Chapter 23
As the morning sunlight filtered through the window, Xavier stirred from his restless slumber. A trail of delicate kisses and the soft touch of a finger on his chest brought him fully awake. Opening his eyes, he found himself face to face with the one of woman from the previous night, her gaze filled with longing and desire.
The girl with auburn hair remained sound asleep, her form barely covered by the rumpled sheets.
A groan escaped Xavier's lips, a mix of exhaustion and reluctance. He met her gaze briefly before disentangling himself from the women in his bed, his body and mind still heavy with the weight of his troubled thoughts.
"I think it's time for you two to leave," Xavier stated curtly, his arms crossed over his chest as he regarded the women. There was a coldness in his tone, a clear indication that the passionate night they had shared was nothing more than a fleeting indulgence.
Confusion and disappointment flickered across the first woman's face as her gaze swept over the disheveled room, clothes strewn about in disarray.
Clearing his throat, Xavier spoke firmly,
"I've really enjoyed our time together, but I think it's better if we part ways here."
The blonde leaned back in the bed, arms crossed over her chest, a look of shock on her face. "But we had so much fun, maybe we can..."
"No," Xavier interrupted, his mouth forming a grim line.
"Not happening. I don't do repeats." he hissed loudly
The other woman stirred as Xavier's harsh voice roused her from her sleep. She hastily grabbed a sheet, wrapping it around her body, and rose from the bed. With a mix of caution and curiosity, she approached Xavier, who had hurriedly gotten out of bed.
Before she could utter a word, the bedroom door swung open, revealing Xavier's father, William. His face bore a mixture of frustration and disappointment. The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of his disapproving gaze hanging heavily in the air.
"Unbelievable!" William's voice carried a hint of exasperation. He looked at his son, a deep sense of disappointment in his eyes.
"Fucking great" Xavier mumbled
"You have a bride waiting for you, and here you are again, indulging in such reckless behavior. Have you forgotten the prenuptial agreement, or should I quote a certain clause to you again?" William's voice carried a more threatening tone this time.
Xavier's frustration bubbled to the surface as he confronted his father's unwelcome presence.
"Ever heard of knocking, Dad? I know you have a key, but this is still my house. I expect you to respect my privacy to some extent. It feels like you can't stay away these days. Do you enjoy having to witness these scandalous scenes?" His voice dripped with irritation and resentment.
William's expression hardened, his disappointment mingling with a touch of resignation.
"No, I don't enjoy it, Xavier," he replied, his tone tinged with regret. "But I can't stand idly by while you jeopardize your future and the legacy of our family. How many times do I have to drill it into you that these wild escapades are fleeting? I want better for you, even if you can't see it now."
Xavier scoffed, his arms crossed defiantly.
"You want what's better for me, huh? Well, news flash, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not better. I feel like I'm suffocating, as if I can't breathe. The reason? That damn Aurora and my marriage to her. A marriage which is nothing more than a charade. I'm being forced into something I don't want, while you cling to old promises, outdated traditions, and expectations. It's my life, Dad, and I should have the freedom to live it on my own terms."
A sound in the background drew William's gaze away from Xavier. Shaking his head in disapproval, he cast a disdainful look at the women who sat casually, with barely any sheets covering them, hanging on to their conversation with rapt attention. Their presence only intensified his disappointment, as if her very existence validated Xavier's reckless behavior.
"I still can't believe how reckless you're being," William's voice dripped with a mixture of frustration and concern.
"I've spent the night trying to shut down an article featuring yours truly. Does the Knight reputation mean nothing to you? You're on the verge of getting married today. Why must you be so infuriatingly stubborn? Must you engage in intimate relations with every woman who glances your way? It's high time you got your act together. Remember, in just a few short hours, you'll be a married man."
Xavier, unmoved by his father's reproach, straightened his posture and squared his shoulders. The remnants of the night's indulgence clung to him, but he remained unapologetic.
"Stop being so dramatic, Dad" he stated, and after a few seconds silence
"Oh! Is this because I didn't invite you to my bachelor party eh?"
William's stormy eyes glared at Xavier, finding little humour in his words
Xavier's defiance was palpable. He continued,
"What's the harm in enjoying my bachelor party? Besides, I haven't even met the girl I'm supposed to marry. Until then, I can do as I please. I haven't been unfaithful since there is no commitment yet."
"Xavier!" William roared
"Dad, you're being narcissistic!" Xavier snapped.
"You don't know the meaning of that word. If you did, you'd realize it's the last thing I am. While you're only thinking of yourself, I'm busy doing damage control," his father countered.
"Damage control for what? Since when is a single guy getting his rocks off a crime, Dad?" Xavier retorted.
"Since you had to do it on camera and with two women, getting into an elevator! Thank God it didn't go viral and the video wasn't leaked. I had to pay a hefty sum for your indiscretions! You need to change your behavior. I will not hesitate a second to use that prenuptial agreement against you," his father threatened, his voice laced with anger and frustration.
Xavier's frustration grew. He exhaled sharply, his voice edged with annoyance. "God, why can't the damn paparazzi leave me alone? And why should I change my behavior? I've never harmed anyone with my actions. I don't see why I should be penalized for living my life the way I want to. I'm not breaking any laws."
"Look, Son, I don't have time to argue with you. You're getting married in a few hours, and you can't just do as you please. You've already violated one clause in the prenuptial agreement that explicitly forbids infidelity, remember?" He spoke as he noticed the two women whispering amongst each other
"Look, Son, I don't have time to argue with you. You're getting married in a few hours, whether you like it or not. And no, you can't do as you please. You've already overstepped one clause in the prenuptial agreement that explicitly forbids infidelity, remember?" He spoke, noticing the two women had hastily dressed amid the heated argument.
"Yeah, well, I'm not married yet," Xavier retorted, his voice edged with defiance, "so it's not cheating, is it?" His anger simmered beneath the surface, ready to erupt.
The tension in the room thickened as Xavier's words hung in the air. The clash between his desire for freedom and his impending marriage created an undeniable rift, one that seemed to grow wider with each passing moment.
William's eyes hardened, his disappointment transforming into a steely resolve. His voice carried a weight of authority as he spoke, the words leaving no room for negotiation. "Xavier, this marriage is not solely about you and your desires," he replied firmly, his tone cold and unwavering.
"It is about fulfilling a commitment made to an old friend. Aurora is an innocent girl, someone I vowed to protect. You will honor this commitment, whether you like it or not."
Xavier's face contorted with frustration, but he knew deep down that his father's words held a grain of truth. He couldn't escape the responsibility that had been thrust upon him, even if he vehemently resented it.
William's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of sorrow passing through his eyes.
"I understand your frustration, Xavier, I truly do. But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. There's more at stake here than just your personal desires. This marriage is a chance for us to secure our family's future, to build a strong alliance. I hope that one day you'll come to see the value in it."
Xavier's jaw tightened, his resolve unyielding.
"I'll fulfill my duty, Dad, but don't expect me to pretend to be happy about it. My heart will never be in this. You can force me into this marriage, but you can't force me to love her."
Xavier's bitterness seeped into his voice as continued to speak, his frustration evident. "I never asked for any of this, Dad," he retorted, his words laced with a touch of resentment. "But it seems I have no choice in the matter. I'll go through with it, fulfill my duty as expected, but don't expect me to put on a facade of happiness."
The tension in the room thickened as Xavier's words hung in the air. The clash between his desire for freedom and his impending marriage created an undeniable rift, one that seemed to grow wider with each passing moment
William's eyes hardened, his disappointment transforming into a steely resolve. His voice carried a weight of authority as he spoke, the words leaving no room for negotiation. "Xavier, this marriage is not solely about you and your desires," he replied firmly, his tone cold and unwavering.
"It is about fulfilling a commitment made to an old friend. Aurora is an innocent girl, someone I vowed to protect. You will honor this commitment, whether you like it or not."
Xavier's face contorted with frustration, but he knew deep down that his father's words held a grain of truth. He couldn't escape the responsibility that had been thrust upon him, even if he vehemently resented it.