BLOODLINES, BLOOD MONEY & BLOODSHED (Episode 1: A Family Apart)

Chapter 7

"Been a long time," Evelyn Corona said; a beautiful and powerful thirty something year old white woman dressed in a white Vera Wang blouse and skirt. On her pedicured feet was a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels.

"Sure has," Parrish nodded in agreement while dressed in a grey Desmond Merrion three-piece suit.

The two were sitting at a table in an elegant and expensive downtown Los Angeles restaurant, its table cloths pearly white, silverware polished, chandeliers golden.

"I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice," Parrish said, his legs crossed, his hands folded in his lap.

"No problem," she said, her legs crossed also. "So what do I owe this visit?"

"The merger."

Smiling, she asked, "What about it? Have you come to congratulate me?"

"You could've given me a heads up that you were throwing your company's hat in the ring.

"And you could've given me a heads up that you were a married man while you were basically treating me as a side chick."

Shaking his head, he said, "Evelyn, that was five years ago. You haven't moved on yet?"

"Of course I've moved on."

"Evidently not. You had absolutely no interest whatsoever in Brackland until you discovered they were seriously leaning towards merging with us."

"Look, Parrish, I'm in the business of making money. I saw a chance to grow my company's profits so I took it. Is that against the law these days?"

"Evelyn, I need you to drop the deal."

Smiling, she asked, "Why would I do that?"

"Because I'm asking you to."

Her smile turned into a chuckle. "Because you're asking me to."

"Yes."

"That's cute. That's very cute. Look, Parrish, my time is money. I've got to go." She stood. "It was nice seeing you again. Bye."

With that said, she walked away.

Parrish sat for a moment in silence while debating what he knew he had to do if he was going to keep his position at Kincaid.

Evelyn was getting farther away.

Moments passed.

Then...

"Your grandmother is a resident at The Sunrise Nursing Home," Parrish said loudly to Evelyn's back as he stared at the table. "Your daughter is a freshman at Randel High School."