Chapter 18 Moody Xavier
Alexander.
"Xavier, you've been moody all day. What's gotten into you?"
I was halfway back to the group when I heard Nicholas's voice cut through the courthouse parking lot.
I'd just finished collecting the pictures after instructing Walter to take Dandelion back to the penthouse, away from me, where I could think clearly without her scent lingering in my head.
I paused, watching them from a distance.
Xavier stood with his arms crossed, uninterested and jaw clenched so tight I was surprised his teeth hadn't cracked. Nicholas circled him like a curious predator, that irritating grin plastered across his face.
"I know you're always overly serious just like that jerk," Nicholas continued, not discouraged by Xavier's death glare.
I scoffed, how dare he refer to me using that petty title.
"but you look extra moody today. Almost, I suspect... bothered?"
"Leave me alone, Nicholas." Xavier's voice was low and dangerous.
Which, of course, only made Nicholas more interested.
I approached, sliding my hands into my pockets. "He's right. You look like shit."
Xavier's glare shifted to me. "Thanks for the observation."
"Anytime." I leaned against my car, studying him. "Rough night?"
His jaw worked. Silence stretched.
Nicholas leaned in suspicion.
"Come on, X. We just watched Alex get married. The least you can do is share your drama. It's only fair."
"It's not drama—"
"Then what is it?" Nicholas pressed. "Work stress? Family issues? Secret lover?"
Xavier's expression flickered at the mention of the last statement, just for a second, but it was enough.
Nicholas's eyes widened. "Oh my God. It's a woman."
"Drop it."
"You met someone!" Nicholas was practically vibrating now. "Xavier Quinn, extra commito extraordinaire, actually met a woman who—"
"I had a one-night stand with a stranger," Xavier bit out, his voice sharp enough to draw blood. "There. Happy?"
I froze.
Yikes it's more terrible than I expected.
Then Nicholas howled with laughter, bending over and clutching his stomach.
Even I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips.
Xavier looked like he wanted to commit murder.
"You?" Nicholas wheezed between laughs. "Mr. 'I Don't Do Casual'? Mr. 'Relationships Require Proper Vetting'? You had a one-night stand?"
"It wasn't intentional," Xavier ground out.
"Oh, this is gold." Nicholas wiped his eyes. "Tell me everything. Who was she? Where'd you meet her? Was she hot?"
Xavier's expression darkened further. "I don't know."
That got my attention. "You don't know?"
"I was drunk, and She was drunk too. The room was dark. And the frickin CCTV footage was useless." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration radiating off him in waves. "She left before I woke up. I barely saw her face."
Nicholas was still grinning. "So you got seduced by a mystery woman and now you're what? Pining?"
"I'm not pining." Xavier's voice could've frozen hell. "I'm furious. She took advantage of me, and then she ran."
I scoffed and raised an eyebrow. "Took advantage? Sounds like you were both drunk and made a mutual mistake."
"Well she's the one who climbed into my bed uninvited."
"And you didn't stop her."
His glare intensified.
I shrugged. "Look, Xavier, my advice? Let it go. Get a medical checkup to make sure you didn't get any disease, and move on. Dwelling on it won't change what happened."
Nicholas snorted. "I'm not surprised it's coming from you, Mr. 'I Only Sleep With One Woman Because I'm Terrified of Germs.'"
I shot him a flat look. "I'm not terrified of germs. I'm cautious."
"You're paranoid," Nicholas corrected cheerfully. "That's why you've been stuck with Roxy for years. No risk of STDs if you stick to one partner, right?"
"Roxy and I have an arrangement. It's clean and efficient. Unlike whatever mess you get yourself into every weekend."
"At least I have fun." Nicholas grinned.
"When's the last time you did something spontaneous, Alex? Something that didn't involve a contract or a business meeting?"
I thought of Dandelion standing in that cream dress, her wide eyes locked on mine, my hand on her waist, the way she'd gasped when I pulled her close...
I shoved the thought away quickly.
"I'm spontaneous when it matters." I insisted.
"Sure you are." Nicholas turned back to Xavier. "And you, my friend, you're going to hunt down this mystery woman like the obsessive control freak you are, aren't you?"
Xavier of course didn''t deny it. "I have the bracelet she left behind. It's Custom-made so I'll find her."
"And then what?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Punish her? Give her a lecture on proper hotel etiquette?"
"I'll figure that out when I find her."
Nicholas threw his hands up. "You two are ridiculous. Alex just married a woman he barely knows, and Xavier's obsessing over a stranger he slept with once. Meanwhile, I'm over here, single and thriving, watching you both self-destruct in the name of, what? Pride? Control?" He scoffed and shook his head.
Xavier and I exchanged a look.
Then, simultaneously, we both turned and walked toward our respective cars.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Nicholas called after us. "I wasn't done mocking you!"
"Find a hobby, Nicholas," I called back.
"You're my hobby!" His laughter echoed across the parking lot.
I slid into my car, started the engine, and drove away without looking back.
..............
The penthouse was too quiet when I returned.
Dandelion was somewhere in her wing. Probably still in that dress. Probably wondering why I'd left so abruptly.
But I don't care.
I poured myself some scotch, standing by the windows overlooking the city.
So I'm married now, at least on paper.
Nothing has changed, this was always the plan.
But why did my hand, still remember the curve of her waist? Why could I still smell her perfume, something light and floral that lingered on my jacket?
Focus, this is for Noona, I told myself.
Then pulled out my phone, staring at her contact for a long moment.
One call. That's all it would take.
And then there'd be no going back.
Noona would expect to meet Dandelion. She'd scrutinize every word, every gesture, every glance between us. If she suspected for even a second that this was fake...
My thumb hovered over the call button.
"After this call, there's no going back," I muttered to the empty room.
Then I pressed dial.
It rang twice.
"Alexander?" Her voice was warm and Surprised. "Is that really you, or am I hallucinating?"
Despite everything, I smiled. "Hello, Noona."
"Don't 'Hello Noo
na' me, you ungrateful brat. Do you have any idea how long it's been since you called? I was starting to think you'd forgotten you had a grandmother."
"Of course not, I could never forget you, in fact you've been the only one on my mind lately" I cooed, literally she is indeed the only one I had to worry about these past days.
She scoffed, unimpressed.
"Flattery won't save you." But I could hear the smile in her voice. "What do you want? And don't say 'nothing', you only call when you need something or when you've done something monumentally stupid."
I took a breath.
"I'm married, Noona"