CHAPTER 6

"Are you flirting with me?" I shot at Xavier who is now sitting in front of me. We are dinning at one of the restaurants here. He stared at me for a few seconds before he shook his head slowly while smiling.

"What will you do if I am?" He said looking straight into my eyes.. as if he was swimming deeper into my soul.

"Nothing.. what do you expect me to do?"

"Flirt back?" he teased. I frowned at him.

"You are seriously different from the Xavier I met at the party," I concluded. He nodded his head while still looking at me.

"Cause I don't need to pretend here?"

My eyes widened a little. "You need to pretend?" I asked curiously. I don't know if he's somehow like me.. who needs to follow lots of strict rules so that I can never disappoint my parents. Who knows? I hardly believe that women lives so differently from men. I wonder if men struggles to fit in the society too.

"No. Not really. I don't have to pretend. The cold and quiet and serious Xavier you met at the party is still me... it's just I act different in front of people I am not close to.. and to people I am close or comfortable with," he said with full of sincerity but his eyes were cold.

Wow, here I thought that Xavier was only a driven to success businessman.

"I wonder if my brother knows this side of you," I whispered. Xavier smirked against his lips.

"Believe me when I tell you I know your brother more than you know him," he shot back. My brows furrowed at his answer yet he remain cold.. and his playful smirk was still visible.

"It's okay.. he doesn't know me at all," I replied. And I believe, my reply caught Xavier off guard.

"That's interesting," he commented.

The food arrived and we enjoyed it. It felt like we had all the time in the world when we were having our fancy dinner. I am amazed how he converse with me. He become serious from time to time but when he felt like our conversation is becoming too serious, he will light it up.

I am grateful for that.. I really thought Xavier was the other version of Lucian. Who was nothing but focused at work, success, land, sports, and wealth. I know Lucian cares for me... because I am his only and youngest sister. But his not so good will always be visible in my eyes. All of the man around me are basically, The Man.

Misogyny had always been around me from the moment I learned about this world.. that's why it is not new whenever men disappoint me. But, so far... I could say that Xavier is different.

"When you get married.. how do you expect your wife to serve you?" I asked... curiously if he's like the other men.. who wants their women to be below them.

"I am not looking for a wife to serve me." He sipped the wine and looked at me for few seconds while his brows are furrowed. "Why?"

"Nothing. I was just curious if you want a trophy wife."

"I want a wife who can be with me through ups and down. If you don't want to work, it's alright with me. I can provide everything.. everything you want and need," he answered... like he was looking through me.

"Bold of you to think I am asking you to make me your wife," I joked around.

"Bold of you to think I'll wed you," he shot back that made my lips parted. He smiled against his lips. "That's good.. because I will, though."

He left me in awe.

"What your real deal, huh?" I asked in full confidence.

"Why? Will you negotiate with me?" He asked with his serious voice and cold eyes. He's damn serious now. Just wow.

"Negotiate with what?"

"I know things you don't, Kelsey. If I tell you about it.. would you think about it? And negotiate with me?"

"Depends."

He nodded. "Depends? It's about my life and your life after college," he said. I listen to him attentively.. waiting for him to burst out the next words.

"You're aware that you have to marry well, right?" He asked.. and the crease on my forehead became more visible.

"You are arranged to someone I know.. you haven't met him yet but he's wide aware of you." My lips parted with what he just told me.

"He's not interested with you—"

"I am not interested with him, too!" I whispered with all grace and defense. I saw approval on Xavier's face when I said that I am not interested with whoever that man was.

"I don't want to get married," I said.. and Xavier's approval face shifted into shocked. "I mean, I want to but not after college. I want to do lots of things first. I want to achieve my goals." I ranted.

I couldn't help but get mad at what I just learned. I know I have to marry well... but I don't want to do that soonest. I can be more than just marrying a man that fits my clan's standard. I can be the woman of my own. they won't just let me.

"That's why I'm negotiating with you..." Xavier started. I tried to calm myself to listen on whatever he was about to deal me with.

"You don't want to get married yet. He cannot marry you.. he doesn't want to. And, I need someone to stand by me at the moment," Xavier concluded.

"What do you mean?"

"We can date. Fake date if you want. I am not serious with you. Don't worry, I won't wed you when you're not yet ready."

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"Listen to me, Kelsey. I need someone I can compromise my grandparents.. I need to introduce someone in order for them to trust me that I will marry soon. You just need to date me. In that way, the man you're arranged to will have the chance to go after his lover. And you? You are not bound to marry a stranger," he said.. trying to get my approval and big yes.

"Just date me. Date me until I got what I need from my grandparents. Date me until he win the life he wants to have with his lover. Date me and you will not have to worry marrying someone so early."

"One for the benefit, two for the sweet lie. Kelsey, date me."