Xavier My Nemesis

CHAPTER 15 Three Weeks and Four Days

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Xavier says to me, reaching for my shaky hands.

Xavier's parents rushed into the library.

His mother immediately turns on Kendrick, scolding him, though she doesn’t hide her disappointment in Xavier for hitting his brother.

His father says nothing.

He simply stands there, staring ahead, his expression unreadable.

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.

Without a word, Xavier reaches for my hand and pulls me gently to my feet. His grip is firm, controlled.

He leads me out.

His jaw is tight, his expression hard. He’s trying to hold himself together.

A few minutes later, we’re driving home in silence.

Not just quiet—heavy, suffocating silence. Even the radio is off, leaving nothing to soften the tension between us.

I stare out the window, exhausted, completely drained by everything the day has thrown at me. A dull headache begins to settle behind my eyes.

When I can’t take the silence anymore, I lean forward and switch on the radio.

The soft music fills the car.

It doesn’t fix anything.

But it makes the silence a little easier to bear.

After a few minutes, Xavier reaches over and lowers the volume of the radio.

“Ahem—” He clears his throat. “I’m… sorry about tonight.”

He pauses briefly before continuing.

“Regardless of whatever happened between the two of you, you didn’t deserve to be spoken to—or treated—the way he did.”

I nod, unable to find my voice.

“So…” he adds, “I apologize on his behalf. I’ll make sure he behaves himself going forward. Especially around you.”

“Thank you for saying that,” I replied quietly, not expecting him to be decent enough to apologize for his brother.

“We never slept together.”

The words slip out before I can stop them.

Silence.

Then he finally spoke.

“Even if you did,” he says evenly, eyes still on the road, “it’s in the past now, isn’t it?”

He exhales lightly.

“And you don’t owe me any explanations. This… isn’t real.”

“Oh—yeah. Of course,” I nod, a tight feeling settling in my chest.

I don’t know why that stings.

“Also,” he continues, “if you need a few days off work to process everything, that’s completely fine.”

“That would really help. Thank you.”

There’s a brief pause.

“I don’t suppose you’re reconsidering the contract?” he asks. “Because if you are, you’d need to fulfill the exit clause.”

“I know,” I say, more sharply than intended, folding my arms. “And I’m not backing out.”

“Good.”

We fall into silence again.

A few minutes later, Xavier pulls up in front of my apartment and brings the car to a stop.

I gather my things when Xavier suddenly reaches for my hand.

His thumb brushes over my skin, slow and deliberate—like he’s trying to say something without words.

An apology, maybe.

Then, just as quickly as he touched me, he let go. Like it meant nothing.

I almost thought it did but I guess not.

I step out of the car without a word and hurry inside, relief washing over me the moment the door closes behind me.

Finally, alone. In the silence and comfort of my home.

I dial Ava immediately after freshening up.

She picks up on the first ring.

“It went from zero to a hundred in two seconds, I’m not even joking!” I say, collapsing onto my bed, phone pressed to my ear.

“Whoa!” Ava exclaims. “So you mean Drake is Kendrick? Kendrick is Drake? And he happens to be Xavier’s brother? The same one that insulted you like that? Wow. Small world.”

“Tell me about it.”

“And wait—he actually dragged you out of the dining room? In front of everyone?”

“Yes!” I groan. “Like some kind of madman.”

“That is insane.”

“And it gets worse,” I add. “He tried to kiss me.”

There’s a sharp pause.

“He what?”

“He tried to,” I clarify quickly. “I pushed him away.”

“Good,” Ava says immediately. “Because what is wrong with him?”

“I don’t even know anymore,” I mutter. “One minute he’s begging me not to marry Xavier, the next minute he’s threatening me. I don’t even understand what he wants.”

“He wants control,” Ava says bluntly.

I go quiet. Pausing before continuing. “He also groped me.”

“Nooooo!! You’re lying!” Ava exclaimed in shock.

“I’m not even. He literally grabbed my butt in his brother’s presence,” I say, my tone serious.

“Oh my God! That's so disrespectful!”

She launches into a fit of profanity. “What the hell is wrong with that son of a b***h?” she demands angrily, then pauses, trying to rein herself in. “Who the hell does he think he is?”

“I was just as surprised,” I admit. “He’s always seemed respectful over the years. I was really disappointed.”

“And Xavier?” she asks. “What did he do?”

I hesitate.

“He punched him.”

“AS HE SHOULD!” she screams. “Yes! Served him right!”

I laugh despite myself.

“Honestly, I didn’t even see it coming.”

“Wait—wait—hold on,” Ava says, her tone shifting. “So now you’re stuck between two brothers who are both… slightly unhinged?”

“Please don’t say it like that,” I groan.

“But it’s true!” she insists. “This is giving drama. Full-on drama.”

“I don’t want drama,” I say quietly. “I just want peace.”

There’s a brief pause.

Then her voice softens.

“You’ll be okay,” she says. “Just… be careful, alright? Something about this whole thing doesn’t feel normal.”

I swallow.

“Yeah,” I whisper. “I can feel that too.”

Silence lingers for a moment.

Then she sighs lightly. “Get some rest. You sound exhausted.”

“I am.”

“And Sydney?”

“Yeah?”

“Next time your life decides to turn into a movie, at least let it be a romantic one, not a thriller.”

I let out a tired laugh.

“I’ll try.”

We hung up shortly after.

I stare at the ceiling, my mind still racing.

But Ava’s right.

Something about all of this…

Doesn’t feel right.

******

I was grateful for the time off work Xavier had given me. It was exactly what I needed to destress from the emotional chaos of the past few days.

I spent part of my week visiting Ava, soaking in her warmth and normalcy. I called my mom too — it was the same distant conversation as always, but this time, I didn’t dwell on it.

For the last two days, I stayed in, binge-watching my favorite shows, eating comfort ice cream, and fully embracing being a homebody.

I enjoyed it far more than I’d like to admit.

I was doing the laundry when my phone started ringing.

I walked into my room to grab it, and when I checked the caller ID, my stomach tightened.

Xavier.

I hadn’t heard much from him. I hadn’t reached out either — deliberately. I needed space. A break from him and everything that came with him.

Maybe he sensed it, because after reaching out a few times, he stopped.

I stare at the screen for a moment before answering.

“Hello.”

His deep voice comes through the line, low and steady.

“Hey.”

“How are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m good. You?”

“I’m good as well, thanks.” He pauses. “Not to ruin your short-lived break, but I have news.”

Something in his tone makes my chest tighten.

“What kind of news?” I ask cautiously.

“So… after much deliberation with my family, we’ve set a date for—” he hesitates slightly, “—our wedding.”

My heart sinks.

A wedding? So soon.

After everything that just happened.

“A wedding… I thought…” I trail off, disoriented. “When is it?”

“It’s set for October 3rd.”

“October?” My voice rises. “That’s barely a month away.”

“I know,” he says quickly. “It was decided that it’s best to get it over with as soon as possible.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

Silence lingers for a moment.

“Does Drake—I mean, Kendrick—know?” I ask carefully.

“It’s been communicated to the whole family,” he replies. “You don’t need to worry about Kendrick. I have him under control.”

I don’t know why, but that doesn’t comfort me.

“The wedding will go on, with or without his approval,” he continues. “I don’t need his blessing.”

I swallow.

“What about preparations?” I ask. “The dress, the venue—everything?”

“Handled,” he says simply. “You won’t have to worry about any of it. I won’t burden you more than necessary.”

He pauses, then adds, softer, “just show up in your dress — it will be provided — pretend to be happy, and we’ll be fine.”

Pretend.

“Okay,” I say quietly.

My palms are suddenly damp.

My heart is racing.

I lower the phone slowly after the call ends.

I’m getting married.

In exactly three weeks and four days.

To Xavier Crest, CEO of TechUp… and a man I’m not sure I fully understand.