They followed the maids upstairs. The hall was quite except for the sound of their footsteps echoing off the marble floor. When the maid opened the door to their room, Xavier stopped at the threshold.
The room was beautiful soft- lighting a single large bed, and a wide window overlooking the garden below.
"There are nightworms you can change into," the maid said with a polite smile, gesturing toward the wardrobe. "Everything has been prepared for you. enjoy your evening."
With that, she left, and the door clicked shut behind her.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Hayley dropped her bag onto the armchair and crossed her arms. "You could've at least said something when she mentioned one room," she said her voice edged with irritation.
Xavier losened his tie, his tone cold and unbothered. "why? you were going to complain either way."
She gave a dry laugh and shook her head. "You're unbelievable." If I'd known you dragged me here just to clean up your mess, I wouldn't have followed you.
Xavier replied dryly. You think you have a choice? You didn't. You were dragged here because you had to follow me. You're nothing but a dept, remember? So let's just do what you came here to do.
Heily glares at him "unbelievable"
Xavier continued lower and serious, "Listen, I've got a feeling they know we were forced into this marriage." They're watching us - trying to find something, anything, to use against us so they won't sign that contract.
Oh, so now we're acting like the happy couple? Heily said sarcastic. Now what? are we sharing the bed too?
Oh no. I'll take the bed, you take the couch.
You've got to be joking. Heily snaps, "why should I take the couch? This was your idea in the first place! you...
(He stopped her mid - sentence, pressing a finger to her lips.) wait. Did you hear that? Someone's coming.
(The door opens - mrs lavanti steps in, smiling.) You're here! Lovely isn't it? I just came to see if you both like the room - and if you're comfortable.
Oh, yeah. We're.... really comfortable. Xavier replied forcing a smile.
( Mrs lavanti gives them a suspicious look. Xavier quickly takes Heily's hand.)
Right, honey? You love the room, don't you? Xavier asked sweetly.
Of course, I do. We absolutely love it, ma'am. Heily replied playing along.
Good. She said smiling, the bed is family size - I'm sure you'll both be very comfortable in it. I'll leave you two now... Have a lovely night .
(Heily and Xavier freeze, forcing a smile as mrs lavanti walked out.)
Oh, wow so now we're being watched. Great. What do you expect us to do next - sleep with each other?
(She lets out a mocking laugh.)
Does this look funny to you? Xavier said irritated.
Oh yes, mr Xavier Rodriguez, it's hilarious.
Absolutely hilarious.
( Xavier sighs, drops his jacket, and sits on the bed.)
What are you doing? Heily snapped.
Sitting. Looks like we have no choice but to share the bed.
What!! Heily said outraged, I'm not sharing a bed with you, Mr. Xavier Rodriguez.
You think I want to? He replied coldly... Look - I might've been with different women, but I've never spent the night with any of them. Got it? So don't flatter yourself. Why don't you just pretend we're fine and stop acting like a child!!!
A child? Really? God knows what you'll do to me. How do you expect me to trust you?
Oh, please.... He said has he stood up with his voice low. Fine suit yourself. Stay there and sulk. But when the whole setup fails, and my grandfather asked why we didn't acted like a proper couple, I'll tell him, "my wife was too stubborn to even share a room.
( He steps closer, his tone sharp.)
And guess what ? He continued, maybe they'll finally give you that divorce you've been waiting for - and they'll see it's all your fault. The stubborn wife who brought shame to her family. how about that?
(Heily stared at him, her defiance fading into quite worry.)
You think you can threaten me into pretending, Xavier? You're pathetic. She said coldly.
And you're impossible! He snapped back,"You can't even play along for one night without making everything harder."
Play along? I'm not some puppet for your business deal!
Ohh, please. Spare me the drama. You're here because your parents needed the money, remember? Don't act like you're the victim.
You know what? You're exactly what everyone warned me about. Cold. Controlling. Heartless, She said.
Xavier replied quietly and furious. "And you're the reason I hate pretending."
(He grabs he's pillow and throws it on the couch, sitting down hard.) "You take the bed. I can't stand another word."
Good. Because I'm done talking too she said as she turns off the light, climbing into the bed without another glance. The room goes silent.
Xavier woke up early, long before the morning sun slipped through the curtains. He rose from the couch, ran a hand through his messy hair, and went straight to the shower. The water was Cold at first. But it did it's job - washed away the ramnants of a long, restless night.
When he stepped back into the room adjusting his cuffs, he's eyes instinctively drifted into the bed.
Heily was still asleep.
For a moment, he just stood there. She looked peacefully - almost too peaceful for someone who'd spent the night spitting fire at him. Her face softened in sleep; her posture calm, steady. Strands of her hair rested over her cheek, and he caught himself staring longer than he meant to.
He blinked, looked away quickly, and cleared his throat as if to shake off the thought.
Moments later, Heily stirred. Her lashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened, scanning the unfamiliar room.
( I thought it was all a dream....) She said silently to herself, then scoffed under her breath.
"You're awake," Xavier's voice broke the quiet. "I thought you were going to sleep the whole day."
She turned her head toward him, her eyes sharp but drowsy.
"You wish," she muttered.
"Meet me downstairs at the dinning," he said briskly, already halfway through the door. "And be fast about it."
The door clicked shut behind him. Heily stared at it for a few seconds, then exhaled deeply.
( What an arrogant jerk.) She hissed under her breath and rolled her eyes.