• Smoke And Mirrors • (GxG)

One: Temptation.

Omniscient

Detail is salient.

As a graduate in architecture from Yale University, Cheyenne Lloyd knew this. As the last heir to one of the wealthiest Black families in the country, she was well aware.

Detail, and its influence on her life, has been all she's ever known.

Eight months after her sister's funeral, she decided to leave Raleigh, North Carolina behind and never look back. Charlotte was her new home now, and it had been for the past four days, since the minute she arrived.

Waking up to the calm and quiet of her aunt Miranda's cozy and warming home, she slid out of a cloud-like plush comforter and ever soft sheets, wearing nothing but pink lace underwear and a tank top on the way to her attached spacious bathroom. Her caramel brown braids were up in a bun as she flicked on the light, squinting at her reflection in the mirror.

The way she had been doing everyday now, Cheyenne followed the routine of the simple life.

No partying late at night with friends and sleeping until noon. No hangovers when she woke up and no getting into trouble just for the sake of it when she went out. No boys, no girls, nothing.

Things were different now. As was she.

"Oh, good morning sweetheart," Miranda smiled in greeting, plating breakfast.

"Morning Auntie." Sitting on the stool, it didn't take long for Cheyenne to notice her aunt being dressed and her bags being packed beside the large and square dark-wooden front door. "You're leaving already?? I thought your flight was this afternoon?"

"Oh it is, I've just got an errand or two to run before heading to the airport," she waved a hand while sliding a plate across the kitchen island to her niece. "I wanted to make you a little something before I left though, since I'll be gone a while," Miranda offered a grin. "You sure you'll be okay, in this big ole house by yourself??"

Waving a hand of her own, "Auntie I'll be fine," Cheyenne smiled before stabbing her fork into scrambled eggs and bringing it to her mouth. "Trust me," she chewed, nodding at the taste.

Endearment crept behind Miranda's gaze upon Cheyenne, admiring her for the woman she was becoming, all with her late eldest niece in mind as well.

In contrast to the wealth, status, and influence attached to her last name, Miranda Lloyd acted and appeared nothing of the sort. She appreciated hard work and liberty and independence. She was a humanitarian at heart, and an empath in the mind. Her moving to Charlotte years ago to live the traveling lifestyle of a passionate missionary didn't surprise her family in the slightest, nevermind it disappointing her father and leaving the company solely to her younger brother without any fight at all.

Since then, she had never been happier.

"You be careful out there," Cheyenne spoke some time later into their long hug at the door, both their eyes closed as they squeezed one another.

"And you be careful in here," Miranda gave her niece a kiss on the cheek when pulling away to meet her eyes. "You call me at any time if you need me. I'll fly back in a heartbeat if it's an emergency, okay?"

"Okay," Cheyenne bid her a soft smile and nod, seeing her aunt out. "I love you!"

"I love you too sweetie!" the woman called behind her, birds chirping and the early autumn sun shining as her suitcase rolled along the smooth pavement. Her Lyft awaited her just beside the driveway as she headed for the vehicle, leaving her one-story commodious home behind to her youngest niece for the next three to four months.