STRINGS ATTACHED

CHAPTER EIGHT

PHOENIX VEGA

THURSDAY EVENING : 8 PM

I stepped into my room and sat on my bed.

Weeks ago, Peyton received an acceptance into the University of Havana in Cuba to major in pharmacology.

Owen and I just got back from the airport. Yes, it's a late flight.

I started to loosen my braids when my phone beeped with a message. I retrieved my phone from my purse and clicked open the message from an alien number.

It read:

"HEY PHOENIX.

IT'S XANDER. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF WE COULD HANG OUT SOME TIME. I WON'T FAIL TO INTRODUCE YOU TO GIOVANI.

I'LL CALL YOU WHEN I KNOW YOU'VE RECEIVED THIS TEXT."

This is super crazy!

How the freakin' hell did he get my number?!

I was done with the braids and went in for a shower.

While I was under the shower head, I was thinking of strange ways he may have gotten my number.

He wants us to hang out?

I spent a few minutes with the water still wrapping my mind around the text. I came out of the bathroom in my dressing robe and walked into the closet. It's always so hard to pick clothes.

Argh!!😤

Girl, you're just gonna sleep in this robe. 🤷🏽‍♀️

This is gonna take forever. 😫

My phone suddenly vibrated on the dressing table. It was Aniah, my best friend.

"How's my cute bestie doin'?" Her western accent is so loud. It's the first thing I heard when I answered the call. Then her head popped up.

"She can't find what to wear, Nee." I said as I plopped down in a swing chair nearby.

"I always call at the right time." She chuckled.

"How 'bout those PJs that have Sweet Dreams written on 'em?"

"I wore them two nights ago." I whined.

"Girl, if you wanna go to bed you've gotta work with me." She said as she held the bridge of her nose.

"Okay. I'm sorry it's just really hard."

"How 'bout that big shirt that has a cute cuddly panda on it?"

I thought for a second...

"That's definitely the one. Thanks, Nee!" I squealed.

"I'm happy to help. So tell me about this guy you met, said his name was X-Xa..."

"His name is Xander, Nee. And he's not a guy, he's a man."

She screamed as I made the last statement.

"A MAN!!! Girl, you gotta get your heinie powdered up and get ready for some bangin'!!"

I stopped searching for the shirt and looked at her in disgust.

"That's not the point, you psycho."

"Oh, I get it. It's between the both of ya. I'll just mind my business and act like I haven't been looking at his photos on Instagram."

I finally found the shirt. I stripped the robe, tossed it onto the closet floor and put on the shirt.

"And I'll just act like what you said doesn't concern me." I picked my phone from the table and walked towards my bed, landing softly on it.

"He's such a cutie. You should get him. You must have him or I will!"

"ANNE!!"

"Girl, I'm kidding. Just keep that heinie powdered like I said. Anyways, how'd dropping Peyt off go?"

"Oh, she'll be in Cuba by midnight. Owen cried but he's not gonna admit it." I smirked.

"What!? No way!!" She laughed.

"Who knew he had it in him? That's like the most...YES, DAD!! ALRIGHT, DAD!!"

"Boo, I've gotta go. I wonder why someone would make an order of Chardonnay and some ranch." She rolled her eyes.

"It's getting late. Junkies will be coming in." I laughed.

"Yeah, it never stops. Night, Boo. Hey, don't forget what I told you about the heinie." She said as she gave a naughty face.

"Get off my phone, Aniah!!"

"Alright, alright." The screen went blank immediately.

I placed my phone on the bed and stepped out of the room. I walked downstairs and into the kitchen where I met Owen biting off a plate filled with churros and chocolate sauce. He was so focused on the football game displayed on his iPad, I don't think he knew I came in.

" Want some milk with that?" I asked as I picked a churro and took a bite.

"Yes, please." He replied. He didn't even take his eyes off the game.

The refrigerator made a low hum as I opened it and retrieved a carton of milk. I poured the content into two glass cups, and handed one over to him. He accepted it with a smile and tousled my hair.

I rolled my eyes at his behaviour, returned the milk in the refrigerator, packed my snacks (a bowl of Oreos and a glass of milk) and made my way upstairs.

My phone vibrated the second I stepped into my room. I placed my almost empty glass on the dresser, picked my phone from the bed. It was an alien number.

"Hello..." I said over the receiver.

"Hey, Phoenix." The voice sounded so cool-- almost very familiar.

"I'm a little confused. Who am I speaking with?" I asked as I struggled to open an Oreo in half with one hand.

"I'm certain you got my message earlier. It's Xander."

My eyes widened in shock. I pulled my phone from my ear, to confirm who it really was, still the same number. I returned it to its initial position.

"H-hi."

"I didn't mean to startle you."

"No, I'm not startled. It's um, it's not everyday a billionaire gets to call you, am I right?" I asked no one in particular as I let out a nervous laugh.

Right now, the Oreos didn't even matter to me. I was suddenly interested in this brewing conversation.

"I got your number from Owen, if that's alright?"

"Oh, it's totally fine. He performs actions without permission. I'm not surprised." I heard him chuckle.

I feel like I'm running a while gamut of feelings right now. Are we just gonna keep sounding awkward?

"Um, I was hoping we could meet. I'm sorry if I'm being too forward. I just don't wanna bore you. I wanna get straight to the point."

"No, it's okay. I expected a little story or something. But um, you want us to what now?"

"Like hang out? I don't know how your schedule is so I'll let you decide when you want to."

"Um, I don't know." I stressed as I placed the bowl beside the glass on the dresser.

"Like I said, you'll decide. You know, I really enjoy talking to you." My heart did a little somersault after hearing this.

He's only trying to lead you on, girl! Keep it together!

"Xander, we haven't even spoken up to five minutes." I chucked lightly.

"Yeah, but this isn't the first time we're having a conversation."

"I thought that was only for acquaintance." I said.

"Maybe it was. Just come to dinner with me. You'll get to meet Giovani Smith." He said the last part in singsong.

Okay, this one's convincing.

"I do want to meet Giovani Smith." I said after giving it a little thought.

"Then it's settled. Don't worry, I know where you work. I'll pick you up by 7pm tomorrow." He said with a hint of delight.

"I thought you said you'd let me decide."

"I changed my mind. I'll see you tomorrow, Phoenix." I could tell he was smirking.

He hung up immediately.

I sighed heavily as I dropped my phone on the bedside table, switched off the lights and slid into my duvet. The Oreos can wait.