chapter 26

Ailee and Gigi came up on the terrace to enjoy the gloomy and cold weather when she decided to experiment a braid style on her.

"There you go" Gigi said patting Ailee's shoulder twice.

"Oh My Goshhh this is so cute Gi thank you." Ailee beamed and turned the mirror in odd angles to look at the pretty braids properly.

"You're welcome. Now I shall take my leave."

" Yes bye. Love ya."

She clicked lots of photos of her new look and sent them to her big baby who demands her pictures everyday.

Now that her sister left for work and Ailee was all alone, she decided to check up on her boyfriend whom she hasn't seen in two weeks because Luka was away resulting in Xavier getting a bit busier than usual.

He didn't pick up the first time she tried.

So she dialled again and this time just when she was about to hang up, she was greeted by his tired and hoarse voice.

"Zai hey! Did I disturb you?" she asked nervously.

"No Coco I will never be disturbed by you."

"Ok. Are you alright?"

"Mhmm perfectly healthy."

"Your voice is contrasting your statement sugar." she bit her lip in worry.

"It must be a network issue."

Suddenly the line went silent. Xavier looked down at the device in his hand confusingly but it started ringing again and this time it was a video call. He swiped the button and accepted the call straight away.

She didn't speak for 10 seconds just observing his face and he did the same.

"You lied. Your face is flushed, your eyes are watery and you look like you haven't slept in days." she said worriedly.

"Well the last part is true." he said lowly.

"Well every part of it was true. Please don't tell me you're in the office in this condition."

Silence.

"Say something" she pleaded.

"You asked me to not tell you that I'm in office." he shrugged.

"Xavier!"

"Coco."

"Ughh is this how you're like when you're sick?"

"I'm not sick."

"My bad; let me rephrase it. Is this how you behave when you're extra healthy?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"I'm coming to pick you up."

" You are not."

" Yes I am"

"I ate Tylenol"

"Why? That's for sick people"

" God! The sass makes you sexier" he said licking his lips.

She blushed so hard, only now realising how savage her replies truly were.

"I-umm I'll see you in a bit. Bye. Take care."

She hung up right after not even waiting for his response.

He smiled a little and got back to his work.

___

"Sir is in his office ma'am. I'll ask someone to take you there." said the receptionist as soon as Ailee approached her.

Looking at her perplexed state she added

"You're here to meet Mr Romano, right ma'am?"

"Uh y-yes I am." she replied still confused but then slowly it dawned on her. They saw her!

They recognised her even when she only came here once. Well the second one doesn't count because she directly went to the waiting room on her own and then left just 15 minutes later through the private exit.

"Hi! I'm Emily. I'll take you to Mr Romano. Please come this way." said a young and pretty blonde girl.

"Thank you" she replied politely.

"It's my duty ma'am."

They both entered the elevator, different from the last one, and got out on the familiar floor.

"His cabin is right up ahead. You can ask for the assistance of Ria at the desk if you need anything."

"Ok thank you again Emily" she smiled and continued on her way to scold her 6'2 ft boyfriend.

She knocked on the door and waited patiently for his response which she got soon after.

She entered slowly and shut the door behind her softly. After a minute he looked up at the lack of acknowledgement by the other person and was surprised to see his little piece of chocolate standing there fidgeting with her bracelet. Yes he was expecting her but it's too early for her to be here. He thought it would take her atleast an hour, not that he was complaining.

"How are you Coco?" he asked returning his attention back to the computer.

She didn't reply and shuffled closer to where he was sitting.

He looked up when he felt her hand on his forehead and heard her gasp.

"You are burning up!" she exclaimed cupping his face with both her hands.

"Why did you come to office when you had such a high fever Xavier. You didn't even inform me. I'm very disappointed."

"I will be okay in a day or two and about not informing you, it was not worth making you worried for."

"Please promise me if anything like this- No if anything at all happens to you, even a scratch, or tiniest bit of cold you tell me right away. Promise?"

He sighed.

"I am okay Coco look at me."

" Promise me please" she looked at him with her big bright eyes that he can't resist and he caved in.

" Alright "

" Say it" she demanded interwining their pinkies.

" What's this for?" he asked with a scrunched up face.

"Promise seal. You can never break it. Now say it."

" I promise I'll tell you whenever I will feel hot."

" I-you-" for reasons unbeknownst to her, she blushed.

The man infront of her who was intently studying her smirked.

"P-please say it properly" she said holding his large hands in hers.

"I promise you will be updated about my health whenever there will be a reduction in it. Happy? It's like we are taking our fucking wedding vows."

" Very" she replied tucking a strand of hair behind her ear ignoring the latter part of his comment.

" I'm really feeling hot though." he said barely masking his amusement.

"Xavier" she tried to glare at him but her red cheeks were a dead giveaway of her fake strictness.

"Let's go." she pulled his hand only to get pulled back naturally when the object behind didn't budge.

"Where are we going?" he asked looking at her short figure.

"First hospital then your home." she replied crossing her arms trying to look intimidating.

"Yeah No. You stay here with me." he said putting his hands in the pockets.

"Yeah No. You come with me."

"What are we? 5?"

"Me? no. You? yes."

" I-"

" Yeah yeah c'mon Xavi please please please please." she interjected with a cute pout resting on her even cuter face.

"Don't do it. It's me who's betterment we are discussing here so why are you begging?"

" I don't know maybe because you're too stubborn and this is the only way?"

" Ok let's go" he said and led her outside murmuring something along the lines of how she is no less stubborn than him.

___

"Now what Coco?" he asked in exhaustion.

They were standing infront of her car and Ailee refused to go inside.

"I'm drivin-"

"Hell no."

"I'm not letting you drive. Get in. Oh Emily is calling you look!"

"Who the fuck is Emily?

The moment he turned to look at the building they just exited, she sprinted and sat in the driver's seat. Her giggles brought back his attention and he understood what she did.

"You" he shook his hand and sat down on the passenger seat.

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