Chapter 10: Noodles and Decisions
770 Words
The evening sun cast a soft orange glow over the Cole estate as Xavier stood by the window of his private study, hands in his pockets, jaw clenched like always. He had just ended a strained call with his father, Richard Cole, who had done what he did best—issue ultimatums.
"Dinner. Tonight. With the Vanderleighs," Richard had said with a tone that brokered no argument. "I expect you to be civil. We’re not savages."
Xavier had rolled his eyes so hard he was surprised they didn’t fall out.
It was no secret that his father had already started planning the merger—not a business one, no, a marriage. Celeste Vanderleigh was beautiful, rich, and came from the second wealthiest family after the Coles. On paper, it was the perfect match.
But Xavier didn’t give a damn about paper.
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That Evening – Vanderleigh Estate
The dinner table looked like something out of a royal documentary—long, polished oak, glittering crystal, and enough silverware to launch a cutlery museum.
Celeste sat across from Xavier, practically glowing. She was stunning in an effortless, high-society way. Her smile was practiced, voice smooth like velvet. But Xavier felt absolutely nothing.
She leaned in slightly, batting her lashes. “So, Xavier… I hear you like keeping to yourself. Mysterious.”
He didn’t respond immediately. Just took a sip of his wine and let the silence stretch.
Her parents chuckled awkwardly. “Celeste has always admired driven men,” Mrs. Vanderleigh said.
Xavier gave a noncommittal nod and glanced at his watch. “Excuse me,” he muttered, pushing his chair back.
“Xavier!” his father snapped.
“I came. I saw. I’m not interested.”
And with that, he walked out. Celeste blinked, stunned.
Richard Cole looked like he might explode.
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Later That Night – Outside Zara’s House
Xavier sat in the back of his car, staring at Zara’s contact on his phone. His thumb hovered over the call button. Why was he even doing this? He didn’t do messy. He didn’t do emotional. And yet…
He hit call.
Zara picked up after three rings. “Hello?”
“It’s me,” he said.
There was a pause. “Xavier?”
“I need to see you.”
“Now?” Her voice was hesitant. “Um… my place isn't really CEO-appropriate.”
He almost smiled. “I don’t care.”
“I do.”
She sounded nervous, and he knew better than to push. But damn it, he didn’t want to go back to that cold mansion. So instead, he called someone who would help.
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Fifteen Minutes Later – Tasha’s Call
“Wait, he’s outside?” Tasha whispered, peeking through the curtain.
Zara’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
Tasha grinned and grabbed her hoodie. “Girl, let him in! When a billionaire’s trying to be a softie, you don’t ghost him!”
Zara groaned, fixing her messy bun. “This is going to be a disaster.”
“Or the beginning of your fairytale,” Tasha sang as she went to open the door.
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Zara’s Living Room – Ten Minutes Later
Xavier stepped in, taking in the tiny space—the mismatched furniture, the faded curtains, the scent of noodles cooking on the stove.
Zara looked embarrassed, but he didn’t seem to care.
“This place is… homey,” he said.
She crossed her arms. “It’s small.”
“It’s yours.”
She blinked, caught off-guard by how soft his tone was.
Tasha popped out from the kitchen, holding a pot. “He eats noodles, right?”
Xavier raised an eyebrow. “I’ve had worse.”
Zara handed him a plate. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
They sat at the small table, awkward at first. But slowly, something shifted.
He asked about her day.
She teased him about his Armani suit in her rundown apartment.
Tasha made jokes from the kitchen.
For a moment, Xavier didn’t feel like the CEO of a cold empire. He just felt… human.
As Zara laughed at one of Tasha’s jokes, Xavier caught himself staring.
She wasn’t Celeste. She wasn’t from wealth or legacy. But she was real. Honest. Herself.
And he realized something dangerous.
He didn’t just want to see her. He wanted to be part of her world.
Even if that meant breaking the rules.
Even if it meant war with his father.
He didn’t say it out loud.
But in his mind, he’d already made the decision.
She was the problem his billionaire brain couldn’t solve.
And he wasn’t going anywhere.
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- Writer
