XAVIER BANKS

XAVIER BANKS

“I’m glad that is finally over.” Hewitt said, letting out a breath of relief as he drove us to Sugar Cubes to get pastries for the celebration party he insisted on holding. “The higher-ups will finally stop disturbing me to clear your name.”

“Was it because the agency was also affected?” I asked him, quirking a brow.

He took a peek at me. “It's because they genuinely care about you.” He lied. This I knew because the corner of his lips always quirked up whenever he lied.

“Sure.” I nodded, looking out the tinted window at the busy streets of Miami.

“Are you sure your father will not cause trouble for you after revealing the real reason for his divorce and ruining his reputation? He doesn't seem like someone who will let you off easily.” Hewitt said after a moment of silence, reaching the topic I have been trying to avoid thinking about.

“He will try but I will counter him to the best of my abilities.” I replied, hoping he would drop the matter.

“He is a very influential person. I'm honestly terrified to even think about what extent he may go to this time. A man that tried to ruin his son's career shouldn't be taken lightly.” He continued.

I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. “Can we drop the topic or better still, remain quiet? I don't like talking about my dad.”

“Sorry.” He muttered but almost immediately, his face lit up. “How about we talk about your next gig? When should I start accepting roles?”

“I want to take a break from acting. Maybe for a year.” I told him, looking away so I didn't have to see his reaction.

“What!” He shouted as he swerved to the side, the tires letting out a loud screech when he came to a sudden halt. “You can't be serious, Xavier.”

“I am quite serious.” I deadpanned.

“You can't make such a huge decision all by yourself, without informing your manager. A year at that! What will you do throughout the year? Waste away.” He ranted, flailing his arms.

“That sounds an awful lot like my dad.” I muttered inaudibly.

“That isn't even important, it's your life and you can do whatever with it but you should consider me also. Do you want me to remain jobless for a year? Or do I have to look for another talent to build up and then ditch him or her when you feel like resuming? Maybe, you would prefer it if the whole world forgot who you are and you lost your entire fanbase. Xavier, say something.” He continued.

“You can take the vacation you've always dreamed of. A year-long vacation on the beaches of the Maldives with your family.” I replied, smirking. It was fun to see him so riled up.

I was serious though.

“We are on our way to lifelong poverty if you insist on making this decision. Actually, it's just me. You have your dad's wealth to fall back on, afterall.” Hewitt said, causing an immediate change in my mood.

The son of his mother just knew the right buttons to press.

“Fine, I won't disappear like I planned. I will do occasional ads and modeling. Are you fine with that?”

He shot his hand forward, a huge grin on his face. “It's fine by me.” He said as he ignited the car to continue our trip to the cafe.

I let out a grunt. Nothing would make me go back to my dad, not after all the fight I have put up all these years.

~•|~•|~•|

The bell jingled over our heads as we went in. Mia, the waitress I had wrongly accused yesterday wasn't at the counter, instead her counterpart, the one who actually knew who I was, was there, beaming at me.

“Welcome to Sugar Cubes. How may we foster your sweet tooth today?” She greeted me.

“I wish to see the baker please.” Hewitt said, flashing the waitress's what he thought to be his million dollar smile. “I have tried reaching her but my call isn't going through.”

“I'm so sorry about that. Mia came in not too long ago, she should be out here in a few minutes.” She replied, her head turning so she was looking at a door behind her.

True to her words, in less than two minutes, Mia came out the door, stopping as she saw all three of us staring at her, or rather in her direction.

“Is everything alright?” She asked as she resumed walking, taking long strides towards us. “Good evening.” She greeted us as she got behind the counter with the other waitress.

“Mia, good evening.” Hewitt replied a bit too happily. He was probably still riding the ecstasy from earlier. “I've been trying to reach you for a while now but it wasn't going through.”

Mia slapped a hand against her forehead. “I must have forgotten to turn on my phone after the lecture.” She muttered almost inaudibly but since I was nearer to her, I was able to hear it.

“I'm so sorry I missed your call. I was in a lecture which requires my phone to be off. Is there anything I can do for you?” She asked as her partner slinked away to attend to another person who had just come in.

“I need pastries for a small get-together I am hosting tonight. Will I be able to get it?” Hewitt replied. “I hope it isn't too late.”

“It's my fault you couldn't reach me.” She responded, smiling in a way that made me annoyed with her at first. It was too wide and took up all her face. I would have considered it a fake smile if her eyes weren't crinkled at the corners. “How many do you need? How many people are going to be present?”

Hewitt turned to me with a sheepish smile on his face and I, at once, knew he was up to no good.

“How many people did you invite, Hewitt?” I asked slowly, speaking for the first time since I stepped in here.

“Promise me you won't get angry.” He said, staring pointedly at Mia. Little did he know that I'd already embarrassed myself in her presence.

“You said it was going to be a gathering of our team members. Did you lie?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“I didn't lie. I only excluded the other people I invited.” Of all the times I've felt like smacking my manager across the head, I've never wanted it as badly as I did now.

“Perhaps, we should sit down and discuss this.” Mia suggested, gesturing to the booth I always stayed at as she came round the counter.

I noticed there was now a placard on it which read ‘reserved’. She must have noticed something —not my expression since as always, I was in my snapback and face mask— because she stopped walking and turned to me.

“Do you not like it? I told Cindy it would be too much but she insisted on having it that way. If it bothers you though, I will have it removed.” She said as if reading my mind.

“It's fine.” I responded a bit too quickly. That booth was my favorite one here as it was the most secluded. It would be a shame to come in and find the space occupied.

Was I becoming a regular customer here? If Kira knew this, she would give me the lecture of my life.

“Express my gratitude to Cindy for her thoughtfulness and also, I'm sorry for the other day.” I said to her.

“What happened the other day?” Hewitt whispered from behind me. I sent him a stony glare which made him retreat.

“It's fine. All's forgotten. Let's sit down and discuss so I can get to work immediately.” She responded, guiding us to the booth.

“I'll be needing pastries for about thirty people.” Hewitt let out, glancing at me. My eyes bulged out though it was hardly visible under my snapback.

“I will get to work immediately. Do you want it delivered to the venue? That way, you don't have to wait till it's done.”

“That will be splendid, thanks. It's by 9pm. I will send you the location immediately.”

After their discussion ended and Mia excused herself, I sent Hewitt the full intensity of my glare. “Why would you do that? I only prepared myself to face about ten people.” I grumbled.

“I had to invite some others. Like Kira and her fiancé, for example.” He defended.

“That's just two extra people. Who are the remaining eighteen?”

“You will get to meet them later tonight.” He replied, shooting out of his seat before I could reach for him. “Come on, there are other preparations I have to make.”

“Watch your back, Hewitt Rivers!” I threatened him as we walked out of the Cafe.

He chuckled, unlocking the car.

“Take me home, please. I need to prepare myself for the torture you are making me face tonight.”

“It's not like you don't attend larger functions. How is this so difficult?” He queried as he ignited the car's engine.

“They are a bunch of strange people who I don't have to talk to and make friends with but this is totally different. I have to actually relate with people at this gathering because I am the host.” I explained to him in lame-man terms.

“I've never met a socially awkward actor. You truly are one of a kind, Xavier Banks.” He chuckled as we started the journey back to my place.