Chapter Thirteen

Zara Howard

Xander comes to drop me off at the Lancaster Enterprises the next morning, thanks to the additional security and protection. As soon as I drop my stuff at my desk, I make a beeline straight to Xena’s cabin.

"Morning," I announced as I walk into her cabin.

We dropped the good of the good morning a long time ago. With Jerold as our direct superior, it was only rational to drop that expectation.

Fewer expectations, fewer disappointments.

"Morning! How was your day yesterday? Did you manage to distract yourself with work?" Xena asked while she was busy arranging a few sheets in the file.

“Kind of,” I reply, not knowing what else to say. Because well, I was pretty distracted.

“I will never understand how you use work as coping mechanism. It would only drain me further. You should learn something from me. I just sleep it off.” Xena brags and I find myself zoning out.

"Earth to Zara!" Xena snapped her fingers to get my attention.

Oh boy, I gotta drop the ball. After I