The Truth Is...I Love You

Chapter Three: Xavier

A well-seasoned medium rare steak, truffle potato puree and a side of charred asparagus. A perfect dinner, complete with a smooth glass of red wine.

The night was off to a good start- thankfully, the ridiculous mother-son duo were only silently glaring at me over their expensive cutlery.

I was tempted to smile at them just to piss them off, but I didn't want to risk either of them opening their mouth.

So hopefully, the only sound tonight would be the scraping of silverware against porcelain in this poorly decorated dining room.

Hopefully...

"I must say Henry, Grayson has really been quite impressive this past few weeks." I sighed as Veronica's chirpy voice tore through the silent room.

It's confirmed, the universe has a vendetta against me.

She paused, dabbing her lips with a napkin. The white cloth stained with the red blur of her layers of lipstick.

"He closed that Midtown development deal flawlessly- handled negotiations and everything. He even secured a joint venture with that international firm from Dubai. It's all because of him that the Hales name would be on one of the most elegant residential towers in Manhattan. It's obvious who the better CEO is."

I might have been impressed by Veronica's showboating if I didn't know his personal assistant was spoon feeding him these deals.

Grayson dropped his utensils as he cast his mother a modest look. "Mum, I was just doing my part in the family business."

Grayson's eyes flicked to mine. That bastard...did he just smirk at me? Funny how golden boy's inflated ego was filled with nothing but hot air.

"Don't sell yourself short darling. What you did was a great achievement for the family. It's good to see that you delivered the contract just like you promised the board, unlike those who make empty promises." She glanced at me with a satisfied smile. "Xavier, how's the Levaine Contract Negotiations going? Still at a stalemate after all these months?"

Her smile fell the second I returned an amused one of my own.

"The negotiations are going great, Veronica. I'll explain this to you in terms that even you can understand." Veronica's jaw tensed at my condescending tone. "The contract negotiation with Levaine Corporation is in the process of being finalized. It's not at a stalemate."

She narrowed her eyes at me, her smirk resurfacing. "Strange, it's taking an awfully long time. Is this contract really still underway? Who knows, it could have already fallen through and you just haven't come clean about it."

"Mum, stop. Xavier would never do such a thing." Grayson's fake defense was like screeching tires to my ears, I almost cringed.

No emotions. No believable lines. Their little act was a preschool play at best. Luckily for them, I wasn't their target. I stifled an eye roll as I saw my father stir out of the corner of my eye.

Seeing her husband's reaction, Veronica continued with increased vigour. "You can't blame me for thinking like that when Xavier vehemently stood against the idea of Grayson helping him with the contract. I know he's trying to impress the board with this deal because of the CEO selection, but he's risking such a high profile contract."

That's because your i***t son would either completely ruin MY business deal or usurp it with the help of his astute personal assistant.

"Mum, I understand your worry...I'm worried too. But Xavier can probably handle it if he says he can. I know he can do it."

Biting down on my lips was the only thing keeping me from falling out of my chair laughing.

I clapped slowly and loudly, drawing the attention of the other three people at the table. "Wow Gray. Did you manage to memorize those lines all on your own or are you reading off a cue card?" I raised a hand, stopping Gray from interrupting. "Your acting is better than your mother's, but you're a long way from Broadway."

Grayson's brows scrunched up into a near uni-brow. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on. You're not smart, but you're not that stupid either." I set my cutlery down as I leaned back in my chair "Your poor-excuse-of-a-plot aside, who the hell do you think you are to offer to help me? We both know that assistant of yours does all the heavy lifting. Don't you feel even a little embarrassed, golden boy?"

Veronica was seconds away from hurling her steak knife at me. "How dare you say such a thing about my son?"

I ignored her, keeping my gaze on her son. "I see your mummy still needs to speak up for you. Ever get tired of being spoon fed?"

Grayson stood up suddenly. Anger lined every tense muscle in his body as he glared daggers at me.

They started it. Now they're mad I finished. Pathetic.

"Xavier, stop this immediately." My father said sharply. His voice froze the room- except for me. I had lost all respect for him ages ago. "Don't talk to your mother and brother like that."

My jaw tensed. "Stop calling your mistress, my mother." My voice was calm, but my tone dipped to levels so cold, the artic was a furnace in comparison.

My father scowled. "She's my wife. That makes her your step-mother. You will show her some respect."

I sighed- equal parts annoyed and exhausted. This argument had been going on since she moved in when I was a teenager. Neither of us had conceded then, and neither of us ever will. "I don't have the energy for this." I said, rising to my feet. "I'm done here. Enjoy the rest of your dinner."

Henry Hales didn't bother calling out to me- he knew I wouldn't listen. He remained quiet, even as his wife's complaints followed me out of the room.

I almost made it out of the house before I heard silent footsteps trailing after me.

I paused, just behind the front door. "Is there a chance you came for a goodbye hug?"

"Let your brother help you with the Levaine Contract. Grayson will bring a new perspective to the table." I heard the frown in his voice.

I turned around slowly, hands in my pocket. "We both know he wouldn't bring any perspective whatsoever."

"Grayson may not be strong, but he has strong allies. That's all he needs." He gazed at me coldly. "Don't let your pride ruin this good opportunity. This deal is too important to risk because of the CEO selection."

I met his glare with a smirk. "Don't you mean this deal is important enough to prove that I'm the obvious choice for CEO?"

His frown deepened. "You say this like Mr. Levaine has already signed."

I held his gaze. "He will."

Once upon a time, I had a father-son relationship with the man before me. Now we were only business associates who happened to share the same blood. End of story.

"Is this confidence of yours because of your relationship with Levaine's granddaughter?" His question was a punch to the gut. Not because I wasn't expecting it-honestly I was shocked they hadn't asked earlier- but because it reminded me of a certain ultimatum.

Regardless of her estrangement, you must marry my granddaughter in three months if you want this contract signed.

The memory of Charles Levaine's words from this afternoon brought a bitter taste to my mouth.

Easier said than done. Estella Levaine had disappeared from the face of the earth after her outburst last month.

"No, it's a separate matter." I answered confidently. It was a half-true, half-lie. In reality, there was no relationship- yet. But whatever might happen between us was deeply intertwined with this contract. Not that he needs to know that.

I turned to the door, straightening my jacket. "If we're done here, I have somewhere to be."

"Three months." My father warned. "The selection is in six months. If you can't get the contract signed in three months, Grayson won't assist you, he'll completely take over."

His threat followed me all the way to the back seat of my car. Leaning back against the seat, I exhaled through my nose. Another f*****g ultimatum.

But It's been a long day. I didn't want to think. All I needed was a bottle of whisky and a hot date with my king size bed.

I was just about to give Sebastian directions when my phone rang.

"Mr Hales, sorry to disturb your evening," my PA's voice crackled through the speaker. "But I found Miss Estella Levaine. She's at a bar. Shall I send you the location, sir?"

I remained dead silent.

"Sir? Are you there?" Jerome asked.

I sighed. "Looks like I'll postpone that date with my bed."

"Sir?"

"I said send the location to Sebastian. Good work." Exhaustion lined my words.

"Yes sir?" Jerome answered. The line went dead.

I dropped my phone on the leather seat and racked my hand through my hair. "What a f*****g long day."