She rose halfway from the couch, arms folding across her chest like armor.
"What do you take me for?" she said flatly. "I only came down here to watch a movie. I don't need anything else, and I'm not interested in you either."
Xavier met her gaze, his eyes steady and impossible to read.
"Well," he said, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint smirk, "you're not that bad."
He leaned back slightly, his tone laced with indifference. "If you want to go through with this, then let's just get it done. But don't make the mistake of falling for me. I've already made it clear- l have no intention of being with you."
His voice was calm, almost detached, stripped of any warmth or thrill. " This marriage," he continued, "is nothing more than a show. My parents think you're perfect. I don't. So, let's just play along.... and maybe have a little fun while we're at it."
What! She exclaimed, her voice trembling between anger and disbelief. " No I'm not into you Xavier! I was forced into this just like you were. And for your information, I can't be one of those girls you play around with "she folded her arms, glaring at him. How about you follow the rules you made, hmm?"
He muttered in his mind, suit yourself. Playing hard to get now, huh? Fine. We'll follow the rules.
He said and walked out of the sitting room, heading upstairs.
For a moment, she just sat there, her hands clenched at her sides. Then anger surged through her chest like a spark catching flaming.
Who the hell does he think he is? She thought bitterly. He thinks he's everything -every girl's type. Please, He's not even my type.
She threw herself onto the couch still fuming. replaying every word in her head. The movie still flickered across the screen, forgotten. Somewhere between anger and exhaustion, her eyelids grew heavy.
When she finally woke up the next morning, the light of dawn spilled across the room, Her neck ached, and she realized she'd fallen asleep right there on the couch.
The soft clatter of dishes filled the quiet kitchen as the morning sun streamed through the curtains. Heiley stood by the counter, her hair loosely tied back, humming softly while she flipped the last pancake onto a plate.
Footsteps echoed down the stairs-steady and unmistakable Xavier's. He appeared at the doorway, already dressed in his crisp work suit, the kind of suit that hugged his body perfectly and moved with him as though it had been made for him alone. The morning light brushed against his sharp features making his blue eyes glint like cold glass, his pierced blue eyes caught Heiley figure near the stove.
"What are you doing?" His voice cut through the silence. "I told you not to make breakfast for me. his face unreadable as always. " You can stop playing the perfect little wife- it doesn't suit you."
Heiley didn't even glance his way. "I wasn't making breakfast for you, she said coolly, keeping her eyes on the pan, "I was just making breakfast for myself.
Xavier raised a brow but said nothing more. He walked fast her, took a glass from the counter, filled it with water, and drank quietly. The tension between them was thick enough to taste, when he was done, he placed the cup back down, picked up his briefcase, and left without another word. Moment later, the sound of his car engine faded into the distance.
Heiley eyes wandered around the big, unfamiliar kitchen. Everything felt too quiet-too unlike home. "I really am not comfortable in this house," she whispered.
Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she jumped up, ran upstairs, and grabbed her phone. "that's it," she said with a grin. "I'm calling the girls over."
Xavier arrived at the company early that morning, his expression dark and unreadable. He stepped out of his car, straightened his tie, and walked briskly through the lobby without greeting anyone. The moment he entered his office, he sank into his chair with a deep sigh.
Another long day, he thought, rubbing his forehead. And I'm still in this mess of a marriage.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the door swung open. Jason, his closest friend and business partners, rushed in, slightly out of breath.
Xavier! You wouldn't believe this!"
Xavier looked up, clearly not in the mood. "What is it, Jason? Look, I'm already going through a lot. I still can't believe I'm married to that - " He stopped himself shaking his head. "Please, just tell me what's going on."
Jason hesitated for a moment, then blurted out," This one's even bigger, man. Lara's at the airport right now, she just called your secretary."
Xavier's eyes widened. "What? No way! How is that possible?" He stood up from his chair, pacing the room. "What the hell am I going to do now? How is that even supposed to happen?"
Jason crossed his arms, his expression tense. "Maybe she got the news. Maybe Mrs Chloe, your stepmother sent her a message."
Xavier turned sharply toward him. "Are you sure nobody knows about this? Nobody found out?"
Jason nodded slowly, "yeah. At least, not yet."
Xavier ran a hand through his hair, frustration clouding his face. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "This is the last thing I need right now." Come on, let's go meet her Jason,"
"Lucas."
"Yes, boss?"
"If anyone comes in asking for me, tell them I'm in a meeting with a client."
"Okay, boss," Lucas replied quickly.
Xavier grabbed his coat and left with Jason.
At the airport, they spotted Lara. She was dressed in a short, revealing gown - sexy and confident as always. She looked stunning, though Xavier remembered exactly where that wild streak had started - back when she was still the "bad girl" he met years ago.
Lara's face lit up when she saw him. With a smile, she hurried forward, pulling him into a hug. Xavier didn't return it. His hands stayed buried in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
She turned slightly and waved at Jason. "Hi Jason." "Hey, Lara," he replied, trying to keep things neutral.
I've missed you so much, Xavier. You stopped calling, and whenever i tried to reach you. Your number was always busy. What's going on?" She asked, confusion and hurt mixing in her voice.
"Lara," Xavier said coolly, "why did you come back without telling me?"
She smiled faintly. "Because I wanted to surprise you," she said, resting a hand on his shoulder and leaning in as if to kiss him.
He stepped back sharply. "Lara, I don't think so." His tone was flat, cold. "Did my stepmother, Chloe, tell you to come here? Did she send you a message?"
Lara frowned, clearly offended. "No Xavier! How could you say that? You know i can't stand her - and I know how much you hate her. I came back because I heard the news..... That you're married. I mean - how could that happen, Xavier?"
He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Lara.... I've got a lot on my plate right now."