As Zuri walked through the corridors, she had many thoughts in her mind.
'Why didn't back out, what would have happened if Michael didn't come in, do I like him?, if I do, is it because of his similarities to Jason or is it just him!'
"ugh!!.. get yourself together!"
"And who are you talking to?", a woman raised her eyebrow at her.
"Mum!!"
Zuri's mother, Jane Parker, looked like she hadn't aged since twelve years. She looked as stunning as always even with her little to no make up and simple dress.
Zuri rushed to her mother, and hugged her tightly not wanting to let go.
"I thought you cared about your image at work", she whispered into her daughter's ears.
Zuri's eyes shone as she quickly pulled away from her and adjusted herself.
"Let's go in"
She opened her office door and they both entered. Once inside, Zuri rushed to hug her mum again.
"What's going on?, you seem tensed... it's unlike you"
Zuri still hugged her tightly while closing her eyes,
"Just a little more"
After a while, she slowly let go and sat down on the sofa.
Jane sat down with her daughter and held her hands,
"Talk to mum... what's wrong"
Jane was the only person Zuri could truly trust with her problems, because of course, she was her mum.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure anything", She gave her a reassuring smile.
"Did you ever see him after the accident?"
"... see who?"
It took sometime for Jane to process the question before she realized who Zuri was talking about.
"Honey... I never did", she thought about something then added
"It was only Mr Gatlin that got to see him... I always wondered why he didn't have a funeral at least but that was his decision to make and not mine"
Zuri sighed deeply and shut her eyes. Jane was worried that something was wrong, so she asked,
"Are you okay?... did something happen?"
Zuri opened her eyes and forced a smile,
"No nothing happened"
"okay... but know I'm always here for you to talk to when you have problems"
"I got it mum... so what brings you here"
" I was thinking we should go to your grandma's for the weekend"
"Oh... I won't be able to, I have something scheduled already... let's go the next weekend instead okay?"
Jane pinched her daughter's cheeks and smiled lovingly,
"You're always working, when will you get a boyfriend huh?"
"argh mum can you not talk about that"
"My bad... I'm just saying"
"Well don't say", Zuri covered her face in embarrassment.
Jane smirked and nudged her daughter with her elbow,
"But I'm not getting any younger"
"I know but 48 still looks good on you"
"I know right"
The mother daughter duo talked about their lives and different things. Zuri also sent for food so that they would not starve.
Zuri really needed her mum around because she her mind had been in a rollercoaster. She couldn't even talk to Tansy because they were about to start filming 'New Dawn' and she was busy rehearsing.
Jane grabbed her bag and stood up,
"it's 5:30 and I have a date with Drew by 7... so I'll start going now"
10 years ago, Jane got married to a man named Drew Fernandez, who was a year older than her. He was a major shareholder of a stable company.
Although she was still cautious because of what happened with her father, she eventually accepted Drew because he was very nice and thoughtful and always cared for both her mother and her.
Jane hugged her daughter one last time and was about to leave when Zuri said something that made her stop in her tracks,
"Myron came here a few days ago"
Jane turned around to look at her daughter's expression but it was indifferent as always,
"What did he want?"
"Same old same old"
"Just don't let it bother you... okay?"
"When has it ever"
Jane eventually left the office and went to prepare for her date.
***
Xavier was set for his family dinner. He wore a navy blue suit with black shoes.
He took his keys and chain and left the room. As he walked through the corridors, both patients and staff stopped to make way for him to pass.
Now... he looked like an overbearing CEO. His entire presence was both suffocating and satisfying at the same time.
Xavier got to the parking lot, entered his car and zoomed off.
If it wasn't because of Zuri, he wouldn't have gone. When he got to the family mansion, Michael had just gotten there, so they entered together.
One was overbearing and indifferent, the other was carefree and arrogant. Just the perfect duo.
Just as they were about to step in, they heard a voice from behind them,
"Xavier... you came"
It was a woman and she hugged him tightly. Xavier didn't like the hug one bit, but he had to endure it and couldn't push her away because, after all, she was his mother.
Michael, who was behind them rolled his eyes and entered the house without them.
The woman let go and held his hands,
"I didn't think you'd come", she had a smile on her face.
Xavier had a sarcastic smile on his face as he replied,
"neither did I"
He pulled his hands from hers and looked at her indifferently. The woman was not hurt because this was how he was with everybody. She just smiled and entered the house.
Soon after, Xavier entered and the dinner began.