THE BET

When Xenia got back to Ann-Catherin's, another typhoon lurked and waited. A silent treatment where Ann-Catherin gave her slitted eyes forced Xenia to confront mom once she tucked Sia in bed.

"What's wrong, mom?"

"Have you seen yourself lately? You look like a ghost. Here eat this," Ann-Catherine gave Xenia a plate of Yassa chicken and rice.

"I'm not hungry."

Xenia found her hunger diminish as she tried to digest the evening's revelations.

"When was the last time you ate?"

Xenia hesitated; she couldn't remember, "I'm fine, mom."

"Fine, look at the gap between your thighs. How many kilograms have you lost?"

"Mom."

"How many?"

"I don't know how much weight I've lost. I'm fine; mom, people say I look like Jordan Dunn."

"You look more like you are friggin doomed. You are a toothpick; look at your reflection, Xenia."

Xenia got up, "mom, what did I do? Why are you attacking me like this?"

Ann-Catherin sighed, "It's what you are not doing?"

"And what's that?"

"Growing up, look at you, you're on your thirties steps, and you think you know it all, but you are a kid, a novice."

"Mom, I don't know what has gotten into you?" Xenia began to walk away. She did not want to argue.

"Go, run like you always do. I don't want you in my house. I'm tired of worrying about you. Xenia, when you don't even have concern for yourself."

"Fine, I'll get an apartment."

"You are so selfish, Xenia. Weren't you the one who told me in your living room that Gregory was a good man? You were lost, crying over Mark; God replied to your prayers, and what are you doing? You are screwing everything up. I thought you didn't want to end up like me."

Xenia came back to face her mother, "I will not end up like you."

"But you are walking up the same road," Ann Catherin said, accompanying her words with the hand signalization. "Remember, Mr. Micheals. What was it you said to me when he left me? Oh, you are a bad person, that's why Mr. Micheals is gone. You loved that man like he was your father, and that man loved me."

Ann-Catherin lifted her gaze to the ceiling, "God knows how many times that man asked me to marry him. But I would call him a liar daily because before him; I had a crook who twisted my psyché to the point I didn't know the black pearl I had. Now, look at you. Your daughter is head over heels about Ko Phi Phi. She doesn't even talk about her father and you-."

"Eh, who's Ko Phi Phi?

"The English fella you've been with for the last two something years."

"Oh, what? Why are you bringing up Gregory?"

"Because you are sinking, Xenia, and I wouldn't be bringing this up if Sia wasn't is affected by it. First, you introduced Jeju Island."

"Andrew."

"Jeju."

"Whatever," Xenia said, surrendering.

"Now it's Ko Phi Phi."

"Why is Gregory a bay in Thailand?"

"Xenia, don't pretend you've never noticed those eyes?"

Xenia grinned and nodded in approval, "I know, right, aren't they to die for, wait a minute, when did you get to stare at Gregory?"

"It's not the point, Xenia. You are scared of commitment with this man because you love him so much that you feel as though you are always on the verge of death. You are lucky, my child. Some people live without even knowing that sensation.

"Before you start saying I only scold you, believe me, I say the same thing to Gloria. Maybe I am to blame, but you two should stop thinking that a relationship is some kind of battle where you keep scores. Now I don't know what went wrong with Ko Phi Phi, but what I'd like you to do is reflect, did the man do something wrong?"

"Mom," Xenia protested as she hated when her mother used her questioning as a persuasion method.

Ann-Catherin grabbed her hands, "Xenia, listen, sometimes we go overboard too. We expect men to read between the lines. But they don't have time for that because they're too busy trying to sort out their expression and feelings. Men understand step by step manuals. From that point, they can start to figure out things. Now tell me, did that man do you wrong?"

"Mom, I'm scared."

Ann-Catherin nodded, "I know, but did that man do you wrong?"

"He-he asked me to do something, but I can't -."

"Did you tell Gregory why you can't do that?"

"Sort of."

"Sort of, Xenia, sort of doesn't solve things. The man isn't a psychic.

"It's too late now, mom; Gregory was so mad-." The tears fell without Xenia's consent.

"Xenia, you haven't seen him for a month. Even Mount Vesuvius cooled down. Why can't he? Listen to me. I pray for you all every day. I want you to be happy, now, do you want to lose this man?"

"No, I don't."

"There is nothing wrong with admitting that you overreacted. We all know you are a drama queen. Sometimes you've got to know when to admit things; you are no lesser woman, a feminist, or whatever if you say you are sorry."

"He'll never take me back."

"You know what, Xenia, there's something I did wrong while raising you girls. I made you believe that you had to find a man to stand by you, but what I forgot to say was that sometimes you have to stand by them. Many men left me, but I supported none of them. I tried to hold some hostage look at what I did to Louise's father. What I'm trying to say is this man, he loves you in a way you can't imagine."

Ann-Catherin paused and reflected, she did not know if it was Gregory's education, but it was not a common thing to ask advice from the lover's mother. This alone proved the concern the man had for Xenia.

"Mom, I doubtㅡ."

"Xenia, no one wrecks someone's engagement unless they are ready to commit. Gregory took you from Jeju; he stalked in Canada. Xenia, this man heㅡ."

This time Xenia broke down, "he won't take me back. I've overdone it this time. Mom, I've lost him. I messed everything up, I swear."

"You won't know until you try," Ann-Catherin hugged her. Xenia cried all the tears in her body, she feared being pregnant, but it was nothing compared to the thought of losing Gregory.

From that point, Xenia began to pace, back and forth, and finally, she went to her mother's room.

"Mom, mom, wake up."

"Huhneh-what?"

"I'm going to London."

"What time is it?"

"It's almost 9:45 PM."

"Wait till tomorrow."

"I can't; I have to go now, it can't wait."

"Okay," grumbled her mother, "I'll take care of Sia and Xenia. I suggest you take off that du-rag before leaving, don't make the man regret loving you too early."

"Thanks, mom," Xenia kissed Ann-Catherin on the forehead and left.

It was time for Xenia to face up and assume the choice she made while she stuffed herself in that expensive restaurant in Oxford-street two years earlier.

Margaret's words came to mind, "do you think your love for my grandson will last?"

"Lady Ashton, I mean Margaret, a lifetime isn't long enough."

The old lady smiled, "you know it won't be easy. I'm not sure you'll make it."

"I'm sure I love your grandson, and I know our love will last.

Margaret took a smile sip of her Narcissus Wuyi Oolong tea, "okay, let's place a bet."