Chapter 31 Chapter 31: Invite to the Party
Catherine’s P.O.V
I snuggled up to the warmth of Xavier’s arms around me. The steady beat of his heart was familiar, comforting, like coming home after being lost for far too long.
“You feel different tonight,” he murmured, his voice low, almost teasing. “I missed this… missed having you close.”
I let out a soft breath, leaning into him. “I missed it too,” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly, though I hoped he wouldn’t notice. Relief washed over me, but it was tangled with a heavier, darker weight I couldn’t shake.
“You’re quiet,” Xavier said, tightening his hold just a little. “What’s on your mind, Cathy?”
I hesitated, chewing on the words I wanted to say but couldn’t. “Nothing… just tired, I guess,” I said finally, though it wasn’t entirely true.
“You don’t sound like ‘nothing,’” he pressed gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I know when something’s bothering you.”
I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting. There was so much I wanted to tell him, but the guilt made my throat tight.
Hunter. Just thinking about him made my pulse spike. Twice now, I had met him behind Xavier’s back, and one time… I had even kissed him.
Not exactly kissed. Hunter had practically forced it. That’s what I kept telling myself but even saying it in my head didn’t make the weight lift.
“I…” I started, then stopped, afraid my words would betray everything I’d promised myself I’d never do.
“You can tell me anything,” Xavier said softly. “I mean it. Anything.”
I closed my eyes, pressing my face into his chest, feeling the warmth, the safety, and yet the suffocating guilt all at once.
“I… I don’t know if I should,” I whispered.
“What?” he asked, surprise lacing his voice.
“Never mind.” I said, quickly. “I was just thinking out loud, that’s all.”
The truth was…Hunter’s last question was still bothering me. Where was Xavier during my Freshmen year? Changing colleges? That was almost completely unheard of. If this was high school, I wouldn’t have batted an eye. After all, kids change high school even in their Senior year for a variety of reasons, and it’s still somewhat normal. But colleges? Changing colleges was…expensive.
I knew the Daltons were rich, everyone knew that, but what could’ve really happened for this to take place? Why did Xavier had to change his entire college, not his major, just his college…during Sophomore year? My mind was swirling with possibilities when Xavier finally let out a long, tired sigh, running a hand through his hair.
“Cathy…” he started, hesitation thick in his voice. “I got an invite to Hunter’s New Year’s Eve party today.”
I blinked, caught completely off-guard. My heart slammed against my ribcage, and for an instant, I was worried that Xavier would not only hear it, but he’ll figure out what was happening as well.
But then I steadied my heart, letting out a soft laugh as I asked, “Then what are our plans for New Year’s Eve?”
I thought Xavier would just laugh with me, maybe even plan a small romantic getaway and we could be on the beach in Maldives, sipping on coconut and wearing bikinis. But when Xavier remained quiet, I couldn’t help but feel a little panicked.
“Wait, seriously? You’re actually thinking of going?” I asked incredulously. “You hate going to his parties.”
He shrugged, eyes not quite meeting mine. “I… I have to go this time, or Hunter will think of ways to humiliate me.”
“And you’re worried about that?” I asked, leaning back, trying to wrap my head around it.
“It’s not just that,” he admitted, a trace of frustration in his tone. “I don’t want to go, but it’s his way of showing off his new business ventures. Everyone will be there, and I’d be… I don’t know, missing out. Or worse, looking like I don’t belong. Hunter will use this to turn investors against me, Cathy. Tell them I’m too sentimental or stuck up to attend parties from his business rival.”
I shook my head, almost laughing at him. “Xavier, you’re successful. You’ve done so much for the Dalton group, brought in new investors and million dollar projects that even your father could never dream of. You don’t need to listen to what people think about you, not because of one party, not because of anyone.”
He looked at me then, his expression softened, a little vulnerable even. “It’s just… sometimes it’s easier to go along, you know? Than to deal with the aftermath.”
I leaned forward, voice firm but gentle. “No, you don’t. You really don’t. You’ve earned every bit of what you have, and it doesn’t matter who’s showing off or who’s judging. If you don’t want to go, don’t. Let him wonder, let him stew. It’s not your problem.”
I realized that I was being more insistent than I ever had been before. I never really interfered with Xavier’s business or decisions that involved his business. But I was doing it actively now, all because I didn't want to face Hunter again.
Xavier let out another sigh, this one quieter, more resigned. “Maybe you’re right…”
“Of course I’m right,” I said, a small smirk tugging at my lips. “You’re Xavier Dalton, not some amateur who needs validation from Hunter Powell or anyone else. You’ll survive not going. Trust me.”
He chuckled softly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. “Thank you, Cathy. I’m glad you think so highly of me, really. Maybe I’ll skip it. Maybe I won’t.”
“And that’s okay,” I said, leaning back again. “Because whatever you decide, it’s your choice. Not his.”
But then Xavier shifted to face me, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of excitement and impatience.
“Actually, Catherine,” he said, leaning forward, his voice low but eager, “this event… it's going to be one of the most happening things in town this year. There’ll be investors, not just from the US but overseas. New opportunities from abroad that we never had before…people you only read about in magazines. It’s exactly the kind of night you want to be seen at.”
I tilted my head, studying him. “So you’ve already decided to go?”
“I was really nervous before,” he admitted sheepishly. “I mean, these investors…they’re really high profile, and I’m…well, practically a nobody who’s still clinging to his roots. But I want to expand, move out of my comfort zone and explore what else lies ahead. And you just helped me realize that I didn't need to be afraid of taking risks.”
“Oh?” I blinked, stunned. This wasn’t what I wanted when I tried to give him that motivational speech.
He nodded, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. “Of course. But it’s not just about business. Catherine… I really want to see who Hunter’s new girlfriend is.” His smile widened, almost conspiratorial.
“I’ve heard rumors. Some people are saying he might finally be ready to settle down. Can you imagine?”
I blinked at him, caught completely off guard. “H-Hunter? Settling down?”
Xavier laughed, that easy, infectious laugh of his that would’ve made me smile any other day. But right then, I just couldn’t even bring myself to smile.
“Yes! I know. It’s surprising. But I want to see for myself. See the mighty player fall from grace. See if the rumors are true.”
I didn’t know what to say at that moment and so, I simply remained quiet, my mind running through thousands of emotions all at once.