Chapter 31: Living Together

The plane touched down in New York with a smoothness that only a private jet could offer, and Zara stretched in her seat, groggily wiping sleep from her eyes. Xavier had remained engrossed in his work the entire time, a steady reminder of his relentless drive, which, quite frankly, was a little exhausting to witness.

As the private car sped through the bustling streets of New York, Zara tried to enjoy the rare moments of quiet, taking in the towering skyscrapers and the hurried energy of the city. The thought of staying here for three months gnawed at her. What could possibly keep her here so long? And with Xavier of all people? The guy who seemed to exude cold indifference at every moment.

The drive was longer than she anticipated, but the view was spectacular. Finally, they pulled up in front of a modern, sleek apartment building with glass facades and a grand entrance. The doorman greeted them, and the driver parked the car as the towering structure loomed in front of them. Zara's confusion was immediate. This was no hotel.

"Wait, what?" she muttered under her breath, looking at Xavier.

He simply raised an eyebrow, his usual impassive expression settling into place. Zara's pulse quickened. This wasn't just a business trip—this was more than she'd signed up for.

"Xavier, what is this?" she asked, her voice a little more strained than she intended.

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped out of the car, walking toward the entrance of the building. Zara followed behind, still processing the fact that she was about to live in an apartment for the next few months with someone she barely knew.

The building lobby was minimalist and modern, the scent of fresh flowers and polished marble floors greeting them as they entered. She wasn't sure what to expect, but this definitely wasn't it.

"We'll be staying here. It's more convenient for the project," Xavier said nonchalantly, as if he were talking about anything but living arrangements.

Zara narrowed her eyes. "So, you're telling me we're staying together for the next three months... in the same apartment?"

Xavier didn't even look at her, stepping into the elevator. "There are two bedrooms. It's temporary. We need to be close for the duration of the project. I've already had the place set up."

"Two bedrooms?" she asked, feeling a bit more relieved but still confused. "Why not just get a hotel or something? You know, like normal people would do?"

Xavier shot her a sidelong glance as he pressed the button to the penthouse floor. "Hotels wouldn't be practical for this length of time. This apartment is ideal. Plus, it's more comfortable."

Zara didn't know whether to be more perplexed or annoyed. She crossed her arms, looking at the sleek, modern walls of the elevator. It felt like he had thought this all through, while she had been left scrambling to catch up.

As the elevator doors slid open, they entered the spacious penthouse apartment. The interior was immaculate—sleek, contemporary furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the New York skyline, and an open-plan design that made the place feel even larger than it already was.

Zara couldn't help but gape at the living space. "This is... wow," she muttered, her eyes scanning the apartment. There was no doubt about it; the place was luxurious. It was like living in a showroom, everything designed for perfection.

But it still didn't sit right with her. She didn't sign up to live with Xavier, let alone for months. Her gut twisted as she walked deeper into the apartment.

"Why exactly are we doing this?" she finally asked, unable to hold back her frustration. "I mean, this is all... too much."

Xavier, who had already settled on the couch with his phone, didn't immediately respond. He was no stranger to keeping people at arm's length, and he clearly wasn't about to give an explanation for his choice of living arrangements.

"You're here for the project," he said, as if that were all the explanation needed. "Now, let's get to work."

Zara huffed, crossing her arms as she stood by the window, gazing out at the city below. She had no idea how she was going to survive the next three months of this—being around Xavier all the time.

But one thing was clear: she wasn't about to let this inconvenience slide. She'd make it work, if only to prove to herself that she didn't need anyone telling her how to live her life.

"Fine," she said, spinning on her heel to face him, her expression hardening. "But I'm not staying here to entertain your mood swings and bossiness, alright?"

Xavier didn't respond, but his faint smirk told her he wasn't bothered by her defiance.

Zara took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Alright. Let's see how long this lasts."

And with that, the door to their temporary living arrangement closed behind her.