Chapter 7: XAVIER BANKS

I had been stopped by the cops for over speeding which was something that had never happened but since I wasn't in the

right space of mind, I cooperated with them and it wasn't until they asked for my driver's license did I realize that I had

dropped my wallet here.

By some miracLe— or the fact that they recognized me as a public figure — they believed me and let me go back to the cafe.

If not for Hewitt, I wouldn't have gotten so angry to the point of forgetting my wallet.

How could he tell me to act in a movie

that was dominated by upcoming stars just to brush the rumors under the carpet. The script wasn't even well-written!

I was certain that obsessed fangirl would have picked it up already.

I drove back to the cafe, not at neck-breaking speed this time, and parked my car in the usual place. Walking faster than I

usually did, I went into the cafe.

Just as I predicted, the lady was standing at the booth I had vacated not too long ago, her back turned to me. I marched up

to her, not bothering to hide my face again since the cafe was empty.

I got there just in time to see her slip my wallet in her pocket. She cleaned the table top with a cloth then turned to move

away but came to a halt when she noticed me.

“Mr Banks.” She said, with a smile on her face as usual. “I was just about…”

“What do you think you are doing?” I thundered. “Why is my wallet with you? Are you not only an obsessed fangirl but also a

thief?”

Her smile slowly faded as a look of hurt and confusion crossed her over-expressive face.

“What do you mean by that?” She asked, dropping the cleaning items she was holding on a nearby cart. “I was going to hold on to the wallet for you in case you came back for it and if you hadn't, I would have given it to the manager for safekeeping.”

“Don’t give me that truckload of lies. You know very much what I mean, young lady. I thought this cafe would be different but

it always ends up the same way.” I tutted.

“This cafe has done nothing wrong. We always place our customers far above any other thing. It is our ritual to always serve

with a smile so note that I am not smiling at you because I know who you are but because of where you are.” She said, her

eyebrows twitching as her face turned red.

I scoffed, all my sense of reasoning blocked by the rage I was feeling inside.

Most of it was because of Hewitt though, it was

only being fueled by her. “What do you want from me? A picture, an autograph or is it money?”

She threw her head back in laughter. “Why would I want anything from you? Who are you, even?”

It was my first time encountering a fan like her. Others would have said what they wanted but she still stood her ground.

She even asked me who I was after I had caught her numerous times staring at me with admiration in her eyes.

I should ask Hewitt to get her signed when we resolve the issue we are having. The lady was pure talent.

Two other women came out probably because of the ruckus I was causing. I recognized the first one, she usually attended to

me when the crazed fan wasn't around.

“What is happening here, Mia? Why are you quarreling with a customer?” The other woman with a badge which read

‘manager’ on her chest said.

“Why don't you ask your self-important customer?” Mia — the crazed fan — retorted.

Me? Self-important?

“You should try to monitor your workers more, manager. This lady just took my wallet and put it in her pocket. Just because

she knows who I am.”

“That doesn't sound like something Mia would do. I think you are mistaken.” The manager replied.

The lady who usually attended to me stepped forward, a calm smile on her face. “Mr Xavier Banks, the manager is right.

You

are quite mistaken. If there were to be any fans here, it would be Cindy and I. Definitely not Mia.” She explained.

“Who is he, Tina?” Mia asked, ignoring me totally and looking at the other lady. “The only thing familiar about him is his surname which I learnt in business class today.” She said.

“Mr Xavier here is an actor. An A-list celebrity and he must have thought you were one of his fans because of how attentive

you were to him.” Tina said to her then turned to me. “You see, Mr Xavier, Mia here doesn't watch movies so she may not

know who you are.”

“I'm too busy making a living and trying to survive to watch movies obnoxious people like you make.” Mia snapped from beside

me.

Her words felt like a slap to my face, immediately calming me down and helping me see clearly. No one had ever called me

obnoxious. Not once, in my entire existence on earth.

I felt like I had just made a fool out of myself. The three of them stood there, waiting for me to say something, the other two

had sappy smiles on their faces.

“I feel terribly ashamed of myself for making such assumptions about you, Miss Mia. I apologize for any inconvenience I may

have caused you.” I said to her.

Her gaze softened as she reached into her pocket and handed me my wallet. “It's fine. After all, customers are always right.”

She said with a smile.

I mentally slapped myself over and over again.

“Please, don't stop coming here because of today's incident. We will be glad to receive you and if you'd like, we can give you added

privacy.” The manager said.

“That won't be necessary, ma'am. I'll get going now and once again, I'm sorry, miss Mia.”

“You are forgiven and just Mia is fine.” She replied with a bright smile.

I managed a smile and waved to the other ladies as I made my way back to the car, my wallet in hand.

~•|~•|~•|

I sat down in the car long after I had parked in the underground garage of my apartment complex, trying to get my thoughts

together.

Despite how eager the reporters had been to hear my part of the story, none of them showed up to the press conference my agency held earlier today. It just became more obvious that my dad was behind this.

He was the only one I could think of that was influential enough to stop the whole media from showing up. He must have lured

them in with something else.

Hewitt must have been very frustrated for him to have brought up such an idea. I wasn't going to back down. The old man

could do his worst and I wouldn't still take over the company.

Except he threatened to hurt Kira like he did to mum. I could only hope he doesn't stoop that low again.

I got down from the car and locked it, making my way to the elevator that would take me to my penthouse on the topmost

floor.

T punched in the passcode and was surprised to meet the lights on. Did I forget to turn them off before I left this morning?

“Hey man.” I heard someone say from behind me as I shut the door.

“F**k!” I shouted, holding my chest as I turned to face Derrick. Though I was tall, Derrick still towered above me. Kira was

behind him, smiling creepily. “You both shouldn't creep up on someone like that. Why didn't you tell me you'd be visiting?”

“We wanted to surprise you.” Derrick replied, stretching forth a perfectly tanned hand which I took.

“Hey brother, it's nice to see you too.” Kira said, her smile replaced by a grimace.

“Thanks Derrick.” I said, taking off my shoes by the door and stepping into the house properly. “It’s been a while, how's

everything?”

“I've been managing.” He replied.

“Derrick has been on my neck for canceling our plans the other day even after I explained that mum didn't want us to leave.”

She replied, coming to sit beside me on the chair. “Also, I have missed you a lot.”

“You saw me on Saturday.” I rolled my eyes.

“You seem to be in a bad mood. Is anything the matter?” Derrick asked, ever the observant one.

“It's just some work-related issue. It will be resolved in no time.” I replied. “Since we are finally able to get together like this,

why don't we go out for a drink?” I suggested. Drinking would be able to numb my thoughts and the murderous intent I have

towards dad.

“We should get dinner also, I'm starving.” Kira let out.

“Sounds like a good idea. Give me a few minutes to freshen up.” I told them, excusing myself.