Chapter 20: overworking

Xavier's POV

I don't really know what woke me up—maybe the shouting clearly coming from downstairs.

Is Emily fighting with my wife again?

I groaned as I made my way to the bathroom and took a quick shower. My headache had gone down, so I headed downstairs, expecting another morning of bickering. But what I walked into was not what I expected.

Four pairs of eyes stared at me like I was the only survivor of World War III.

"Good morning?" My voice came out slow, confused. Why do they all look surprised to see me? I turned to Mira, only to find her turning red with embarrassment.

Okay. What's going on?

"Xavier, you were home all along?" That was Mum who spoke.

"Of course, I am. Where did you expect me to be? And you said you were coming for dinner, not breakfast."

"We also said we were going shopping," Aunt Maya reminded me.

"You didn't have to go in the morning."

"Xavier, this is 1 PM."

My eyes widened. "What?"

This was the longest I'd slept in a long time. Seeing the confused look on Mum's face, I tried to ease her worry.

"It's nothing. I had a little headache, so I probably slept a little too long."

"Of course, what did I expect?" Mum sighed. "You guys never listen to me. At least Noah was better. He'd work all morning and then drop by at ten or eleven P.M. and wake up by six. But not you—you work all morning and night, sleep by midnight, and wake up by four. Why can't you just take care of yourself and stop worrying the people that care for you?"

Nobody spoke as Mum's voice wavered with frustration. Then she turned and walked outside.

"Pearl," Aunt Maya called after her.

Dad was about to follow her, but I stopped him. "I caused this. I'll talk to her."

He nodded, stepping aside. I knew why Mum was always so freaked out about me overworking—her own father had literally worked himself to death. I found her sitting in the garden.

"Mama." I sat beside her. "I'm sorry."

She sighed and looked at me. "You always do this, Xavier. You know I can't stay mad at you, so you just say words you don't mean."

"Mum, I mean it this time. I won't overstress myself again. I'll eat at least two meals a day and sleep early if I don't have important work. Just don't be sad."

"You always say that, and you never keep to it. So here's a new plan: You sleep more. Wake up at six if you don't have work that morning. Have breakfast with Mira. Take coffee only once a day. And finally, when you come back, have dinner with Mira—she's a pretty good cook."

"Why do I have to eat with Mira? What if she—she—? I come home late sometimes."

"So she'll keep tabs on you for me. End of discussion. Now let's go inside. You've grown so lean, let's go feed you."

"Aren't you going shopping again?"

"We're back from shopping. If you didn't sleep like a corpse, maybe you would've noticed. And yes, Skylar is on her way."

"WHAT?"

"I said Skylar is on—"

"I heard you. Why?"

"She's actually really hurt you didn't invite her to your wedding."

"It slipped my mind."

"It wouldn't have if you listened to me or had a life outside of work. You don't even have friends."

"Well, I don't have time to look for one."

"You wouldn't have to look for one if you could keep the one you had. But your ego is too big."

"I seriously don't want to talk about this right now. Let's just have lunch—I'm famished."

"Why? Because you know I'm always right?"

"No, because every time we talk about this, you end up blaming me for pushing away my so-called only friend."

"He was your only friend, and you know he wasn't wrong. But your ego can't help it."

"You always seem to forget what he did."

"He apologized. But you overreacted. You and I both know it wasn't the girl—it was your ego."

I hated admitting it, but she was right.

A loud horn blared, and a black sports car rolled into the driveway. Skylar dramatically stepped out, but when she saw Mum and me, she sprinted over to her.

"Mum!!" She hugged her tightly.

I stood there, shifting from one foot to the other.

"Oh my gosh, you've grown so lean! I told you not to starve yourself for those photoshoots!" Mum, of course, went into mother-hen mode. I think anyone who is not at least obese is going to be lean to my mother's eye.

"Mum, I'm fine."

"Skylar—" I started, testing if she'd yell at me or give me the cold shoulder.

She cut me off and continued talking to Mum. Cold shoulder it is.

"But you know what? I'm free for two weeks, so you can stuff me however you want." She grinned cheekily.

Mum and Skylar walked inside, ignoring me. Screams erupted inside—not panic screams, just women being women. Skylar was probably tackling Dad, complaining about the bodyguards he kept sending after her.

I dragged my feet inside, my stomach growling.

At dinner, Skylar talked about a weird fan she met, Mum discussed her vacation plans, and somehow, they ended up teasing Mira. Skylar had officially adopted Mira as her new best friend. The kid was still avoiding me, though.

Soon enough, it was almost night when Mum and Dad decided to call it a day.

"Skylar, where are you staying?" Mirabel asked.

"I don't know. Maybe a hotel or something."

"Why don't you stay here? You must be really tired from the jet lag."

Skylar smirked. "I don't know. I don't think some certain person would like that."

Ah. So this is what we're doing.

"You can stay, Kai."

"Really? Didn't think you'd like that, since it doesn't look like I'm important enough." She threw a quick glare my way

"Skylar, it slipped my mind."

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, 'cause it's totally normal to forget to invite your own sister to your wedding."

"Skyla—"

"Save it." She pushed past me, dragging Mira with her.

I rubbed my temple, feeling another headache forming.

Why me? First Mum, now Skylar.

╰(*°▽°*)╯

~Adjo

pronounced ah-YEU. It an easy way to say see you soon in sweden.

stay connected and chaotic