manuel with his campaign. And how you don’t need to run and tell Lala on me either and-

Ava interrupts: Can we talk about that some other time? I’m sure you’re very busy and those conversations are personal, not business. I have to meet with my interns.

Nico thoughtful: I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you, Ava.

Ava firm: You have. Her name was Angelina True. She was one of your mentors, someone who helped you become who you are today. *pauses* I wonder what she’d think of you now, Uncle Nico. Do you wonder? Or what Allison truly thinks of what you do here?

Nico gruff: I’ll be going. I’m sorry- for believing wrongly of you, Ava. Excuse me.

[ellevieu]

Nico: It came to my attention that you knew about a special project I was coordinating for both your team and Daniel’s. A project I hadn’t disclosed to anyone but my wife. A project that was meant to create healthy competition between your team and your cousin’s team. A project that was going to help me decide, based on the outcome, which one of you I wanted to select for a final campaign. 

Ava: I do know about the project.

Nico: I know you do! You got it out of Allison! And by finding out ahead of time, you’ve gained a clear advantage over Daniel. That’s not sportsmanship, Ava. It’s not fair. It’s called cheating. As well as manipulation. You manipulated Allison’s love for you into revealing private information that you could then use to cheat your way ahead. That’s not how I do business, Ava. I dislike cheaters with a passion. I’m known for my honesty- I’ve built my reputation on it- and it’s a value I demand from all of my employees!

Ava: So you’re telling me if you come by useful information that can help you develop an excellent idea for your company, you’d ignore it?

Nico stutters: That’s not what I mean-

Ava: Then what do you mean? I didn’t get the information out of Allison. How would I do that if I had no idea about it? She told me of her own accord. What was I supposed to do after? Pretend as if I’d never heard it?

Nico stern: Ava-

Ava: She probably told me because she knows healthy competition or not, you’d have given the FINAL CAMPAIGN over to Daniel anyway. Because he has a penis between his legs and I don’t.

Nico shocked: Young lady!

Ava: Young lady nothing. Allie knows as well as I do that I’m here because she forced you to take me onto the Investor Relations team. You wanted to dump me in the charity division, doing nothing but mindless busy work. Giving me inside knowledge is her way of helping me. Because you’d never appreciate my effort here anyway.

[ellevieu]

Ava was preparing to meet the interns when the door to her office opens abruptly and Nico Holmes strides in without even knocking. She quickly rises to her feet, gives her uncle in law a confused smile. She hadn’t been expecting him.

Ava: Hi,Uncle Nico- I mean, President Holmes- how can-

Nico interrupts: I’m very disappointed in you, Ava. Highly disappointed. I’m actually bordering on disgusted with you.

Ava: Excuse me? What do you mean by that? Disappointed? Disgusted?

Nico: Exactly what I said, which is why I chose those words. I’m disappointed and disgusted and I’ll add another one. I’m appalled. I’m here to make myself clear with you, Ava.

Ava: Is this about Manny? And his so-called mayoral campaign?

Nico: No. It’s not about Manny and his ACTUAL mayoral campaign, nothing so-called about it. It’s about you and your position within this company and the way you think you can conduct business here!

Ava: Ah. I see. Should I sit?

Nico: No. Don’t sit. You stand there and you look at me as I explain what my expectations are. It won’t take long because my expectation for you is simple. Act with integrity if you want to be here. I won’t stand for anything less.