Not everyone can say they’ve been to the Big Apple, but [ LILY XIAO ], a [ 35 ] year-old [ CIS FEMALE ] has lived in [ Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn ] for [ 6YRS ]. This is the city of dreams and [ SHE ] knows it, because they came to NYC to be an [ Investment Banker ]. Well, that and as an [ YOUNGEST DAUGHTER/MIDDLE CHILD ] to [ CLAIRE XIAO ]. Living in the city means they meet all kinds of people, but everyone always seems to think they look like [ GEMMA CHAN ]. They even got away with free cab fare once because of it! [KIA, OLD, SHE/HER, EST, N/A]
LIKES: Dirty martinis, cute puppies, piano, fashion, people she is actually comfortable being silly with (rarity)
DISLIKES: Being ignored, knock-offs, tea (this is a secret shame)
CURRENTLY LISTENING: Gravity - Sara Bareilles
Lily was Born in George Town, Malaysia, the second of three children of Claire Xiao (Xiao Daiyu). But, the family moved to the states when she was very young more specifically Las Vegas, NV.
Being stuck in the middle of her perfect older sister and her doted on younger brother took its toll on Lily. She felt invisible for most of her childhood even though she worked hard to be seen (sometimes too hard). Perfect grades and too many clubs to count all throughout her grade school career still didn’t get her noticed.
Lily’s relationship with her siblings has evolved over the years. it was extremely strained when she was younger, in large part because of her jealousy of the attention they got so easily, but she genuinely always adored them in spite of that. Now that they’re all grown up she has her emotions more under control (most of the time). Her family is very important to her. She even organizes regular family dinners.
Growing up Lily never felt anything but proud of her family’s work. It may seem strange, but watching her parents building a criminal empire, seeing how they were respected, especially her mother, it was inspiring. A family legacy that she longed to be apart off.
Lily loves numbers and even more than that she loves money so she studied finance and became an Investment Banker. Telling large companies how they should spend their money, making large deals charming people... she loved it. Thats part of the reason she became a Senior VP in record time... on the verge to being promoted to Director
Lily doesn’t have much of a personal life but she has a small group of excellent friends. Her romantic life took a back seat for the most part. There was someone but once she noticed he more interested in her family’s business she dropped he who shall not be named like a bad habit.
where: pride event, al cavallino pizzeria.
who: @lilysxworld.
Usually far too busy to attend most events unrelated to her club or her organisation as a whole, Claire figured it was important to make an appearance at the annual Pride festivities. Proudly bisexual, she felt privileged to be able to celebrate with fellow queer people and everyone else in-between.
After briefly mingling with those at the beach party, she was ravenous, desperate for something to eat and the smell of pizza cooking instantly enticed her, any thought that was on her mind beforehand was since replaced with the doughy, tomato and mozzarella adorned delicacy.
Briefly looking for her spouse who had seemed to have wandered off for a look around, the brunette then turned to her tall lookalike daughter by her side. “Care to join your mother for something to eat? I’m simply starving.”
_
Pride had been one of Lily’s favorite times of year since she’d moved to New York. There were very few moments that Lily just allowed herself to truly let loose and just enjoy herself, this was one of those times. She scanned her surroundings, a mischievous smile on her face, thoughts of all of the trouble she planned to get into running through her mind... that is until her mother’s voice snapped her out of blissful thoughts. That’s right she was there, with her mother. The mother who though she knew loved her, was fairly certain didn’t like her very much. The mother who she was desperate for her approval... but even their continuous struggling dynamic wasn’t going to ruin this for her.
“I wouldn’t mind a bite.” Lily knew she planned to have quite a few alcoholic beverages that evening and hadn’t eaten much that day, so food was actually a wonderful idea. “Is there anything in particular you’re interested in?”
Lily loved fair food, to her own chagrin, but that meant everything would sound delicious to her.
Lily knocked firmly on her brother’s door, she’d been knocking for longer than she’d have liked. Of course, she was a bit early, but that was no different than any other time she was meant to be somewhere at a particular time. “Puppy?” She spoke with annoyance in her voice. Lily loved her brother, probably more than anyone else on this earth but he also frustrated her to no end most days. “Christopher, you have me standing in the hall like some sort of delivery person. Open this door or I’m leaving.” She fought the natural urge to pout. “This isn’t funny.”
If you could change any past event in your life, what would it be?
Would birth order count? It would solve quite a few of my problems. Maybe I would have allowed myself a bit more time for a personal life when I was younger.
I think everyone has regrets. Honestly, they're a complete waste of time. There is nothing you can do about the past, so live in the present. Make choices that you at least in the moment feel you won't regret later, and be happy with that. Do I have regrets? Yes. Will I live in them? No.
I'm open to opportunity, very. Though, I have a plan and I want to see it through. I suppose I am open to all opportunities that do not get in the way of my goal... to take over the family business
“I fired you. I was right to fire you, and if you can't handle that, if you can't handle me doing my job, me having some power, if dating a woman who's one of the big dogs is too hard for you then I'm fine being dumped.”
Dr. Alana Bloom - Hannibal (87%)
"I don't feel like I've dodged a bullet. I feel...wounded."
Diane Lockhart - The Good Wife (87%)
“People can lie and still be telling the truth. Nobody’s a hundred percent of any one thing.”
Sansa Stark - Game of Thrones (86%)
“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.”
Julian Bashir - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
"Oh... well, who am I to argue with me?"
Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier - Hannibal
“The traumatized are unpredictable because we know we can survive.”
Mel Medarda - Arcane
“I recognize that any worthwhile venture involves risk.”
Sam Seaborn - The West Wing
“I think ambition is good; I think overreaching is good”
Astrid Leong-Teo - Crazy Rich Asians
“It was never my job to make you feel like a man. I can't make you something you're not.”
“God forbid we lose the ancient Chinese tradition of guilting your children.”
To say Claire Xiao was intimidating would be an understatement. The brunette exuded the very icy energy you’d expect from a woman of her calibre. A woman who may have been small in stature, but made up for it with a cold wrath. A dangerous one, at that.
She’d agreed to meet Lily for lunch, what would usually be a carefree, lovely catch-up between mother and daughter was something that was usually uncomfortable for Claire and her second born. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her daughter, she truly did, but they were two very different people and she held her eldest to such a high standard that left her comparing the two — the former being a stark embodiment of the matriarch. Lily on the other hand? She was different. Fiercely intelligent, but different. Not as obedient to the ways of The Jade Dragons. After all, she’d been preening her children to be a possible leader to take over the organisation once she left this earth. The eldest Xiao spawn was an easier fit.
Arriving at the restaurant, Dior sunglasses on and looking every bit the ice queen she truly was. She didn’t bother to take them off until she reached their table, her dark hues boring into the lanky, delicate Lily that so obviously oozed the kind of nervousness that Claire sought out to provoke.
The greeting was met with a faint smile as she finally peeled the shades from her face, slipping them into her purse before sitting down. “Thank you, dear.” Her reply was brief, lacking any warmth. “You look… nice. Is that a new dress?” Truthfully, she was sure she’d seen her daughter wear it before, but she couldn’t really muster up anything else to say in response to the compliment. “Have you changed your mind about that job yet? Your potential is being wasted, but let’s not let that sour our nice lunch, yes?”
_
Lily sat, gently placing her half folded napkin in her lap and took a deep breath. Determined not to have any sort of melt down at the obviously snide remarks from her mother, she took a moment silently counting backwards from five. This was a struggle she’d fought since childhood. Weakness in that way wasn’t something she thought would be tolerated so she did her damndest not to show it. A soft barely noticeable smile graced her lips. “Actually no, mother, it isn’t new, but it is one of my favorites. Thank you.” That last bit came out through gritted teeth, and she was reminded to take another deep breath. “Work is, in fact, going very well. I’ve completed three very profitable acquisitions this week alone, I’m valued ... and respected there.” Lily sat up a bit straighter, if that was at all possible. It was nothing but the truth. Her subordinates were in awe, her clients were always beyond satisfied, and her peers were extremely envious. It was everything she wanted.
Lifting her freshly filled glass of ice water to her lips, Lily took a small sip. She could do this. She could show her mother that she was respectful and simultaneously worthy. “How are things with you?”
The restaurant was quiet, which was a relief to Lily. She’d somehow convinced herself that if their surroundings were quiet then her mother could really hear her. Though that wasn’t the problem at all between them, noise levels that is. They were simply terrible at communicating with one another, which was surprising considering Lily’s career. She made financial deals for a living. She charmed the un-charm-able, but when it came to her mother she just shrank. Turning into that four year old girl dying for her parents’ attention always made Lily go home and finish a bottle of wine and half a cheesecake.
She’d gotten there thirty minutes early, so she could make sure they were sitting at the table her mother liked, the one by the window. She checked the silverware and glasses for water spots, and gave the staff advice on how to approach their table. She hated how crazy this made her. Lily looked up from fussing over her suit to find her mother heading toward her. “Nǐ hǎo mǔqīn. You look beautiful, as usual.”
I love my family. All families have issues but they're the best, so supportive, especially of the Princess and the Puppy. I count myself lucky to have all of them.
