Play the Player

Chapter Six - Have We Met?

“Would you like me to take your order now, sir?” the lady asked with a polite smile.

Xavier kept looking at her. She showed no sign of recognition. Instead, she looked like she didn't know him, and for a moment, he wondered if he had mistaken her for someone else.

But as he looked into her eyes again, he felt that instant pull. He had only met her briefly once, but he could recognize those eyes anywhere.

It wasn't just her eyes. It was something deeper. Her soul. His heart was practically leaping out of his chest.

Xavier's intense stare seemed to make the lady uncomfortable. She began fidgeting slightly.

When Xavier failed to respond, she turned to Adrian and asked for his order instead.

Adrian orders lobster, shrimp and a martini with a smile, as though oblivious to the exchange.

“So, just checking in, sir. Are you ready to order now, or would you prefer to do that later?” she asked innocently. This time, she didn’t bother to smile.

““I've spent the past few months combing this city for you. Do you truly not recognize me?” Xavier insisted.

“My sincere apologies, sir. We meet a lot of faces here every day. It's nearly impossible to remember everyone who walks in,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of amusement.

Xavier could tell she was becoming uncomfortable from the way she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. But he didn’t want to give up yet. If she truly didn't remember him, then he had to make sure she remembered him now.

With that thought, he stood and extended his hand for a handshake.

She took it reluctantly and Xavier felt that familiar pull the moment their hands met. Her hands were soft, her nails neatly trimmed and well maintained. He could recognize those hands and that inexplicable pull anywhere.

“My name is Xavier Adams. I run Adams Enterprise, among other businesses,” Xavier said with a confident smile.

Adams Enterprise was a household name. Surely, she knew it.

She was definitely going to be smitten now. Maybe she'd even engage him more warmly instead of treating him like any other customer.

He expected a smile in return but was met with a firm, almost offended expression.

She pulled her hand back and replied, this time in a firm voice.

“Nice to meet you too, sir. I'm assuming you're not ready to order yet, so you can just signal us once you've made up your mind.”

She turned, gave Adrian a polite nod, and walked away.

Xavier’s eyes followed her till she was out of sight. There was no way he'd gotten the wrong person. The signature sway of her waist remained unchanged as she walked.

Adrian coughed lightly, trying to catch his attention.

Xavier turned and slowly sat back down, only then realizing he'd been standing all along. Worse, he was the only person standing in the now-busy restaurant.

Several people were watching him now. They must have seen the exchange. It was then that Xavier realized that he must have made her uncomfortable.

“Shit.” He muttered as he sat.

“Are you sure that's the right person?” Adrian finally asked after a brief silence.

“My soul would recognize her even in the dark.” Xavier responded and looked around, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. He didn’t.

“I mean, she didn't look like she recognized you at all,” Adrian pointed out.

He was right. There wasn't a hint of recognition in her expression.

“I saw that too, man.” Xavier added, running his hand through his chin.

“But even if she didn't recognize me, I introduced myself. And she looked…” He paused. “Offended.” That has never happened to me.” Xavier added.

Adrian could see that he was genuinely confused. It was unusual for him to be rejected.

“Yeah, that's strange. Even if she didn't recognize your name or the business, she should have fallen for your charms.”

The last part was a tease. Xavier poked him lightly, earning a loud laugh from Adrian. Adrian was well known for his very booming laughs.

A waitress arrived with Adrian's order balanced on a tray. This lady wasn’t her.

Xavier and Adrian exchanged knowing glances.

She balanced the tray on the table and unloaded the contents gracefully.

Xavier ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

Was she avoiding him? Had he embarrassed her so badly that she decided not to return?

And once again, he hadn't even gotten her name.

“Hey, what about the other lady… the one that took our orders?” He asked slowly.

“Oh, I wouldn’t know who took your orders specifically. Is there something wrong with them?” She asked with the same polite smile.

Were they all trained to smile that way? Xavier wondered.

He tried to describe her but failed. In her defense, there were a lot of staff there and she couldn’t tell who fit into those descriptions.

“You're going berserk over one woman when there are thousands of women who want you… like that one.” Adrian signalled with his head.

Xavier followed his gaze and met the eyes of a blonde woman sitting to their right, throwing him seductive glances.

He turned away, disappointed. She wasn’t her. It was not the same.

Xavier soon forgot about his earlier exchange with his father.

He kept looking around until it was time to leave, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. He never did.

“Maybe you should just let it go,” Adrian said as they made their way back to their cars after the lunch. Most of that time in the restaurant, Xavier had spent glancing around the restaurant, searching for you-know-who.

Xavier didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. He simply smiled, said goodbye to Adrian, and drove away.

His heart wouldn't rest until he found her or at least learned her name.

He had made up his mind. He would keep trying to find her again, and maybe this time, he would win a conversation.

Maddy’s POV

Maddy breathed a sigh of relief in the dressing room when Anne confirmed that he had left.

He had almost caught her.

Seeing him today only reminded her of how insanely handsome he was, and that inexplicable pull she'd felt that night hadn't disappeared either.

But Maddy was determined not to let him win her over. She would keep avoiding him if she had to.

Because she knew one thing for certain.

Xavier Adams was absolutely going to come back.

And next time, she will be ready.