chapter 41

The past five days were a blur. Everyone was busy making arrangements and Ailee's parents couldn't believe their daughter was going to be engaged.

Her whole family would stay up late at night to talk about how unreal it was, how all of them will find their loves one day and move away and how empty this house will be without them. And everytime they brought this topic up the girls would groan and change the subject as they weren't leaving anytime soon.

"Thank you" Thanking the stylists politely, Ailee exited the makeup room to go and change into her dress.

They booked the best resort in the city for the ceremony and the view here was breathtaking. There was an ocean right in front of it and right now it was evening.

The sky was turning purplish and the sun had touched the horizon, spreading its last rays.

She took her time wearing the beautiful formal maroon dress. It had a satin corset top and its neckline was bordered with pearls and the bottom of the dress had dark shimmery butterflies. She paired it with strappy sandals to give her extra height and also had on a delicate red gemstone necklace with her favorite bracelet which she never takes off.

Not much but stunning.

She maneuvered her way down and stayed by Iris' side as she had the least number of visitors compared to her other siblings.

"Eee Em's tater tot is here, let's go and call her down" She took Ailee by her hand and went up to her room.

" I-can't... .. breathe" Emma huffed when the stylists zipped up the dress from behind.

"Doesn't matter when you look great" Gigi commented from the bed.

"God I really shouldn't have done stress eating. What am I gonna do?"

"Figure it out later" Iris said in exasperation.

" Iris don't stress me up," she said angrily.

" Jeez alright. Take your time and come down when you're done even if it takes you two days. Come on Lils" she seethed and walked out.

Ailee was in a dilemma but she followed her nevertheless.

"I don't want to fight her today but she is being stupid"

"I was so excited for Damien's reaction after seeing her but she-"

She kept talking to herself all the way down and picked up a glass of sparkling rosé wine when a waiter passed by with a tray full of those.

"What are my beautiful girls doing here?" Their father came and stood by them in the corner of the room.

"Papa Emma is taking too much time, the guest will start leaving before the rings could be exchanged"

" It's not that late and it's okay even if they do. Let her take her time, hmm?" He said in a soft tone and Iris nodded, not angry anymore. Not that there was anything to be angry about to begin with.

"Dad there are people looking for you, what are you doing with these noisy kids?" Alex said while sipping on his champagne.

"Who is looking for me?" He asked, ignoring the latter part of the question.

"Some... Perez? Derez? I don't know" he shrugged.

"Alex, you should pay more attention to these things." He frowned.

" Urgh dad I don't socialize well with oldy goldy people"

" I'll go and check," he said and left.

" Lily, can I talk to you for a minute?" He asked, looking a tad bit nervous.

"Yes"

"My girlfriend will be here any minute now. I want you to accompany her if I'm not around okay?" He said and a tint of crimson crept up to his cheeks to support the nervous glow of his eyes.

" Ahh I see, who made you blush like that brother? You never did that before, is she THE ONE?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

" I don't know yet, maybe?" he shrugged trying to pretend to not care but failed miserably.

" Oh come on" she nudged his shoulder to pry deeper.

" Ahem ahem, what's her name?" Iris asked, not at all liking how they were ignoring her.

" Rosalyn"

" That's a pretty name"

" yeah she's-"

" Alex!" They turned their heads towards their father who called him to meet a client.

" I'll bring her over," he said, and quickly joined his father.

"Wow, another significant other of their kid. Our parents will have a blast today."

Ailee giggled and nodded her head, thinking how they have already met one more. They just don't know it yet.

___

Xavier sprayed his perfume and adjusted the watch on his wrist, looking at his reflection for the last time in the mirror before walking down.

He was clad in a crisp burgundy suit, a white shirt underneath, a darker neck tie paired with his leather fringe horsebit loafers and a Rolex Daytona gracing his wrist. His bracelet on the other hand peeked from his sleeve as he adjusted his cufflinks.

His girl sure does have a great taste.

He stopped by the kitchen for a glass of water and scrolled through some news on his iPad before he came and stood in front of the little cabinet that had the keys to his many luxury cars.

He glanced at his outfit and chose a black Lamborghini as his ride. Quickly hopping in he pulled out of his driveway towards the venue.

He couldn't stop himself from thinking about his little darling and how gorgeous she would be looking tonight.

Handing over the keys to the valet, he picked up the presents and made his way inside.

The floor was covered with a neat red carpet, the walls and the railing of the staircase were laced with multi-coloured flowers who were giving a rather vibrant vibe to the occasion and helped in setting a calm mood from the beginning.

He walked inside with firm and confident steps. Power radiating off of him in waves. When he reached the main hall, people automatically parted ways for him, only few daring to approach him for pleasantries.

He only ever replied in a few words or just a nod of his head.

"Mr Romano" said Mr Laurent, coming to greet him with a big smile.

"Mr Laurent" Xavier replied with a little nod and shook hands with him.

"When did you arrive?" He asked, accepting the gifts from him.

"Couple of minutes ago"

"And Mr Luka?"

"He is out of the country"

"Oh I see. Let's move to the private room I know it's not comfortable for you here"

The two of them along with Alex and a few other people left for a more secluded place.

All this while Xavier's sharp eyes searched for a pretty little brunette. He felt a little unhappy when the doors closed and he didn't get to see her before that but his face remained impassive as always.

"I'm very honored to meet you Sir" a man probably in his late sixties said and stretched out his hand.

Xavier nodded and accepted the handshake only because he knew Calvin Laurent wouldn't bring a wrong man in his presence.

"Sir, I've been meaning to talk to you regarding my small business. I hope it's alright with you?" He hesitated.

Xavier glanced at Mr Laurent and he had a pleading look on his face so he gestured to the older man to continue.

"I am a small lumber producer and we have a great quality of wood. I was thinking if you could.... give us a chance for .... one of your many framework construction or furniture?" By the time he completed his sentence, he was sweating profusely.

There was a minute's silence and the other men in the room gulped, anticipating something violent. It could be seen clearly on their pale faces, being in the same room as the infamous mafia boss.

Xavier sat there looking calm and collected as usual, making it impossible for the other person to read his rugged face.

He could smell their fear and it was to the point of frustration.

"My assistant will contact you" he finally said and a full smile bloomed on the man's face along with a string of thank yous that left his mouth when he bowed multiple times in front of him.

He was dismissed soon after. Calvin Laurent encouraged Alex to talk to Xavier and he did but most of it was nonsense.

Xavier just looked at him blankly everytime he said something idiotic.

He knew Alex wasn't stupid he was just nervous.

A moment later there was a knock and then came Ailee's mother, Juliana.

"You're not doing business on our daughter's engagement, are you?" She asked while shaking her head disapprovingly.

"No dear wife I was just entertaining our guests" he said, holding onto her shoulders lovingly.

"You should have let Mr Romano enjoy a little outside. So many pretty ladies and gentlemen have asked me about him"

"I'm quite more comfortable here than outside Mrs Laurent" he said standing up and buttoning his coat jacket.

"Oh then it's okay I guess" she smiled and turned to Mr Laurent.

"Oh also it's time. You should come out"

"We will be out in a minute" she nodded and left.

Talking a little more, Xavier excused himself for the bathroom. But the actual reason was his urgency to meet his girlfriend.

He dialed her number on his way out and avoided all human contact.

She picked up a few rings later,

"Hello" came her sweet, angelic voice, he hadn't heard all day.

"Meet me. Now." He commanded.

"I- they will exchange rings very soon" she said, inspecting her surroundings.

"I'm on the first floor"

"Uh-uh go in room 237 then. That's mine. Code is 4679"

" Mhmm" he was entering the room in the next four minutes.

"Mama I'll be back in a bit" she softly tapped on her mother's shoulder.

"Sure but make it quick." She smiled.

Ailee nodded and started walking towards the elevator.

She was excited to see his reaction to her little idea.

She opened the door sneakily and tiptoed to where he was standing near the balcony. She raised her hands, about to say BOO to scare him.

But in the blink of an eye he turned around and said loudly,

"Caught ya, "

She visibly jumped and screamed, closing her eyes.

"Little kitten"

His deep chuckle compelled her to open her eyes and look at the gorgeous man, she had the blessing of calling hers.

Standing straight again, he looked at her from head to toe very slowly, taking in every little detail of her body.

A sigh followed by another sigh, he closed his eyes while pinching the bridge of his nose and turned away.

"Why? I'm not done looking at you. You look better than me, it's not fair. Turn around" she forcefully made him face her.

"Your beauty is incomparable darling" he slowly and seductively wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer so that now she was pressed against his chest.

She blushed a deep red and fidgeted with his tie knot.

"Thank you"

"I love our matching clothes. You look mine, as you should be" he complimented after a minute.

"You do? I love it too, like when I first got this idea I thought you would oppose it but then I remembered you always comply with my wishes and then again I thought a surprise would be better and so... ... ." She rambled like a toddler and he hadn't seen a sight so endearing before.

The way she talks so freely to him like nothing else matters, his identity, his profession, others' foul opinion on him, nothing. There is no malice lurking in any of the words that flow out of her pretty little mouth.

She is like a breath of fresh air.

An epitome of innocence.

His serotonin.

His Coco.

"Xavier?" She tapped on his lower lip with her index finger.

"Hmm?"

"What are you doing?" She asked with a slight tilt of her head.

With furrowed eyebrows he looked down and noticed he had curled her tendrils around his hand and they were starting to look a little messy.

He gently untangled them and smoothed it down.

"I was testing their softness. They passed"

She giggled and nodded her head teasingly.

"Won't you give me a kiss?" He said huskily in her ear.

"You don't have to ask"

"I love it more when you initiate it. The hesitancy and the gentleness of your lips drives me crazy baby" he whispered in her neck.

She covered her face with her hands and peeked through the fingers.

"Don't say it like that but.....Should I?"

"I insist"

Nervously she tiptoed and held his shoulder to reach his height but he didn't move, finding it extra amusing to see her huff like a baby.

"You're a giant and you're not helping me. No kissy for y-"

With one quick movement he picked her up with the same hand that was encircling her and smashed his lips on hers with an unsated hunger. A moment passed and she began to slowly catch up to him which only added to his desire. Her actions were so innocent while his were so far from it.

He devoured her like he was a famished man and she, the last piece of bread. Their lips were swollen and hers were on the verge of getting bruised when her phone rang. She jumped from the sudden loud interruption in the otherwise silent room but he didn't even flinch. He continued his thing till they both were panting hard.

Her eyes were casted down and chest moved rhythmically with every breath she took to fill the lungs with much needed oxygen.

"Look at me Coco" he tilted her head up by her chin and she slowly met his dark gray pools.

"You're looking gorgeous, baby"

"You're looking gorgeous, baby" she mimicked breathily and then smiled sheepishly after realizing what she had done.

He pecked her lips once, twice, thrice and kept doing it like a woodpecker till his mouth was completely covered in her dark lipstick.

Her phone rang again, interrupting their sweetalicious moment.

He groaned and buried his face in her neck.

"I got to go. Come on" she said and picked up the call which was from her mother.

Informing her that she'll be down in a minute, she reapplied her lipstick and pushed him down on the bed to clean his mouth with a makeup wipe.

They both walked out of the room together and he walked closely behind her, occasionally tickling her sides and she would squeal and jump away from him. They were waiting for the elevator when Xavier's phone rang. He kissed her on the cheek and asked her to go without him and that he'll join her soon.

___

When she was passing by the bar, her hand was gripped by someone.

She shrieked on impulse and turned around with a jerk.

There she saw the man she was wishing to never encounter all night.

Alvaro Russo.

He gave her a smile. A creepy,evil smile that sent shivers of terror down her spine and she wriggled her wrist in his hold.

He raised his hands up in mock surrender and said,

"I mean no harm"

She stumbled back a few steps and he quickly jumped to his feet from the barstool to stop her from running away.

"Not so soon. I've called out your name several time but you heartlessly ignored my pleas"

" I- I didn't know" she whispered.

" Oh sweet. You don't know for how long I've been- By the way you look so ravishing in this hot colour" he said moving closer.

" Please stay away" she bravely stood her ground but her voice shook with terror. Though she knew he would not do anything as long as they were in public, she was still terrified.

He gently ran his fingers along her right cheek, the same cheek Xavier kissed moments ago.

She stepped back and looked for her boyfriend to come and save her.

"Will you show me the room my brother would be staying in?" He asked with a smirk.

"I-"

"Alvaro?"

Their heads snapped in the direction of the manly voice.

"What are you doing here man, I'm dying of nervousness there and look at you flirting and all" Damien said and looked at Ailee.

"Sorry Ailee, my brother's a little playful" he said and dragged him away from there.

She sighed in relief and joined her parents near Emma. She noticed an unfamiliar girl standing with them and she looked at her confusingly.

"Oh Ailee this is Rosalyn, Alex's girlfriend and Rosalyn, this is my youngest daughter, Ailee," her mother introduced.

Ailee gave her a big smile when she smiled and even waved at her.

"I heard a lot about you," she said.

"Oh" Ailee looked at her mother shyly. She knew her brother wouldn't have said anything bad about her. But he is Alex and he most definitely would've told her some embarrassing childhood memories.

"I'm sorry Alex asked me to accompany you, I was a little busy," she said in a quiet voice.

"It's absolutely okay. Juliana and others are real sweethearts. They didn't let me feel out of the place even for a second"

Ailee liked her. Though she didn't meet many of Alex's girlfriends, she was completely different from the ones she met. She could see why Alex was hung on her.

They talked for some more time and turned out she was a big introvert as well but not as big as Ailee.

On the other hand both Damien and Emma looked like the happiest people on the earth. She momentarily forgot about the disturbing incident that took place earlier and smiled seeing her sister laughing at something her boyfriend whispered in her ear.

Soon Xavier came and stood next to her father as well since he got along with him the best among all the people gathered there. Well ofcourse except her.

He at once knew something was wrong. She saw worry flash on his face when their eyes met and she was surprised that he caught on sooner than her family.

It warmed her heart but she didn't know how to disclose the whole thing to him. He would flip after knowing what had happened and that too twice.

And he would kill Alvaro.

Did she want that? No.

But will she risk her safety? Absolutely not.

She blinked once and nodded in a reassuring manner.

He wasn't convinced but he saved the questions for later.

The couple finally exchanged the rings with the crowd going crazy.

They were engaged!

They hugged her parents and her father introduced Xavier to them. Damien was very hesitant and nervous like anyone who met him in person.

While all this time his brain was running at a bullet train speed, trying to think of what could've happened behind his back to suddenly dampen the mood of his little ball of sunshine who is always beaming.

He analyzed his surroundings and couldn't help but notice the way a certain man was looking at his girl. Sure she was pretty and there's always someone stealing glances at her but this one particularly stared shamelessly at her with an expression he knew all too well.

He clenched his jaw and took two steps ahead. This way Ailee was shielded from his dirty eyes.

The cake was being cut and some upbeat music was being played in the background.

The secret couple kept stealing glances. She was relaxed knowing that in his presence no harm would come to her.

After dinner, it was time for the newly engaged couple to dance together and they came in the middle holding each other's hands. By this time mostly the family members were left and almost all the guests had left as it was quarter past one.

Ailee along with the others clapped happily and Xavier just stood there wanting to leave but couldn't because of his darling. He won't leave until that man is gone.

Juliana started crying at the end of their performance that made all the girls teary. Calvin Laurent comforted his wife and rubbed her back soothingly while Alex just groaned at how dramatic they were.

When everyone else was enjoying themselves, Ailee quietly excused herself to change into a more comfortable pair of shoes as she reached her limit now. She never wore such high heels before.

Xavier followed her without letting her know and just when she was shutting the door, he knocked on it.

Scared, she poked out her head and visibly relaxed seeing him standing there with his one hand in his pocket and leaning on the wall. Opening the door wider she let him in.

"Are you tired? You look tired." She said following him inside like a puppy.

"Mhmm too many people" he said and plopped down on the bed.

He had been traveling all night and came back from a neighbouring city after a field work this morning and hadn't had time to rest but she didn't need to know that.

She smiled softly and kissed his forehead, cupping his big face in her tiny hands.

"You should've left early or slept in one of the rooms," she said.

"It was not that bad"

She found herself a pair of sneakers and when she turned around his hand was shielding his eyes from the bright lights and he was lying on the bed with his legs hanging at one side.

She smiled and decided to let him rest for some time so she sneakily left the room.

As soon as she reached the end of the hallway her phone rang and she giggled seeing his name pop.

"Where did you go?" He asked in a tired tone.

" I'm just heading to the hall, you rest" she said and pressed the button for the elevator.

Hearing that he came out and started walking towards the stairs to go down. It would help him wake up from his drowsy state.

"You- where are you going?" She asked when she heard music in the background.

"Wherever you are"

"Mhmm" she copied his hum.

"Okay I'll see you later" she said and hung up the phone not knowing he would be waiting for her downstairs.

He came and stood near the bar when Ailee's father came and took him to his family.

"Are you enjoying Mr Romano?" He asked.

He simply nodded in return and his eyes looked at the elevator which should've opened with his Coco inside, long ago.

Suddenly his phone rang again and he sighed in relief seeing it was his little girlfriend.

He immediately accepted the call, sitting right in the middle of her family.

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