Chapter 91 Ninety One
Chapter 91 Ninety One
AMELIA XAVIER
The news startled both Owen and me.
I wouldn't say that I knew every Xavier there was, but Ari Xavier never rang a bell.
I watched intently as details were explained, and although the face didn't click, I knew who the fuck she was.
“Ari Xavier, daughter of late Lucian Xavier makes a comeback taking the former Xavier house to the sky, and restoring its glory.”
I wanted to puke, but held myself. Lucian Xavier had a daughter I never knew of, and even Owen seemed surprised.
“So, your late uncle whom your father murdered has a daughter no one knew of and she suddenly came back,” Owen muttered, stuffing cake in his mouth.
That unsettling feeling that things were about to go downhill surged with full force. Father must have known about her and that was why he was so tied with work. I needed to call him to confirm.
Lucian Xavier had a daughter who of course held a grudge against my family, and if she kept her identity hidden for so long meant she had a plan.
Things were definitely going to get weird soon.
I reached my hand to grab my phone, but Owen took it from me.
“You want to call daddy again?” He asked, annoyed.
“He needs to know, I want to confirm,” I replied, the fear in my voice clear like fresh water from spring.
Owen sighed and handed me the phone. I called father and he answered at the first ring as though he expected a call from me.
“Daddy… Ari Xavier… what do you know about her?” I asked, my voice breaking.
My hands trembled as I gripped the phone to my ear.
He sighed before replying, “She's Lucian's daughter. I thought she was harmless so I didn't bother ending her life, but now she's a major threat, not just to us, Amy but to the Winters.” Owen turned sharply at me at the mention of threat and Winters.
“What do you mean father?” I asked further, my curiosity taking the better part of me.
“What I mean is that all this while, she built armies and allies and all for a purpose…”
“To end us,” I completed praying that I was somehow wrong.
I was right.
“Yes, you can say she's out for revenge for killing her father dearest,” he said bluntly like the mere thought of it didn't bother him.
“Do you have a plan, father? You always have a plan!” I asked hastily. My thoughts were everywhere and panic settled in.
“No.”
No?
What did he mean by no?
“Dad…”
“I don't have a plan… yet. But we should be alert. Since she hasn't physically threatened or attacked us, we shouldn't be in a haste to act. My advice is to wait,” he said.
Wait?
Wait?
The only plan father had was for everyone to wait until she attacked us first. That was the lamest plan coming from the mighty Dylan Xavier and my father.
“Owen I know you're there,” he called, taking me by surprise.
Owen scoffed, but replied anyway. “You're right. I'm here listening in on your conversation with Amy.”
I rolled my eyes.
Even in this situation, those two still didn't want to get along.
“That's a good thing, really. I'll inform your father about it. Protect Amy and don't do anything rash.”
Beep.
He hung up.
I looked over at Owen and he shrugged. “Don't get so worked up, we'll win anyway, I'll go talk to father later,” he said pulling me in for a hug.
“Worrying too much isn't good for the baby.”
A smile played on my lips.
Yes, the baby.
OWEN WINTERS
I sat in the office looking through some files, the thought of that woman filling my mind. So my guts were right after all. That pit in my stomach had calmed a little.
“Ari Xavier,” I muttered while stamping some documents.
That woman came out of nowhere and suddenly became a threat to the Xavier's and us. Mother had said something about that which meant she knew.
“I hope Amy will be fine on her own,” I said to myself, pushing the files away.
My eyes caught the cigarette box on the table and I reached for it. Playing with it, my mind wandered to the day Amy was abducted.
That was eleven years ago. Then, I could do nothing about it, but now I was with her, keeping her safe was my priority.
“Ari Xavier,” I muttered again.
“Yes, you seem to like the sound of that on your lips,” someone said and I snapped my head up.
I searched my mind, but the face didn't click. She was tall and had the deepest colour of eyes. Since I didn't know who she was, that meant one thing.
“Ari Xavier,” I said, all human feelings and expressions leaving my face.
“You're smart, that'll be helpful,” she said walking towards me.
I assessed her closely, watching her every move.
“Define helpful,” I said standing up as soon as she reached me. She smirked, and her expression darkened
Someone else with a split personality.
I noted.
“Helpful as in using you. No, let's say an alliance,” she explained.
I scoffed, then bursted out laughing until I realized she meant every word.
“Why should I join hands with you?”
She inched closer to me, and I didn't move so that we were two cm apart.
“Because I won't have to kill you when I take control of the Xavier's. I'll remain loyal to you and you to me, we'll make a great team and if you want anything else added, I'll grant that,” she answered.
Her offer was tempting not to lie since she had the upper hand, but I wasn't going to give in to her nonsense. The Winters had been loyal to the Xavier's for years and breaking that bond for a former house proved cowardly.
“And if I say no?”
“Then you'll be the first to face my wrath,” she replied, boring holes into my eyes. Our eyes locked — my frosty eyes and her deep eyes fought with each other.
“I'm only an heir, you can take alliance matters to my father,” I said, turning away from her and heading back to my seat.
“Your father is a coward, and is losing his touch, I'm sure you agree. Anyway, I want an answer before I walk through this door.”
I grinned, my eyes intense, and dangerous. “If you want an answer then I'll give you one. You want war, we'll give you war. You want peace, we'll give you peace, but don't forget your place,” I answered with rage boiling within me.
“And where is my place?”
I smiled mockingly.
“At the bottom. The lowest rung on the food chain.”