chapter three
711 Words
Chapter three: A Return to Xenovia
"Hey, lady! Aren’t you done yet?" Leila’s tiny, high-pitched voice carried from the other side of the room.
Stacy looked up from her suitcase, which currently resembled a miniature explosion of clothes, accessories, and sketchbooks. "One minute, Leila, one minute!"
"You’ve been saying ‘one minute’ for an hour," Leila shot back, arms folded across her chest. At five years old, she had already mastered the art of delivering sass like a seasoned pro.
Stacy rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Well, maybe if someone helped me pack instead of bossing me around, I’d actually be done."
Leila huffed dramatically, stomping over. "Fine! But only because I’m a very good helper, and you promised me ice cream on the plane."
"Of course, my adorable little minx," Stacy teased, ruffling Leila’s dark curls.
Leila’s scowl deepened, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I’m not a minx. I’m a serious adult."
"Sure, you are," Stacy said, zipping up the suitcase. "And I’m the Queen of Xenovia."
Leila giggled, hopping onto the bed. "You’d be a better queen than the boring one we learned about in school. What was her name? Queen—"
"Don’t finish that sentence," Stacy warned, pointing at her.
"Fine," Leila sighed, swinging her legs back and forth. "But you’d still be better."
Daniela’s voice interrupted from the doorway. "Oh, Stacy, I’m going to miss you so much."
Stacy turned to face her best friend, her heart twisting just a little. "Me too, Daniela. But it’s just for a while, you know? Once I get the flagship store preparations started, I’ll come back. I couldn’t leave you forever."
Daniela pulled her into a tight hug, her voice trembling. "You’ve been like a sister to me, Stacy. And Leila... well, you’ve been more than family to her."
Leila popped her head up. "Don’t get mushy, Mama. Stacy’s coming back!"
The two women laughed, their emotions momentarily eased by Leila’s matter-of-fact tone.
"She’s right," Stacy said. "I’ll be back before you know it."
Daniela sniffled but managed a smile. "Just promise to call me every day."
"I promise."
---
The flight to Xenovia was uneventful, save for Leila’s endless questions about everything from the in-flight meal to why the clouds outside the window looked like marshmallows.
"Do they taste like marshmallows, Stacy?"
"No, sweetheart."
"Have you ever tried one?"
"No, Leila."
"Then how do you know?"
Stacy sighed, leaning her head back against the seat. "Leila, how about we focus on what you want to do first when we get to Xenovia?"
Leila’s eyes lit up. "Can we ride a unicorn?"
"Unicorns aren’t real," Stacy replied patiently.
"But you’re from Xenovia, and that sounds like a magical place," Leila argued.
"Xenovia is magical in its own way," Stacy said, smiling. "But no unicorns, I’m afraid."
Leila pouted. "Fine. Then I want ice cream."
"Deal."
---
As the plane touched down in Xenovia, Stacy felt a wave of nostalgia and unease wash over her. It had been seven years since she’d left. Seven years since she’d turned her back on the country where she was born and raised. Seven years since she’d last seen him.
She shook the thought away. This trip wasn’t about the past. It was about work, about helping her company establish a flagship store in one of the most prestigious shopping districts in Xenovia. And, okay, maybe it was a little bit about giving Leila a taste of the country she’d always been curious about.
They stepped off the plane and into the bustling airport. Leila’s eyes were wide as saucers as she took in the grand architecture and the crowds of people speaking a language she didn’t understand.
"Stacy," she whispered, tugging on her hand. "Is this where the king lives?"
Stacy hesitated, memories flickering at the edges of her mind. "Yes, Leila. This is where the king lives."
Leila’s face lit up. "Do you think we’ll see him?"
"I highly doubt it," Stacy said quickly, steering them toward the baggage claim.
But as they made their way through the airport, Stacy couldn’t shake the feeling that her past was lurking just around the corner, waiting to catch her off guard.
And, knowing Xenovia, it probably wouldn’t have to wait very long.
- Writer
