Chapter 57 Questions
Anna's POV
Every instinct in me screamed to grab something—anything—and cover myself, but his voice cut through me before I could even move.
“Don’t,” Xavier said calmly. It wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be.
My hands stopped mid-motion, hovering just inches from the towel on the bed. My breath hitched, chest rising and falling as I slowly turned to look at him.
His gaze… was steady. Not rushed. Not desperate. Not even surprised. Just… watching.
Like he was studying something. “Stay like that,” he added, his voice lower this time. “I want to talk.”
My throat went dry. Talk? Like this?
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to drop my hands to my sides. My skin prickled under his gaze, heat creeping up my neck, but I refused to show discomfort. If this was another one of his tests… I wasn’t going to fail it by panicking.
So I stood there. Naked. But trying not to feel like prey.
I avoided his eyes, fixing my gaze somewhere over his shoulder. “What do you want to talk about?” I asked, keeping my voice as steady as I could.
There was a pause. Then— “Where did you learn to fight?”
My eyes flickered slightly. So that was it. Of course. I should have known.
I forced a small shrug, like the question meant nothing. “I didn’t ‘learn’ anything,” I said casually. “I just… picked up a few things.”
“Don’t lie to me, Anna.”
My heart skipped. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to meet his.
His expression hadn’t changed, but his eyes… they were sharper now. Focused. Watching every little reaction.
I exhaled softly. “I almost joined the army once,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “Went through some basic training… but I pulled out.”
“Why?”
I hesitated—just enough to make it believable. “I lost interest.”
I could feel him analyzing every word, every pause, every breath.
For a moment, I thought he would call my bluff.
Thought he would push further.
But then— He nodded. Just once. “Alright,” he said simply.
Relief almost slipped out of me, but I held it in. “Get dressed.”
I didn’t waste a second. I grabbed my nightwear quickly and slipped it on, my fingers moving faster than usual. But just as I adjusted it—
“No.”
I froze. “What?” I asked, turning to him.
“That’s not what I want you wearing.”
My brows furrowed slightly. “It’s night, Xavier. What exactly do you expect me to—”
“A proper dress.”
I stared at him. “You’re joking.”
“I never joke.” Of course he didn’t.
I exhaled sharply, biting back the irritation rising in me. Arguing with him right now wasn’t going to help.
So I turned, walked to the wardrobe, and pulled out a simple but decent dress. Nothing too fancy—but definitely not sleepwear.
As I slipped it on, I could feel his presence behind me.
When I was done, I turned back to him. “Happy?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stood up. “Come with me.”
My stomach tightened. “At this hour?” I asked cautiously. “Where are we going?”
No response. Typical. I grabbed a light shawl and followed him out anyway, my mind already racing with possibilities. This could be anything. Another test. Another trap. Or worse— An execution.
The thought made my chest tighten, but I kept walking.
We stepped outside, the night air hitting my skin. The compound was quieter than usual, but not empty. Guards were still stationed around, their eyes following Xavier as he moved.
As always. He didn’t slow down. Didn’t acknowledge anyone. He just walked straight to his car. He opened the passenger door and looked at me. “Sit.”
I hesitated for half a second… then obeyed.
He got into the driver’s seat. That alone surprised me.
Xavier rarely drove himself. The engine started, and within seconds, we were moving.
Silence filled the car.
I stole glances at him from the corner of my eye, trying to read him—but as always, he gave nothing away.
Finally, I broke. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” Of course.
I leaned back slightly, folding my arms, trying to ignore the unease crawling under my skin.
After a few minutes, I tried again.
“Are you going to kill me?”
That got a reaction. A faint smile. “Have you done anything worth killing for?” he asked, eyes still on the road.
I frowned slightly. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “You’re hard to read.”
He didn’t respond. Didn’t even look at me.
And somehow… that silence was worse than any answer.
The city lights slowly faded behind us as the car moved further out. The roads became quieter.
Darker. Then trees. Dense and endless.
My pulse quickened slightly. This was definitely not normal.
We drove deeper in, the headlights cutting through the darkness. The road became narrower, rougher.
Then— A gate. Large. Secured. Armed guards.
The moment they saw the car, they straightened.
Recognition. Respect.
The gates opened immediately. No questions asked.
We drove in. My eyes scanned the surroundings quickly.
Private property. Highly secured.
Isolated. If he wanted to kill me… this would be the perfect place.
The car finally came to a stop in front of a building. Xavier stepped out first. I followed.
The guards nearby nodded at him, greeting him with quiet respect. He didn’t respond.
He just walked. I stayed close behind, my senses on high alert. We entered the building. It was quiet inside.
He led me down a hallway, then stopped in front of a door. He opened it. “Go in.”
I hesitated… then stepped inside. It was a room.
Simple and clean.
A bed. A table. A small lamp.
Nothing threatening.
Nothing… dangerous. I turned to him, confused.
“This is where you’ll sleep tonight.”
I blinked. “What?”
“I said,” he repeated calmly, “this is where you’ll sleep.”
Relief hit me so suddenly, it almost made my knees weak.
I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been.
“You brought me all the way here… just to sleep?” I asked, unable to hide the disbelief in my voice.
He didn’t answer. Of course. “Why?” I pressed.
Still nothing.
He stepped back slightly. “Goodnight, Anna.” And just like that— He turned and walked away. Leaving me standing there.
Confused. Relieved. And somehow… Even more unsettled than before.