Chapter 108 Awkward Ex Encounter

• "Isabella," Ksenija greeted me warmly with a hug, "and thank you for joining us on such short notice!"
• "Well," I replied honestly as I pulled away from her embrace, "between my recent barista scandal and my publicist's constant nagging, I really didn't have a choice." Fortunately, Ksenija and the audience took my words as a light-hearted joke, sparing me from having to explain my surprise appearance any further.
• "Regardless, we're delighted to have you," she responded as we both took our seats. Unfortunately, I ended up sitting next to the uncomfortable couple on my left. To make things even more awkward, Ksenija dove right into the juicy stuff.