Promise
1127 Words
Xavier’s POV
She was feisty — and I liked that.
But she called me “old man.” That, I didn’t like.
The moment she bumped into me in the hotel lobby, I knew. Athena. My bride. My little dove. The girl promised to me years ago, even if she didn’t recognize me now. Her face was drawn, her eyes hidden behind oversized sunglasses, but I could still see the sadness in them. She didn’t look back as she brushed past, completely unaware her future husband had been standing right there.
That stung more than I expected.
I turned and followed her, my men falling into step without a word. They knew me well enough to recognize when I was locked in. Focused. She moved fast — too fast — like she was trying to escape something. Her heels echoed sharply on the marble floor, her grip on her purse so tight her knuckles had gone pale.
Every few steps, she glanced over her shoulder, nervous and tense. But I moved silently, watching the way her hair spilled down her back, the curve of her neck.
She looked fragile. Like something on the verge of breaking.
And I couldn’t let that happen.
She reached the elevators just as I slowed. I watched her breath hitch when she finally noticed me. The polished doors reflected both our faces — mine, steady and composed. Hers, pale and uncertain.
Our eyes locked in that mirrored surface. Her lips parted slightly, like something about me had struck a chord — a memory just out of reach.
She hurried inside, jabbing at the “close” button. But I was already moving.
With a small nod, one of my men stopped the doors. Athena froze when I stepped in beside her, wide-eyed and silent.
“Going up?” I asked, pressing the button for her floor.
She didn’t answer right away. Just pressed herself into the corner, trying to shrink. For a moment, I simply looked at her — so close now, but still retreating. Still bracing.
“You look like you’ve had a rough day,” I said softly, keeping my voice calm, careful.
“I—I’m fine,” she said, eyes darting away. There was a tremble in her voice, but she held her ground. Brave. I respected that.
The elevator rose slowly, heavy with tension. My men stayed behind, giving us space. The scent of her — vanilla, jasmine, and something delicate — wrapped around me.
I hadn’t realized how long I’d gone without her.
I leaned in slightly, not enough to crowd her, but enough to feel the shift in the air between us. She inhaled sharply, and the sound... it hit somewhere deep.
I’d waited long enough.
---
♤♤♤♤♤
Athena disappeared into Room 248.
Something in me shifted.
Was she meeting someone? Another man? Is that why she’d looked at me like a stranger, thrown barbs my way? The thought settled like stone in my gut. My jaw tightened. Whoever was waiting in that room had already made a mistake.
I waited a moment outside, listening. A man’s voice — smug, careless. Hers — quieter, but tense. Then I heard it.
A sob.
My fists clenched.
When she stepped into the hallway moments later, her posture was stiff, her face red despite the sunglasses. But she didn’t crumble. She walked tall, proud, even when wounded.
That was Athena. My Athena. Strong. Resilient. And more than ever, in need of protection.
I let her pass.
Then I walked in.
The man froze as soon as he saw me. Shirt half-buttoned, face pale.
“W–who are you?” he stammered.
I didn’t bother hiding my contempt. “Your worst mistake.”
I took a step forward. “You shouldn’t have made her cry.”
“Athena? What do you mean?!”
“Take him,” I told my men. They moved fast, forcing him to the ground as he thrashed and screamed.
“No! You can’t do this! Let me go! Help!”
No one would.
On the bed sat a woman, half-dressed and shaking. Prisca Daniels. I recognized her immediately.
She looked at me with wide eyes. “How do you know my name?”
“I know your father,” I said, calm and cold. “James Daniels and I have worked together for years. I doubt he’ll be pleased when I tell him where I found his daughter — and who she was with.”
Her lips quivered. She clutched the sheets tighter.
“Consider this a warning,” I said quietly. “Neither of you will speak her name again. And if you do…”
My eyes met hers — steady, unwavering. “I’ll make sure no one ever hears yours again.”
I turned to leave. My men dragged the sobbing man out behind me.
---
♤♤♤♤♤
The room reeked of bad perfume and sweat. The kind of shame that lingers long after you walk away. Disgust curled in my chest. He was nothing. And she’d know that soon enough.
Athena had been hurt. Someone had left a mark. But I’d be the one to heal it — whether she wanted that from me or not.
She didn’t understand yet. Didn’t know what it meant to be chosen. To be mine.
But she would.
Soon.
Starting with the man who gave her away.
---
♤♤♤♤♤
The rooftop restaurant at the Grayson was silent — emptied out hours ago by my request. I didn’t want interruptions tonight. Not for this.
Jasper sat across from me, weary but composed. His assistant and guards had been dismissed without protest.
“You made quite a scene tonight,” he said quietly.
“She was crying,” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended. “You told me she’d agreed.”
“She will,” he assured me. “I’ll talk to her again.”
“Do that.” I tapped the table once. “I won’t wait forever.”
He studied me for a long time. “Do you love her?”
The question hung in the air. I gave a low laugh — humorless, almost bitter.
“Love? No. What I feel... it’s more than that. It’s loyalty. Obsession. A promise that’s lived in my bones for years.” My voice lowered. “And I don’t break promises.”
Jasper exhaled slowly, concern in his eyes.
“I don’t need her to love me,” I said. “I just need her to stop running.”
“You’ll scare her.”
“She’s stronger than you think,” I said, holding his gaze. “And you’ll help her remember that.”
He didn’t respond right away. But after a long pause, he nodded.
- Writer
