Xavier My Nemesis

CHAPTER 17 The Mom Effect

“What’s going on here?”

The voice is soft. Feminine.

Not the deep baritone I was expecting.

I use the distraction to yank my arm out of Bianca’s grip, swallowing my disappointment at who came to my rescue.

Bianca’s expression shifts instantly.

Her eyes gloss over, her face crumpling as if she’s on the verge of tears.

“She attacked me!” she shrieks, pointing at me.

Jane straightens, folding her arms, a deep frown settling on her face. She doesn’t look convinced.

“She attacked you,” Jane repeats slowly, her gaze flicking between us, “yet her wrist is bleeding… and you’re the one with those claws?”

Bianca stiffens.

Jane takes a step forward, her voice dropping so low, firm, and controlled.

“Look… if you don’t want to embarrass yourself further, I suggest you leave. Quietly.”

A beat.

“Or I’ll have security escort you out.”

Bianca glares at her, fury flashing across her face. Then she turns sharply, her heels striking the floor as she storms out.

Silence.

Jane exhales.

Then she turns to me.

“That witch got to you, huh?”

I let out a shaky breath. “She really did.”

My hands are still trembling.

Jane’s expression softens immediately.

“Come here,” she says gently, guiding me toward the sink.

She rinses the blood from my wrist carefully. “Sorry about this,” she murmurs. “You should head to the clinic—get it cleaned properly. And maybe take a break. You’ve had enough drama for one day.”

“Yeah,” I nod. “I will. Thank you.”

I clean up at the clinic and get a bandage and some painkillers before heading back to my desk.

I didn’t want Xavier to know what happened. The last thing I need is another scene, plus I don’t know how he would react to the whole situation.

I eat quickly and try to bury myself in work.

About an hour later, there’s a light knock on my door.

“Sydney.”

Xavier leans in slightly.

“There are a few things my mom wants to go over with you concerning the wedding.”

“Oh okay. Give me a minute,” I say, closing my laptop.

A few minutes later, I stepped into his office.

His gaze drops immediately to my wrist and the bandage.

“What happened to your hand?” He questioned.

I instinctively pull it back. “Oh—it’s nothing. I just got scratched on one of the cabinet handles in the office.”

His brows knit together.

“Which cabinet?”

“It’s really not a big deal—”

“Which one, Sydney?” His tone sharpens slightly.

I sigh. “The one near the filing section. The handle is a bit… rough.”

He exhales slowly, clearly irritated.

“That shouldn’t be there,” he mutters.

Before I can say anything else, he reaches for his phone.

“I’m having it replaced immediately,” he says, already dialing. “No one should be getting injured over something that basic.”

“It’s fine, really—”

“It’s not,” he cuts in.

And just like that, he makes a call to replace a cabinet that isn’t even faulty.

I hold my breath as he speaks, silently hoping nothing slips—hoping he doesn’t ask to see the exact cabinet.

After ending the call, he hands me his phone.

“Mom wants to talk to you about the wedding preparations.”

I take it, bracing myself for a few minutes of discomfort, remembering how things felt the last time I was at their house.

“Hello, Mrs. Crest. Good day,” I say politely.

“Oh, are we back to formalities again?” she teases lightly. “Alright then, Miss Poe… soon-to-be Mrs. Crest.”

I laugh softly.

“Hi, Evelyn,” I corrected myself, a smile tugging at my lips.

“Now that’s better,” she says warmly. “So you do remember my name after all.”

I can practically hear her smiling through the phone.

“How are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m doing well… ma’am—” I catch myself. “Evelyn. And you?”

“Oh, I’m doing quite well,” she replies. Then, her tone shifts slightly—still warm, but more intentional. “I’m calling to get your thoughts on the wedding.”

She pauses, then adds, with gentle emphasis—

“Your wedding.”

A wide smile spreads across my face.

“Since everything is happening rather quickly, I thought it would be best to start finalizing details.” She continued.

My chest tightens slightly.

“Of course.”

“So,” she says, her tone brightening, “have you thought about what you’d like? The colors? The theme? The overall feel?”

I pause.

I hadn’t.

“I… not really,” I admit. “Everything’s been moving so fast,” I said, fumbling with the pendant of the necklace sitting on my neck.

“That’s perfectly alright,” she says reassuringly. “That’s what I’m here for. But I’d still like it to feel like your wedding.”

That catches me off guard.

Mine?

“Well…” I hesitate. “I think I’d like something simple. Elegant, but not too loud.”

“Mmm,” she hums thoughtfully. “Classic elegance. I like that.”

“Maybe… white and champagne tones?” I add slowly, surprising myself.

“Beautiful choice,” Evelyn says immediately. “Very timeless. We could incorporate soft gold accents as well—nothing too overwhelming, just enough to give it that refined finish.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me.

“And flowers?” she asks.

“Something soft,” I say. “Maybe roses? Or peonies.”

“Oh, peonies would be lovely,” she says warmly. “Very romantic.”

Romantic.

The word feels strange in this context.

“And the venue,” she continues, “we’re considering the garden estate. It has a beautiful outdoor setting—very intimate, very picturesque.”

“That sounds nice,” I say softly.

There’s a brief pause.

Then—

“You sound unsure, darling.”

I exhale.

“It’s just… a lot.”

“I know,” she says gently. “And I won’t pretend this is conventional. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be meaningful in its own way.”

Her voice softens.

“I want you to feel comfortable. Supported.”

Something shifts in my chest.

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

“For what?”

“For… including me. In all this.”

She lets out a soft laugh.

“Well, you are the bride, Sydney. It would be quite concerning if I didn’t.”

I smile.

“How many of your guests are we looking at?” She continued.

“Well…” I hesitate. “It’s just—erm—my mom and my best friend.”

The words sound small the moment they leave my mouth.

“Oh really, darling? No high school friends? Other family members? Siblings?”

“I’m an only child… and my dad’s late,” I say, a little sharper than intended, masking the sadness. “It’s just my mom and my best friend.”

I pause.

“I could invite a few high school friends, though,” I add quickly.

I don’t even talk to any of them anymore but I don’t want to sound like a complete loner.

“Oh, that’s perfectly fine,” Evelyn says warmly. “We’ll keep it intimate then.”

Relief washes over me.

“We should schedule your dress fitting soon.”

“I guess,” I say softly.

“How about this weekend?”

I quickly run through my schedule.

Nothing important.

Even if there was, I’d move it.

“That works for me,” I say. “Can I come with my best friend?”

“Of course, honey. I’d love to have you both.”

“Thank you, Evelyn.”

“And wear something comfortable,” she adds lightly. “It’s going to be a long day—shopping and gossiping.”

I laugh. “Alright, I will.”

“Take care of yourself, darling.”

“You too. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I end the call, a smile still lingering on my face.

“That was a long call,” Xavier says as I hand him back his tablet.

“Well, we are planning a wedding,” I reply with a small shrug.

His gaze lingers on me.

“You’re smiling,” he points out. “She’s given you the ‘mom effect.’”

I laugh. “What can I say? She’s a sweet soul.”

“You sound very fond of her,” he says, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Shouldn’t you be saving that energy for your husband-to-be?”

I burst out laughing.

That was unexpected.

I wipe my mouth lightly and shake my head before heading back to my office.

I’ve barely settled into my chair when my phone starts ringing.

Unknown number.

I picked it up.

“Hello?”

“You weren’t planning on marrying my son without at least having his mother’s number, were you?”

I laugh instantly.

“Mrs Crest!”

“Yes, Miss Poe,” she replies, her tone mockingly formal.

“Evelyn,” I correct myself sheepishly.

“You’d better not save my contact as Mrs. Crest,” she adds. “You’d be referring to yourself.”

I laugh. “Yes, ma’am.”

The call ends shortly after.

I lean back in my chair, letting out a soft sigh.

Today has been… unexpectedly pleasant.