CHAPTER 9
~Xena's POV~
Morning came faster than I wanted. I kissed my daughter on the forehead and dropped her off with Mrs. Bennett next door before heading straight to the hospital.
"Bye mummy," Skai bade me and I nodded calmly.
"See you soon, my love, and be good."
"Greet Nanny Nancy."
"I will." I turned to my neigbour and smiled. "I owe you one."
"No you don't. Now go."
The air was cool, the sky still gray with the aftertaste of dawn. I walked fast to the bus stop, my heart beating a little too hard. By the time I reached the hospital, I was ten minutes early.
I went straight to the reception desk, barely catching my breath. "Good morning. I'm here to sign for Nancy Wilson's surgery," I informed her.
The receptionist nodded politely. "Please wait a moment."
"Thank you."
Rather than take my seat, I glanced around, my feet tapping lightly on the tiled floor impatiently.
While I waited, I overheard two nurses whispering near the side desk. Their voices were low, but in a quiet room like this, whispers carried.
"Her nanny had been diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids," one said. "The pain got unbearable. The doctors said she needed surgery urgently, but the hospital demanded forty-five thousand upfront before they could even schedule it. But she couldn't afford it."
"Sad," the other nurse replied. "But, I heard someone paid for it last night. Apparently, a good Samaritan covered four major surgeries for patients who couldn't pay."
"Four?" the first nurse asked. "Then how come hers got included?"
"That's the thing," the other said, lowering her voice. "The benefactor found out her nanny's surgery wasn't part of the list and added her as the fifth."
"No way," the first one whispered. "That's luck or—"
"Luck?" The second nurse laughed softly. "Or maybe she hugged the right thighs."
"How do you know?"
"I overheard the director instructing the doctor in charge."
Their giggles burned through me, but I said nothing. I stood there, unsure what to feel — anger or relief.
I hated taking free things from anyone, but when I heard everything was paid for, the weight on my chest eased. And in the end gratitude won over my pride.
'Perhaps it's Skye,' I thought. 'Maybe she saw my message and finally decided to help?'
I was ready to go with that thought, but that didn't make sense. Skye would've called. Or maybe… it was her brother?
Before I could think more, the receptionist came back with the paperwork. "Ms. Winters? You can sign here."
I took the pen, but the nurses' words replayed in my mind. My hand froze. "Sorry," I said looking up at the receptionist, "can I ask who paid for it?"
The receptionist gave a polite smile. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but that information is confidential."
Of course it was. I forced a smile back. "Right. Thank you."
I signed, handed the papers back, and went straight to Nancy's ward. Thankfully she was awake.
Upon seeing me, her eyes softened as I walked in.
She was lying there, looking pale but calm. I greeted her softly, taking her hand in mine. "You'll be fine, Nanny. It's all going to be okay."
Her smile was weak but full of trust. "Hello, Xee. How's my little Skai faring?"
"Skai's fine, Nanny. Do not worry, you're getting surgery today."
Fear and worry slipped into her expression as she squeezed my hand weakly. "How did you go about the payments?"
Before I could answer, a knock came on the door and the nurses came in to prepare her for surgery. I squeezed her hand once before stepping back. "I'll be right here when you wake up," I promised.
And I had intended to keep that promise. A few minutes later, my phone rang. I took it from my bag to see the caller when Mr. Dominic's name flashed across my screen.
Shit!
I hurriedly answered the call, cleared my throat and try to keep things professional. "Mr. Domi…"
"Ms. Winters, Director Xade wants you in the company by eight," he said, interjecting me.
I checked the time on my watch, and my heart sank. 7:45 a.m.
"I'm on my way," I said quickly and ended the call.
I didn't waste a second anymore. By the time I reached the company, it was already twenty minutes past eight. I must have looked exhausted; I felt it. My shoes pinched, my blouse stuck to my back from the rush.
I tossed all worry away and made my way to the receptionist desk. At the reception desk, I managed a small smile. "Good morning. I have an appointment with Director Xade."
The receptionist looked me over, her eyes traveling from my face to my bag before she said, "He's not available."
I blinked. "I—I have a meeting with him. Could you just let him know I'm here?"
The woman exchanged a look with her colleague, her tone laced with attitude. "He's busy. You'll have to wait."
"Till maybe three months time before he can clear his schedule fo the likes of you," the second receptionist added.
I bit my tongue, trying to stay calm. "Please, just call his office. I'm part of his upcoming movie. I was asked to come here to sign the contract."
But of course, she didn't move and instead, both ladies burst into a peal of laughter.
"Look, lady. Do you know how may ladies come in here, pretending to be what they are not just to get a chance to bed the Director?"
"No, but I am being serious."
"And so am I," the first lady stated sharply. "Get lost before I call security."
I bit back the anger coursing through me, and reached for my phone, ready to call Dominic instead, when a shadow fell across the counter. The air in the lobby changed instantly.
"And who are you," a deep, commanding voice asked from behind me, "to deny my guest an audience?"
I froze. My breath caught. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
The two receptionists stiffened, their faces going pale. "Sir— we didn't—"
Xade stepped beside me, his presence like a storm contained in a suit. "You're fired," he said flatly.
"Sir, please—"
"Effective immediately." His tone left no room for mercy.
They bowed their heads, apologizing, but he didn't spare them another glance. I stood there, stunned, feeling that odd sense of déjà vu like I'd seen this side of him somewhere before, even if I couldn't place it.
Then he turned to me. "Come."
His voice was low, clipped, and all business like I remembered it. I nodded and followed, my steps quick to match his as he strode toward the elevator.
Inside, the air felt too quiet. I could hear the soft hum of the elevator, the scent of his overwhelming cologne. He pressed the button for his floor and stood beside me, posture relaxed but eyes sharp.
I glanced at Xade, taking in the clean cut of his all black suit and black inner shirt, the confidence that seemed to follow him like a shadow. He looked every inch the powerful man the industry whispered about.
"Are you okay?" he asked suddenly, his deep voice pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Yes," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Thank you… for stepping in back there."
He only nodded, eyes ahead. "You were late," he said simply.
"I know," I murmured. "It won't happen..."
The elevator dinged, cutting off any chance to explain further. Xade stepped out first, and I followed down the quiet corridor until we reached the end.
Dominic was waiting outside the office. His eyes widened the moment he saw us together, but he quickly masked his surprise with a grin.
"Welcome, Ms. Winters," he said, holding the door of the office open.
I smiled faintly, though my heart was still racing. "Enter, I don't have all day," Xade's deep voce rang out, sending shivers down my spine again.