A Date (2)

ALEXIS 

Xavier shook his head, his smile never leaving his face.

"I'll pick you up at seven," he said confidently. "And before you even think about making an excuse, no, I'm not taking no for an answer."

I narrowed my eyes on him."You're awfully confident."

"I have to be," he replied with a shrug. "Otherwise, I'd never get you out of that office."

I glanced around the boardroom before letting out a quiet sigh.

"You may have a point."

"I know I do," Xavier said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I'll see you tonight."

"You'd better," he replied before walking backward toward the door. "Don't keep me waiting."

"I make no promises." I shushed him away. 

"You enjoy being difficult." He laughed again before disappearing into the hallway.

...

By the time seven o'clock arrived, I had already changed out of my work clothes and into a simple emerald-green dress that reached just above my knees. It wasn't overly glamorous, but it was elegant enough for dinner.

Mom walked into my room just as I finished fastening my earrings.

She folded her arms across her chest before smiling knowingly.

"So."

"So?" I asked innocently.

"You're going somewhere." Her eyes moved up and down and I smiled. 

"It's just dinner,” I said looking at the mirror. 

"With?" Her brows lifted. 

"A friend." I sighed helplessly. 

"Is it Xavier? You're finally—” 

I sighed. "Mother..."

"What?" she asked with a laugh. "I'm only curious."

"We're just having dinner."

She walked over and gently adjusted a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"I haven't seen you smile this much in months, sweetheart."

I looked at my reflection in the mirror before forcing out a small laugh. "You're imagining things."

"No," Mom said softly. "I don't think I am."

Before I could answer, the doorbell rang.

Mom smiled triumphantly."Your friend is here. I’ll be downstairs."

When I stepped outside a minute later, Xavier was already standing beside his car.

He looked up as soon as he saw me, and for a brief moment, he simply stared.

I waved a hand in front of his face.

"Hello? Earth to Xavier."

He blinked before letting out an embarrassed chuckle. "Sorry.”

I crossed my arms. "Well?"

"You look beautiful."

I felt my cheeks grow warm despite myself.

"I thought businessmen were supposed to be better liars."

"I'm not lying."

"You've become smoother than I remember."

“Maybe.” He walked around the car before opening the passenger door for me.

"My lady."

"Oh, now you're showing off."

"Just get in before I change my mind."

I shook my head, smiling to myself as I climbed into the car.

The drive through Luxembourg was surprisingly peaceful. The city glowed beneath the evening lights while quiet music played through the speakers.

Neither of us felt the need to rush the conversation.

"So," Xavier said after a few minutes, keeping one hand on the steering wheel, "how does it feel being the youngest CEO everyone can't stop talking about?"

I groaned.

"Please don't remind me."

"You don't enjoy the attention?"

"I enjoy running my company. I don't enjoy reporters hiding outside my office just to ask ridiculous questions."

He laughed.

"What kind of questions?"

"'Miss Laurent, what's your skincare routine?' 'Miss Laurent, are you secretly dating anyone?' 'Miss Laurent, what's your favorite perfume?'"

Xavier burst into laughter.

"They actually asked that?"

"They did."

"And what did you tell them?"

"I told them my favorite perfume was the smell of quarterly profits."

He laughed so hard that he almost missed the next turn.

"Alexis..."

"What?"

"That's probably the most CEO answer I've ever heard."

"I wasn't trying to be funny."

"Which somehow makes it even funnier."

I couldn't help laughing with him.

By the time we arrived at the restaurant, my stomach already hurt from laughing.

Xavier stepped out first before walking around to open my door.

"You really don't have to keep doing that," I said as I climbed out.

"I know."

"Then why do you?"

He smiled as he closed the door behind me.

"Because I want to."

For some reason, those four words stayed with me as we walked inside.

The restaurant overlooked the Alzette River, and the view through the glass walls was breathtaking. Soft piano music filled the room while candles flickered on every table.

"This place is beautiful," I admitted as I looked around.

"I was hoping you'd like it," Xavier said as he pulled out my chair.

"I do."

Once we ordered our meals, a comfortable silence settled between us.

It wasn't awkward.

If anything, it was surprisingly easy.

Xavier rested his forearms on the table before looking at me.

"Can I ask you something?"

I nodded. 

"What made you take over XD Corporations?"

I looked down at my glass for a moment before answering.

"My father never asked me to."

Xavier listened quietly.

"He wanted me to live whatever life I wanted, but after everything that happened..." I paused briefly. "I realized I couldn't keep feeling sorry for myself forever. I needed something to pour all that pain into, and the company gave me exactly that."

"So work became your escape.” 

He nodded slowly. "I understand that more than you think."

I looked at him curiously.

"What about you? I didn't get to know much about you because of how suspicious I was of you from the beginning.” 

He leaned back in his chair before smiling faintly.

"You're right, but I don't think knowing me will change anything even if I wouldn't want to know about me.”