At Her Best.

Eleven.

Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. Besides my encounter with the King of Eswantini, there weren't many instances where I was completely dumbfounded. So this occurrence right here took the cake. Not only was I confused and uncertain about my mother's presence, but I was mad as hell at her unwelcomed visit. The fuck was she doing here? How did she even know I was here?

"Let her in. She's only going to cause more of a scene." I eventually answered as I tried to make myself as presentable as possible.

"Are you sure?" Ravi questioned with a worried tone. "I can't stick around in case you two kill each other. Muhammad Lambordi is already blowing up my phone."

Ravi's concern was so heartwarming, it actually eased some of the tension that was building up. I nodded, and Ravi gave me one last smile before he disappeared again. I shook my head and sighed exhaustingly. Breathe Raja, do not allow this woman to get to you.

Within seconds, Olivia Harper aka my mother, slithered like a snake into the hotel room. She looked bigger than I remembered, and angrier too. She was probably ready to unleash all negativity upon me. Where the fuck was Renzo when you needed him? Shit, did he put her up to this? My gut was telling me yes. And I was fuming at the thought of it. He's been saying for a while now that it was time for the old witch and I to reconnect. But this definitely was not the place nor time. I shook my head, trying to keep my assumptions and blame at bay. This could've all been Olivia's doing. She after all was one cunning individual. And that's one trait she passed on that I could thank her for.

My mother glared at me, and I stared back just as intensely. I was on whatever energy she was on. The way this interaction was going to go was based on her. If she brought chaotic, unnecessary drama, best believe she was going to get that in return. But if she brought peace, maybe I'll budge. Emphasis on maybe.

"You look like you've been doing well." Olivia spat, finding a small couch to slouch on. "Your skin's moisturized, I can tell you're sleeping adequately."

"Wish I could say the same about you Olivia." I returned, crossing my arms. "You're giving me haggard and unstable. Should I be worried?"

Olivia sighed irritatedly, and I breathed out. Okay Raja, dial it down a notch. You're suppose to match her vibe, not compete against it. But how could I? She basically came in here pestering me, judging me with her eyes. Her words were saying one thing, but her tone and expressions were saying otherwise. What did she want? My mother was staring at me fresh again and I felt like I was under a microscope. I could literally feel her condemnation. God, I wanted this to end.

"I guess you're probably wondering how I got here." Olivia continued. "Your brother refused to tell me so I had to follow him until he landed here. I saw him guarding this door and I knew you had to be inside. I managed to get him distracted, he abandoned his post, and now we're here playing catch up. It's despicable how weak your brother is. He surely didn't take after us, huh?"

"You managed to get him distracted?" I repeated, disgusted and annoyed. "Olivia, did you give Renzo drugs? Your own son! You and I both know he's a recovering addict! The fuck is wrong with you?!"

Olivia shrugged nonchalantly, acting as if what she did to my brother wasn't extremely vile and disturbing. The old bat sat up to pour herself some champagne, clearly unbothered that her first born was somewhere self destructing thanks to her. She sat back and took a sip of her drink, and I just watched on in horror. Is this what my future self was going to be like? The thought of it made me shudder. It was bad enough that I was the spitting image of my mother, and my actions weren't always the most commendable. Shit. I blinked away the possibility. I wasn't going to be like my mother, I'll never come close. I'd never purposely play with someone else's sobriety, especially if it was my own child. That was just foul.

"Oh, don't look so outraged." my mother laughed. "People have done far worse to get what they want. Besides, I wouldn't be so up in arms over it. It's not like he's being the most loyal to you. But that's his and I's secret."

I rolled my eyes, growing angry. Olivia knew how to push my buttons, but this time she won't prevail. I wasn't even about to delve into her accusations about Renzo, because it was probably  some mind game to get me off my tracks and pit us against each other. I told Renzo she was nothing but trouble, and after this stunt I better not hear him utter her name ever again.

"What do you want?" I asked in a very exasperated tone. "There's money to be made and you're holding me up."

"Ah, yes. I almost forgot that you're now a very proud whore." Olivia responded brightly. "Oh, you're such a waste. So much potential loss. I had so many expectations for you. You could have been anything. Anything! You were the smart one, La'Raja! You could have ruled the world one day! Shit, even saved it! Now you're some sleazy, loose Jezebel. A damn disgrace!"

There it is. There it is. A scowl released from my face. I was officially in fight mode. I would never front and act like my mother's words didn't hurt. Although I put on this huge façade that I was untouchable, she knew how to bring me down. She knew what to say. But Olivia would never see me sweat, because I knew that's exactly what she wanted.

"Not all heroes wear capes." I whispered. "You should know that. I don't have time to argue with you. State your case and get the fuck out."

"Aw, is that any way to speak to your mother?" Olivia baited. "Did I hit a nerve?"

I watched the loose screw snicker at her own words. She was really enjoying this. But that was the least of my worries, for my mind was scanning different nearby bars, lounges and day clubs. Renzo was going to be at one of them for sure. Picking up the pieces after my mother's stupidity was going to be difficult. The damage control was always the hardest part.

"Ronald Hensworth, owner of Hensworth Productions. Before Hensworth passed away his business was the top movie production company in the entire world." Olivia announced. "According to news reports he died from an overdose. But you and I both know you and your brother happily slip those drugs into his system. He was loved and adored by many, and just imagine the wrath that would come your way if his real cause of death was revealed. Who would've thought my darling daughter had the ability to commit murder? Certainly not me. Your brother spilled his guts after I threatened to send his children back to their mother and help her keep his kids permanently. You should have seen his face. He was scared shit."

I smiled. Blackmail. I should have known. Underneath I was triggered but I refused to show it. Olivia made the biggest mistake crawling her way over here to get the best of me. I might have pissed off a lot of well known men, but best believe I kept a few friends. Olivia should think twice before starting up any beef with me. She was barking up the wrong damn tree.

"One million dollars for my silence." my mother continued. "You can even start paying now. You look like you're wearing at least a twentieth of it around your neck. But, I'll give you until next week. Let your brother do the drop off. I can't stand the sight of you."

"Oh, the feeling is mutual." I hissed. "Why do you want my money if you dislike me so much? That's some contradictory shit right there. You're no better than me. Matter of fact, you're worse. Honey, I know what you used to do to keep them lights on when Renzo and I were little. We might have been young but we sure as hell weren't stupid. I'm just a product of you, and you hate that I can make more money from it than you did. Jealous bitch."

Olivia flew to where I was standing, and for a moment I thought she was going to hit me. Instead, she glared at me, and she was so close our noses were touching. I guess this was her way of trying to scare me, but when you've been through as much as I have, nothing really frightens you anymore.

"I've failed you as a mother. There's no doubt about it. But I'm not a bad person, you are. You and your brother killed Ronald! I feel it in my bones, and it's only a matter of time before I figure out how you two got away with it!" Olivia snapped. "You two killed the only man that truly loved me! The only man who was protecting and providing for me! He might've had some fucked up ways, but he was an amazing man! You're going to pay for this La'Raja. I won't rest until you and your brother are rotting in jail. And that's a promise I plan to keep."