Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Xenia had promised to pick Cherise up from the airport, and she was true to her word. Cherise had a bit of a delay because Dennis and Bella had stuffed her luggage with so many things, and she didn’t have the heart to leave any of it behind. As Cherise made her way out of the airport, she saw Xenia in a lively debate.
Hearing Cherise’s voice, Xenia called out “Cherise,” while Truman, catching sight of Cherise, shouted “That beauty,” and they both hurried over to her.
Morris felt a long-silent joy stir in his heart at the sound of that familiar voice. He turned around to see Cherise, now with two large suitcases by her side.
Xenia sprinted over and embraced Cherise so tightly that she nearly lost her breath.
Morris couldn’t help but frown at the display.
Truman, pulling Xenia back, looked at her in disbelief. “Xenia, is that beauty your best friend? You two are like night and day.”
Xenia beamed with pride. “When I was eleven, Grandpa took me to Saphira, where I met Cherise. She was just ten but incredibly beautiful.
“We lost contact since then, but three years ago in Fresburg, she saved me from some trouble. I instantly recognized her as that girl from our past, and then we became friends.”
“So she was the one who helped you,” Truman said gratefully. “She’s beautiful and kind.”
Xenia then introduced Cherise to Truman. “This is my uncle Truman Simpson, and this is my best friend, Cherise Leach.”
Cherise greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Truman. Glad to see you.”
“You, too, Cherise. You’re really a stunning star!” Truman replied.
‘Truman and Xenia are cut from the same cloth with their lively spirits,’ Cherise mused.
Morris stepped forward, blocking Truman’s view.
Xenia quickly introduced Morris to Cherise. “This is Morris Chivers, a close friend of my uncle, and that handsome guy over there is Morris’s assistant, Leo Sanchez.” Morris offered a friendly nod. “Nice to meet you again, Ms. Leach.”
Cherise responded with a polite nod, “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Chivers.”
Morris was taken with Cherise’s smile; it was hard not to be. He had a feeling they’d have many more chances to get to know each other better down the line.
Truman and Leo were both surprised, with Xenia looking confused. Truman had witnessed Morris’s demeanor on the plane, but Leo was completely caught off guard.
It seemed unusual for Morris, who was known for being decisive and typically maintaining a distance from women, to be smiling at a woman.
Leo, who had been by Morris’s side for years, quickly regained his composure and made a mental note that Cherise held a unique place in Morris’s life and should be handled with care.
After the flight, Truman felt hungry and suggested they grab some shellfish bisque.
Though Cherise was eager to rest at her place, she found it hard to refuse Xenia, not to mention her hunger from the flight was getting the better of her.
They all made their way to the VIP parking area, planning to drive to the famous Gourmet Galaxy for the shellfish bisque. Cherise rode with Xenia, while Truman was taken by Morris in his car, citing work as the reason. During the drive, Cherise inquired about Marlon, Xenia’s grandfather. “Xenia, how’s Grandpa Marlon doing?”
“He’s doing well, a bit slower on his feet due to his age, but his spirit is up, and he enjoys his food. He’s been asking about you,” Xenia responded.
“That’s good to hear. I’ll visit him soon,” Cherise said, feeling a warmth in her heart as she remembered the folks from Saphira.
As Xenia steered the car, she asked, “Are you heading straight to the Leach family’s place after this? Grandpa insisted I should invite you to our home first.”
“No, I don’t need to force myself into the Leach family just yet. My apartment is in Glenshire Gardens. I appreciate Grandpa Marlon’s kindness, but I’m accustomed to living by myself,” Cherise explained.
Xenia chirped, “My grandma says that when there’s a stepmother in the picture, family dynamics can get complicated. It’s good to live on your own; at least I have a place to go if I ever run away from home.”
In Morris’s car, with Leo behind the wheel and Truman riding shotgun, Morris queried from the back seat, “Is Xenia’s grandfather the famous philologist Marlon Taylor?”
Truman confirmed, “That’s right. He’s retired now, but his reputation is still highly regarded. The Taylor family is known for their scholarly pursuits. I sometimes wonder where Xenia’s playful streak comes from; she’s full of life and has a kind soul.” Morris lowered his gaze, a rare warmth filling his chest. The fact that Cherise possessed medical knowledge and was connected to the esteemed philologist came as a pleasant surprise to him.