Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Xavier's expression was still incredulous, but he nodded slowly. "I'll think about it, babe. But I can't promise you anything."

I knew I had pushed him too far, but I had to keep up the act. "Okay, my love. Thank you for considering it."

Xavier kissed me on the cheek and headed out the door, leaving me alone in the room. As soon as he was gone, I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my temples in frustration.

"Ugh, why did I have to go and ask for that? I should have taken it slowly." I muttered to myself. "Now he's suspicious. Great job, Avery."

I paced back and forth across the room, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I knew I had to keep pushing, but it was getting harder and harder to maintain this charade.

"Okay, okay. Think, Avery. What's the next move?" I stopped pacing and took a deep breath. "I need to convince him that this is a good idea. Maybe If I succeed it would help me get rid of Marco."

I nodded to myself, determination renewed. "I can do this. I have to do this."

But as I turned to head to my desk, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My eyes looked calculating, my smile fake. And for a moment, I wondered who I had become.

My phone buzzed on my desk, breaking my gaze from the mirror. I picked it up, my heart racing as I saw Marco's name on the screen.

"Progress?" he asked, his message curt and to the point.

I hesitated for a moment before typing out my response. "I'm on it. Xavier's considering my request. I'll keep pushing."

I sent the message and felt a sense of relief wash over me. At least I had a valid excuse to keep up the act with Xavier. But the weight of Marco's expectations settled heavily on my shoulders. I knew I had to deliver.

I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of unease. I could do this. I had to do this. For Xavier's sake, and for mine.

But as I put my phone down, I couldn't help but wonder what Marco had planned next. And how far I would have to go to protect Xavier from him.

Hours later of doing absolutely nothing at home, Xavier walked through the door, a smile on his face. "Hey, beautiful! How was your day?"

I forced a smile, my mind still reeling from the conversation with Marco. "It was good. Just got some work done."

Xavier nodded, oblivious to my internal turmoil. "Great! I'm home now. What's the plan for tonight?"

I took a deep breath, remembering we had to go over to my father's place. "Actually, my father wanted us to come over for dinner tonight. He wants to talk to you about tomorrow and you might get to meet some people too."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Oh! Can't believe I forgot about that."

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm not entirely sure. But he said it's important."

Xavier nodded, his expression serious. "Okay, let's go. We should probably get dressed, though."

I nodded, my mind racing with the implications of what was to come. We got dressed in silence, my heart pounding in my chest.

As we drove to my father's house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What did my father have planned? And how would Xavier react when he found out?

We pulled up to the house, and I took a deep breath. Showtime.

"Let's do this," I said, forcing a smile onto my face.

Xavier nodded, his eyes trusting. And together, we walked into the lion's den.

We walked into my father's house, and I could feel the tension in the air. My father was pacing in the living room, his face red with anger.

"Avery, Xavier, where have you been?" he thundered, his voice echoing off the walls.

Xavier stepped forward, his hands up in a calming gesture. "I'm sorry, sir. We got held up with some personal matters."

My father's gaze turned to me, his eyes blazing with disappointment. "Avery, sorry Lilith I told you how important today's program was. And you didn't even bother to show up!"

I met his gaze, my expression neutral. I knew better than to apologize or make excuses. That would only fuel his anger.

Xavier, however, seemed to think apologizing would help. "Again, sir, I'm really sorry. We should have been there."

My father's scowl deepened. "You should have been there, Xavier. You're part of this family now. You need to start acting like it."

I rolled my eyes internally. Here we go again. My father's constant need for control and manipulation.

Xavier, oblivious to my father's tactics, nodded contritely. "I will, sir. I promise."

I just eyed my father, my silence speaking volumes. He knew I wasn't afraid of him, and that only made him angrier.

The tension in the room was palpable, and I knew this was far from over. My father's anger was just the beginning.

We sat down, my father's anger still simmering beneath the surface. He gestured to a stack of files on his center table. "Xavier, I want you to start reviewing these. You can begin working with me tomorrow. I have to win."

Xavier nodded, taking the files from my father. As he began to flip through them, his eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, these are some big projects. Why are you spending so much on it?"

My father's expression turned cold. "That's none of your concern, Xavier. Just focus on learning the ropes. Your father made a promise to me to make me win the election."

But Xavier persisted. "But sir, I just want to understand the scope this. It seems like you're investing a lot of resources into them. I also want to know why we'll be spending such a huge amount of money."

I knew where this was going, and I didn't like it. Xavier was asking too many questions, and my father didn't take kindly to that.

"Xavier, drop it," I said sharply, snatching the files from his hands. "You'll learn everything in due time."

Xavier looked at me, surprised by my sudden intervention. But I just gave him a warning look, and he backed off.

My father's expression turned pleased, and he nodded at me in approval. "Good girl, Avery. You know how to keep him in line."

I forced a smile, my mind racing with the implications of what was happening. Xavier was getting too close to the truth, and I needed to keep him from digging deeper. For his own protection, of course.

I took my dad's hand and led him upstairs, my mind racing with questions. Once we were in my room, I turned to him and asked, "Dad, why are you doing this? Why are you trying to ruin Xavier?"

My dad chuckled and sat down on the bed, pulling me down beside him. "Avery, sweetie, I'm not trying to ruin Xavier. I'm just trying to enjoy the benefits of being part of the richest family in town."

"But why?" I pressed, my frustration growing. "The money is too much, Dad. We don't need all of this."

My dad's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with a ruthless light. "You don't understand, Avery. When you married into the Xavier family, you became part of the elite. And the elite don't just sit around and hoard their wealth. They use it, they enjoy it, and they make more of it."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the depths of my dad's ambition. "But at what cost, Dad? Xavier is a good person. He doesn't deserve to be used like this."

My dad's expression softened, and he put a hand on my cheek. "Avery, you're still so naive. This is how the world works, sweetie. And if you want to survive, you need to learn to play the game."

I felt my anger boiling over, and I stood up, my hands shaking with rage. "You're disgusting," I spat at my father. "You're using Xavier for his money, and you don't even care about him as a person."

My father's face turned red with anger, and he stood up, his hand raised. "How dare you," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

I didn't flinch, my anger gave me courage. "I dare because it's the truth," I said, my voice steadily.

My father's hand came down, and he slapped me across the face. I felt a stinging sensation, and my eyes watered from the force of the blow.

"You will respect me," my father hissed, his eyes blazing with fury. "I am still your father, Avery. And you will do as I say."

I felt a wave of anger and hurt wash over me, and I turned my back on him, tears streaming down my face. "I hate you," I whispered, my voice shaking with emotion.

My father's laughter echoed through the room, cold and mirthless. "You'll get over it, Avery. You'll learn to obey me, just like you always have."

I turned to face my father, my eyes still wet with tears. "Fine," I said, my voice cold and detached. "I'll obey you. I'll do whatever you want me to do but after this I'll disown you, I don't want to ever have anything to do with you."

My father's expression changed, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Good girl, Avery," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I knew you'd see things my way. When I win the election I wouldn't need someone you anymore anyways"

He stretched out his hand, expecting me to shake it, to seal our deal. I was taken aback, shocked that he would willingly agree to this.

But I knew I had to play along. Finally I'll get rid of my evil father. So I reached out and shook his hand, trying to hide my revulsion.

"Deal," I said, my voice firm.

My father's smile grew wider, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I knew I could count on you, Avery. Now, let's go downstairs and celebrate our little agreement."

I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. But as we walked downstairs, I knew that I had made a promise to myself. After the election, I would disown my father and walk away from this toxic relationship forever.

We walked back downstairs, my father's arm around my shoulders, a triumphant smile on his face. Xavier looked up from his seat on the couch, a questioning expression on his face.

"Avery's agreed to cooperate," my father announced, his voice booming through the room. "She'll do as she's told."

Xavier's eyes flicked to me, and I nodded curtly. "Yes, I'll do what I need to do."

My father gestured to the wine glasses on the coffee table. "Excellent! Let's celebrate. Xavier, pour yourself a glass."

Xavier hesitated for a moment before pouring himself a glass of wine. My father did the same, and they sat down on the couch together, sipping their wine and discussing their plans.

I stood there, feeling like a pawn in his game. I knew I had to play along, but it was hard to swallow my pride and pretend to go along with their schemes.

As they talked, I realized that Xavier was completely under my father's spell. He was agreeing to everything, nodding along like a puppet on a string.

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. How could Xavier be so blind? Couldn't he see what my father was doing?

But I knew I had to keep quiet, for now. I had to play the game and wait for my chance to strike back.

As my father and Xavier finished their conversation, my mother approached me, a concerned expression on her face. "Avery, sweetie, are you okay? You've been so quiet tonight."

I ignored her, pretending to be interested in the wine glass in my hand. I didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to pretend like everything was fine.

But Xavier seemed to sense my tension. He reached out and squeezed my hand, his eyes encouraging me to talk to my mother.

I hesitated, but Xavier's gentle pressure on my hand urged me to respond. "I'm fine, Mother," I said curtly, not looking at her.

My mother sighed and placed a hand on my arm. "Avery, please. Let's talk about this. What's going on?"

I shook my head, trying to brush her off. But Xavier's grip on my hand tightened, signaling me to open up.

"Avery, come on," Xavier said softly. "Talk to her."

I glared at him, but he just smiled and squeezed my hand again. I knew he was trying to help, but I didn't want to talk about it. Not now, not ever.