Chapter 42

Chapter 42
I gently led Xavier to the couch, helping him sit down as I examined his hand. He had cut himself on a broken vase, and it was bleeding profusely.

"Let me get a bandage," I said, getting up to grab the first aid kit.

Xavier nodded, his eyes following me as I moved. When I returned, he looked up at me with a sheepish grin. "Please don't leave me Lilith," he said, his voice still shaking slightly.

I smiled, trying to reassure him. "It's okay, I'll help you clean it up later. First, let's take care of your hand."

As I began to clean and dress his wound, Xavier winced slightly, his face scrunched up in pain. I couldn't help but giggle at his expression.

"Hey, it's not that bad," I teased, trying to distract him from the pain.

Xavier looked up at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh yeah? Well, I'm a delicate flower, and I need to be handled with care."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Delicate flower? You? Never."

Xavier pretended to be offended, his lower lip jutting out in a pout. "Hey, I'm a sensitive soul. I have feelings too, you know."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You're such a goofball, Xavier."

As I finished bandaging his hand, Xavier looked up at me with a sweet smile. "Thanks, babe. I don't know what I'd do without you."

My heart melted at his words, and I leaned down to kiss his forehead. "You'll never have to find out, because I'm not going anywhere."

Xavier continued to act cute, making silly faces and jokes as I finished bandaging his hand. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics, feeling my heart swell with affection for him.

As we sat there, I remembered my father's call earlier. "Hey, Xavier? We need to go to my father's place tonight," I said, trying to sound casual.

Xavier's face lit up, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Really? I get to meet the next mayor?"

I chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, really. That's if he wins."

Xavier grinned mischievously. "He will. I'm sure he will."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Whatever."

Xavier didn't go to work, and we spent the day lounging around the house, enjoying each other's company. We watched movies, played games, and just relaxed together. It was a much-needed break from the stress and tension that had been building up and it made me realize how much I was in love with him.

As the day wore on, we found ourselves getting closer and closer, our bodies touching, our hands brushing against each other. It was like the air was charged with electricity, and we couldn't resist each other.

We ended up in bed, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in our own little world. It was like nothing else mattered, like nothing else existed except for us.

As the sun began to set, we reluctantly got out of bed, knowing we had to get ready to go to my father's place. We showered and dressed, Xavier whistling as he got ready, me laughing at his silly antics.

As we finished getting ready, Xavier came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I'm so glad we got to spend the day together," he whispered in my ear.

I smiled, feeling happy and content. "Me too," I replied. "I needed this."

Xavier kissed my neck, sending shivers down my spine. "I'll always be here for you, babe. No matter what."

I turned to face him, my heart full of love for this man. "I know," I said. "I love you, Xavier."

"I love you too, Lilith," he replied, smiling.

We stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's arms, savoring the moment. Then, we reluctantly pulled apart, knowing we had to go.

As we were about to leave, I realized that our driver was still on leave. "I'll drive," I said, heading towards the garage.

Xavier frowned, following me. "No, babe, I'll drive. You don't have to."

But I insisted. "No, Xavier, you're injured. You shouldn't be driving. Besides, I want to drive."

Xavier hesitated, clearly not wanting to give in. But I could see the pain still lingering in his eyes, and I knew he wasn't fully recovered.

"Xavier, please," I said, taking the keys from him. "Let me drive. I want to take care of you for a change."

Xavier sighed, finally relenting. "Fine, but be careful. And don't speed."

I grinned, triumphant. "I promise I'll be careful. Now come on, let's go."

I helped Xavier into the passenger seat, making sure he was comfortable before getting in myself. As I started the car and pulled out of the driveway, Xavier reached out and took my hand.

"Thanks, babe," he said, his voice soft. "I appreciate it."

I smiled, feeling happy to be taking care of him. "Anytime, Xavier. That's what partners are for."

We drove in comfortable silence, Xavier occasionally pointing out directions like I didn't know the way to my father's house or commenting on the scenery. I enjoyed the drive, feeling relaxed and at ease with Xavier by my side.

As we pulled up to my father's house, I felt a mix of emotions. I was nervous about seeing my father, but with Xavier beside me, I felt more confident. I knew I could face whatever came our way, as long as we were together.

As we pulled up to my father's house, I could feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I was nervous about seeing him, but with Xavier by my side, I felt more at ease.

We got out of the car and walked up to the front door, which swung open before we could even knock. My father stood in the doorway, a warm smile on his face.

"Avery, darling! It's so great to see you," he said, opening his arms for a hug.
"Avery?" Xavier asked, looking confused.
"Sorry Lilith. He meant lilith." I corrected.

I hugged him slightly, feeling a sense of anger and discomfort. "Dad, it's great to see you too." I lied.

He turned to Xavier, his expression welcoming. "Xavier, my boy! Come on in, come on in. I've prepared a small dinner for us."

Xavier smiled, shaking my father's hand. "Thanks, Next Mayor. That sounds great."

My father led us into the house, chatting amiably about everything and nothing. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, seeing Xavier fit in so easily with my father. Even though my father isn't the father of the year, I was happy my man and him were getting along.

As we entered the dining room, I was surprised to see a beautifully set table, with candles and flowers. My father had really gone all out.

"Wow, Dad, this looks amazing," I said, impressed.

My father beamed with pride. "I wanted to make it special. I'm glad you could make it, Avery. I mean Lilith And Xavier, of course."

We sat down to dinner, and my father regaled us with stories about his campaign. Xavier listened intently, asking thoughtful questions and making my father laugh. I was mad. Why would he be talking about campaign? At least let Xavier finish his food.

As we finished dinner and my father poured coffee, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. This was what I needed, what we all needed. A little bit of love, a little bit of family. Maybe it wasn't bad after all.

As we sipped our coffee, my father turned to Xavier with a serious expression. "Xavier, I've been thinking. I'd like you to campaign with me, help me out on the trail. You're a great speaker, and I think you'd be a real asset to the team. You're the talk of the town and you're the richest man here."

Xavier's face lit up with excitement. "I'd be honored, father. Thank you for the opportunity."

I felt a surge of anger, but before I could say anything, my father continued. "Great, I'll have my team set up a schedule for you. You can join us next week."

That's when I lost it. "Dad, are you kidding me? Xavier is injured! He can't just start campaigning next week. Besides even if I want him to join your stupid campaign, he'll be the one to set up a schedule for you not the other way around."

My father looked at Xavier, finally noticing the bandage on his hand. "Oh, Xavier, I'm so sorry. I didn't see that. What happened?"

Xavier waved it off. "It's nothing, father. I'm fine."

But I wasn't having it. "No, Dad, it's not nothing. He's been hurt, and he needs to rest, not start campaigning for you."

My father looked taken aback by my outburst, but I didn't care. I was angry that he hadn't even noticed Xavier's injury, angry that he was so focused on his own ambitions that he didn't care about anyone else.

"Sorry, Lilith," my father said, holding up his hands. "I didn't mean to overstep besides it's not something that much. He'll heal before next week."

But the damage was done. I was furious, and I knew that this was far from over.

Xavier tried to calm me down, "Babe, it's okay, really. It doesn't matter."

But I insisted, "No, Xavier, it does matter. You're hurt and you need to rest, not start campaigning for my father."

My mother tried to intervene, "Lilith, sweetie, don't be so dramatic. It's just a small injury."

But I shut her down, "When did you start standing up for me, Mother? You're always so quick to defend Father and his ambitions, but when it comes to me or Xavier, you're nowhere to be found."

My mother looked taken aback, but I didn't care. I was tired of her always siding with my father, tired of her never putting me or my needs first.

Xavier tried to intervene again, "Babe, really, it's okay. I can handle it."

But I was beyond reason. I was angry and hurt, and I just wanted someone to listen to me, to care about me. "No, Xavier, it's not okay. You're always putting everyone else first, always sacrificing yourself for others. But what about you? What about your needs?"

My father tried to interrupt, but I talked over him, "No, Father, this isn't about your campaign or your ambitions. This is about Xavier and his well-being. And for once, I want you to put someone else first."

My mother tried to speak again, "Lilith, darling, please understand-"

But I cut her off, my anger boiling over. "No, Mother, I don't want to hear it. You've never stood up for me, never defended me against Father's ambitions. So why the hypocrisy now? Why are you suddenly trying to act like you care? Why are you suddenly talking? Aren't you supposed to be silent as usual?"

My mother's face fell, but I didn't stop. "You've always been so quick to side with Father, to support his plans, no matter how they affected me. So don't try to interfere please. Stay silent as usual. Your voice irritated me."

My mother's eyes flashed with anger, but I didn't back down. "Avery, how dare you speak to me like that!"

But I just shook my head. "No, Mother, how dare you interfere with our conversation? You've never been there for me, so don't try to start now. Just shut up and let me handle this."

The room fell silent, the only sound my mother's shocked gasp. I knew I had gone too far, but I didn't care. I was tired of being ignored, tired of being sacrificed for my father's ambitions. And I was tired of my mother's hypocrisy. They need to learn to start respecting Xavier and I. We aren't their pawns they could play with.

As I finished my outburst, I felt Xavier's hand on my thigh, his fingers gently rubbing my leg. The touch was calming, soothing, and I felt my anger start to dissipate.

I looked at Xavier, seeing the concern in his eyes, and felt a pang of guilt for my behavior. But he just smiled softly and continued to rub my leg, his touch telling me that everything was okay.

I took a deep breath, feeling my heart rate slow, and leaned into Xavier's touch. His hand moved up and down my leg, calming me, comforting me.

My mother's face was still shocked, my father's disapproving, but I didn't care. All that mattered was Xavier's touch, his calm, gentle presence.

As I looked at Xavier, I felt my anger melt away, replaced by a sense of peace, of calm. I knew I had overreacted, but Xavier's touch told me that it was okay, that he was there for me.

I placed my hand on top of Xavier's, feeling his warmth, his comfort. And I knew that everything was going to be alright.