As Xavier stepped into Cathleen's bedroom, he was met with a sense of serenity that seemed to emanate from the sleeping figure on the bed. She lay there, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, completely unaware of his presence. He pulled up a chair beside her and settled in, watching her intently. A soft beam of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting shadows across her peaceful face. He couldn't help but smile as she furrowed her brows and let out a content sigh in her slumber. In this moment, she seemed so vulnerable and fragile, yet she was also fiercely independent. As he sat there gazing at her, he couldn't help but wonder what thoughts and dreams were running through her mind as she slept.
He couldn't understand why she had chosen to become a prostitute. Despite the roughness of her profession, she was undeniably breathtaking, and it seemed effortless for her to attract potential suitors. But as he thought about what she did for a living, his smile twisted into a look of revulsion.
The dynamic between his father and Cathleen bewildered him. His father seemed to possess a wealth of knowledge about her, yet she remained a mystery to everyone else, even her family. As she slowly opened her eyes, stirring from her slumber once more, Cathleen's gaze met Xavier's in a cold, detached manner. The tension between them was palpable as they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. A chill hung in the air like a thick fog as they exchanged unspoken words through their locked gazes.
Her brow furrowed, and she started to wonder why the man was in the room she was sleeping in. She let out an exasperated sigh and kicked at the bedsheets, crumpling them under her feet. The man's cold gaze bore into her, his lip curling in disgust as he spoke, "I wouldn't waste my time sharing a bed with a woman as filthy as you, Cat." His words stung like a slap across the face, and she could feel anger bubbling up inside of her.
"At least you know I'm dirty, so stop kissing me in front of your father!" Xavier couldn't help but let out a laugh as Cathleen launched into a barrage of criticism towards him. Her words stung, but he couldn't deny the thrill he felt from riling her up. He smirked at her like a hunter who had just cornered his prey, his eyes narrowing in on her like a predator ready to strike. As he spoke, his tone was low and dangerous, his body language exuding dominance. He leaned in close to her until their faces were almost touching, his intense gaze locking onto hers with an unwavering intensity. It was clear that he enjoyed the power he held over her, relishing the game they played.
"Well, I believe we are doing just fine with the pretense. Now, about the kiss, it's not as though I enjoy kissing a mouth that has received thousands, if not millions, of kisses from men. But I had to do it to convince my father we were a lovely couple."
"Well, I guess I didn't come across as enthusiastic enough because your father has asked me to leave you. And you know, I could have jumped on that offer because I have absolutely zero feelings for you. But he's not well, and I think he's lying to us about his health. I love your father so much that if anything happens to him, I... A weighty silence fell over them, and the woman's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears as she lowered her gaze, not wanting to reveal her emotions to Xavier. The man wasted no time and reached out, gently turning her face towards his own before speaking in a cold, detached tone that sent shivers down her spine.
"Are you sleeping with my father, Cathleen?" A red-hot anger surged through Cathleen, overpowering her senses. Her entire body trembled with fury, with her fists clenched at her sides. How could Xavier even entertain the thought that she would stoop so low as to sleep with a man old enough to be her grandfather? The mere idea sent a wave of disgust and outrage coursing through her veins. She seethed, unable to contain the intensity of her emotions.
Slap!
"Get out of my room!" She let out a piercing, guttural scream that echoed through the room. The man whipped his head in her direction, noticing her flushed cheeks and tearful eyes. "Now!" she shouted, her voice trembling with anger and hurt.
"Why?" His eyes searched hers, trying to understand the sudden flash of anger that crossed her features at his simple question. He could see the heat rising in her cheeks and the tension in her jaw as she struggled to control her emotions. It was as if he had touched a raw nerve, and he couldn't help but wonder what it was about his question that had caused such a strong reaction from her. She seemed ready to lash out with words, but instead, she took a deep breath and tried to compose herself before staring coldly at the man. "Does it hurt being told to your face that you are sleeping with my father?"
Cathleen's eyes glinted with anger as she glared at Xavier one last time before slapping him across the face. She stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway in fury. But then she suddenly returned, determined and resolute, gathering up her laptop bag and hastily stuffing a few articles of clothing into it. Xavier remained seated, stunned, and motionless, his eyes fixed on Cathleen's retreating form. The tension in the air was palpable as they both silently acknowledged that they were fire and ice.
"It's funny how the truth can hurt so much. Did you really think I would kiss you and enjoy kissing the same mouth that my father has kissed? What do you want? Money?" Cathleen's patience had finally run out. She stomped up to him, her feet crunching on the floor beneath her. With a fiery determination, she raised her hand to strike him once more, but the man was quick and caught her wrist in a tight grip.