Chapter 168 Louis is Single Now, so Don't Miss your Shot.
Xena's face flipped like a switch, and everyone around her was totally floored by Amelia's boldness.
Louis, not wanting any part of this girl drama, mumbled something to Amelia and dipped out to his private room.
Amelia, though, seemed pretty into stirring the pot with Xena.
With Louis gone, the others dropped the nice act with Amelia. After all, she wasn't exactly Miss Manners with Xena.
"Amelia, what's your deal? Just 'cause you're hanging with Louis, you think you can talk smack? Don't forget, you used to beg us to chill with you."
"Yeah, Xena and Louis just called off their engagement, and you're already making moves? Showing up with him on purpose, huh?"
Amelia just grinned and plopped down on the couch.
She eyeballed Xena and said, "Why y'all freaking out? Xena hasn't even said a word. You guys used to drag me out for fun, and I can do the same for you now."
"And showing up with Louis? Total coincidence. We just bumped into each other outside, and you saw it. That's not on me."
"Plus, Xena hasn't been to this club in ages. How was I supposed to know she'd show up and I'd run into Louis?"
"Honestly, my thing with Mr. Carnegie isn't what you think. If you wanna gossip, go ahead. I'd love to get close to Louis, but I'm not that lucky."
"I'm not gonna be like those who don't know when to quit. One failure should teach you your limits. I know you see me with Louis and jump to conclusions. But there's nothing there. So if you wanna shoot your shot, now's your chance since he's single."
Amelia had the guts to talk like this in front of Xena 'cause she had some dirt on her.
Xena knew it too.
Even though she looked pissed, Xena had to suck it up.
Amelia's words hit everyone right where it hurt.
I mean, it's Louis. Who wouldn't wanna be with him?
A lot of folks thought Amelia had already snagged Louis, but turns out, she just ran into him.
They knew Louis and Amelia's brother were tight in business lately, so a friendly arm-in-arm wasn't a big deal.
Amelia's straight-up claim that there was nothing between her and Louis made her seem even more real.
So, they switched sides real quick.
"Are you really just friends with Louis? Isn't your brother doing business with him? Don't you wanna date him?"
Amelia smirked. "Of course I do, but he's not into me. Beats me why. I'm not ugly. But he's just not feeling it. What can I do?"
Elijah, who'd been quiet, finally jumped in and asked, "Could it be he's still hung up on Xena?"
Xena just wanted to fade into the background, but Elijah had to drag her back into the spotlight.
Sure enough, Amelia jumped on that. "You think Louis is still hung up on Xena? Seriously? If he was all about her, wouldn't he have done everything to marry her? Why'd their engagement, which was already a done deal, fall apart?"
Xena went pale. She knew Louis didn't like her, and she knew exactly who he liked.
And the woman he loved would never be his..
Seeing Xena's sour face, Amelia decided it was time to bounce.
"My brother's waiting for me. Y'all have fun. Oh, and by the way, Louis is single now, so don't miss your shot. We've known each other for years, and the Carnegie family's on the hunt for a good match for him."
With that, Amelia strutted out.
Everyone got all excited hearing this, except for Xena, who looked like she'd just swallowed a lemon.
Xena made up an excuse to hit the restroom, and when she came out, she cornered Amelia.
She couldn't confront Amelia in front of everyone, but now it was just the two of them. She didn't hold back. "Amelia, what's your deal?"
Amelia gave her an innocent look. "What did I do? Why are you so mad? Did I say something wrong? Why are you coming at me?"
Xena shot back, "Amelia, don't act all high and mighty. You're just as shady as I am. You think you can make yourself look better by dragging me down, but it's not that simple."
Amelia leaned in close and whispered, "I'm not trying to brag, but we're not the same kind of people. So don't judge me by your standards. Xena, now you know what it feels like to be on the other side, huh?"
"You used to be all high and mighty, thinking having Louis as your fiancé made you untouchable in high society. Everyone had to kiss up to you for your approval."
"How about now? Your engagement's off, and your so-called friends are all eyeing your precious Louis. Sucks, doesn't it?"
Xena knew Amelia was doing this on purpose.
If she wasn't, she wouldn't be saying all this right to her face.
Xena glared at Amelia. "Amelia, remember this: if I can't have him, neither can you."
"Let me tell you, besides the Carnegie family, Northwind's got plenty of other options. With my status, I've got even better choices."
"You better watch your mouth, or don't blame me for what happens next!"
With that, Xena stormed off.
She'd come out to chill, but now she felt even worse.
Xena didn't want to go back, so she called Elijah.
Elijah showed up fast.
Xena asked, "Did you get the med I asked for?"
"I'm working on it, but it's gonna take some time to get that kind of thing. What do you need it for anyway? Too much of it can be dangerous."
Xena replied, "I know. You go have fun with them. I'm not in the mood, so I'm out."
Xena didn't want to run into anyone, so she slipped out the back door.
The back door led to the parking lot. As Xena stepped out, she spotted a familiar figure, and her eyes went wide.
