Chapter 5
Xylina
It took me a second to realize I was home in my bed when I woke up the next day. I didn’t expect to drink as much as I had yesterday and was feeling the effects of it now. Slowly fluttering my eyes open, I wiped the sleep from my eyes, blinking a couple times through the pounding in my head.
It took me a few seconds to gather myself and start my morning routine.
Normally I would go live in the morning and do my face and get ready routine with my followers, but the way I was feeling, I skipped that part of the process.
Princess was nowhere to be found, meaning she was more than likely entertaining herself in her room next to mine.
Her walker always arrived early in the morning to take her out and refill her food and water, if needed.
Slowly sitting up, I ran my hand down my face as flashes of last night popped into my mind.
My mouth slowly lifted in a toothless grin thinking about how Yosiah came to bring me home.
He could’ve easily sent someone else or refused to help me at all, but him coming made me think part of him cared for me.
Just as fast as the smile on my face formed, it was swiped away thinking of why I’d drank so heavily last night.
Bringing my attention to my phone again, I checked to see if my parents ever got back to me.
There was nothing from either of them, but I did have a voice message from the lady who oversaw both of my trust funds, requesting that I call her back.
I had six months until my birthday in October, then my trust funds would be available.
There was one from my dad and one my grandfather set up for all his grandkids before he’d passed away.
It was nerve wracking not knowing what was happening with my dad, but at least I still had my trust funds waiting for me.
It was a little after eleven and time to get my day started.
A frown formed on my face when I raked my hands through my hair, noticing how unkempt it was.
My frown deepened when I saw I was in my clothes from the night before.
My tongue went over my top teeth and the feeling of them nearly caused me to gag.
“Disgusting,” I muttered, throwing my covers off.
Moving to the edge of the bed, I tossed my legs over the end but had to pause and grab my head when the room started to spin.
Blinking through it a few times, I slowly lowered myself from the bed before stretching my arms above my head.
I had hot yoga at Solace today at two and needed to get moving.
My typical routine would have to be cut in half if I wanted to make it on time.
When I went to put my phone on my wireless phone charger, I noticed the water bottle on my nightstand. My brows furrowed also noticing a pill bottle next to it with a note.
Reaching for it, I smirked. It was from Yosiah and simply said take these, but I still was happy at the gesture.
Quickly popping the cap off both, I took the pills following with the water, then placed my phone on the charger before stripping out of my clothes and going to my closet to throw them in the proper basket.
Before leaving my closet, I made a note to shout out the setting spray I’d used for my makeup because it was still intact, but knowing I’d fallen asleep like this made me feel dirty.
As I eyed myself, I turned and stuck my stomach out, attempting to picture myself pregnant.
My trainer put me through the wringer to make sure I looked as good as I did and a baby would be a small sacrifice of all that work, but it was for an important cause.
Smiling, I rubbed my belly gently. Although the plan came to me yesterday, I was anticipating making it happen.
After putting my hair up in a sloppy bun on my head, I made my way to the bathroom.
Since Princess hadn’t made her way in here through the doggy door on the door that connected our rooms, I assumed she was downstairs or outside enjoying the sun.
Besides the staff in the house, I was used to it being just me and Princess in the house.
It took me a little over an hour to shower and get ready for the day.
I made sure to get a picture of me in the new beige sports bra and yoga pants set I’d recently purchased and posted it.
Grabbing an oversized zip up hoodie, I made my way out of my closet and room to the elevator.
My stomach growled as I climbed inside. Since I didn’t have time for food, a protein shake would have to do.
Once on the main floor, I hurried into the kitchen to prepare a shake. My trainer made me a week’s supply of prepacked smoothies and shakes that I just needed to add liquid to and blend. The sound of Princess’s paws padding toward me took my attention from my phone.
“Hi Princess baby!” I gushed, bending to pet her. “Mommy was looking for you this morning.” She barked and wagged her tail excitedly. “Mommy’s got yoga and a few errands to run, but don’t worry, after that you’ll have my attention.”
After giving her love a little longer I stood up. “Let’s get you a treat while I prepare my shake.”
Continuing down the hall to the kitchen, I paused, surprised to see Yosiah at the island with his head in his phone. Typically he was gone by the time I got up and started my day. Our chef, Rio, was on the other side, moving around. When he noticed me, he paused.
“Mrs. Bedford. Nice to see you. I have your breakfast ready if you’ll just take a seat.”
Yosiah lifted his head from whatever he was looking at on his phone and glanced over his shoulder at me.
With a smile on my face, I shook my head and walked deeper into the kitchen.
“That won’t be necessary, I’m on my way out.
You can prepare one of my shakes, however.
I’m thinking strawberry today, with vanilla oat milk.
Hey, hubby.” I stopped next to him and took a chance, bending and kissing his cheek.
“I didn’t expect you to be home at this hour. ”
His stare was intense, but it was something I had grown used to. His light brown orbs always seemed like they were looking through me whenever he stared at me.
“As much as you drank last night, you need to put something on your stomach,” he responded.
I waved him off and moved to Princess’s snack corner. “I’m already running behind. The shake will be fine.” Grabbing one of the peanut butter treats, I bent down to give it to Princess, who was on my heels.
“So I was thinking—” I turned to face him.
“Last night was unacceptable.”
The two of us spoke at the same time. My mouth snapped closed and my eyes narrowed.
“Excuse me?”
“You going out and getting drunk to the point where you can’t make it home on your own is getting old.
You’re not a kid anymore, Xylina. You’ll be twenty-five soon.
It’s time for you to grow up and get your shit together.
” He finished the orange juice in his glass then pushed the plate next to his tablet out of the way.
“Yeah, but you don’t understand, I—”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses either. You’re lucky the restaurant didn’t want to be held liable by letting you drive home like you wanted. Next time I won’t stop what I’m doing to come and get you. Start thinking before you do shit like that.”
I stood there like a child being scolded, watching as he pushed away from the island and gathered his things.
“You don’t even know what kind of day I had yesterday!” I complained, stomping my foot.
“We all go through shit, Xylina. Take some responsibility. This is becoming a pattern with you and it’s not a good look for either of us. I have a lot of important clients and contracts pending. I don’t need my wife being caught drinking and driving or overly intoxicated in public to cause issues.”
Rio placed my blended shake on top of the island then went back to whatever he was doing before I walked in without a word.
My jaw clenched and my cheeks heated. One thing I hated was being treated like a child, especially in front of people. Yosiah didn’t even realize the stress I’d been under lately or the bad news I’d received. My life was getting more complicated by the day.
Yosiah didn’t wait for me to respond. He turned to leave the kitchen but paused just as he hit the entryway. “Don’t forget Saturday night I expect you to be home and ready for the award ceremony I’m being honored at.”
It amazed me how easily he could switch subjects without giving me a chance to even defend myself. With his phone in hand, he gave me one final onceover before connecting the call and walking out the kitchen.
Pushing out an annoyed breath, I rolled my eyes, stormed to the island, snatching my shake and leaving the kitchen. I woke up optimistic about my plan, but after that interaction, I knew it’d be more challenging than I thought.
“Wait, wait, wait. Repeat that!” I demanded in disbelief. I sat across from Rachel, the woman at the bank who handled my trust funds. Instead of calling her back, I’d dropped by to speak to her in person after hot yoga.
She cleared her throat and adjusted the rectangle frames on her face. Her eyes left her computer and focused on me.
“As I stated before, the trust fund set up by your father has currently been seized by the IRS and they’ve frozen all his accounts.”
It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. My grip on the chair’s arm tightened and I sat up straighter.
“What about the other one?” My voice strained through clenched teeth.
Her lips pressed together tightly before she spoke again. “Unfortunately it seems those funds are unavailable at the moment as well.”
“Unavailable!” I shrieked. My eyes bucked. “What the hell does that even mean!” My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. Nothing was making sense to me.