Modern Monsters

Mikky the Selkie

Female Main Character x Male Monster

I haven't been on vacation since I was a teenager. Ever since then it's been staycations or whatever weird name it is for "I have paid time off but no money to travel". Most of my time has either been devoted to school or work, and yes, technically, this is a business trip, but there is still plenty of time between meetings and begging for funding to pretend I am on vacation. After all, we're on the beach and it reminds me of home.

"This makeup line is what we've been dreaming of since we were kids," I murmured. Mostly to myself, but since Cece was with me it was worth repeating. "I can start with that for the presentation. Maybe going on about how well the crowdfunding went? We could talk about that successful campaign?" I was still trying to figure out the best way to start the meeting. I wanted a great opener, but I kept overthinking it. We had just walked into the office building and were striding across the grand foyer.

After speaking to the front desk, we were allowed back to the employee elevator. It was surprising to find such a sprawling enterprise on a beach paradise. The building stood out amongst the beachy cafes and cobblestone streets. The building itself was faced towards the ocean, so I was sure the sight of the setting sun on the beach would be breathtaking now.

"Maybe we can tell them how we lived off rice and beans for two years too," Cece was staring at herself in the mirrored walls of the elevator.

"We're both cute," Cece assured me. "We've got the success of our first launch behind us. We have good reviews. We're cute-"

"You said that already," I huffed.

"That's because no one else says it enough." Cece adjusted her top as we stepped into the elevator. She then played with her hair in the mirrors that made up the walls. "Who thought putting mirrors in elevators was a good idea."

"It makes them look bigger so people don't get claustrophobic." I was trying not to, but I was checking out myself too. Cece and I had worked on each others hair all last night and then this morning just to make them look nice. Her box braids were perfect, but my fingers no longer were. My hair was slicked back into a big poof with one of my mother's scarves wrapped around the crown of my head. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I was doing this for her. After all, our makeup brand was named after her Selenis.

The elevator dinged, opening up to reveal a long hallway stretched out before us. "Are you ready?"

Cece looked at me and laughed. "No. But I'll leave the elevator if you do."

"It'll be okay," I assured her. "Lots of good things wait at the end of long hallways. Right?"

Cece gave me an unsure look.

"Right," I nodded. "Look, we've had this meeting in the works for months!"

"Long ass time." Cece exhaled slowly, rubbing her stomach.

I nodded. "They support black owned businesses, and not as just a fad," I grumbled. "They're good. Real good. We're terrified, obviously."

Cece gave me the eye. "That's a word for it."

"We can't show fear. That's blood in the water. We were asked to come here, they want to see us. Let's remember that." I looked up from giving us the pep talk and near the end of the hallway there was a small receptionist desk with a woman behind it. She looked shocked to see us as we approached.

"We have a meeting with Mr.-" I started but she quickly cut me off.

"You're early!" She gasped with alarm. "I don't have your meeting down until seven!"