Xavier My Nemesis

CHAPTER 16 No escape

“So when are you flying in, Mom?” I asked over the phone.

“Erm… this is such a rush. I had things planned.” She says slowly, as she always does.

“So you’re not coming?” I ask, a frown forming on my face as I brace for the worst.

“Oh no, honey, I will,” she says finally then pauses. “Sydney….. not that I don’t support this union, but… isn’t this a bit rushed? Are you under duress?”

For some reason, that puts a big smile on my face.

This is the most reaction I’ve gotten from my mother in a while. She has always seemed like a brick—no emotions or whatsoever—so hearing concern in her voice feels… new.

It feels good.

“Oh mom, you’re worried!” I say, my voice lifting with surprise and affection.

“Of course I am. I care about you. “Of course I am. I care about you,” she says quietly. “I know I don’t always show it well, but I do.”

My chest tightens.

“Well….. something is going on right now,” I say carefully. “That’s why we have to move things along.”

Maybe I was expecting too much when I thought she would ask for details.

“Okay.” She says simply.

I bit my tongue. At least she said she cares, that should be enough.

A silence stretched between us—like it always does.

Then, as usual, she’s the one who breaks it.

“Sydney, I have to go, honey.”

“Alright, Mom. Take care of yourself.”

I hang up and return to packing my work bag.

It’s been a week since I last stepped into the office.

A week of silence. Of avoidance.

And now, I’m heading back to the prying eyes of coworkers who think they know me—who have probably already decided who I am.

I zip up my bag and wait.

Xavier should be here any minute.

We agreed to keep up appearances. He would pick me up every morning, and we’d drive to work together—just enough to make it believable that we now live together.

After a few minutes, his car pulls up in front of my building.

I step outside, lock the door behind me, and slide into the sleek interior. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a few of my neighbors staring, curiosity written all over their faces.

Of course they are.

We drove off.

The ride is mostly silent, as usual. Sometimes there’s music to soften the space between us but today, there isn’t.

I keep my eyes on the road ahead, fingers loosely folded in my lap, while Xavier drives like he always does—controlled, precise, and annoyingly calm.

“So,” I say after a while, just to break the silence. “Do all your family dinners end in physical combat, or was that just a special performance for me?”

His lips twitch slightly.

“That was unusually dramatic,” he says.

“Unusually?” I glance at him. “That’s concerning.”

“It’s Kendrick,” he replies. “He tends to… escalate.”

“That’s one way to put it,” I mutter.

Silence settles again, lighter this time.

Then suddenly—

A loud honk blares from behind us.

We both turn slightly as a man in the car next to us rolls down his window and starts yelling at another driver.

“USE YOUR EYES, NOT YOUR DESTINY!” he shouts aggressively.

I blinked and turned to Xavier. We both burst out laughing—not the cute type or light chuckle—a full-blown laughter, low, unguarded, caught off guard, where we were struggling to catch our breath.

It felt like music to my ears. I had never seen him smile so freely—let alone laugh. My heart warmed.

“You’re laughing,” I say giggling, almost accusing just like I had thought in my head.

He shakes his head, trying to compose himself. “That made no sense.”

“That was so mean,” I said.

He smiled. And before I can stop myself—

I do too.

Suddenly, I laughed again.

It bubbles out of me, light and unexpected, cutting through everything that happened earlier.

For a moment, nothing else exists.

Not Kendrick.

Not the contract.

Not the chaos.

Just this.

When the laughter fades, the silence that follows is different.

Softer.

And for the first time since everything fell apart…

I don’t feel like I’m drowning. I felt light and giddy. Almost hopeful, that this could work, like we could pull this off successfully.

I sighed while leaning back into my seat. I took out my phone to distract myself from the happy thoughts I was having.

We arrived at the company gates a few minutes later.

Xavier slows down and drives into the premises. He turned off the engine, stepped out, then walked around to my side and opened the door.

I wonder if it’s a habit or just for show because people are watching.

But then I remember the day I visited his parents. We were alone and he still opened my door.

I pushed the thoughts just as instantly as they came.

I took Xavier’s outstretched hands as he helped me out. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch people staring, whispering, and watching.

Just like the other day at his parents’ house, we walked hand in hand. I keep my gaze lowered, unable to meet anyone’s eyes. I’m not comfortable with this—holding his hand like this, but we have to make it believable.

By the time I finally make it to my desk, I feel like I’ve survived something. The stares, whispers, and quiet judgment.

I get to work immediately, answering emails and tackling the pile of workload that built up during my absence.

Hours pass.

Eventually, I can’t ignore it anymore—I need a break. My eyes are watering, and I need to use the restroom.

I stand and walk quickly to the ladies’ room, barely paying attention to anything around me.

I finish up and step out to wash my hands.

That’s when I noticed it.

A shadow in the corner.

I assume it’s someone waiting to use the restroom.

Then suddenly—

A long, red, manicured nail reaches out and turns off the tap I’m using.

I freeze.

Slowly, I look up.

Bianca.

She stands over me, towering, a slow smirk playing on her lips.

I take a step back.

She steps forward.

“Oh… isn’t this our bride-to-be?” she says mockingly.

“H-how may I help you?” I ask, my voice trembling. I hate how her presence affects me.

“Help me?” She lets out a sharp, humorless laugh, pointing at herself. “Oh no, boo. I’m here to help you.”

Her arms fold across her chest, her expression turning ice cold.

I try to create space between us, but she closes it just as quickly.

Step by step.

Until my back hits the bathroom stall.

No escape.

“You can run,” she says softly, “but you can’t hide.”

Before I can react, she grabs my wrist.

“What do you think you’re doing with him?” she demands. “You think he could ever love someone like you?”

My chest tightens.

“Can’t you see he’s obviously not over me?” she continues. “You want to marry a man who’s still in love with his ex?”

She lets out a bitter laugh.

Something in me snaps.

“Look, I don’t know who’s blind here, but it’s definitely not me,” I fire back. “I’m not the one stuck on an ex who has clearly moved on—humiliating myself over him week after week.”

Her expression freezes in shock.

She didn’t expect me to fight back.

Suddenly I felt something.

Pain.

Sharp and sudden.

Her nails dig into my wrist.

Hard.

I gasp, wincing as she presses deeper, her eyes locked on mine—daring me to react.

“Let go of me!” I cry, struggling against her grip.

She doesn’t.

She presses harder.

Until I see it—

Drops of blood hitting the floor.

Panic surges through me.

The door suddenly slams open.

I don’t even think.

I scream.

Loud and desperate.

For the first time, I find myself wishing and praying for Xavier to walk through that door.

To pull me out of this.

To save me.

I never thought I would need him like this.

Never thought I would want him to be my knight in shining armor.

But right now…..

I do.