Chapter 22 - Crown Queen Of Lame Excuses (1/2)

Saturdays are all about smiles and blessings. With coffee as a companion and a smile to brighten the day that's what Saturday mode was for Xiu.

But...

Things were about to change today. Usually, Xiu would only leave her bed at around noon but this week, she had to get up early.

She looked like a zombie as she roamed around the kitchen to brew some coffee for herself. It was very much needed to wake her. With a steaming hot mug of coffee, Xiu made her way towards her room when she almost bumped into Nora.

”Argh! Gosh! You scared me!” Nora gave a start and pinched Xiu. ”Why are you still looking like a sleep-zombie? It's 7 o'clock already.”

Xiu yawned in response in a very unladylike manner. ”Can't I just skip out on this one?” Xiu's voice came out groggy.

”And why is that?” Nora lifted her brows in question.

”I want to catch up on my sleep,” Xiu whined.

Nora pulled her ear. ”Ow! Ow! Let me go! It's hurting!” Xiu screamed in pain while trying to swat Nora's hand away.

”Tell me, my crown queen of lame excuses, which kingdom are you going to conquer in sleep this time?” Nora's words were dripping with sarcasm. She freed Xiu's ear but didn't stop glaring at her.

”Fine. Fine! My Empress Dowager! I'm going to dress up now.” Xiu rubbed her ear and hastily entered her room afraid that Nora would again start her abuse. 'Wuwuwu! Pitiful me!' Xiu thought with a crying face.

Xiu had been insomniac in her previous life and now that she found the blessing of sleep all over again, she really had a hard time leaving the comfort of a bed. It was a tiring job. She was like a starved person who finally found food. The difference would be that her food was now; sleep.

How she yearned for it, only her heart knew.

Xiu picked black colored sportswear which consisted of a half-sleeved t-shirt and shorts that reached below her knees. It was comfortable for a golf course outing. She matched it with white converse and a white jacket. Pulling up her hair in a high ponytail, she saw the abandoned cup of coffee on her headboard and sighed. ”One precious cup of pure delight is just wasted like this. Tsk!” She clicked her tongue in disappointment.

Picking up her purse, sunglasses, and the cellphone she walked out of the room. She found Nora waiting for her in the living room impatiently.

”Did you take sunglasses?” Nora inquired while eyeing her up and down. Xiu dangled her sunglasses right before her eyes. ”Good. What about sunscreen?” Xiu rolled her eyes at her and showed the sunscreen bottle to her. ”Very good. What about-”

”I have everything, mother.” Xiu teased her with a look of annoyance. But Nora didn't mind at all.

Instead, Nora gave her a bear hug saying, ”Take care of yourself out there. Try to socialize. They are your colleagues, not animals. I'm sure they won't bite.”

”And if they did bite?” Xiu asked rhetorically.

Nora had a thoughtful look before saying, ”Then you bite them ten-folds in return.” Xiu had expected this type of childish reply from Nora but it still made her day.

”Okay. I will. But you'll have to bail me out if I ended up in the police station.”

Nora patted her chest assuringly, ”Don't you worry, my child! I'm here for you.” Xiu shook her head and turned to leave but Nora's voice halted her again.

”Now what?”

Nora threw her car keys and said, ”Take my car.”

”The company is gonna provide us with the rides.”