CHAPTER 25 & 26 : Xavier’s Fight – Defending His Love
● DIAMOND HOTEL ~ ADAM PRIVATE ROOM ●
“Cause you see, the lady is mine” Xavier said, watching their linked hands with a feeling of distaste.
“Xavier!” Sally call, pulling her hand out of Adam to get up.
Still wearing that angry expression, he strode towards them and when he got to where they were, he took hold of Sally’s hand.
“Let’s go!” He said in his crisp authoritative way but Adam had something to say to that.
He took hold of Sally’s other hand, preventing her from leaving.
“What do you think you are doing?” Xavier ask, glaring at him.
“I should be asking you that Mr Landon and you said something earlier which still baffles me. How on earth is Sally yours? Cause from what I know, she’s just your secretary” Adam stated, trying not to be intimidated by Xavier look.
“Do I have to give you an explanation?” Xavier ask, moving towards him, his eyes boiling with rage.
“You have to since you won’t be leaving this room with her” Adam reply, moving towards him too.
Sally watch in horror as both men glare at each other, judging by the anger coming from Xavier, Sally could tell that they will get into a fist fight and that’s the last thing she wants, most especially for Xavier since he have a reputation to protect.
“Adam, I suggest you go back to your photoshoot while I stay here and talk to Xavier” Sally begin slowly.
“I’m not leaving you here with him. Only God knows what he is planning to do” Adam said fiercely and Xavier fist tighten.
Sally notice Xavier action and it prompt her to take hold of his clench fist.
“Xavier wouldn’t hurt me, he is my fiance” Sally inform and that certainly did Adam a blow.
“Your what?”
“You heard her and now, I want you to get back out there and finish the photoshoot and one more thing, stay away from my fiancee” Xavier threw at him, pulling Sally out of the room.
A brief glimpse at Adam told Sally that he didn’t seem to take the news well.
“Xavier, slow down. Xavier!” Sally call as he pull her along but he didn’t answer.
He got to a room which had private written on it and push her in.
Sally could see that he is still angry but why on earth is he? It’s not like she did something wrong? Sally thought to herself.
Nevertheless, she has to make things clear so he will stop getting the wrong idea.
“Xavier, I know you are angry but I can explain, what you saw there….” A gasp left her lips when he suddenly had her pin against the wall, towering over her.
“You think this is anger? Then you know nothing about how I feel ” he said, his voice silk and soft, sending strange shivers down her spine.
Sally wasn’t given the chance to speak because Xavier lips came crashing down on hers.
At first it was a hard, punishing kiss and she tried to fight him, pushing at his arm but that only fueled his action.
Pulling her closer, he deepen the kiss, sliding into her moistness, tasting every inch of her mouth and that got her surrendering to him, kissing him back and tasting him in the same way.
“Gosh! You have no idea what you are doing to me, Sally” his voice came out hoarsely while he trail kisses down her neck.
Sally tighten her arms around his waist, loving what he is doing to her, she has never felt this way with anyone,not even when she was dating Andrew.
That thought got Sally stiffening in his arms. Just a few kisses and she’s slowly turning into a wanton in his arms, a guy she feels nothing for.
With that thought in mind, Sally said the first thing that came to mind.
“I think we should end this” as soon as she said that, Xavier pull away to stare at her.
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“The marriage and everything is a mistake. I suggest we stop now before we end up doing something crazy” Sally said, trying to calm her racing pulse.
When he said nothing, she began to leave but he pull her back, lifting her by the waist, he made her seat on the only table in the room and stood in between her legs, giving her no room to escape.
“Xavier what are….”.
“Shut up and listen. We are getting married, you made a choice and I made a choice and we are sticking to it” he said, watching her intently.
“In four days time, the company anniversary will be held. I intend to announce our marriage then, it will keep the likes of Adam away from you”
“I told you that Adam means nothing…”.
“I know but I can’t help it. I get jealous when I see you two together, I don’t like it and I don’t like him” Xavier said fiercely, his arms around her waist.
“Don’t you think you are being absurd?” Sally ask.
“Think whatever you want but keep it in mind that I don’t share what is mine, you are about to marry a very possessive man” Xavier said and though his warning is meant to make her feel scared and wary of him instead it got her pulse racing with excitement.
What the hell is wrong with her?
● EVENING ~ SALLY’S APARTMENT●
Mathew went up to the room with the dinner he prepared for Marie and himself.
Ever since their argument in the afternoon, she has been lock up in the room which is very unlike her.
Mathew knock twice and when he got no response, he open the door and walk in.
She was lying on the bed with her back turn to him, he knew by the movement she made that she isn’t asleep.
“I got you something to eat” Mathew said, placing the tray on her bedside table.
“I am not hungry!” Marie said, her voice coming out as a snap.
“You haven’t eaten anything ever since we got back from school today. You need to eat, Sally and May aren’t back yet and….”
“I just told you that am not hungry. Why can’t you just take that and leave me alone!” She yell at him, sitting up on the bed.
“What the hell is wrong with you? You give out your number to other guys and I don’t make a fuss the way you are doing right now!”
“Go away, Mathew”
“Not until you tell me what your problem is! What exactly did I do wrong, huh?” He ask and when she said nothing, he said to her “You act like a child sometimes”.
With that final outburst, he turn to leave only for him to stop at the door when Marie speak.
“This is not me being childish. I am like this because I feel jealous! I don’t know how or when it began but I….I like you Mathew!”
“What did you just say?” A startled Mathew ask.
“I said I like you. Not as a sibling does to a brother but as a girl does to a boy. You must be disgusted right? I hate myself for being this way but I can’t help it” Marie yell at him.
“Just go Mathew! Pretend I never said it and….” Marie’s word were left unsaid when Mathew claim her lips.
A moment ago, he was by the door starring at her with disgust and suddenly he’s kissing her…. Marie pulled back, starring at him with huge confuse eyes.
“Mathew you….”.
“It’s crazy and forbidden but just like you, I can’t control myself too. I can’t stop my feelings for you, Marie” Mathew confess.
“So you…feel the same way?” Marie ask and Mathew gave a nod, pulling her towards him for a proper kiss and this time, Marie kiss him in return.
● BROOKS RESIDENCE●
“It’s still the same thing?” Teddy ask, speaking to his private investigator on the phone while in the confine of his study.
“Make sure you keep looking. It’s a must that you find her, she’s the only one apart from Desiree Landon who knows what happen twenty years ago”
“Just give me good news the next time you call” Teddy said and end the call.
He left his study to see Genova walk in with a four to five shopping bag in hand.
“What are you up to?” Teddy ask.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?” Genova set down the bags to give Teddy her utmost attention.
“What exactly did I forget?” Teddy ask again.
“The party. The Landon anniversary taking place in four days time” Genova reminded.
“It totally skip my mind” Teddy said guiltily.
“I hope you put it in mind from now on cause that day Desiree and I plan on giving everyone a surprise”.
“And that surprise is the one you told me about the….”.
“Don’t jinx it by saying out again. For now, it’s just going to be between Desiree, you and I” Genova said quickly.
“I hope that things go accordingly, I don’t want any mistakes, Abigail” Teddy warn.
“There won’t be mistake cause our plan is definitely going to work, Xavier won’t be able to get out of it even if he tries” Genova reassure, a smile curving her lips.
● STILL THE SAME DAY ~ SALLY’S APARTMENT●
“Hello everyone” Sally call out cheerfully as she got home.
“Marie, Mathew, May” Sally call again but no response.
“Are they asleep already” Sally murmur, heading upstairs but something caught her eyes when she walk pass the kitchen.
“Hello there, I thought you were asleep already” Sally said to May as she walk into the kitchen.
“Drinking alone? You should have wait for me” Sally went to get a glass, moving towards a quiet May to pour herself the bubbling champagne.
“Didn’t we agree to only drink champagne when we are having a joyous occasion?” Sally ask, sipping the bubbling content.
“We do have a joyous occasion” May speak up, swirling the liquid in her glass.
“Really? Tell me about it” Sally said, taking another sip.
“Turns out someone among us is getting married” May said and immediately, Sally cough out the content in her mouth, watching May who now had a angry look on her face.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me you are getting married to Xavier Landon!” May demanded…….
CHAPTER 27 & 28 : Sally in Danger – The Price of Knowing Xavier’s Secret
● SALLY’S APARTMENT ●
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me you are getting married to Xavier Landon!”
“How did you find out?” Sally ask, gently putting the wine glass on the table.
“Does it matter! I mean, my friend is getting married and she didn’t even tell me about it!” May burst out.
“Am sorry. I was finding the right time to tell you because I….”
“When is the right time going to be? Is it when you are married to him?” May ask, interrupting her.
“You know I hate keeping things from you but I just had to this time. You told me not to get involve with him and I did just that, I knew it will make you mad which is why I haven’t told you about it”.
“You are right about one thing. I am mad and disappointed in you” May lash out, walking out of the kitchen with Sally following.
“Listen to me, May! Let’s talk this out”.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now!” May said, taking her bag and coat.
“Why? Why do you insist that I don’t get involve with Xavier? Do you…perhaps fancy him yourself?” Sally ask, hoping with all her heart that May isn’t attracted to him.
Sally didn’t know why she felt that way but she do know that she will hate it if Xavier gets involve with another woman including May.
“Really?”
“I can’t help but to wonder why you insist that I stay away from him. Maybe it’s because you like him” Sally said again.
“I told you from the go that I haven’t seen this guy before so how on earth would I have fallen for him? You know what, I need to leave cause if I don’t, I might say something crazy” May said, leaving the apartment.
Sally sat on the sofa, wondering where things went wrong and also worried about May.
“Are you okay, sis?” Marie and Mathew stood at the stairs, having witness the fight.
“I am. We must have woke you guys up”.
“Is there something we can do?” Mathew ask.
“Nothing. May and I fight a lot but we will work it out. Go back to sleep” Sally assure.
● RESTAURANT ●
After her argument with Sally, May had nowhere to go except this place, her favourite restaurant.
She couldn’t go to the company since it will be close already and two of her reporter friends which she called were out partying.
And her family lives in London, quite far for her to go to spend the night.
She decided to spend the rest of her day in the restaurant and book a hotel room afterwards.
“Your cocktail, madam” the waiter said, placing the glass in front of her.
During that moment, James walk into the room with a lady, May recognise the lady to be one of her co-workers at work, they were both talking about something and fail to notice May as they walk past her table and it just so happen that they were place right behind her.
May wondered why seeing James with a female companion rub her off the wrong way….she might be a friend just like she is a friend to James, May thought, letting out a sigh.
Being Jealous about James companion is the last thing she should be thinking of, it’s best she leave.
“So, how is your stake with May going?” Jenny, May co-worker ask and that got May staying back.
“It’s been going well, I even scored a point today by telling her about her close friend upcoming marriage” James said.
“How does that win you a point with her?” Jenny ask.
“I made her see her friend in a different way. She’s going to be hurt weep a little and end up looking for comfort and guess who will give her that comfort?”
“You”.
“Bingo!”
“You never cease to amaze me, James. When we made that bet two weeks ago, I never thought you will put it through after all she’s a frigid little thing but seems like the frigid is melting slowly” Jenny said, laughing.
“You know how much I love a challenge and I couldn’t resist when you told me about her. Don’t worry, I will prove to you and everyone at your work place that she’s nothing more than a mortal meant to melt in a man arms”.
Not being able to take more of their dirty talk, May got out of her seat and walk towards them, taking them by surprise.
“May” James call, a look of surprise on his face.
“When I took over your report case two weeks ago. I knew you didn’t like it, I knew you hated me for it but I never would have expect you to go far just to get back at me! Is it my fault that you didn’t do your job right and I was given the job to complete?” May ask, glaring at Jenny who said nothing.
She turn to James and pick up the glass of brandy in front of him to pour the content on his head.
“Jerk!” She said and left after causing a scene.
May got outside, hailing a taxi but she didn’t get in cause James stop her.
“What the hell do you want?”
“We need to talk” James reply.
“Talk about what? The bet you made with my co-worker who has been doing her damn best to get me out of the company?”
“That’s fine, we can talk about the bet. Tell me how much she gave you to seduce me? If I had someday slept with you, would you have showed her the s*x tape? Would you two have laugh over it calling me an idiot!” May yell at him.
“Give me a chance to explain”.
“Explain what? Have been having a shitty day ever since you told me about Sally being engage to Xavier and now I have to take this too?”
“When you help me with Andrew scoop, I thought you genuinely want to be friends but you only did that to score a point. To have me falling at your feet begging you to f**k me” May lash out.
“Well, I would have fallen at your feet if I didn’t witness your conversation today. Thanks for making me see who you really are and you can go tell Jenny that you almost won the bet but do not ever let me see you again, I mean it James” May added, getting into another taxi that just arrive.
While the driver drive, May got her phone out of her bag to call someone.
<< PRIVATE CLUB >>
“I take it, things didn’t go well?” Claire ask, sipping her fruit juice while Adam sat on the other sofa in the vip lounge.
“Yeah and It’s the reason why I called you here” Adam began.
“Turns out Sally is involve with someone and when I say involve, she’s deeply involve but I don’t see myself giving up on her”.
“I’m in love with her and I don’t want to give up without a fight which is why I need your help, Claire”
“It’s a good thing am a shipper of Adam and Sally. Tell me whatever you want and I will help” Claire told him.
Sally got to the park to find May sitting on a chair looking down.
After their fight earlier, Sally have been worried and when she ended up getting a call from May, she left the house not caring if she’s in her pyjamas.
“Sorry I took long. Are you okay?” Sally ask, sitting beside her.
“What are you wearing?” May ask noticing her friend attire.
“I was so worried and when you called, I just left home in this” Sally explain earning a smile and a hug from her best friend..
“I’m sorry I overreacted earlier. It’s just that I have my reason for you not getting close to Xavier and it’s not because I have an interest in him” May said softly.
“Care to tell me why you are so against me being with Xavier?” Sally ask.
“I have to. Though I was sworn to secrecy by the person who told me, I have to tell you. You need to know what you are getting into if you marry into the Landon family” said May.
“What’s going on? You are scaring me, May” Sally said upon seeing the serious look on her face.
“It was two years ago. My boss and I were working on Desiree Landon,back then we only wanted an interview with her but we ended up getting an info from an unknown source”
“What info?” Sally press.
“Twenty years ago, Desiree killed someone”
● STILL THE SAME DAY ~ SALLY’S APARTMENT ●
“Do you think Sally and May will reconcile?” Marie ask as she lay on the bed with Mathew beside her.
They had been watching a movie when they heard Sally and May argument earlier and now they are back in the room to continue the movie.
“They will, they are friends after all” Mathew reply.
“You did hear May talking about Sally being engage? Do you think it’s true?” Marie ask, snuggling close to him.
“I don’t know”
“Why don’t we ask mom. Sally must have said something to her” Marie said, reaching for her phone.
“I think it’s best you don’t. Let’s wait until Sally return and ask her about….”
“Hello mom” Marie said, cutting Mathew off.
“Nothing is wrong. Just called to ask if you know about Sally being engage?”
“She didn’t say anything to you? Well, she didn’t say anything directly to us as well, we just overheard her discussion with May”
“Her fiance name? I think something Xavier…err”.
“Landon” Mathew finish for her.
“Xavier Landon! That’s the name May mention earlier”.
On the other end of the line, Lucia Sawyer, Sally’s mother end the call with a shaky hand.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost” Grace, Lucia sister ask.
“Marie told me that Sally is engage to a Xavier Landon ” Lucia said as Grace eyes widen.
“Hope it’s not the Landon we know?” Grace ask.
“I hope it’s not cause I wouldn’t pray for anyone to get involve with Desiree Landon and her family ” Lucia Sawyer said, a look of fear and panic on her face…….
CHAPTER 29 & 30 : Xavier’s Past Comes Back – A Reckoning
● PARK●
“Twenty years ago, Desiree killed someone” May reveal earning an horrified look from Sally.
“According to what our anonymous informant gave us” May continue her story. ” Before Desiree got married to Greg Landon who is Xavier’s grandfather. Greg was married to someone else, a Vivian Landon”.
“Vivian Landon gave birth to a girl called Sophia and passed away when Sophia turn twenty two. Having been Greg mistress, Desiree move into the Landon mansion as the new wife”.
“By then she already had her son, who is Xavier’s father. Desiree and Sophia didn’t get along mainly because Desiree tried to control Sophia’s life” .
“When Greg died. He left everything to Sophia and that made Desiree angry. Our source didn’t say much about what happen after the inheritance take over but he did mention what Desiree did just to own everything” .
“Don’t tell me she killed Sophia?” Sally ask, finishing for her friend.
“That is what our source claim but when we did our research,we found out that Sophia had gone insane and that she committed suicide in the spsycia” May reveal.
“This is insane” Sally mutter, feeling cold shiver run down her spine.
“When we got this info. We decided not to say a word because we were scared ourselves”.
“You guys should have told the police about it” Sally insist.
“We only have the word of a stranger and nothing else. What if we had told the police and it turn out to be a lie?” May demand.
“Tell me, did you send me to Xavier in the pretence of getting an exclusive just so I can find something against Desiree?” Sally ask.
“No! I really needed the exclusive and I had a hunch that Xavier Landon had a secret which is why I sent you to him. I wasn’t thinking about Desiree when I sent you there….I should never have gotten you involve….you know you can’t possibly be around the Landon family”.
“If Desiree really killed someone then you know it isn’t safe staying there. Quit your job and end whatever you have going with Xavier, I don’t want anything happening to you” May said, looking worried.
Sally thought about Xavier and their marriage….will she be willing to give it up while knowing deep down that it will hurt her.
“Say something Sally, you need to promise me that you will quit whatever you have going with Xavier, please” May pleas got Sally out of her reverie.
“You don’t have to worry. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, I will be submitting my resignation letter”.
“And Xavier?” May ask, a questioning look on her face.
“I will also end things with him, don’t worry” Sally said softly, pulling May into her arms for a hug.
● BROOKS MANSION●
Teddy sat alone in his study, drinking his favorite alcohol, tequila.
While drinking, he kept looking at the photograph he had in hand.
The picture had a very beautiful lady in it, she was starring into the camera, a lovely smile on her face.
“It’s been years and I can’t stop thinking about you” Teddy said, taking a deep breath.
“Death took you away from me but I won’t let those who hurt you get away. I promise to destroy them, I swear, I will make them all pay for what they did to you, Sophia” Teddy vow softly, tears sliding down his cheek.
● THREE DAYS LATER ~ LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY●
Sally sat behind her desk, writing out a note. A thought came to her and she stop writing to take a deep breath.
It’s been three days since her conversation with May and just like she promise, she had shown up the next day with her resignation letter but she got a call from James telling her that Xavier is out of the country for a business trip and that he will be staying till the business is sorted out.
She had felt a big relief at that moment, since she has been hesitant about calling the whole thing off.
But now that they’ve spend three days apart, she knew without a doubt that calling off their deal is the best thing for her.
So as soon as Xavier return, she will be handing him her resignation letter and calling it quits.
Somehow that left Sally feeling a bit depress and she has been feeling that way each time she thinks about ending her deal with Xavier….what exactly is wrong with her?
The buzzing of her phone brought her back to reality, she pick it up to see a message from Xavier.
★ AM BACK AND I WON’T BE GOING TO THE COMPANY, COME TO MY APARTMENT, YOU SAID YOU NEEDED TO TELL ME SOMETHING ★
As soon as Sally read the message, she pick up her things and left the room, heading to Xavier’s home.
It took her an hour to get there due to the heavy traffic.
A brief knock got James answering the door.
“You are here” he said, making room for her to go in.
“Where is he?” Sally ask.
“At the pool, he’s having a swim” James reply.
Sally was about to leave when he detain her.
“How is May?” His sudden question got Sally’s brow raising.
“She’s…fine. Why do you ask? Hope you aren’t bothering her about that….”
“Am not! I just want to know if she’s doing fine” James said, cutting her off.
“She is fine. Why do you think she wouldn’t be fine?” Sally enquire.
“Nothing. I just wanted to know and about your upcoming marriage, congrats”.
“What’s with the congrat? Didn’t you think me a spy or something before? Just act the way you do, this sudden friendliness is a bit scary” Sally said, tapping his arm lightly.
“And if you are genuinely worried about May, how about you go and see her” Sally added before making way to the pool.
She walk in to see Xavier diving into the water, she stood watching him swim back and forth, each stroke outlining his sleek smooth body and it’s a very tempting body.
When he saw her, a smile spread across his face, somehow his smile got infectious cause Sally found herself smiling in return.
“Did you miss me so much that you ran here after getting my message?” He ask, swimming to where she stood.
“For the record, I didn’t run and I didn’t miss you and also, what guy leaves the country without saying a word to his fiancee and then ask his right hand man to send her a brief message?” Sally ask, folding her arms against her chest.
“I’m sorry. It all happen so fast, I could barely even pack some clothes for the trip, I was so busy that I had to ask James to send you the message” he apologise, making Sally feel like his wife already by his explanation.
“It doesn’t matter. About the thing I said before, we need to talk and It’s very….”.
“Help me out of the pool ” Xavier said, stretching his hand to her.
Sally sigh and took hold of his stretch hand only for her to be pulled into the water.
For a minute, Sally struggle under the water before surfacing, breathing heavily.
Xavier was by her side, his arms circling her waist to hold her against him.
“Why did you that!” Sally yell, wiping the water off her face.
“No reason,Just wanted to get you wet” he reply, smiling at her.
“Ha ha, very funny. Let go of me” Sally tried to pull away but he tighten his hold.
“I know what you want to say, I have a guess and so before you say it, allow me to say mine” he said, looking up at something.
Sally followed his gaze to see a drone flying towards them and in it held a little box.
Sally didn’t need him telling her what the box contain and she knew that she should be doing her best to prevent what’s about to happen but she didn’t have the will.
Not when he has this lovely smile on his face, Sally thought, watching him pick the box from the drone.
“The proposal I had in mind at first was a bit flashy but then I remember that your parent don’t know about us yet which is why I chose this instead” He said, opening the box to reveal a glittering diamond ring.
“I know you don’t love me but I respect you and I can promise that you will always have my loyalty and protection. I promise to be the perfect husband as long as you will do me the honour of being my wife. So, what do you say?” He ask, waiting for her reply.
Sally did her best to remember the reason why she came but that reason is slowly dissolving.
He did not love her but she did….that certain thought surprise her but she knew within her heart a long time ago that she has fallen for Xavier.
She couldn’t deny it now and she couldn’t refuse him even if she had May standing beside her.
“Yes, I will marry you” Sally reply, her heart thumping wild with excitement.
He slid the ring in her finger and toss the box away to pull Sally back into his arms.
The two kissed like never before, both tasting and prolonging the kiss for as long as they could.
“Err…sorry to intrude but the designer is here, sir” James said from the entrance before disappearing.
“What designer?” Sally ask, licking her lips.
“Tomorrow is the company anniversary, I want you to outshine everyone coming” Xavier answered.
“You don’t have to….”.
“I want to” he said, silencing her with a kiss.
“And also, I will be announcing our engagement tomorrow. I want everyone to know you are mine and no one else” He added softly.
● LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY~ ANNIVERSARY D-DAY ●
“I will like to call on Mrs Desiree Landon to give us all a word of advice” The Mc said as everyone render an applause for the great Desiree Landon.
From where Sally stood, she watch Xavier help his grandmother on the podium and when he would have left, Desiree held onto his hand.
“First of all, I’d like to make a toast” Desiree began as the waiter and waitress pass a glass of champagne around to everyone.
When Desiree had her glass in hand, she continue her speech.
“You might all be wondering what the toast is about but I can assure you that it’s a joyful occasion since it’s about my grandson” Desiree smile at Xavier who also smile in return, wondering what his grandmother is up to.
“A joyful occasion needs to be shared with everyone and that is why I’d like us all to raise our glass to toast to my grandson Xavier Landon and his Fiancee Genova William on their recent engagement ” Desiree announce, startling everyone, most especially Xavier and Sally……