Chapter 3 - Performance

Mr Lorenzo went on a deep rant. For a moment, she caught Xavier’s gaze through her peripheral vision. He stared long at her.

“Is this some type of play?” Xavier spoke.

She couldn't believe her ears. Xavier’s gaze flickered towards her.

She looked up, catching his face perfectly since the course of the dinner for the first time. He had a tiny scar across his brow he arched notoriously. If he were someone less important, she would have laughed stupidly.

“I don't understand what you mean by that?” She poked her steak with the fork.

"You are usually very outspoken. I know quite a lot about you.” He said flatly.

“I'm rather surprised, if I'm being honest, Mr Lorenzo. I'm surprised you've taken your time to go through my credentials and political stance.” Aveline shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Fucking set of weirdos. Her life was a public record and easy to dissect. Still, she couldn't help but cling to a small relief that at least they’d found something admirable about her.

“My apologies. That was rude of me. I was curious about my fiance.” He tipped her wine bottle.

Denzo sat, shocked by his display. He quickly shut his mouth, adjusting in his seat. Everyone had a role to play. Hopefully, it will come together at the end.

Aveline stared long at him. Neither of them tore their gaze. Heat boiled inside her. She couldn't explain why she suddenly felt so much anger. Was it his indifference or his casualness?

“Mr Lorenzo—”

“Xavier.” Dissecting his steak. “It's Xavier.”

“Xavier.” She paused. “You seem rather disinterested during the course.”

“I assure you, Linda, it has nothing to do with you.” He munched, indifferent.

“Aveline. It's Aveline.” She frowned.

“Well, maybe you could tell me. Is the steak too buttery or too juicy.” It wasn't about steak. “I can't pretend like your apathy doesn't bother me.” She tightened round her fork.

“I knew you were chatty but not forward. Look at you.” He looked down to her hands. “I should be asking you that. Does my presence bother you so much?”

Aveline's anger dissolved into a calm. She smiled. “Forgive my forwardness.”

“You’ve nothing to apologize for. I don’t expect you to be interested in me. or in the dinner, for that matter.” He glanced briefly at his glass, then back at her. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather take you hunting one of these days. We can talk properly then, without all this… dressed-up noise.”

Her brow arched. “Is that your way of saying you have no business being here?” She tilted her head, trying to gauge his reaction.

Xavier smiled, a quick, low rumble escaping his chest. She couldn’t tell if it was amusement or mockery. “You may be a little too quick for me.”

Denzo froze Amidst all the malicious jabs.

Aveline thought it strange that Mrs Lorenzo kept quiet throughout their back and forth.

“The wedding will take place in a month from now.” Mrs Lorenzo’s voice cut through.

“Mrs Lorenzo, we didn't discuss the date.” Denzo countered.

“A month is fine.” Aveline stared at Mrs Lorenzo, challenging.

Xavier caught her expression in the corner of his eye, studying her every move.

“Xavier, when we meet again before our wedding, I’d love it if you could educate me a little on guns,” she said sharply. “I’m sure you don’t mind. Or does owning an armed weaponry empire lack passion?” She lifted her gaze to meet his.

He considered her, his expression unreadable.

“Hmm,” he said in mild reassurance in his tone. More than he cared to admit, he was intrigued and amused.

********

The night swept into an uncomfortable silence. Neither of them spoke. Aveline completely forsook her meal. Mrs Lorenzo ate little. Xavier ate a decent amount of food he seemed to enjoy.

Seconds blurred into minutes. Eventually, the dinner came to an end. The Lorenzos rose to leave. Just at the door, Xavier paused, turning back toward her.

Aveline kept her composure. Did he have something to say?

“I wouldn’t want to visit my fiancée empty-handed,” he said. “That would reflect poorly on us.”

Xavier opened a tiny box he brought out of his pocket. He opened it carefully, revealing a glittering silver necklace, adorned with a delicate diamond pendant.

Aveline turned her back instinctively, as he woke the necklace round her neck.

Her fingers lingered on her neck, tracing the feeling over her neck. Heat rose to her cheeks, not from affection, but from irritation. The gesture, small as it was, reminded her of the obligations. She hadn’t prepared a gift, she hadn’t anticipated this encounter, and yet here he was. She looked up at him one last time, but he was already walking toward the door, in a haste. He checked through his watch as they were escorted into their vehicle.

Aveline walked past her father, letting the silence drift within them, exhausted from all the rich saga frenzy. Her hands fell lazily by her side. She wished she could just wake up to a life where the Lorenzos were deleted from history.