Chapter 37 SLOANE

Chapter 37 SLOANE
CHAPTER 37
SLOANE
“Sloane, are you leaving today?” Aunt Louisa asked over breakfast. Jasper was there munching on his food. “Eat slowly, no one is chasing you.” She smacked Jasper.
I giggled, “Yes, Aunty. I would be meeting up with Daisy and Rave then we’d leave together.” I answered, taking a sip from my tea.
“How long did you say you would be away?” She asked, worry in her voice as she gave me her attention while Jasper ate.
“We decided to do some exploring since it would be the weekend and we don’t have any class so we would be back on Sunday evening,” I answered.
Jasper lifted his head and his gaze settled on me, “Hey, I thought you said it was a one-day thing, you were supposed to come watch me practice this Saturday.” He pouted, “I have a big game next week.”
“Sloane is always at your practice, why don’t you let her spend some time with her friends this time?” Aunty Louisa to the rescue.
Jasper was silent for a while, “Fine but you are not allowed to be late for my game and you have to sit in the front so I can see you cheering for me.” He winked.
I laughed.
Then I heard footsteps, striding down, I didn’t have to turn my back to see who it was. I recognized his cologne, so tempting, intoxicating, and most importantly, the frown on Jasper’s face was not hard to miss at all.
Xaden.
“I’m leaving mum.” He said.
“Have a safe trip, Xaden.” Aunt Louisa said. Xaden had a business trip and would be away for the next three days. The door creaked open and he left the house. I heard the sound of his car as it exited the mansion.
“Back to what I was saying, you have to come okay, promise?” Jasper blurted, his mood back on.
I nodded, “Fine…Fine.”
My phone chimed.
XADEN: Going to pick up Rave and Daisy, if you are one minute late, you’d meet us at the villa.
Shit.
“Uhm, I have to go, Isaac just texted, he just picked up Rave and Daisy, I have to meet them at the train station.” I lied.
That’s right. Xaden is not going on a business trip, he is taking my friends and me to the Sky Art Museum.
“I can give you a ride,” Jasper offered.
“No!” I barked, “I already ordered Uber, and it’s outside…I have to go now, bye Aunty, bye Jas.” I grabbed my phone, my bag which was already downstairs, and dashed out the door.
Thankfully the Uber I ordered was already waiting outside, I got in and it took me to Rave’s house where Xaden was waiting with everyone in it. The front seat was empty, almost like they all planned to leave the space for me so I could sit next to Xaden.
Ding. Message from the group chat.
RAVE: Your rightful place is next to him, take it.
DAISY: Go, girl.
ISAAC: Please get in the car so we can go, Ms Xaden.
These guys are the worst….and the best.
“Welcome, Ms Sloane, please fasten your seatbelt so we can begin our journey,” Xaden mimicked a captain.
“Aiye captain.” I cheered as I fastened my seatbelt. 
Daisy connected her phone through Xaden’s speaker and the ride to the museum was full-on sing-along. Xaden had his hand on the wheel, shaking his head in defeat all through. 
“There is no way in hell you think the show Vampire Diaries is better than Teen Wolf.” Xaden argued, “Teen Wolf is legendary, Stiles is legendary, don’t even get me started on Kira… She was better for Scott, Allison on the other hand was just some entitled girl who happened to be Scott’s first love.” 
“Vampire Diaries was amazing.” Daisy fired back. 
“Sorry, Daisy but I’m with Xaden on this one,” Rave added. “Also, love the Allison shade. Big fan of Kira. They should have explored her powers more and allowed her to stay longer on the show. Her powers were great and her chemistry with Scott was insane.” 
“Sorry, Daisy but I am also on Xaden's side.” I whimpered, “I felt Stiles deserved better. Don’t get me wrong, Lydia is a great girl and banshee but Stiles deserved someone who would choose him without a twitch. Malia was great for him though.” 
“You guys are all betrayals! Isaac, what do you think?” She turned to Isaac, who had his face glued to his phone the entire time because I am sure as hell that he doesn't want to take our side and leave Daisy all by herself. 
“Hmm,” he feigned ignorance. 
We shared a glance through the rear mirror and giggled. 
“I can’t believe all of you.” Daisy pouted. 
“Okay, vamp was good, not just as good,” Xaden added. 
“Muffin, leave the poor girl alone,” I whispered, poking him. 
“Muffin?” They echoed. 
Shit. 
“No! No!” Xaden barked, his hands still on the wheel, “We are not going down that road. Peach, you promised not to call me that outside.” He grunted. 
I laughed, “Sorry, I forgot.” 
I liked this. Being free with him. Not hiding or faking smiles around his family. I like this freedom of being around my friends and him. 
“Oh, I didn’t know we do nicknames.” Rave teased. 
“Rave, please don’t.” 
The rest of the ride was so much fun. Xaden was active. His usual self, not the quiet one around his family. I love this version of him. It’s the version I fell in love with. 
His car drove into an estate, then down a very quiet very expensive street. 
“Wow… this is beautiful,” Isaac confirmed. 
“It sure is.” Daisy concurred. 
Xaden drove through a big black gate that scanned the car before opening on its own and letting us drive through. 
The house was at the center, big and luxurious. Around it was grass and gardens and it was beautiful. 
We got out of the car, enjoying the cool breeze that brushed through our skin. 
“This is beautiful,” I admitted. 
“Thanks.” 
“Did you rent it?” Daisy asked. 
Xaden’s brows arched, his eyes flickered and he had this look that felt as if he had been insulted. “Rent it? This is one of my villa’s Daisy.” He answered. 
Right. 
Xaden is a multi-billionaire. One of the most successful men in the country and internationally. I am so used to him, so comfortable with him that I completely forgot that he is a freaking billionaire who has houses, cars, and Villas. 
“It’s beautiful,” Daisy added. 
“Why thank you. Now let’s get you all in. I need to head to town to meet with a couple of people. I already have a housekeeper drop everything you’ll need for the weekend. The housekeeper is in and she will show you to your rooms. Tomorrow will be when you get to visit the museum.” He explained. 
“You sound like a dad.” I teased. 
“You’re pushing my button, Peach.” 
The girls and I laughed while Xaden got back into the car and left the villa.
The outside was beautiful but the inside was beyond what I imagined. The girls decided to stay in one room since the bed was big enough. They teased me about spending the night with Xaden and even calling him Daddy. 
God, this girl would be the end of me. 
We made dinner, thanks to the ingredients the housekeeper had brought in. We ate to our fill, left some for Xaden. Binged watch Teen Wolf again because Daisy still wasn’t giving in. 
After a couple of hours, we returned to the room and fell asleep. 
My eyes darted open, next to me was Daisy on my right and Rave on my left. Hands over my body, sleeping so sweet. I glanced at the little alarm clock by the bed. It’s 2 am. 
I wonder if Xaden is back. 
Ugh… I’m thirsty. 
I peeled myself off the bed and made my way to the kitchen. 
The last person I expected to see in the living room was Xaden. But he scared the shit out of me. Sitting in the dark with no light aside from the one coming from his tablet. 
“What are you doing?” I hissed, slapping his shoulder. 
“Ouch, working. I had a last-minute file I needed to work on… why are you awake? The housekeeper said you guys slept hours ago.” He answered, turning to me, still rubbing the part I slapped. 
I might have hit him too hard. 
“I got thirsty,” I answered. 
“Okay,” 
“Uhm… can I join you?”