Getting into his car Xavier headed straight to his family estate wanting to relay his progress on the wedding.
The air at the family estate always smelled like old wood and lemon polish and have never truly smelt like home to him. Xavier parked near the front entrance, knowing his father would likely be in his study, buried in paperwork as usual.
Although he's already involved in the company affairs his father still felt reluctant to hand it over to him completely, using the excuse he's waiting for him to get married and settle down.
Saying that is the only way the shared will accept him, he didn't take it too seriously after his getting married to the love of his life (" I think)
Sighing he made his way to his father study...
He hadn't planned to stop by, but he decided to come and share the progress of the wedding with them, but deep down he was looking for reassurance, someone to remind him that he's doing right thing.
The family butler, Mr Edward, greeted him with a bow, welcome young master, Your father was expecting you.
His brow lifted in surprise. "Expecting me did he know I will come", sometimes he doesn't know how he father head work, he does things that leave people thinking he can see the future.
Right this way young master, Edward words snapped him from his thoughts.
He made his way to the study, the door was till slightly ajar. His father, Alexander dracarys, sat behind the grand desk, his sharp eye flicking through the documents in his hand.
"You came," Alexander said his voice firm and carried a tone of authority despite his age.
"Apparently you were waiting for me, " Xavier said stepping inside.
His father gestured to the chair opposite him. "Sit."
Xavier obeyed, leaning back casually. " I've started the wedding preparation," he didn't waste much time in pep talk and coldy got to the point. We're moving forward quite fast I don't want to waste more time.
Alexander hardly showed any expression and just commented "Good".
There was a long pause before he added, " You're moving quite fast"
Xavier scoffed "weren't you the one using marriage as an excuse to stop him from fully inheriting the company, "He thought."
"I love her" and if others think I'm rushing, to me I've waited a lifetime to settle down with her.
Alexander studied her son quietly. "Love isn't always enough," and people aren't always what they seem."
Xavier jaw tensed. "You're taking like you know something I don't."
Alexander leaned back, his fingers gently tapping on the table seemly lost in thought. There are things about the past... business decisions, alliances, old rivalries that till get me thinking. Some wounds don't heal fully and some minds never forgets.
"Is this about Lilian?" Xavier pressed. Does she have something against, "Do you know her or her family?"
His father shook his head slowly seeming unsure, "Not personally but her last name ring a bell." Grey, I've seen that name a long time ago, His mind went back to years ago to two friends starting a business and calling it Vaughn and Grey.
He snapped back to reality not wanting to think to far.
"It's a long and complicated story. One I barely remember the details of. But it doesn't have the best ending."
Xavier laughed softly, shaking off the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. "Sounds like old men's business. Ancient history."
" Maybe," Alexander murmured. "But old stories have a way of creeping into new chapters."
Xavier stood, pushing his chair back with a gentle scrape. "I appreciate your concern, but this is my story now. Lilian's not part of some old family war she's my choice."
His father eyes softened for a brief second. "Then I hope you're right."
On his way out, Xavier bumped into his older cousin, Liam, who gave him a side grin. " Hey, heard you're finally trying to tie the knot."
"Yeah."
"With Lilian, huh?" Liam grin faltered just slightly. " She seems... distant."
Xavier eye tightened "Don't start. I know how she is. She's just not the overly excited type."
Marcus held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, your call. Just saying most brides-to-be light up when wedding talk comes up."
"She's different," Xavier said simply.
"That she is."
"He rolled his eyes as he makes his way to his car."
He felt overwhelmed he came here hoping to find some reassuring comment, that will make him believe he was just overthinking and marrying Lilian was a good idea.
"But now he was only more confused."
Is not that she doesn't care she just different, he used the same words he used on Liam to console himself.
She trusted him.
That's what mattered.
What he didn't know- what none of them knew- was, Lilian has grown up with this forgotten story, stories her father told her with clenched fists and a bitter voice. Stories of betrayal loss and the downfall of the Grey family.
She wasn't just marrying Xavier.
She was finishing a story.
One thread at a time.