Chapter 18: The Proposal

I looked at Xavier and took a deep breath.

“Fine.”

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and tilted his head. “Say what?”

“I will date you.”

A small smirk appeared on his lips. “Go ahead then. Propose me.”

I inhaled a lot of air before having a gush of thoughts in my head. I couldn’t think of what to do, but I knew that nothing could stand above Drew. If this was the way to do it, so be it.

“Will you be my boyfriend?”

To my surprise, I didn’t stutter. Maybe all I cared about at that moment was saving my son.

He came closer and my breath shuddered but I tried to keep it stable.

“Sure, baby.”

I closed my eyes. I had no idea why I hoped he would reject me — even when he was the one to ask me to propose to him.

He kissed my cheek and I just wanted to push him away, but I couldn’t. I had to act. If I didn’t act, everything would be ruined.

I got away as soon as he stopped the kiss.

“I… will pack my bags.”

“You didn’t pack them yet?”

“Nope.”

He nodded and smiled. “Let’s meet at the office then.”

I sighed in relief inwardly and nodded. “Sure.”

“Bye, baby.”

I faked a smile and he left my house. I closed my eyes. “God, I don’t know if I will be able to continue this!”

I had already packed my bags, so I could just sit down. After taking a moment, I called out to Andrew. “Drew?”

He came out and looked around as if making sure Xavier was gone.

“Is he gone?” He asked as he took small steps toward me and sat down on the couch by my side. I nodded and he smiled.

We sat there for a few moments and talked before he went to get ready for school. I didn’t know what to say or do. I knew what I had done was going to change my life for the worse… maybe the worst, but I couldn’t do anything about it.

Shaking my thoughts, I also decided to get ready since I had to leave by 9. After preparing the last of the stuff left, I went to take a bath and left for the office by 8:30.

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I reached the office on time and when I went inside, I gasped. The reception hall was decorated with roses all over and a big heart-shaped figure was made on the floor using those red roses. There was a very calming fragrance in the environment, something which immediately made my mood better.

I looked around and everyone was looking at me, suddenly making me nervous.

The worst scenarios crossed my head. Was this for me?

“You’re finally here!”

I turned to my left when I heard Xavier’s voice. He was wearing a blue suit with a red rose bouquet in his hand. He smiled at me.

I looked at him hesitantly and it felt as if my head started spinning. God, what the hell was going on?

“This is my girlfriend,” I heard him say to everyone, “Who’s also the mother of my child.”

Numerous murmurs flew across the room while I just stared at him. Did he just tell that to everyone?

It was only a few seconds later that everyone started clapping. I looked down and closed my eyes — I didn’t know how to react at all. Of course, this was going to happen sooner or later.

Soon, I could hear footsteps, of course Xavier’s, approaching me. He stood beside me at a little distance and I looked up at him.

“I love you,” he said and handed over the roses to me.

I doted at him with my eyes at his wrong use of the phenomenal phrase. Did he even know the meaning of the words he so easily used?

The clapping accelerated and I couldn’t help but accept the rose. I gave him a small smile to make it less awkward.

“When are we meeting the child, boss?” One of the employees asked him after a little while. He gave him a small smile.

“I know you all are eager to meet him. Don’t worry, I will bring him here someday.”

There was a little softness in his voice, something he hadn't even shown with his employees. I looked at him. I wanted to know him — I wanted to know his thoughts, I wanted to know what his motives were.

but I was afraid of what I might find. I was afraid that the reality would be too much to handle.

“Let’s go, babe. The flight leaves at 10:15,” He turned to me and extended his hand.

I took a deep breath before giving my hand to him. His eyes never left mine before he turned around and took me to his cabin to take the rest of the things before we left.

Everyone else started cleaning the hall and went back to their work as soon as we went.

…

“What was all that?” I asked him just when we entered his cabin.

He looked at me and shrugged. “I thought that was romantic.”

“No, why would you do that?”

“Don’t be mad about my efforts, Scarlet.”

“Efforts? In what? Ruining me?”

He raised his eyebrow at me. “How is this ruining you?”

“The news will spread everywhere. You want Max to hate me!”

“And that shouldn’t matter unless you wanna cheat on me,” He looked at me with a sharp gaze, “... like you did on him.”

I scoffed.

He smirked. “I told you. Be nice to me as I am to you or I can be your worst nightmare.”

“As if you aren’t already.”

“Kinky.”

“Shut up.”

He chuckled and picked up a bag that had his laptop and a few confidential files. “Make me.” His gaze shifted to me again, while his eyes lingered on my lips.

I rolled my eyes and he smirked again. “I am so excited to meet Max. I really am. Aren’t you?”

I sighed and closed my eyes. God, I just wish he doesn’t hate me.