More determined than ever, she let as much unhappiness radiate from her body as she could muster, while staring at her mother. The door opened. Tensing, she reluctantly turned.
“Xander!” she squealed in delight.
“Alex,” he greeted with an amused smile. His chocolate coloured eyes twinkling.
“Good morning mother.” Xander’s warm voice filled the silent room.
“Good morning darling. Feeling better?”
“Yes,” he answered, “it feels like I have been away for months.”
“Maybe because you have!” Alex snipped.
“Alexandra!” Maria looked sternly at her. “Manners!”
“Yes, mother.”
When her mother looked down, she quickly stuck her tongue out at her brother. When he reached her, he bent and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Missed you too,” he whispered in her ear before sitting down next to her across from their mother.
Glancing sideways she noticed that he was dressed in denim pants, T-shirt with unbuttoned shirt and moccasins. You seem like yourself again.
“Coffee?” Jeff the ancient butler enquired when the room settled down again.
Three heads nodded and he proceeded to pour each their preferred brew. Xander turned to study his sister through his small round spectacles.
“Can we expect drama today?” he asked, winking when she glared at him.
“Xander!” Maria reprimanded. “Not today!”