god father obsession

lines and

Chapter Five: Lines and Lessons (Polished)

I barely slept.

Xavier’s voice haunted me—low, commanding, laced with something dark and dangerous. The way he looked at me last night… like I was something he shouldn’t want, but already claimed in his mind.

It made me feel exposed. Shaken. But worse than that—curious.

I hated it. Hated that he could make me feel anything at all.

By the time morning light crept through the curtains, my thoughts were still tangled around him. Around the way his jaw clenched when I walked away. Around that feeling deep in my core—that he wasn’t done with me yet.

A soft knock pulled me from the haze. The same maid from yesterday peeked in, offering a polite smile.

“Madam says breakfast is ready. They’re waiting for you downstairs.”

I nodded, dragging myself out of bed with a heavy breath.

After a quick shower, I slipped into fitted jeans and a plain black top. Not too flashy. But not invisible either. I didn’t want attention—especially not his—but a small, reckless part of me… wanted to see if he’d look again.

Downstairs, the house was quiet except for the clinking of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversation. My mother sat beside Raymond, glowing, her hand resting lightly on his. And at the head of the table sat Xavier—like last night—scrolling something on his phone.

He didn’t look up.

But I felt him the moment I entered. That invisible current. That burn under my skin. Like he could sense my presence without even lifting his eyes.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother said, motioning to an empty seat. “Come join us. We were just discussing something important.”

I sat—directly across from him.

My first mistake.

The moment I did, his eyes lifted—slow, deliberate—and locked on mine. Calm. Sharp. Unreadable. But enough to make my pulse hitch.

“We’ve decided it’s best to get you enrolled in a new school here,” Raymond said casually, reaching for toast. “A prestigious private academy. Very secure. Very elite. You’ll adjust quickly.”

My fork paused mid-air.

“You’ve already picked a school?” I asked, keeping my voice even. “Without even asking me?”

“It’s a great opportunity,” my mother added quickly. “The school is beautiful. You’ll love it once you settle in. This move is a fresh start—for all of us.”

Fresh start.

The words scraped something raw inside me.

“What if I don’t want a fresh start?” I muttered. “What if I liked my old life the way it was?”

Silence fell.

Then came his voice.

Smooth. Icy. Dismissive.

“The world doesn’t wait for your comfort.”

I looked up slowly. My pulse was suddenly pounding.

“Excuse me?”

Xavier set his glass down with a quiet click, finally giving me his full attention. His gaze locked onto mine—calm and merciless.

“You’re in a new city. A new home. Surrounded by people who are making space for you. But instead of adjusting, you’re sulking because it’s not exactly how you wanted it. That’s not strength. That’s immaturity.”

The words landed like a slap. Hot. Sharp.

“You don’t know anything about me,” I said, my hands tightening under the table.

“I know enough,” Xavier said evenly. “I’ve seen your type before. Entitled. Used to getting everything handed to you. That won’t work here.”

“You think you know everything,” I snapped, my voice rising.

He didn’t even blink. Just watched me, still and calm—like he was waiting for me to break.

Raymond cleared his throat awkwardly. “Alright, that’s enough. It’s just school. No need for this tension.”

But neither of us looked away.

There was something else happening beneath the surface. Something deeper. Something no one else at that table understood.

I hated the way his words cut. Clean. Precise.

I hated that part of me wanted to rise to his challenge.

And most of all, I hated that my body reacted every time he said my name.

“Eat your food,” he said finally, voice dropping an octave. “You’ll need your strength. That school’s not going to bend for you either.”

I should’ve stormed off. Should’ve rolled my eyes, slammed my napkin down, said something clever or cutting.

But I didn’t.

I just sat there. Quiet. Fuming. Blushing. Confused.

And the whole time, I felt his gaze on me like fire on skin.

He was testing me.

And the worst part?

Some dark, aching part of me wanted to fail on purposes