Work Text:
Southern California 1999 Balboa Art Museum
“You’re ninety minutes late!”
That was this person’s first mistake. Never comment on Madam Zoella Gloria’s attendance or lack thereof. She is never late; the other party is simply too early.
The purpose of this meeting was to provide Madam Gloria with information concerning a recent case. An old, long-time friend, Madam Imani Olamina II, head of the Olamina House. Madam Olamina Had wanted the House of Gloria to look into an obscure charity. A handful of residents at the senior citizen homes she owned had suddenly changed their wills to donate all of their assets to this charity. Some of these were stingy sorcerers. How did they have a sudden change of heart after centuries?
Madam Gloria rolled her dark brown eyes upon hearing such a poor greeting. Since there was no proper greeting, she was not going to be polite. It was evident that a lot of time went into Zoella’s appearance. She wore a black floor-length long-sleeve dress that had a deep V-neck with matching heels. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places. She was known for her thick silver Hollywood curls, which others in the supernatural community call the Gloria style. Another recognizable trait was her high cheekbones and full lips, which were accentuated with her dark makeup. The lines that graced her copper face only added to her beauty.
“Is she serious?” The man said, getting frustrated that Zoella turned to the side with her gaze focused on her long, dark purple nails. That was his second mistake, not apologizing for taking up her time. The man glanced at her assistant, who is also her dutiful husband, Soto Gloria. He stood farther back from Zoella, his hands behind his back. Greying black locs pulled back into a ponytail. Noticeably, his outfit was plain and casual compared to his wife’s. He wore a tan button-up shirt and pants with dark brown sandals. But the most noticeable trait was his large, round glasses that sat in front of his serene expression. He was squinting to the point that someone could assume his eyes were closed. He, too, had signs of aging on his pretty ochre face.
The man’s assistant began to step back, and a thin layer of sweat quickly formed once they saw Soto’s eyes open just a little. “Sir, I think we shouldn’t waste any more of the Glorias’ time.” It seemed the assistant was the only one with common sense.
Everyone in the supernatural community was aware of Madam Gloria’s reputation. Only those who were deeply ignorant would dare to show any ounce of disrespect to them. Especially someone who was not respected by them.
“How would you like a new job?” Madam Gloria asked the assistant.
“Um, I..I would be honored.” The assistant was holding onto a manila envelope for dear life.
“Tell your superiors that Madam Gloria gave you his job,” Zoella said with a smile.
“Excuse me, you can’t-” The man just committed his last mistake. His very soul left his body and landed right into the sorceress's grasp. There was nothing left of the man. She extended the courtesy to the assistant, who didn’t have to worry about removing the body now.
“H-here is the information you needed.” The assistant handed the envelope to Soto with trembling hands.
“Now go celebrate your promotion.” Zoella smiled as she dismissed the new higher-up. She turned away, walking with a long stride as if she were a runway model. With her beauty, she definitely could have been a supermodel. Her husband followed behind her.
“That was very kind of you,” Soto said in his usual soft voice. Zoella couldn’t help but smile. She always loved hearing her husband’s Brazilian accent and his compliments. “Yes, that was very kind of me. I’m certain they will enjoy the higher pay.”