Xavier My Nemesis

CHAPTER 9 Contract Signing

The phone rings longer than usual before she answers.

“Hello?”

My mother’s voice sounds the same as always — soft, distant, like it’s coming from another room even when she’s right there.

“Hi, Mom. It’s me.”

“Oh,” she says. “Sydney.”

There’s a pause. Not an unfriendly one. Just empty.

“How are you?” I ask.

“I’m fine,” she replies. Then, after a beat, “Rochester is quiet today.”

Of course it is.

“I wanted to talk to you,” I say. “About something important.”

“I’m listening.” She says. She always says that. And yet it never quite feels true.

I swallow. “I’m getting married.”

Silence immediately followed. It was almost like the news stiffened her. The silence stretches long and heavy. I picture her sitting by the window of that small apartment she moved into after Dad died, staring out at nothing in particular.

“Married,” she repeats softly.

“Yes.”

“To whom?”

I hesitate. “My boss.”

She breathed slowly, as if it were measured.

“And his name?” she asks.

“Xavier,” I say. Then, for some reason, I add, “Xavier Crest.”

The line goes quiet, not dead, not dropped. Just suspended. I should be used to this by now but I still checked to see if she was still there as always.

“Mom?”

She exhales. “I’m here.”

“Do you want to say something?”

“I’m thinking,” she says.

Thinking about what?

“I know it sounds sudden,” I rush on. “But it’s complicated, and I didn’t have much of a choice, and—”

“You don’t need to explain,” she interrupts gently.

That stops me. I was startled.

“I don’t?”

“No,” she says. “Sometimes life pushes us into decisions before we’re ready to understand them.”

She is doing it again. That distant wisdom. Detached and untethered.

“Aren’t you angry?” I ask. “Or worried?” I need something—a reaction, sad, happy—anything at all.

Another pause.

“Those emotions don’t change outcomes,” she says quietly.

I grip the phone tighter. “I’m marrying a man I barely know,” I whispered loud enough for her to say. It sounded like I was about to cry.

“You’ll learn,” she replies.

“Mom—”

“Sydney,” she says, and for the first time, her voice sharpens just a little. “You’re alive. You’re choosing to survive. That matters more than how it looks.”

I don’t know whether that’s comfort or resignation.

“I wanted you to know,” I say softly.

“I’m glad you called.”

She doesn’t say she’s happy for me. She doesn’t say she’s proud.

“Will you come?” I ask with tears rolling down my cheeks.

Another silence. I wish it weren’t true. I hate her reaction—or, as the situation warrants, her lack of reaction, her indifference.

“Yes,” she finally says. “I’ll come.”

Something in her tone makes my chest tighten. Hope?

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Then, almost as an afterthought, she adds, “Take care of yourself, Sydney.”

The call ends, and I lower the phone slowly, replaying the conversation.

She didn’t ask about love, she didn’t ask about happiness and she didn’t ask who Xavier really is. Although, I had a feeling she must have heard the name before. The Crests were quite popular.

For reasons I can’t explain, that unsettles me more than anything else.

******

“Ava I really don’t know how I’m going to get through today” I said to Ava on a phone call while preparing for work.

“It’s going to be fine babes” She paused. “He already broke the ice when he made that announcement, what’s the worst that can happen?”

“I would be the office’s latest gossip!” I whined “And to think of the nasty look Bianca gave me before she left, I feel like I’m in a lot of trouble”

“Bianca is the crazy ex right?” She asked

“Of course she is. If looks could kill, I would be buried right now” I huffed.

“Just play it cool okay?…..everything would settle back to normal really soon” She paused then said amusingly, “At least you got a gorgeous and hella expensive wedding ring, Bianca couldn't pull that”

We both busted out laughing. I sighed, thankful that Ava could make me laugh in any situation. “Thanks Ava, I feel so much better”

“Of course babes, anything for you…. Ermm I have to go now, call me if you need anything, and let me know how today goes okay?…. I love you” Ava says hurriedly. She must have gotten to work

“Yes babes, I love you too” I said then the call disconnected.

I got to the office a few minutes after I spoke to Ava. I stood outside the premises for a few minutes while trying to catch my breath and calm my fast-racing heartbeat.

I didn't think it was going to be this hard facing everyone after Xavier's last announcement. I haven't heard from him since that day and I wondered how it would turn out facing him today.

I hope I will be able to keep the awkwardness at bay and not cringe when he calls me baby in front of everyone like he did the last time.

After summoning enough courage, I walked past my coworkers, most of whom were making snide comments, whispering, and giving me knowing glances.

I walked past them, acting unbothered but deep down I just wanted to find the quietest corner to hide myself in. I wonder if I can ask Xavier for a few days off work to process everything since I’m technically going to be his ‘wife’.

That will probably make them gossip more—which would make the atmosphere twice as awkward as it is now.

I got to my workspace, set up my desk, and proceeded to get to the business of the day.

“Sydney!” Xavier calls

“Yes sir” I responded while rushing to his office. On getting there, I saw he was on a call.

“Good morning sir” I greeted him politely, staring at the floor.

He signaled to me to hold on. So I stood awkwardly trying not to listen to his conversation.

“Familair… how?…. You're just imagining things” he said. He put the call on speaker and dropped his phone on his desk while scrambling something down on his notepad.

“Well, probably….. She really messed with me man” I heard the other voice on the line. His voice sounded really familiar.

Out of curiosity, I craned my neck to check the caller ID so I caught a glimpse of the name of the caller. Kendrick.

Probably it's an old friend, I thought dismissively.

“Sorry about that man, look I have to go now, see you next week” Xavier said while hanging up. He dropped his phone and then looked up at me.

“So you intend to call your husband sir?” He asked with a smirk. Leaning back and folding his arms.

“What would you have me call you?” I shoot back, my voice low. He shrugged.

“Anything that doesn't make people suspect that this is a ruse”

“So babe or baby” I blurted, shifting uncomfortably.

Xavier pulled his head back, laughing carelessly. This is the first time I have ever seen him laugh. My heart warms at the fact that I brought that reaction out of him even if he was laughing at my discomfort.

He straightened on his seat and said. “It’s up to you Syd, do as you please, wifey” He says smugly.

I didn't miss the small smile at the corner of his lips and I definitely didn't miss the way he shortened my name.

It feels like he’s deliberately making it seem more intimate — and with no one else around, this isn’t an act for appearances, which unsettles me.

Xavier strengthens, his tone turning businesslike.

“So, my lawyer should be here any minute to sign the contract. Review it and tell him whatever you wish to add.”

“Okay. That's fine” I said walking back to my desk.

The lawyer arrives exactly at ten.

He’s older, a few inches taller than I am, dressed like someone who bills by the minute and never wastes words.

We both went into Xavier's office and sat by a round desk. He introduces himself, sets his briefcase on the table, and pulls out a thick folder.

“This is the marriage contract,” he says calmly. “Duration is three years.”

My stomach tightens.

He opens the folder and slides it toward me.

“Compensation,” he continues, flipping pages. “You will receive five million dollars, paid over the course of the marriage.”

I blink. “Five… million?”

“Yes,” he says, like he’s reading out the weather. “One million upon signing. The remainder is disbursed quarterly.”

My throat goes dry.

“In addition,” he adds, “you will be granted two percent equity in Mr. Crest’s company. Fully vested. Non-revocable.”

That makes my head spin more than the money.

Shares mean permanence. Leverage. A tie that doesn’t disappear when the marriage does. I almost smiled at the thought.

“If the marriage ends early due to breach on his part,” the lawyer continues, “your compensation remains intact. Additionally, you will receive an extra two million dollars, along with an additional one percent equity in the company.”

I glance at Xavier.

He’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

“And if I breach it?” I ask.

The lawyer meets my eyes calmly.

“In that case,” he says smoothly, “you forfeit the remaining unpaid balance of your compensation and return half the initial amount paid from the start of this contract.”

He taps the document with his pen.

“You will also be bound by a strict non-disclosure agreement, preventing you from discussing the terms of this marriage or Mr. Crest’s personal affairs.”

Of course. It’s not like I’d want the world knowing I’m trapped in a fake marriage anyway. Keeping it quiet is as much for my sake as it is for him.

He turns another page. “Living arrangements will be shared publicly, meaning to the outside world, it must look like you and Xavier live together as a married couple while privately, you may maintain separate rooms if desired.”

My jaw tightens.

“And fidelity?” I ask quietly.

Xavier finally speaks.

“I can still have whomever I want…. Discretely of course” He injects defensively.

“What about me?” I asked slowly

“Sure, do whatever you want. As long as no one finds out” he says putting his hand in his pockets.

The lawyer nods. “Both parties may engage in personal relationships, provided they remain private and do not interfere with public appearances or reputation.”

“So,” I say slowly, “I can still see people.”

“Yes,” Xavier replies. “Quietly.”

Something in his tone makes it clear this isn’t generosity. It’s control dressed up as freedom.

The lawyer pushes the pen toward me.

“Take your time,” he says. “But once you sign, this becomes legally binding.”

I stare at the document.

Three years.

Five million dollars.

A piece of his empire.

A marriage that isn’t real — but will cost me everything anyway.

I think of my job applications going unanswered.

Of my mother’s distant voice.

In the way my life narrowed until this was the only door left open.

I pick up the pen.

“Once I sign,” I say, “you make sure my career isn’t touched again?”

Xavier meets my gaze. “You’ll never struggle for work again.”

That’s not the same as freedom.

But it’s enough.

I sign.

The pen scratches my name across the page, sealing a decision I can’t undo.

The lawyer closes the folder with a decisive snap.

“Congratulations,” he says politely. “You can go ahead and pick a wedding date.” He stood up, clearing up the desk and shoving files into his bag

I let out a slow breath.

This is not a marriage.

It’s a contract.

And I’ve just sold three years of my life — at a very high price.

Am I doing the right thing?