xxBONUS: Phuket with love

*This chapter relates to Xenia's encounter with Gregory's mom. The event happens before the Princess Tale chapter.*

Xenia looked at the back of the plane, where there was no seat left in the economy, and stared back at her first-class zone, where she and Gregory were almost the only occupants.

The woman gave the man a quizzical stare, "Eh, Gregory, how many seats did you buy on this plane?"

"Two rows in front, two on the left, two on the right, and twoㅡ."

"Okay, I got you. What little Prince wants, little Prince gets, right." Xenia said.

It was the first time Xenia had taken a first-class flight. For Gregory, it was a formality.

"What, why are you looking at me like that? What's wrong with wanting some quiet?"

Xenia rolled her eyes and released her inner Barry white voice, "Everything is wrong, sir. Flaunting like this is wrong."

Some say there's a honeymoon phase. Xenia and Gregory were still there, except now she encountered Gregory's other personality. The man didn't lie about the precious side of him. One could not find a more serious man, but he exposed how spoilt he was with Xenia and Xenia alone.

"Listen, Xenia, I sold the jets because of the carbon imprint. Please give me a break; I'm making lots of efforts here."

Of course, all of this behavior was influenced by the fact he could afford to be that way.

"I know you, Gregory. You're just trying to save money."

The man adjusted his position, "I'm not; it's for the planet. I assure you, Xenia."

Xenia slid her eyes to the side, "if you say so."

They were on their way to meet Gregory's mother in Phuket. Gregory almost became deaf as the older woman threatened him over the phone.

"The whole world knows about her, and I haven't even met her. Hear me, Gregory Carlton Ashton III, you better bring me your girlfriend if you don't want me to debark in your mansion in London and cause havoc in your little Britain material world."

The man weighed the probability of having his mother stepping afoot in London. He foresaw the generational clash with his grandmother. Their encounter alone could make the tabloids. The risk was one the man could not take. Thus, the couple went to her.

"I'm so excited."

"I'm very happy for you, Xenia," Gregory said, displaying his legendary flat-lip smile.

"Oh, Gregory, don't be like this. It's your mother, for goodness sake," Xenia said, taking him by the arm, "I know it's difficult for you. It isn't a party every day with my mom either, but please make an effort for me."

"Oh, I'm so excited, " Gregory said, moving his shoulders as though he held congas.

Xenia glared, "Don't overdo it."

The announcement for landing came through, and the couple buckled their seatbelt. Memories of his mother invaded Gregory's mind as the plane descended. He didn't hate her; on the contrary, he blessed the day God made her. Gregory disliked her lifestyle, which consisted of spending her fortune on gigolos.

Gregory detested seeing his mother with younger men, worse men more youthful than him. No big deal, some would say, but Gregory feared something greater.

What if one of the men became his stepfather?

Gregory had already decided that he would call in Jalia for a James Bond wipeout in total discretion if it ever occurred.

The customs officer looked at Xenia at her passport photo and stared back again, scrutinizing her face.

Xenia leaned over to whisper, "What's wrong with this guy?"

"I don't know," Gregory murmured back, "is there a problem, sir?"

"Madam doesn't look like in the picture."

"Of course, I don't. I was wearing a wig, and I'm not wearing one now,"

"No, madam, looks lighter."

"Excuse me, do you know what a camera flash is?"

Gregory intervened, "You've got the fingerprints. No one can fake that, so if you don't mind, can I have her passport back."

The customs officer looked at his colleague, who nodded.

"Thank you. Have a good day."

"What the heck was that? Oh, she looks lighter. Like, give me a few minutes in the sun, and we'll see about it."

"Forget him, Xenia. We've got other issues to deal with, "Gregory said as they passed the arrival gate.

"Gregory."

"See what I mean," Gregory said and took a deep breath.

A blonde woman wearing a technicolored Mumu waving like a plane marshaller stood waiting for them with a man Gregory hoped was the chauffeur.

The couple advanced, "hello, mom. How areㅡ."

"Aww, oh my," Gregory didn't even get time to finish his sentence. The woman placed both hands on her chest, "bonjour, je suis la maman de ce grand garçon [hi am the mother of this big boy and this is Aroon my compagnon."

Compagnon, the title almost seemed fitting. The man was tall, about Gregory's height. He looked as though he was in his thirties. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than what Gregory imagined and dreaded.

"Nice to meet you," Aroon said, stretching out his hand for a handshake that didn't come.

"Gregory, shake the hand," Xenia whispered between gritted teeth.

"I don't want to," Gregory replied.

Xenia smiled at Aroon and Gregory's mother before repeating, "Gregory, shake it."

"I said I don't want to."

"Excuse me, do you have a spare room? I think I'll sleep alone tonight."

"Okay, here's your handshake," Gregory said while he wobbled Aroon's hand as though he jiggled a rope for a double dutch.

The scene amused Gregory's mother, who took back the spotlight, "Gosh, she's gorgeous. Gregory, she looks like a short and chubbier version of Naomi Campbell."

Gregory closed his eyes and pursed his lips while Xenia blinked in dismay, wondering how she should take the comment.

"Come here," the woman took Xenia in her arms and hugged her.

The act alone confirmed what Gregory said while they were on the plane, "My mom has lost all notions of what's sensible to say or do. It's as though she's been exposed to the sun for too long, and she radiated. Just don't pay attention to her."

The woman then linked arms with Xenia and began to walk, dragging Xenia along, who turned to look back at Gregory with her help-me stare.

Gregory sighed, "Boy, it's going to be a long weekend."

"Do you want me to help you with that?" Aroon said.

Gregory eyed the man up and down; he had almost forgotten him.

"No, I'm good," Gregory replied, wishing he'd wake up.

Hi friends,

Yes, I have the strength to write these very awaited bonus chapters. I wish to write those I have in mind between today and New Year, so watch out.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Take care