Chapter 5

The door swung open and my heart dropped straight to the floor.

Frank stepped in?”, his eyes scanning the small space. Write landing on me and then shifting to Xavier who barely stood two steps behind me. I moved immediately, putting some distance between us like the gal would erase what had almost happened, my hand gripped the edge of the counter while I turned to look at Frank with a composed expression I could barely pull together.

“Frank.” I blurt out his name.

Mai’s brows raised slightly, eyes moving between his before settling on me. “What’s going on? You’ve been in here a while.”

“Well, Xavier was just letting me know dinner was wrapping up.” The lie rolled off my tongue before I could think, and I managed a small smile to make it more convincing. “I was also lost in our little discussion that I lost track of time.”

Frank looked at me for a moment like he found something blue in what I said and then Xavier, I couldn’t read the plain expression he had, it was the kind of look that made you think he had some suspicious thoughts. My pulse hammered in my ears but I held his gaze, kept my shoulders lose and held on to the smile.

Xavier soooke from behind me, his voice completely relaxed. “Uncle She seemed completely lost, had to bring her here and we got to talk, you know how much I love to chatter.”

Frank’s expression softened and he let out a sigh, nodding. “Right.” He straightened his back and reached out, pressing a kiss to my forehead. His lips were warm and somehow made me feel worse. “I have to leave right now, something came up with the Singapore deal, they need me in a call tonight.”

“Tonight?” I frowned softly.

“I know.” He squeezed my hand gently. “I’m sorry.” He glanced at Xavier. “Make sure she gets to the car safely, yeah?”

Xavier smiled innocently. “Of course uncle Frank, you can count on me.”

Frank gave him a shoulder pat, kissed my hand, and walked out, his footsteps fading along the hallway until it became quiet.

I didn’t mind, I kept my eyes fixed on my reflection in the mirror, watching my smile fade the second Frank left.

I heard Xavier move behind me.

I turned around before he could say anything, keeping a blank expression. “Don’t,” I warned.

He moved closer to the wall, his arms over his chest with a look of ease like someone who had nowhere to be and not a single care about a person’s personal space.. his eyes remained on mine, not teasing curl on his lips, just calm, watching me like he was trying to read me.

The silence was worse than him acting like a total douche bag. “You handled it so well, I wonder what else you can handle.”

“I don’t need your commentary.”

“I’m only pointing out what I observed.” He tilted his head to the side slightly. “You really do well under pressure.”

“Whatbid you want Xavier?” My time was flat, it wasn’t really a question, I knew what was coming the moment Frank walked out.

He slid his hand into his pockets like he was having a casual conversation with a friend. “I think you already know.”

“Say it.”

He held my gaze for a moment before he spoke. “I want you to be my sneaky link.” His voice was low, wasn’t threatening but stated it like there was no other option. “Until I say otherwise.”

The words shook me. “And if I say no?” I asked, and I hated that I asked because it meant I was already negotiating.

“Then the video finds its way to Uncle Frank.” He said without blinking. “Before the wedding.”

The room felt like it was getting smaller, the air on my skin rose, I could suddenly hear the faint music downstairs, the cool air was hitting my back, and the slight tremor in my hands.

I wanted to scream at him, use every ugly word I could thinking, do something to make him shut up, and distort every of his silly thoughts. I was too stunned to speak.

Instead, I stared at him for a few seconds then reached out and picked up my purse from the counter, smothered the front of my dress once, and walked towards the door, he didn’t move to stop me, just watched me reach past him and pull it open.

“Twenty-four hours.” He turned halfway. “Think carefully.”