Heily replied sharply, "I'm not going. I'm not interested."
Xavier's lips curved into a smirk as he took a slow step closer to her. He stopped only a breath away, his piercing blue eyes locking with hers - cold, commanding, impossible to escape. Her body tensed, reaching against our will. He was standing before her without a single piece of clothing, and for the first time, she saw clearly what she had tried so hard not to look at before. her breath cut in her throat; it felt as though the air around the pool has suddenly vanished.
"I never asked for your opinion, Heily," xavier said, his voice low but cutting. " You have no say in this. You're nothing but a paid - off depth your parents used. So how about you play your role as the perfect little wife- you were told to be - and get dressed.
He turned his back on her and began to walk away. When he reached the door, he paused, glancing over his shoulder with that same mocking smirk. "Oh, and it's not a date," he added coolly, "don't get me wrong."
Heily stood frozen, as Xavier disappeared through the door, she clenched her fists, her mind fuming. Arrogant jerk. He thinks he can other me around like I'm some toy he bought? She thought bitterly. If only he knew I hate being near him.
She sank onto the chair by the pool, her voice trembling as she muttered something to herself,
"Oh, Mom...Dad... what kind of a marriage did you force me into? I never imagined I'd end up with a man like him - a devil wearing the face of an angel."
Xavier went up to his room to freshen up when his phone buzzed unexpectedly. It was Jason.
"Xavier, we've tracked his location," Jason said quickly.
"That's great, Jason," Xavier replied, pulling a shirt from his wardrobe. "I'm heading south to sign the contract with the levantis. Don't make a move until I'm back. I'll handle it myself,"
"Okay, Xavier," Jason said. Then after a pause. he added "But remember, you were told to bring Heily with you."
"She's coming with me," Xavier said flatly. "Whether she likes it or not. I'll hang up now - call you when I arrive."
"Got it," Jason replied before the line went dead.
Downstairs, in the sitting room, Jason stood staring towards the staircase.
"Where the hell is she? Why is she taking so long?" Xavier muttered, glancing towards the stairs again.
He was dressed in a fitted black shirt, the top two buttons undone, sleeves rolled to his elbows. The shirt clung perfectly to his chest and shoulders, paired with dark jeans and sleek wristwatch that gleamed faintly under the warm light. His hair was tousled just enough to look effortlessly, and the faint trace of cologne in the air gave him that clean, confident edge.
Then she appeared.
Any descended the stairs gracefully accept lights but deliberate. She wore a short cream blouse tucked into a short demin skirt that showed just enough of her legs to turn heads. A thin gold chain rested on a collar bones, catching the light as she moved. Her makeup was light- just a touch of gloss on her lips and a faint shimmer on her eyelids - and her hair was loosed, falling in soft waves that framed her face perfectly.
Jason's eyes lingered on her for a moment too long. before his expression turned unreadable.
"You finally decided to show up," he said flatly, his voice carrying no hint of admiration.
Heily paused at the last stop, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "You didn't say we were in a hurry," she replied quietly.
Xavier gave a short sigh and looked away. "I shouldn't have to," he said, his voice low but sharp. He checked his watch, then turned toward the door.
"Let's go."
Heily followed without another word, her heels clicking against the marble floor. outside, the air was still, the late sun stretching shadows across the driveway.
The black sedan waited there - sleek polished and silent.
"Get in," xavier said curtly, not even glancing at her.
Heily frowned slightly but didn't argue. she walked past him, open the door herself and slide into the passage seat. He got in after, shutting his door with a quiet, deliberate thud.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the soft purr of the engine as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.
The drive South was quiet - too quiet. Xavier kept his eyes on the road, his face unreadable, while Heily stared out the window, arms folded watching the scenery pass by.
The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time they arrived in the south. The Long drive took only a few hours, but by the time the car rolled up in quite hill, the evening air had settled - cool, calm, and heavy with the scent of pine.
The levantis s mansion stood ahead, it's light glowing softly through wide glass windows Xavier parked the car, stepped out, and adjusted his sleeves without looking at Heily. he was tired not from the road, but from what he was about to face.
Inside, they were greeted by Mr and Mrs levanti, whose polite smiles barely hide their guarded expressions.
"Mr. Rodriguez," Mr levanti said stiffly, "we weren't sure you would come personally."
Xavier nodded slightly. "I wouldn't send anyone else. I came to speak from myself." He paused glancing briefly at Heily. "And for my wife."
Mrs. levanti gestured for them to sit.The room smelled faintly of old wood and Jasmine. Hailey sat beside xavier, her posture perfect but distant, her eyes fixed on something in particular. she didn't want to be there - not as his wife, not as his partner.
"I know what happened with your daughter was..... unfortunate," Xavier began carefully, his voice calm but firm. "I take full responsibility for how things went back then. But I'm not the same man anymore. I'm married now and and I'm trying to do things right."
He hesitated, then added quietly, I'm asking for a chance to make things right - for both families."
Mr. levanti studied him for a long moment. "you talk about responsibility, Xavier, but you understand why we would doubt it. our daughter suffered because of your choices."
Xavier lowered his head slightly. "I know. That's why I came. I don't expect forgiveness. I just want to fix what I broke - and sign the contract if you'll still have it."
Silence feel the room for a moment until Mrs. levanti spoke softly. "It's late. you've come a long way. let's not continue this tonight."
Her husband nodded in agreement. " We'll resume the discussion in the morning. as for the contract - he looked at Xavier pointedly - we'll consider it, but only after we're certain you mean what you say."
Xavier gave a slow nod. " fair enough."
"Your room is ready," Mrs. levanti said with a polite smile. we've had one prepared for you both."
Heily's brows twitched slightly, "one room?"
Mrs. levanti smile didn't falter. "you're married, aren't you?"
Xavier's jaw tightened. Heily exhaled quietly, rolling her eyes toward the floor.
"Of course," he said curtly.
Heily forced a thin smile. "Right."