CHAPTER 2
Susan Mair is on the phone when she saw Xena coming down the stairs.
"She's finally here," she exclaimed making sure that Xena hears her loud and clear.
She heard the person on the other side of the line chuckle and comment "Give her the phone. We can't let our dear Xena get away that easily." Susan didn't reply but it is evident in her smile that she is content with the other person's plan.
Xena saw her agent smirking at her as she handed the phone to her. Xena internally groaned but still took the phone and place it near her right ear. "Mom," Xena whispered.
"I booked a flight for you to return here this afternoon," Verna directly said without even greeting her only daughter.
Xena glared at Susan who is now by the door talking to the driver. Susan did saw Xena's expression but she only glimpses at her and snobbishly moved her body halfway.
"Mom, I have a busy schedule this week. Didn't Susan tell you?" Xena said.
"Since you already know that you are very busy, why did you have the time to roll in the sheets with some guy instead of rejuvenating your energy?" Her mother pointedly asked not even a bit of embarrassment can be sensed from her voice like she was just asking her daughter if she has eaten.
'Though I did eat' Xena's green brain silently commented not daring to voice it out to her beloved mother.
"Mom, I did replenish my energy. Work finished early yesterday so I got the spare time to chill and do some recreational activities." she shamelessly said to her mother as she steps closer to the door, her high heels clicking with the tiled floor.
"Didn't you promise to stop such recreational activities, little missy? Why don't you come back for a while, I'll introduce you to someone handsome and trustworthy. Stop being stubborn." Her mother's voice was stern yet a hint of concern can be heard.
"I did stop until yesterday that is." She said in a low and serious tone of voice. "Mom, don't worry about me too much. I'm not a little missy anymore, besides those handsome and trustworthy men you're talking about doesn't exist." Xena said to Verna as she slowly entered the car.
She glanced at Susan seated beside her as she continued on the phone "You might mean handsome and rich but those are abundant here compared at home mother."
"Xena, I know your thoughts about men and relationships but if you want to play you have to stop being an actress. I don't want to see you being judged and mistreated by others. You are precious to me." Verna said with worry and heartache evident in her tone of voice.
Xena kneaded her throbbing temple as she assured her mother "This career is very important for me mother, don't worry I'll behave and not give you any worries anymore."
"For a while" Susan muttered in a low voice as her fingers scrolled down on her work tab. She suddenly groaned as she felt Xena pinch her side. She slapped Xena's hand away as she mouthed "claws off" towards Xena. Xena's fingernails are well maintained and even though they are neatly cut short her pinch still hurts.
Xena reclined back to her seat. "Alright, I won't pester you anymore. Just be sure to behave well like the mature lady that you should be Xena Mijares or I might come and directly bring you to the Civil Council and have you directly married to the man of my choosing. I and Anthon are very excited to have our first grandchild born." Verna asserted.
Xena will faint in frustration if she doesn't end the call by now so she said "Mom, we're almost at the site. I'll call you later, bye. I love you."
Verna again reminded her to take care of herself and eat properly before saying I love you and hanging up. Xena heard the line beep indicating the end of her suffering.
" You said 10 mins!!" Xena angrily said to Susan as she grudgingly handed her the phone back.
Susan shrugged and said offhandedly "You were a minute late." As she taps open the message sent to her by Verna.
"You were already on the phone by the time I saw you--" Xena was about to complain but she saw Susan smirking as she looked at her phone. She's not listening to her complain anymore so Xena has no choice but to let it go.
Susan read the message sent by Verna saying
(Chat)
Verna: She won't be in a scandal for at least 3 months for now.
Susan: Thank you Ver for the help. I'll send you something delicious next time.
Susan then locked her phone and put it into her bag. She then turned her head to Xena who's looking outside the window.
She's wearing a light blue skirt that reaches to her knees. A white tube top that shows her pinkish white skin topped with a light blue blazer with the sleeves rolled to her forearm. Her legs are elegantly crossed over each other with her white heels pointing to the front. She isn't wearing any makeup on since the time I gave her is not enough but it is evident that her bare face is enough to make other women envy her beauty.
"I haven't seen Mr. Mill for years. I thought he won't be coming back to City A with his busy schedule." Susan said to Xena.
The atmosphere now is back to normal. They have been together for years now and they are already used to this kind of change in atmosphere and topic. Susan may sound strict and irritable but Xena knows that she treats her like a younger sister making her more dramatic than normal.
Susan, on the other hand, has been managing Xena for years, and she has known her way before Xena entered the industry. The time she spent with Xena might not be long enough for others to get close but Xena has this open and frank personality that you can't help but want to know her better and want to be closer.
"He only came back last night and we coincidentally met in Ley's Club," Xena said.
"I guess jet lag ain't normal for a Rich President like him who often travels overseas and works overnight," Susan commented without looking at Xena. She busied her hands as she double-checked their itinerary for the day.
Xena smiled and said "He only came back because of his family's arrangements. He's getting engaged." Xena paused for a bit then added "Oh, I guess he is already engaged since the first time he steps his foot out of the plane."
Susan's fingers froze as she thought of Xena being involved in a scandal and being labeled as a third party. "Do I have to check the CCTV recordings in the area yesterday to delete evidence of your--" Susan didn't finish her sentence as she was interrupted by Xena's laughter. Her voice is similar to a joyous melody but underneath you can sense an underlying tone that Susan couldn't decrypt.
Xena has always been like this. She is mischievous and mysterious at the same time. At some point, she blurts out what she is thinking without worrying whether others accept her way of thinking or not, and some other times she acts mysterious as she smiles with a thousand meanings as if a sea of unknown ideas and thoughts are hidden within.
"Don't worry about it. He is someone who values his family name more than anyone else. I won't be able to come across Jake's silhouette from the time he walked out of my bedroom this morning." Xena said while looking out the window.
Susan does trust Xena but she oftentimes fears that Xena is being a bit too confident about her trysts that she may end up hurt in the future.
Susan remembered Mr. Jake Mill, the CEO of Agrian. He politely smiled at her as he passed by her this morning. He was calm and not at all bothered as to what her opinion is regarding him and her artist. She was a bit flustered when she recalled seeing his body this morning and awkwardly bowed her head in greeting. He didn't say anything and didn't look back as he got into his car and speed away.
He and Xena were in an ambiguous relationship 2 years ago but I don't know how their relationship ended, now she is sure that their relationship did end well for both parties to act like this as soon as the other returned.
"Do you know who his fiancee is?" Susan inquired feeling a bit gossipy.
"Nope," Xena said offhandedly. "He did say that it will be their first meeting today."
"Rich people and arranged marriage," Susan commented.
Xena turned her head and sweetly smiled at Susan before saying "He did say that I'm more beautiful and sexy though. We didn't drink last night so him saying such a thing while sober is very much true."
Susan almost choked at her artist's narcissistic comment. She then heard Xena nonchalantly add "She must be pretty plain for Jake to state that." Susan secretly rolled her eyes at her and didn't say anything else.