Chapter 55 Xavier and Lilian
Xavier's POV
The door to Alex's private study clicked shut behind us, closing Lilian and me inside. The silence stretched heavily between us. I leaned against Alex's desk with my arms crossed, studying her quietly.
It's a good thing she's beautiful and young, else I would have gone crazy with annoyance. Imagine if I had a one night stand with an older woman who probably wouldn't meet my beauty standards, tsk, I would die of shame and anger.
She stood near the door like she wanted to bolt out at any second. Her red hair was slightly covering her face, and she kept fidgeting with her bag strap. Good. She should be nervous, at least she'll know I'm really serious about this.
"So," I started, my voice cutting through the silence. "Care to explain yourself?"
Her head snapped up. "Explain what exactly?"
"Don't play dumb." I pushed off the desk, taking a step closer. "You took advantage of me."
Her eyes widened. "I took advantage of you?"
"Yes. I was drunk. You came into my room and---"
"Wait, wait, wait." She held up both hands, shaking her head rapidly. "You were drunk, well I was drunk too! In fact, I was probably more drunk than you were!"
I scoffed. "That doesn't change anything."
"Doesn't change--" She stopped mid sentence, her mouth falling open. "Are you seriously trying to pin this all on me?"
"You're the one who entered the wrong room."
"It was an accident!"
"An accident that led to you seducing me."
Her face suddenly turned red. Not just out of embarrassment but also out of Anger. "Seducing you? Oh my God, you are unbelievable! We were both drunk. We both made a mistake. It's not that deep!"
"Not that deep?" My jaw clenched. "You don't get to decide that."
She stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "What is wrong with you? Why are you being so petty about this? I'm not even making a big deal out of it, and I'm the woman here!"
That word. Petty. It grated against every nerve in my body.
"I'm not being petty," I said coldly. "I'm being reasonable. You committed an offense, and you need to pay for it."
She blinked Twice. Then she laughed. Actually laughed, she thinks I'm joking. "Pay for it? What are we, in some kind of medieval court?"
"I'm serious."
"So am I!" She snapped. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm genuinely sorry it happened. Can we just forget about it and move on like adults?"
"No."
She froze. "No?"
"No," I repeated firmly. "You need to take responsibility."
Her expression shifted from disbelief to frustration. "Responsibility?. Fine, What do you want? Money? An apology letter? What exactly do you want from me?"
I straightened my tie, keeping my gaze locked on hers. "You'll work as my assistant secretary."
She froze.
"What? You're joking right?."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine like she was waiting for me to crack a smile and say it was all a prank. When I didn't, her face hardened.
"No way. Absolutely not."
"Fortunately it's not a request." I said with a thin smile.
"I don't care." She crossed her arms, "I already have a job. A good one at that. I'm a chief editor, not some secretary."
"You'll do both."
"Are you insane?"
"It's simple, you'll work in the mornings with me then afternoons at your company."
She burst into a bitter laugh this time. "Oh, so you want me to lose my job entirely? Is that the plan? You know this isn't possible"
"I'll speak with your director and get permission to adjust your schedule."
She blinked again, clearly caught off guard. "You'd actually do that?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Her voice dropped, confusion mixing with anger. "Why are you doing this?"
Because I can't stop thinking about that night. Because you left without a word. Because no one has ever made me feel that out of control, and I hate it.
But I didn't say any of that.
"Because you owe me," I said simply.
Her hands balled into fists at her sides. "This is ridiculous. I'm not doing it, I'm not going to sabotage my career for your revenge scheme, for God sake I already apologized, why are you being so difficult."
"Firstly I'm not being difficult. And if I wanted revenge then trust me I have other ways to punish you. I'm actually being really lenient with you, so you'd better appreciate it." I glared hard at her.
"You--- " she paused biting her lips hard, her face red with rage and almost tearing up.
But I don't care. She has to accept my offer, or I'll definitely make things worse.
"I don't agree." She gulped, "you can go ahead and do whatever you want, but I refuse to be your slave, because that's what you're offering."
I scoffed.
"Alright. Then I'll file a lawsuit."
Her breath hitched. "You wouldn't."
"Try me." I retorted coldly. "Sexual harassment. Assault. Invasion of privacy. Whatever term fits. With my resources and connections, I can make it very credible. Tell me Miss Lilian what would you do when I bury you with lawsuits."
Color drained from her face. She knew I wasn't bluffing. Being Alex's friend meant I had access to the best lawyers in the country. One word from me, and her career would be over before it started.
"You're a monster," she whispered.
"I'm only practical, so hurry up now and decide I don't have time to waste."
"God, You're insane."
"And you're running out of time."
We stood there, locked in a silent battle. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her jaw set tight. I could see the exact moment she realized she had no way out.
"Fine." The word came out sharp and clipped. "I'll do it. But only because you're forcing me."
"I don't care about your reasons are. Just show up on time."
She glared at me with so much venom I almost felt it physically. "When do I start?"
"Tomorrow. Seven AM. My office."
"Seven---" She bit off whatever nasty curse was about to follow. "Fine. Anything else, Your Majesty?"
I ignored her sarcasm. "We'll discuss the details tomorrow, you'll receive an email of the address."
"Can't wait," she said flatly.
I moved toward the door, ready to end this conversation before I said something I shouldn't. But she spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
"Why are you really doing this?"
I paused, my hand on the doorknob for a second, then turned back to her.
"Because someone needs to teach you responsibility, so you don't go around having one night stand mistakes" I muttered coldly in disgust.
"....."
Then I opened the door and stepped out without waiting for her next response.
Back in the sitting room.
Writers POV.
The sitting room felt tense when Xavier emerged from the study. Alex sat on the couch with his arms crossed, looking annoyed. Dandy sat on another couch far away from him, Nicholas sat nearby, clearly entertained by the whole situation but didn't say anything to avoid reigniting the tension. Willow had already been taken away by a staff member for his dinner.
A moment later, Lilian stormed out behind Xavier, her face flushed with anger. She didn't look at anyone, just headed straight for the exit.
Dandelion shot up from her seat. "Lily, wait---"
But Lilian was already halfway out the door.
Dandelion turned to glare at Xavier, her blue eyes blazing. "What did you say to her?"
Xavier didn't answer. He simply adjusted his cuff links like nothing had happened.
Seeing that he didn't reply, Dandy ran after Lilian.
"Xavier, what did you do," Alex quizzed with narrowed brows.
"She'll be working as my assistant," Xavier said flatly. "Starting tomorrow."
Both Nicholas and Alex froze.
"What?" Nicholas asked, his tone a mix of shock and amusement.
"You heard me."
Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. "Xavier, what the hell are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking she needs to learn responsibility."
"By making her your secretary?" Nicholas shook his head. "Man, I have a feeling you're going to frustrate that poor girl."
Xavier's expression remained unreadable. "She agreed to it."
"Because you threatened her," Alex stated more of a question but he had a hunch Lilian wouldn't have just accepted just like that.
"She simply made her choice."Xavier insisted.
Nicholas opened his mouth to argue, but Xavier was already heading for the door. "I'm leaving. Thank you for the hospitality, Alex."
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
Alex sighed heavily.
"You think they'll be okay?" Nicholas asked, settling deeper into the couch.
"I don't know, but Xavier crossed a line." Alex muttered.
"He's been petty before, but this?" Nicholas shook his head. "This is next level."
Alex didn't respond. His mind was elsewhere.
"I'm staying over," Nicholas suddenly announced. "It's late. So I'll crash in one of the guest rooms. Plus, I have a feeling there's going to be more drama between you and your lovely wife, and I don't want to miss it."
Alex shot him a warning look. "There won't be any drama."
"Sure, but I'm still staying" Nicholas insisted with a smirk.
Alex stood up ignoring him. "Do whatever you want. I'm going to bed."