Chapter 49 Competitions
Vanessa
Every waking hour with Cinderella feels like hell.
I see her everywhere I go; the gardens, the kitchen, the dining halls, the training grounds - even when all she does is to sit back and look pretty. Now, she's even in my dreams!
Why the hell is she in my dreams? I'm not into women, and even if I was, she'll never be my type. Ever.
"There's no need for hostility, Vanessa. I mean, you're... temporary, after all. Just like all the others." Ha. As if. I'm sure Xander would've told me about it if there were 'others' before me.
The moment I told Xander about nullifying the contract, I regretted it immediately and wanted to slap myself. But even if he does decide to nullify it, I'll accept it with open, steady arms, chin raised. I won't beg or tell him I was only talking from a place of anger...and hurt.
At first, seeing them together everywhere made me see red, but now, I just tend to mind my business...well, almost.
I'm just coming back from one of my usual trainings when I sight them from a distance. I stop short.
Their heads are locked, deeply engaged in a hushed conversation. Then Cinderella suddenly laughs - it's poised, soft, gentle, and regal, everything I'm not - and Xander's face cracks into a wide grin I've never seen on him before.
Ignoring the painful twists in my chest, I resume my walking, whistling lowly as I pass by. They notice me then, and their smiles wipe off their faces simultaneously. For different reasons - Xander's face carries guilt, while Cinderella's glows with triumph, that I want to squash under my feet.
We don't say anything to one another but when I'm an inch away from Xander, I turn and slap his ass, hard. His body goes rigid, face palming and I giggle before catching myself.
Cinderella gasps, clutching her invisible pearls. "Vanessa!" she admonishes like a mother hen.
"What?" I ask, batting my lashes innocently.
"That was uncalled for and very inappropriate," she says.
"What's inappropriate is you butting into the business of a husband and his wife," I retort.
"It's not like you're even officially married," she mutters, but I hear it anyway.
"And? That's between–"
"That's enough!" Xander who had been watching our exchange quietly, bellows.
That shut us up immediately. I feel a giggle bubbling underneath, but suppress it tightly.
"Vanessa, go to your room. I'll see you later tonight," he commands, turning to Cinderella. "Lucinda, come with me. We have important business to attend to right now," he tells her.
Xander gives me one last look, his eyes narrowed slightly, then he and tight curls leave.
I take my time bathing, when I get to my room. Soaking in the bathtub filled with hot water soothes my sore limbs, and the smell of lavender doing wonders in calming my senses.
I feel so relaxed, I almost fall asleep. As tempting as it is, I can't because the water is getting cold now.
After showering, I dry my body quickly, and waltz into the closet, my eyes set on a sheer, blue nightdress that's fit, matches my eyes, and shows all my curves perfectly.
Making sure I'm settled and comfortable in the bed, I pick up a novel, and start to read.
A knock comes once, then the door opens revealing Xander's tall, lean frame making his way through to me.
"Hey there, stranger," I grin, my gaze trailing his form slowly.
He sighs, then sits at the edge of the bed, taking my hand in his. A pure look of torture reflects in his eyes, and I start to feel and shift uncomfortably.
"Firecracker," he starts. "I'm sorry, if I've made you feel unseen since Lucinda arrived."
Okay...
"Lucinda will never replace you, whether or not we've known each other for more than a decade. You're equally important to me."
What am I supposed to say?
I know I was so angry and hurt at the time when I was seeing both of them together, also letting the words of the maids get to me - that they're probably going to start working things out again.
I so badly want to ask him about their relationship, were they truly engaged and what broke them up?
But I don't. I'll just wait until he's ready to tell me all about it himself.
"It's alright. I'm not mad...well, not really. Okay maybe I am a little–" he cuts me off with his lips. My brain short-circuits and my breath hitches in my throat.
I don't waste time kissing him back. I scoot closer and drag his head down, pressing my lips harder against his, he grunts. His tongue licks my lower lip and I open up, licking and tasting him.
He pulls back, letting me catch my breath and I can't help but giggle. He smiles adorably and leans forward to kiss my cheek.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he says, getting up.
I want to tell him to wait and stay with me...but I don't.
Neither does he offer to.
"See you tomorrow," I reply.
Then the door shuts behind him. I don't feel as good as I should.
I wake up in a good mood, with an extra prep in my steps. Waltzing into the kitchen, I go straight to the cabinets to grab my ingredients.
I'm craving for a simple breakfast meal made by my own hands.
Trish sees me and tries to help but I shoo her away.
I make quick work of the food. Dropping two slices of bread in the toaster, I crack my eggs into a bowl, sprinkling a little pepper and salt to taste, I whisk everything, and heat some oil. When it's hot enough, I pour my egg mix into the oil and flip it over after two minutes, slicing two pieces of bacon and frying it also.
Within minutes, my breakfast of four slices of toast, two pieces of bacon, fried eggs, and a glass of orange juice is set.
I rub my hands together, already salivating. Once I take a sit, I dig in immediately, taking a bite of my toast. I moan with pleasure.
"Isn't that too much food for just one person?" an irritated voice snarks behind me.
I don't bother turning around, just continue eating until she comes into view. She goes around, preparing only God knows what, and I don't even want to know.
I eat quickly and pad to the sink to wash my plates, watching her from peripheral vision as she slices an apple, holding the knife in an odd angle. I shake my head and mind my business.
In the next instant, I hear a scream behind me and I whirl around to see Cinderella holding her hand delicately.
And drip, drip, drip, goes the blood.
My eyes widen in horror.
"What the fuck?" I shout. I pull her forward and bring the finger under the rushing water. She hisses in pain but doesn't pull away.
Footsteps approach us and Xander comes into view. His eyes shift from my hand holding Cinderella's to both our faces.
"What the hell happened here?" he thunders.
"I-I..." I stammer.
"It hurts so much, Xander," Cinderella cries, glancing away from me quickly. I scoff, it's not even that deep. It's just a tiny cut that'll heal by tomorrow.
But Xander seems to take her words at face value because his dark eyes turn to me, full of anger that I've never seen on him before.
"Why did you do it?" he asks.
I look around, trying to figure out who he's talking to. When I see no one else, I point to myself and ask, "Me?"
He doesn't respond, only continues to glare at me.
A few seconds pass and he asks again. "Why, Vanessa? Why did you hurt her?"
"What?!" Cinderella and I exclaim at the same time.
"Xander, wait–" Cinderella says quickly.
"I already apologized and made it clear to you, so why did you have to go and hurt her after everything?"
Silence.
"What? Why would I ever...?" I choke out. A million tiny needles prick my heart at his accusations, and tears spring to my eyes.
"Don't lie to me!" he snaps.
"Xander! This cut has nothing to do with her. What the fuck?"
Any other day I would've laughed at Cinderella cursing but I don't even have the heart to right now.
My hands shake but I clench them into fists.
"You can believe whatever the fuck you want. Fucking asshole!" I make sure to shove him with all my might and storm out of the place.
I hate him! Both of them!