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XAVIER BANKS

XAVIER BANKS

I fell asleep quite early after getting drunk with Hewitt last night which made me wake up earlier than I usually did. I have

been up since then, imagining my reunion with mum. I could hardly picture her face though and every imagination ended with

her cussing me out and chasing me away from her place, back to dad.

Now, I have a splitting headache.

I dragged myself off the bed and into the bathroom to splash water on my face to alleviate the pain I was feeling at the

moment.

Moving to the kitchen, I noticed that Hewitt had already cleared up the house after I fell asleep. I poured myself a glass of

water and downed it along with some painkillers.

Kira and I had agreed to meet up by ten o'clock this morning and it was still seven o'clock. I went to the balcony where I liked

staying when I woke up to watch the hustle and bustle in the city below.

This was one of the problems of being an actor. It was either I was too busy or not doing anything at all.

I leaned against the railings and let the breeze cool me down. I had two matters I was anxious about. One was meeting with

mum today and the other was facing the world at the press conference Hewitt said I needed to hold in order to address the

rumors.

I let out a breath as I sat down on the chair after which I took a sip of my coffee and bit into a cupcake, my mind reeling

with endless possibilities.

After about thirty minutes and my coffee and snacks were exhausted, I finally went back in and decided to get ready.

One step at a time, Xavier.

~•|~•|~•|

Kira squeezed my hand as we drove up the long, winding driveway. She told me that she had come here only once when mum

pleaded with her to attend her fiftieth birthday party.

This was going to be her second visit.

I sucked in a breath and let it out.

“She requested to meet you so you should be rest assured. It's not like you are trespassing or anything. Why are you so

scared?” She asked from beside me.

I knew she wasn't as insensitive as she sounded but I couldn't help but be annoyed. She couldn't understand. The fact that

my bastard of a father had her take care of the son of his mistress, which happened to be me, made me want to run away,

bowing my head in shame and guilt.

“Xavier, I am right beside you and if you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, let me know so we can leave immediately. I

am doing this for you, not for her.” She said, when I didn't give her a reply, a hint of anger in her voice.

Something wasn't adding up.

“Did you refuse to talk to mum because of dad or there's another reason behind it?” I asked her as we came to a stop in front

of the mansion she was living in with her new family.

She paused, letting out a deep sigh.

“Actually, I lied. Dad has no idea that mum has been in contact with me all these while.” She confessed, running a hand

through her hair that she had let down.

“Why?”

She had a dejected look on her face when she finally looked in my direction. “I didn't want you to know that I was harboring

bitter feelings against mum. You always looked at me like I was some saint and I didn't want to let you down.”

I held her face in my hands as a lone tear ran down her face. “Never think that way, Kira. No man is a saint and I

understand perfectly if you are angry with her. What would have been weirder, is if you didn't feel anything at all.”

“Are you saying that just to make me feel better?” She asked, breaking into a sob.

“I'd never lie to you, Kira. You are my twin and I know that you aren't perfect, just as I am not. Don't hesitate to tell me how

you feel anytime, please and do not feel the need to live up to my expectations.” I said to her, pulling her into my arms and

patting her back.

“Thank you so much, Xavier. I love you.” She said amidst hiccups.

I rubbed her head. “We shouldn't keep our host waiting.” I said to her after she had calmed down.

She smiled and wiped her face with the back of her palms. “Give me a second to retouch my makeup.”

“You should, you look like a monster.” I replied, looking out the tinted window.

She laughed, hitting my arms. “You are mean.” She retorted, bringing out a small purse from her bag.

I smiled in reply. Kira wasn't perfect after all and I have finally found an area she was lacking —she seeked approval — and though I am not supposed to think this way, it made me feel better.

“And, I am done.” Kira announced, snapping me out of my thoughts-induced trance.

I unbuckled my seat belt and got down from the car, stretching. A middle-aged, balding man hobbled towards us, a small smile

on his face.

“Welcome, young master and miss. The madam has been expecting you. She's waiting in the garden.” The man said, bowing

slightly as he got nearer.

Kira and I looked at each other, a quiet assurance passing between us. “Please, lead the way.” I said to him.

The man nodded, making a sharp turn to the right. He walked on and we followed him. I could hear my heart beating loudly.

Would she really accept me back or did she just call me here out of pity?

We came to a stop at a gazebo. “I'll take my leave.” The man said and hurried away.

I didn't recognize the woman that stood up from her seat and walked towards us, a kind smile on her face. Her black hair

now had streaks of gray and she still managed to pull it off. Her gray orbs looked sharper and were filled with life, she also

looked more happy than I could remember.

Well, no one could live with Christopher Banks and be happy. It made me wonder how she even survived five years of marriage

with him.

“Xavier, Kira.” She called out, her voice filled with joy. I didn't know how to feel about her, she seemed so familiar yet so

strange.

She extended her arms but when neither of us stepped forward, her smile fell. “Come have your seats.” She said, returning to hers.

“Good afternoon, Mrs Gerald.” Kira greeted her coldly. “Thanks for having us over.”

Laughter bubbled up my throat. Despite the situation and the fact that she was angry, Kira still managed to be polite.

“Please Kira, don't act so distant. I'm your mum.” Talia — otherwise known as mum–said, a hurt look on her face. “And

Xavier, won't you even speak to me?”

I opened my mouth to reply but no words were forthcoming, everything I had thought I would say to her, gone from my mind.

She let out a breath.

“I know you are both angry and hurt that I left like that, especially you Xavier, with all the rumors flying around.” She

started. “But you should know that whatever they are saying is not true.” She said, reaching for my hand.

“What do you mean by that? Even dad attested to it.” I croaked out.

“I wouldn't be surprised if the rumors circulating are as a result of your father's actions. Xavier, our marriage wasn't broken

up because of you. I don't want you to think like that.” She said, kneading my hands.

“It's true I didn't birth you and honestly, I was shocked when your dad brought you in a few days after I gave birth to Kira.

I was even more shocked when he announced you his heir and told me to take care of you.” She continued.

“You couldn't bear to raise your husband's child, isn't that why you left?” I asked.

Her grip on my hand tightened. “No, Xavier.

Immediately I laid eyes on you and held you in my arms, I took you as mine. You were such a sweet child and I was beyond glad that I got to raise you. If you don't believe me, you can ask the maids present

at that time, I was the one who breastfed you.” She explained.

“Why then, did you leave us if it isn't because of Xavier?” Kira finally spoke up, her voice relatively lighter than when we first

arrived.

“Your dad and I had a falling out and when I couldn't keep it in any longer, I asked for a divorce and wanted to leave with my

children, that is the both of you, but he threatened to harm Kira if I didn't leave quietly.”

Kira's expression softened as she scooted closer to us. “I didn't know.” She murmured, her eyes trained on her hands which

she rubbed together nervously.

“You couldn't have known.” Mum replied.

Yes, I was back to calling her mum after I heard her part of the story and I believed

her wholeheartedly.

Christopher Banks, the man who birthed me, unfortunately, could stoop as low as threatening to hurt his daughter, or

worse, hurt her as long as he got his way.

“I have a question though.” I said, interrupting the moment the mother and daughter were having.

“Please, go ahead son.” Mum replied, the warmth in her eyes enough to heat up a room.

“If it really is as you said, why didn't you contact me? I was devastated when I learnt that you tried to reach Kira but not

me.” I told her.

“My boy. Your dad didn't permit me to talk to any of you but he was especially protective of you, his heir. You both are older

now and must have noticed that he has no regard for the female gender.” She responded.

I glanced at Kira. A hurt look flashed across her face which she quickly masked with a smile. I decided to drop the topic since

it was only making my resentment towards that man grow.

“I'm just happy to see you both again.” Mum said, breaking the awkward silence. “You know, I am always watching the

television just to see you, Xavier. When I heard you became an actor, I was honestly very surprised because I know your dad

wants you to take over his company. How did you make him agree?”

“Actually, don't answer.” She said just as I was about to reply. “I have finally gotten my answer as to why your father would

release such news to the press. The man actually plans to jeopardize your career.”

I nodded. Though I thought lowly of my dad, I never actually thought he was the one behind this but now that I think about

it, it seemed like a foolish mistake.

“Let's not discuss dad. We came here to see you.” Kira let out. “I was angry at you initially but after hearing you out, I have

completely forgiven you. Right, Xavier?”

I nodded in reply. “You don't have to worry about anything. I am old and influential enough to protect Kira from Dad.”

“I know. I saw both of you in the car before you got down.” She said with a proud smile. “You have grown so well and I am

beyond glad that you have each other.”

She extended her arms again and this time, we both hugged her. She let out a satisfied smile. “I have prepared a feast for

you both.

Let's go in so you can meet your half siblings. They have been so eager to meet you."

Kira and I exchanged glances as mum bounced up, pulling us up with her. Even at her age, she was still energetic.

There was one issue left to resolve and it will be over my dead body before I let dad have his way.

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