The following evening, Ximena went over to Zaria's to help her dress up for the banquet as usual. Only that this time, she was unusually quiet as she worked her magical fingers through the locks of Zaria's hair. The latter soon realized this and suspected that something must be wrong. She lifted her head slightly so she could see Ximena through the mirror. "How have things been?"

"What things?" Ximena asked, and that was all it took for Zaria to know that something was up.

​​

"Yup. Something is definitely wrong. What happened?" She asked. "Is it something to do with the company?"

"No. Everything is fine at Morel Beauty." Ximena assured her and grabbed several pins which she placed on the vanity, preparing to use them to hold up Zaria's hair.

"Can we go for something aside from an updo? I'm not sure I can handle the pricks right now." She asked, and Ximena nodded and reached for a comb to part her hair.

"I'm still not convinced that everything is alright." She pointed out. "I know you don't like worrying other people but I also know when something is bothering you."

Ximena sighed. "It was Nina's birthday yesterday. Ryan threw her a party but it was too late when I learnt about it. I sent over some presents but I know for sure that it didn't feel the same as having her friends celebrate it with her. I feel awful about it."

Zaria looked at her through the mirror for a while. That made complete sense but she knew that it was not what had her friend looking like she had lost a million dollars. Sure Nina was her friend too but after being away for so many years, the girl was no longer accustomed to her presence. Ximena had sent presents and not made an appearance for at least four of Nina's birthdays and she didn't seem stressed about it.

Still she decided to go along. "I see. I assume that is not the only reason why you look depressed, though."

Ximena shook her head. At least she was being honest.

"Did I tell you that my parents tried to set me up with some weirdo pervert?" She asked.

"No you didn't. How could they do that?" Zaria wanted to explode in anger. She hated Ximena's parents. If it were up to her, she would have made the latter her sister so she did not have to deal with those selfish hypocrites.

"They did, and that man looked like I had him where I wanted after I kicked his balls. However, he showed up and ruined my lunch date. I guess I didn't kick his balls hard enough."

"Wait." Zaria turned as though the mirror couldn't give her a clear enough view of her friend. "You are telling me that you went on a date and said nothing about it?"

"I wasn't exactly on a date." Ximena defended herself. "Liam and I are not serious about anything yet."

Zaria's jaw slacked. "Liam Preston?"

"The very one." Ximena felt relieved that she was not the only one who was shocked about it. She had woken up a few times in the middle of the night and wondered whether all of it was part of a delusional dream that her brain had made up because she was bored.

She watched the shock wash over Zaria's face. "Let's talk about this in order of importance. You and Liam have been seeing each other? How long has it been?

"We're not." She sighed. "We have only met up for some meetings that had everything to do with Morel Beauty. He is my investor."

"I see." Zaria obviously didn't believe a word she was saying.

"We have met a few times outside work too and,.." her voice trailed off.

This was definitely not Ximena. There was an impostor behind her. Zaria thought dramatically as she looked at the woman who had resumed styling her hair through the mirror. Since when did Ximena ever seem flustered about a man? All she knew about her encounters with men was that she beat the crap out of any man who did anything more than harmlessly ogle her from afar, Even those who ogled from afar needed supernatural courage because one glare was all it usually took to send them scurrying off with their tails tucked between their legs.

Yet that very Ximena was talking about her interaction with a man and seemed uncertain about the progress of things?

Seeing how serious the latter was, Zaria didn't make fun and instead waited for her to continue.

"We don't even talk that much, only a few good morning and goodnight texts, occasional phone calls that make us talk for hours as though we have known each other for ages, and a few dinners. Right, We hit the bar twice and the second time, we kissed. We didn't make out and definitely didn't talk about it but he asked me out for lunch the following day, which was yesterday.

That's when the asshhole whose balls I'd kicked decided to make an appearance before us, pointing at me for playing with his heart and calling Liam out for being a homewrecker."

"Oh no." Zaria's brows flared. The fucker had guts.

"Yeah." Ximena sighed. "Liam was annoyed. Maybe he was angry too or disappointed? I don't know. He has not said a word to me since then."

Zaria remained quiet for a while before letting out a breath. "Maybe he had somewhere to rush? He could have had something to do that was an emergency and he didn't have enough time to let you know."

"Yeah." Ximena knew that it was naive to believe that. The man had probably taken off when he realized what a wreck her life was probably going to turn into. Not that she could blame him. He didn't have any obligation to stay and handle whatever crap her life had to offer. They were not even dating and she didn't think they ever would.

"Xim," Zaria called and peeked up to meet her gaze.

"Mmh?"

"What do you think of Liam?" She asked.

Ximena let out the breath she had been holding. "You ask that question for a reason. I didn't think I was that obvious."