CHAPTER 3
~Xena's POV~
The moment Xade told me I got the role, my heart almost gave out in joy.
I had never planned to audition for any role that day, let alone meet Director Xade. Just then, something else came to mind, reminding me of the reason why I was in this mess in the first place.
Xade turned to Dominic and ordered, "Tell Tiana to cancel the auditions. I have found my female lead."
"Um, about that." I jumped in quickly, earning a side-long glance from Xade. "Umm, when do I get my signing bonus? You know, like a first paycheck?"
"Pardon?" Dominic leaned forward as though he had heard the most absurd news.
I caught Xade's displeasure and immediately dipped my head. "Umm, sorry, forget I said anything."
"Wait. You look familiar. I have seen you before. Do I… know you?"
My heart skipped in my chest before doing a 360-degree marathon in my chest. "No. I'd never forget such a face if we had met."
His narrowed eyes told me he did not believe me or buy my story. Still, I did not wait to find out.
By the time I got home, the adrenaline that had carried me through the day had burned out, leaving only exhaustion and the sour taste of fear in my mouth.
"Mommy!"
The small, bright voice broke through everything. My daughter came running from the tiny living room, her blonde curls bouncing, while her chubby hands clutched her baby doll.
I dropped to my knees and caught her, burying my face in her soft hair as she giggled against my neck.
"Hey, my love," I whispered, kissing her cheeks until she squealed in that beautiful manner that seemed like sunlight after a storm. "Did you miss me?"
She nodded solemnly, then immediately held up the doll for me to see. "Baby slept. Like a good girl."
My heart squeezed. "She did? That's perfect, sweetheart."
I glanced up at my next-door neighbour's daughter, the fourteen-year-old who'd been babysitting my daughter while I was gone. "Thank you, Emmy. You're a lifesaver."
Emmy smiled shyly and waved off the thanks. "No problem, Miss Xena. She's an angel. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye, Emmy,"
When the door shut behind her, my heart finally started breathing properly. It didn't take long for the sound of my daughter humming to her doll to reach my ears.
I stood, my smile faltering, and carried the black briefcase straight to the laundry corner. Without hesitation, I shoved it into the washing machine and slammed the lid down.
Then I turned back to my daughter, forcing calm into my voice. "Baby, play with your doll, okay? Mommy's coming right back."
She nodded and went back to her toys in the living room. I pulled my phone from my pocket, thumb trembling as I dialled the number Zoa had texted me.
The line clicked after two rings.
"Done?"
Liam's cold, sharp voice asked. There was no greeting, no trace of humanity in his tone as he spoke to me like I was one of his underlings.
I scoffed. "Wow. No 'hi,' no 'you alive?' Nothing? You sent me straight into a setup, and that's all you have to say?"
"Setup?" His tone hardened. "You're insane. My client says he never got the goods, and here you are pretending it is a set-up."
I scoffed, disbelieving the words my ears were hearing now.
"Look, Liam."
"No, you look. You do not lie, and you do not come back pretending. I tried to help you, and this is how you repay me? By indirectly running off with my shipment?"
I laughed bitterly. "You think I'd still be breathing if I stole your damn drugs? The place was crawling with cops. I barely made it out alive."
Silence ensued for a second, followed by a long pause. "God, you're alive. So, where are my drugs now, Xena?"
"Where's my money?" I shot back.
He growled softly, the kind of sound that made my stomach twist. "You're sick. There's no money. You screwed me over, and now you're…"
"Maybe if you hadn't set me up, I'd have your precious drugs," I cut him off, my voice trembling with anger. "I lost the briefcase when I was being chased, Liam. I almost died. So, no drugs for you."
"You what… How dare you, ungrateful, lying bitch. Give me the drugs back or else I'll come for you."
"Do your worst. I do not have it. And if you dare come for me, I'll report you."
"Xena. Xena, listen to me. Aish, this crazy bitch. I warned Zoa to stay away from her useless ass, but she wouldn't listen."
His words cut deep, but I brushed them aside, keeping my voice from trembling as I added. "Liam Louis, if you do not want that, send me the money.".
I hung up before he could say another damning word, tossing the phone onto the bed. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I bit my inner lips to keep myself from yelling in frustration.
I never wanted to take the drugs or lie about losing it, but I fear getting into more trouble if I return them.
All I wanted was the money, then I could place the box in a safe place for them to pick up.
I pressed my palms over my face and tried to breathe.
Forty-five thousand dollars. Ms Nancy's life was hanging by a thread, and I'd just lost the only chance I had.
My eyes darted toward the old photo frame on my nightstand — my father, standing proud in his suit, one arm around me, before everything fell apart.
Tears rushed through my eyes as I remembered those days, four years ago. After we lost my mum when I was only six, I became Dad's pride and joy.
After which, nanny Nancy took care of me like I was her daughter.
Until everything went downhill with my scandal, and I realised too late that my own favourite cousin had set me up and had my accounts hacked, making me lose all of my savings.
Still, my father wasted not a minute in cutting me off from his life and company, leaving me with nothing.
Only Ms. Nancy became my shield when friends and family failed.
My body trembled in rage as I bit harder into my inner lip. "You owe me, old man." I clenched my fists. "Even if you disowned me, I'm coming back to collect what's mine."
I glanced toward my daughter, who was now asleep on the couch, her little hand wrapped around the baby doll's arm. I kissed her forehead softly.
"For you, baby," I whispered. "Mommy will fix everything."