The Ride

Chapter Twenty-Five

Emilia

I groaned at the sound of my alarm going off at nine-thirty the next morning. Being up all night, celebrating Aubrey with our family and friends was fun and all but I'm sure it would catch up to me as the day went on.

Today, I had an appointment with an interior designer that I had hired based off of recommendations from my friends in the industry. I was excited to get the ball rolling on having this Fring's location up and ready to open by mid-summer. There were so many ideas that have been stored in my head and jotted down in my notebook for awhile. Finally, I'd be able to share that with someone who specialized in making those ideas come to life.

Trusting in my decor style, Gelo and Owen gave me the reigns to do what I wanted with place. However, this was a joint venture between the three of us so I felt like they should be involved in all facets. I invited them to join me. Both accepted and made plans to meet me there.

Aubrey wanted to come along for support as of last night, but his ass was still hung over and hadn't even woken up yet. I left a bottle of water and two aspirin on the nightstand for him before I showered and got dressed.

"Aubrey," I gently rocked him after strapping on my wedges, "babe."

"Hmm," he groaned, covering his head with my satin pillow, "go back to sleep, Em."

"I'm about to go to a meeting, boy," I laughed, "Maddie's still sleeping. I need you to hear her when she wakes up."

"Mhmm, I got it. Stop yelling baby- my head is pounding."

I shook my head, "somebody drank way too much last night."

Within seconds he was snoring again. I made sure to turn the baby monitor up to the maximum volume and placed at the edge of the nightstand on his side before grabbing my purse to head out.

James drove. Joseph rode in the passengers seat. I could've totally driven myself, but we know how that goes.

We arrived at 10:00 AM on the dot. Once the car was parked, Joseph stepped out to open my door. James appeared on the other side of me, checking the surroundings to make sure all was good.

"Damn, they're treating you like you're Queen Elizabeth or something," Owen joked, popping up at the front door as we approached.

"Correction," I laughed as he held the door open for me, taking off my shades as I stepped inside, "they treat the Queen like she's me honey."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head before giving me a hug, "how you feeling?" he asked.

"Good. Tired, but good."

"Sounds like you were up all night giving my boy some celebration cookie, eh? I heard y'all in the laundry room on my way out."

"Shut up," I popped him with my purse, "could you be any louder?"

"Shid, girl don't act like you didn't. That man won thirteen awards last night. You better had been swinging from the ceiling, doing flips and all kinda shit on the spin cycle."

I sat my purse on an empty counter top, "I can't with you. Anyway, is the designer already here?"

"Yeah, she went to use the restroom," he said, "oh and Trent's in the back. I had told him we were meeting here and he came through early to make sure the water was on and to clean up the bathroom to make it useable. You know this place been abandoned for a minute."

"Oh he is?" I felt myself beginning to smile, "that was nice of him."

Gelo walked in, using his shoulder to hold his phone to his ear. Hearing his end of the conversation let me know that it was Elena.