1.

“You can, but you know I’m right, right?” Xara said to her daughter as she walked into the kitchen behind her. 

Elon had married, and Giada and Jaxon were off to college. Aly had built a solid brand for herself, and over the years, she had been able to achieve her dreams. Her brand was one of the most recognized in Jersey City, NJ.

Ever since her father died, Aly hasn't been interested in any relationships. She spent most of her time building her brand, which is now successful. What was left now was for her to get a man in her life because she wasn’t getting any younger.

“Know what, Ma?” She rubbed her temples, waiting for a response, knowing full well what her mother was trying to say. She knew she needed a man, but the question was, who? 

Most of these men were egoistic, rude, and annoying, and they weren’t ready for any serious commitment. She didn’t want that for herself. She wanted more. A love like her parents own or something similar.

“You need a man, Aly.” Xara pointed it out.

“ That’s the only thing missing in your life right now."

“Is it? Is it the only thing missing in my life, Mom?” She threw back the question to her mom, smirking.

“Stop playing Alyona; you know it’s true, and I am serious. You need a man,” she said as Zeke entered the house without ringing the bell. It was his second home, and he saw no reason not to ring the bell or knock when he was coming inside.

“Your friend, Zeke.” Xara hugged him as he entered the kitchen.

“It’s about damn time,” he agreed with Xara.

“Not you too, Zeke,” she groaned, picking up her smoothie and walking to her room as he followed suit. She was about to slam the door in his face when he put his foot in the doorway right on time, pushing himself inside the room as the door shut.

“Aly, she’s not being difficult.  She just wants what is best for you. She has watched you mourn your dad for years, and she’s worried as any mom should be. You’ve reached the peak of your career, and that’s awesome. No man is an island, and your dildo won’t always be there for you,” he teased.

“First of all, I am very fine with my dildo. And, how am I going to find someone who is not egoistic, stupid, a jerk, a cheat, rude, unsupportive, and, above all, doesn’t commit?”

"There may be someone out there for you, Aly; you just need to look.” He smiled at her assuringly.

“Would it be worth it?” She couldn’t help but ask that question.

“ Unless you try Aly,”

~~~~~~~

"Hey, Cuz," Khloe remarked as she walked into her cousin's workplace. Ida was 7 months pregnant with her second child, and her maternity leave was just a few weeks away. Elon wanted her to stay home when she was six months gone, but she declined. He had no choice but to leave her alone, despite the fact that he adored her.

“Khloe! How have you been? It’s been a while since I last saw you,” she added, excited.

“Hey, mama. I’ve been around. You’re glowing,” she complimented.

“ Around? How’s work? By the way, thanks; pregnancy sure does look good on me,” she replied.

“Yeah, around, work is going amazing, thanks.”

“ Awesome! So what brings you here today?” she asked, knowing her cousin full well.

“I just came to visit Ida, nothing else. I just miss you.”

“It’s good seeing you, kiddo.” Ida smiled at her.

~~~~~

“There’s my favorite person,” he said as she sat on the nearest stool.  Aly has been visiting the archer for close to a year now. The first person she met on her first day there was Bazyli, the 30-year-old hot blasian bartender.

Ever since they met, it had been casual flirting here and there, a few jokes, and secrets. Their friendship had a different vibe altogether. One that most people couldn’t understand.

“Hi, what do you have for me today?” she asked gloomily.

“What’s going on, Alyona?” He asked, putting her drink in front of her.

“Life, Bazyli, life.”

“Um, you’re like the new Elon Musk in this city now, so how bad is life treating you?” He smirked at her with his arms crossed over each other, leaning on the counter.

“ Very funny, Bazy, very funny," she chuckled.

" Hey, what's on your mind?" He asked softly, gently caressing her hand that was on the counter. The feeling was good, but there was no way she was going to confess how she felt with his hand over hers.

" Mom and Zeke," she sighed, taking a gulp from her magaritta.

" What's up with them?" 

"For starters, mom wants me to get a man, fall in love, and get married. And Zeke somewhat agrees to it."  The 27-year-old lady said

Alyona inherited her mother's remarkable beauty, with entrancing eyes that reflected her own. Her tall, curvy shape was complemented by a beautiful olive complexion, which added to her allure.

"But?" Bazyli asked, knowing there was more to what she had to say as he served the next customer.

Bazyli stood at 6'5. His skin was a mixture of light and black, giving it a smooth brown look.  His physique was toned and trim, rather than heavily built. His muscles, though not bulging, were well-defined and hinted at a dedicated fitness routine. 

He had the most beautiful set of black eyes and a perfect set of teeth. He smelled of mint, wood, and coconuts.  At 30, he was most woman's ideal man. 

" You already know , Bazyli. I'm tired of meeting egoistic jerks—men who feel intimidated by my success. I need a supportive,  good man. A man who will love me for me, encourage me, pray for me, spoil me silly, push me, and care for me. A man who's kind, who's not stingy, and most importantly, love me like how my dad loved my mom," she finished.

" But you can spoil yourself silly," he teased.

" Really? Is that all you got from all this?" she glared at him.

" I'm sorry," he chuckled.

" I have a question: would you want a man who you're richer than?"

" If he has all the qualities I just mentioned, then why not?" she answered.

"Okay, Aly," he said, smiling at her.

" It was nice talking to you; I gotta go," she smiled at him.

" Sure, I'll call you once I get off my shift," he replied as he watched her walk out of the bar.