A Date

ALEXIS 

Months and months later, you would probably think, What happened to Alexis? Where has she been? What has she been up to? I'm pretty sure she went back to Dyson, knowing how miserable she is. She needs him to feel beautiful, doesn't she?

But you couldn't be more wrong.

I flung my eyes open at the sound of the shrill alarm ringing, only to realize I was already five minutes late. I dashed into the bathroom, and what felt like an eternity later, I rushed downstairs to the dining room.

"Darling, I thought you were staying in today," Mom called from where she sat, gently sipping her tea.

"Not a chance, Mother." I kissed her lightly on the cheek and stole a sip from her mug.

"Hey! Get your own."

"Let my buttercup be," my dad said from the head of the table, a newspaper in hand. Ever since I took over his company, XD Corporations in Luxembourg, he rarely stressed about going to work. He was getting older anyway and deserved to take a break.

"Goodbye, Mom and Dad." I waved before walking out of the house.

XD Corporations was a massive organization that stood tall in the heart of Luxembourg, all black steel and towering glass windows. I adjusted my navy-blue suit jacket and headed toward the entrance.

The automatic glass doors parted with a soft hiss, welcoming me into the bustling lobby of XD Corporations. The place buzzed with the clicking of keyboards, ringing phones, and the sharp rhythm of my heels against the polished floor. Everyone I passed bowed or nodded respectfully.

"Good morning, Boss," a masculine voice I knew all too well called out.

My personal assistant, Michael, fell into step beside me, a tablet clutched in one hand and a steaming cup of my favorite black coffee in the other. He adjusted his glasses, his eyes scanning the screen.

"You're five minutes behind schedule, but considering the Q3 earnings report just came in, I'll let it slide."

I snatched the coffee and took a huge sip.

"Are they as good as I think?"

"Better." Michael beamed, a proud smirk playing on his lips. "Since you took over from your father, revenue is up by forty percent. You're practically a miracle worker, Alexis. In fact, the media is losing its mind over the 'New XD Era.'"

"Hm. Interesting. I thought the media said I only got this far because of my looks and not my intelligence."

"About that... I actually received a call from Noble Magazine this morning. They want you on the cover of their next issue. A full spread."

I paused outside the executive elevator, glancing down at myself. The tailored navy-blue suit hugged my curves perfectly, emphasizing how tiny my waist had become. The "heavy" girl Dyson's sisters had mocked was gone.

I chuckled as I pressed the button for the top floor.

"A cover? Please, Michael. Tell them I'm far too busy running a multibillion-dollar company to be posing for some camera."

Michael snickered, tapping on his tablet.

"I figured you'd say that. I'll politely decline. Oh, and one more thing—you have a guest. Mr. Xavier is waiting for you in the executive lounge. He's been there for about ten minutes."

A genuine smile spread across my face, the lingering morning stress instantly evaporating.

"Xavier? I haven't seen him in almost four weeks. Thanks, Michael. I'll head straight there."

I pushed open the heavy oak doors of the lounge and found him standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over the Luxembourg skyline. When he turned at the sound of my footsteps, my breath caught ever so slightly.

"Well, well," I joked, crossing my arms as I walked toward him. "Look who decided to grace us with his presence. Is it just me, or do you look significantly more ripped than the last time I saw you four weeks ago? Did you get a bicep transplant?"

Xavier let out a rich, deep laugh, the sound wrapping around me like a warm blanket. He rubbed the back of his neck, a boyish smirk on his face.

"Guilty as charged. I've been a lot more consistent at the gym lately. No excuses, right? You don't look too bad yourself, Alexis. Actually, you look incredible."

The warmth in his eyes was undeniable. Over the past few months, the strength of our friendship had been one of the few things—aside from my parents—that kept me sane.

"Flattery will get you everywhere but here," I teased, tapping my chest.

"Good to know, because I was wondering if I could steal you away." Xavier stepped a little closer. "Can I take you out for a quick coffee? Just to catch up properly?"

I glanced at my watch, a pang of regret hitting me.

"I'd love to, Xavier. Really. But you'll have to wait a bit. I have a meeting with a group of overseas investors in about five minutes. They're trying to close a major supply deal."

Xavier didn't look disappointed. Instead, an intrigued spark lit up his eyes.

"In that case, would you mind if I tagged along? I'd be honored to sit in and watch the master at work."

"Be my guest." I smiled, gesturing toward the boardroom. "Just try not to let your big muscles intimidate them too much."

Three male investors sat confidently in the meeting room, their legs spread wide. The moment I sat down, I could read their playbook as clearly as day. They smiled a little too widely, patronized me with overly gentle tones, and threw around financial jargon meant to confuse a novice. They thought I was just a rich man's daughter playing dress-up in a CEO's chair. They thought they could use my gender to outsmart me and lock XD Corporations into a low-yield, one-sided contract.

Idiots.

I let them finish their pitch, nodding along with an innocent smile while watching them mentally celebrate their victory. When the lead investor finally slid the contract toward me, confident he had backed me into a corner, I leaned back and folded my hands.

"It's a beautiful pitch, gentlemen," I began, my voice shedding its sweet act and cutting through the room like a blade. "But your projected valuation conveniently omits the twelve percent tariff fluctuation in the European market for next quarter. Furthermore, you're offering us standard manufacturing rates while expecting exclusive distribution rights."

The investors stiffened, the smiles disappearing from their faces.

"If XD Corporations signs this," I continued, sliding the paper back with a single finger, "we absorb all the risk while you reap double the margins. I don't think so. If you want access to our infrastructure, you'll double your initial investment guarantee, and we take a sixty-percent cut of the distribution royalties. Otherwise, the elevator is right down the hall."

The lead investor swallowed hard, exchanging panicked glances with his colleagues. I had caught them red-handed, and they knew they couldn't afford to lose us.

Within ten minutes, they signed the revised terms.

I had just secured double what they would have paid under the original agreement.

As the door clicked shut behind the investors, I finally let out a breath. Xavier was staring at me from the corner of the room.

He clapped slowly as he walked over to my chair.

"Remind me never to get on your bad side. Alexis, that was brilliant. You completely dismantled them."

"They thought they could play me," I said as I gathered my laptop.

"They certainly did." Xavier laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

He leaned against the edge of the desk, looking down at me with a soft, intense gaze.

"And on that note, a simple coffee isn't going to cut it anymore. I'm taking you out to a proper dinner tonight."

I paused, looking up at him. My heart fluttered as I tilted my head, a playful smile tugging at my lips.

"Oh? Dinner? Xavier... are you asking me out on a date right now?"

Xavier held my gaze for a moment before breaking into a warm laugh and shaking his head.

"And what if I am?"

"Oh my God, you're unbelievable."

I laughed heartily.