Chapter 32: Xerxes

Mitchelle’s/Sunny’s POV

“So. Are you not going to introduce us to each other, Alex?” I heard Jea asked in her sweet and angelic voice. I bet she could also sing and probably be good at that.

“I only know Mitchelle but apparently you all call her Sunny. We didn’t have the time to acquaint ourselves last time since you dragged me out of our school tour.” She complained, glancing from me to Alex.

Alex released a sigh. “Guys, Jea and I have known each other ever since. Jea, you already know Mitchelle Kim. Then here is Breana Jung and Maria Han.” Alex introduced as she points to each of us, saying our names in the process.

“You can call me Sunny.”

“Bree.”

“Ari, here.”

Jea nodded in understanding, her mouth forming an ‘O’ shape. “I’m pleased to meet you all.” She stated with a smile.

I smiled back at her while the two young girls uttered murmurs of ‘me too’.

“Let’s continue it over lunch. Where do you all want to eat?” Alex announced to the group.

“Oh! I know a place.” Jea responded.

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I know how Alex can be cool and greasy or smooth to almost everyone. She can be clingy at times too but she only shows that in private. Maybe it’s ‘cause she wants to keep her image that way, cool and smug that she’d also reject people’s clinginess to her. Yet, on our way to the place Jea recommended, Alex let the smaller girl hold on to her the whole time. I observed as Ari and Bree are preoccupied in their own world.

“Whoa! Are you sure you want to treat us here?” Ari exclaimed.

We stopped in front of a fancy restobar.

“Yeah, I mean Ari here cannot really seem to find her self-restraint when it comes to food so we’re just making sure you know what you’re putting yourself into and what you’re going to lose in your wallet.” Bree added as she giggled.

Teasing each other has been the norm for both of them that they really didn’t mind picking on each other knowing they’re just joking.

“Was that really necessary hmmm Breepup?” Ari pouts and furrows her brows, pretending to be angry.

“Kids, behave.” I said. I am shaking my head but smiling.

The place looks exquisite and expensive; we didn’t look like we don’t belong in there. I am surprised but excited.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Besides, we know the owner. Right, Alex?” Jea answered then turned to Alex.

“Uhh, yeah.” Alex muttered. Her demeanor had changed since we arrived. She looks fidgety and nervous.

We took the table near the corner. Alex and Jea sat beside each other while I, Ari, and Bree sat on the opposite side, making me and Alex face each other as Jea and Bree do.

Just then, a handsome dapper-looking man in suit entered the place and scanned the area. He seemed to recognize someone from our table. He slowly approaches with an air of confidence and luxury emanating from him. His pearly white teeth visible as he smiles perfectly. I was so captivated in his smile not because of how it looks on him but it ridiculously reminds me of someone. He looks so familiar I swear I’ve seen him before.

“Xerxes!” Jea exclaimed, making the rest of the group turn their heads to the man who she just named.

“Jea, what brings you here?” He wondered.

“I’m having lunch with my friend from school. Alex is here too.”

“Oh, where are my manner. I’m Xerxes, the owner of this place and Alex and Jea here are people close to me. If you’re friends with them, it means I should treat you pretty ladies well.” He flashes his best smile as the last word fall on his lips.

“Another smooth talker, I see.” I blurted out without thinking. After realizing what I just said, I immediately cover my mouth from embarrassment.

“Oh, you see, it really runs in the blood, right Alex?” He asked to her. Then he turned to me to ask. “May I know your name, milady?”

I was a bit startled as he took my hand in his, in a stance of kissing it as he bows a bit, just like how they do when one respectfully introduces during the olden times.

Now, this reminds me of something also.

To my surprise, Alex snatched my hand from Xerxes’.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about and just for this once, Xerxes, back off.” Alex asked of him. Yet, with the tone of her voice it sounded to me like more of a demand.

“Why are you being territorial? So unlikely of you.” He straightened himself as he commented on Alex’ behavior.

I must admit I feel a bit pleased that Alex can be territorial as Xerxes expressed and that when it comes to me but I don’t see the reason why she had to.

“I’m Mitchelle by the way but I go by Sunny.” I said before Alex had the chance to talk back to him. I also had to pull my hand back from Alex’ grasp since she hasn’t let it go yet. It didn’t help that the other girls’ eyes are trained on us.

Bree cleared her throat before introducing herself and shaking Xerxes’ outstretched hand. Their exchange has been more pleasant.

When Xerxes turned to Ari it wasn’t the same case though and that puzzled me. I didn’t know if it’s just me or I really did see Ari glaring at him because knowing her, she is always and more open and outgoing compared to Bree.

“And yours?” Xerxes asks Ari as he stretched his hand towards her.

“Maria.” She said flatly but did not held out her hand to shake the other’s. Xerxes got the message and took back his. She didn’t even say her nickname.

‘Oh. I’ll tell the staff to prepare your food right away.” He smiled to us before going to the back.

“Your cousin is impossible sometimes.” Jea sighed when Xerxes was out of sight.

“Cousin?!” I almost shouted.

Did I hear that right?

“Well, they look similar after all.” Bree stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Yeah, they’d almost pass as twins.” Ari agreed.

That explains why I find his smile so distinguishable and reminiscing. Also, his smooth talk and the 'princess' thing with Alex. I see.

“I actually think Xerxes is Alex if she was a guy. I mean, the face and even most of their traits are the same.” Jea stated.

“How so?” I asked, waiting for her to elaborate. I wouldn’t pass the chance of seeing Alex from another person’s perspective.

“I mean look at them. They’re both good-looking and they know it that it feeds their ego so they’re confident and can be too smug sometimes. They can be annoying but deep down you know they mean well. They also like to play around.”

“Hey, stop talking about me. I’m actually here.” The heart of the discussion protested.

“One thing I fully agree with you. Yes. They are annoying.” Ari said.

I noticed how Jea just openly admitted how good-looking she finds Alex. At the same time, the ways she described her tells she knows a lot. I actually envy her for that, for being in Alex’ life for so long that she probably knows everything going on around her.