Game of Chance

That Night

XAVIER

“Noelle Vale.”

My brows arched and my fists clenched when Ethan mentioned that name. That name.... it burned me like fire. My fingers tapped lazily on the polished desk as my personal assistant, Ethan flipped through a file.

“Fashion icon, rising star. But her company is bleeding out faster than she is willing to admit. “

I said nothing, my eyes scanning the pages. I already knew most of this. The headlines had been brutal; whispers of bad investments, suppliers pulling out, lawsuits circling like vultures.

She was desperate. Good.

Ethan continued. “She turned down a buyout last month. Stubborn. But the banks are tightening their grip. Another quarter like this, she would do anything.”

“Good. Prepare me a meeting proposal letter. I would like to meet with her lawyer before the day closes.” I stated.

“She is determined to keep her business. She does not want to sell....”

“Who is talking about selling? I am not interested in her company. I am interested in her.”

His head snapped up. He blinked once as if he hadn’t heard correctly.

“Find out every other thing to make sure she accepts me.”

“Why her?” He questioned.

Why her?

I didn’t answer immediately. Maybe it was because she was the only woman my father ever respected and admired.

Just maybe... it was because I wanted to see what would happen when a woman like Noelle Vale owed me everything.

“I didn’t expect her to agree so easily.” Ethan walked in as soon as she left later that day and a smile thinned on my lips before I stood up and proceeded to leave.

“Any woman would do that.” I responded and walked out of the office before getting into my car. Father... I could not help but wonder how he would react when he finds out his perfect definition of ‘success’ is going to be my wife.

*

I leaned back against the cool leather seat, my fingers drumming lightly against the armrest. The journey to her house seemed longer than I expected.

Pulling up in front of a neat building, my driver glanced at the rearview mirror.

“Should I go get her?” He probed.

“No, I’ll do it.”

Stepping out, the cool night air brushed against my skin, I adjusted the cuffs of my suit as I approached the entrance, my shoes making a sharp sound against the pavement,

I rang the doorbell once. Then twice and a few seconds later, the door swung open.

Noelle stood there. dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged her frame. She looked every bit like the woman of my father’s dream.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

I arched a brow and crossed my hands behind me. “Are you going to stand there all night or are we leaving?”

She exhaled sharply and grabbed her purse before marching out. I stepped aside, letting her walk past me towards the waiting car. Richard, my driver was already at the door, holding it open.

I followed behind, sliding in beside her.

“I have some questions to....”

“My name is Xavier Everhart. We met at an exclusive charity gala six months ago. You were there showcasing your latest products and I was one of the sponsors. I was intrigued by your work and we got talking.

We started seeing each other casually and I was drawn to your independence and ambition. My favorite color is black. I hate seafood and I don’t drink whiskey in front of my father; it’s his drink of choice and I refuse to be like him.

You might get to hear about Olivia; she was my ex.” I explained.

“I still ....”

“You forget one detail, Noelle...” I spoke with a sharp tone. “And they’ll know something’s off. So, get it right. My mother will ask what you love most about me. Say my patience. They’ll ask about our first date. Tell them it was at a private restaurant in Paris.

If my brother tries to intimidate you, don’t let him. He thrives on getting under people’s skin. Whatever you have to say can wait till after the dinner. We have to make this happen first.” I ordered and she nodded like a little puppet.

Throughout the trip, she remained quiet. Finally, we arrived at the estate.

Beside me, Noelle inhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the clutch in her lap. The estate was intimidating and I knew it.

“Remember everything I told you. If you mess up, we both have a lot to lose. So don’t.” I spoke as I held her hands in mine and led her in. The front doors flung open before we even reached them and my mother, Katherine Everhart stood, waiting at the entrance, dressed in an elegant wine-colored gown.

“So it is true?” Mother spoke as she embraced me with a wide smile etched to her face. I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheeks before stepping aside and introducing Noelle.

“Noelle, my fiancée.”

Noelle smiled with poise and grace. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Everhart."

“Likewise, dear. Come in.” She embraced her and then turned to me. “Goodness! I thought you were never going to get married after what Olivia did to you. I thought I would never see my grandkids!” she chuckled before leading us in.

The dining room was extravagant, just as usual. Right at the head was my father; Kai Everhart with his usual deep frown and commanding silence.

To his right was Nathan, my younger brother with an amused smirk. He loved to push buttons and I knew it was only a matter of time before he began.

I could see the anger burning in Father’s eyes even though it was subtle.

“Good evening, Father.” I grinned, happiness welling within me.

“How did you two meet?” Father turned his calculating gaze to me, barely allowing us to sit.

“At a charity gala. She caught my attention and the rest they say is history.”

“How long have you been together?” Mother pushed.

“A little over a year” Noelle answered.

“Strange that we have never met you. I mean when he was with Olivia, the whole world knew. She was always here. You know... after she broke his heart two years ago, we thought he would never get married. He was so broken. I didn’t even know he still had the capacity to love....”

“Nathan.” Mother called him to order.

“It’s the truth, Mother. I don’t believe any of these. For a man who thinks he’s above everyone else, you are sure desperate for Father’s approval. It’s almost pathetic. Marrying the perfect wife, building the perfect empire, acting like you are above the rest of us...”

“Nathan!” Mother yelled again.

“At least, I know how to handle my life without reckless decisions blowing up in my face. I don’t go around fathering children and writing checks just to clean up my mistakes.” I took a sip of wine.

Nathan’s smile faltered. His jaws clenched slightly but it was enough. Because everyone at the table knew what I meant.

“Can we just have a peaceful dinner?!” Mother yelled.

“Perhaps, some other time because it is pretty obvious that this lapdog is in for drama and my fiancée and I, we aren’t cut for this. We just came to inform you that we are getting married by weekend.” I informed them and placed a kiss on Mother’s cheeks. “I love you and I will see you tomorrow.”

Father didn’t utter anymore word neither did Nathan.

The drive home was quiet. I wasn’t upset because of Nathan. Of course, I always expected such fuss from him but Father.... he hadn’t been as shocked as I expected. It in fact, felt like he adapted quickly.

“I will talk to you tomorrow and I am very sorry for what you witnessed tonight.” I spoke and she nodded before alighting and I returned home.

I stepped into my penthouse and exhaled, rolling my neck to ease the tension from the evening.

“Welcome home, Xavier.” I froze.

Slowly, my gaze shifted to the living room and there, standing in nothing but a silk robe was Olivia. My ex.

A slow smile curled on her lips as she stared at me.

“How did you get in?” I questioned.

“I never really left your life, Xavier. Just..... took a step back.” Her manicured fingers traced over the swell of her stomach. “But I figured it was time we talked. After all, .... we have a baby on the way.”

A snicker escaped my lips and I shook my head.

“You expect me to believe that?”

“I knew you’d be difficult about this.... so, I came prepared.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder and with a deliberate slowness, she tossed it onto the table between us. “That’s a paternity test.” She spoke, watching me closely. “I did it the moment I found out. Go ahead. Read it.”

I tried to convince myself this was a game. Another manipulation but I knew Olivia wasn’t stupid enough to pull this without backing it up. How did this even happen?

“You didn’t forget that night, did you?”