chapter 12

Xavier woke up after a 3 hour sleep. It was still dark outside as it was still too early.

He got out of the bed and freshened up then hit the gym.

After an intense workout he got ready for work. Today he'll be visiting a new restaurant that he was considering buying but it was in another city hence he was up extra early to get done with it without disturbing the rest of his schedule.

His doctor was already waiting for him downstairs to look at his injury and after getting his wound patched up, this time by a professional, he left.

He sighed in exhaustion after settling in the back of his Bentley Mulsanne. He barely slept for 18 hours in total since he came here. He decided to stop by a restaurant to have a good breakfast since he skipped dinner last night like the past 2 days.

He was served with Ponchiki (Donut Holes), Sharlotka (Apple Cake), some sandwiches and coffee.

While eating, his gaze fell on his bracelet and thought of calling her. Now that he have time till he reach his destination he can talk to her freely.

He immediately dialled her number and waited while savouring the sweet delicacies.

"Xavier hiiiii ! " came her upbeat voice from the other end.

"Hello Coco, you seem a little too energetic for night time." he replied already in a better mood.

"Yes! You know, me and my sisters and Alex were having a pillow fight just now. I got cornered by them and somehow escaped and now I am currently hiding from them on the rooftop-"

She paused and suddenly started to take deep breaths. He was about to ask what was wrong but she spoke again

"I'm sorry I tend to ramble a lot when I'm excited. You tell me how are you doing there?" she replied blushing in embarassment and speaking considerably low.

"You can be yourself around me ok? No need to apologise, besides someone got to fill up the silence in between right?" he said seriously.

" Yes okay Xavier" she replied not feeling embarassed anymore.

"And for that question of yours I think I am doing kind of okay." he replied getting up and moving towards his car.

" You don't sound ok at all it's like you're very tired. Are you not resting well?" She asked worriedly.

" My work doesn't give me much freedom to rest and eat properly Coco." he said gesturing his driver to start driving.

"Work is work Xavier and health is health, you must take some rest regardless ok?"

"Yes ma'am" he said amused by her bossy attitude. If it had been any other person to speak to him like that they probably be already eaten by his dogs after 24 hours of excruciating pain from torture but it was different when it comes to her and also because she was concerned about his health.

"So what are you doing now?" she asked.

"Just had my breakfast and now on my way to work." he said looking out of the window.

"Oh. How long will it take for you to come back?"

"Probably a week more. Why? You missing me?" he whispered the last sentence teasingly.

" Uh no- yes I mean- ughhhh Xavierrrrrrrr you know its going to sound not right." she said blushing profusely.

He smiled fully almost chuckling at her adorable-ness.

"Alright alright. Tell me how are you then?"

" Mmmm good. "

" Gotchaaaaa" he heard someone yell in her background and then it was all so chaotic. He couldn't understand anything. There were laughters, screaming, arguments on the other side but everytime he heard her laughing, a ghost of a smile would appear on his face too. He already figured that she must have get caught.

After 15 minutes it got quieter and he heard her say

"I'll be back in a few minutes guys"

"I'm so sorry it was my siblings." she said sitting down on her bed.

"Coco I just instructed you to not apologize. Didn't I?"

" Yes sorr- I mean ok"

" hmm good"

" I got to go now. Bye Xavier and promise me you'll take care of yourself."

" I don't do promises-"

" Pretty please? " she cut him off.

He sighed deeply and said "Ok I'll try"

"Yes you must. I will text you as a reminder everyday hmm?"

"Yes ma'am you may" he said.

"Ok sir bye bye" she said half giggling.

"Bye" he said and hung up smiling a little.

He opened his laptop and got started with the budget reviewing in the meantime.

___

Ailee on the other hand played around with her family for another hour and then went to bed.

She was happy that she talked to Xavier and had so much fun with everyone here.

She closed her eyes and slept peacefully.

___

Xavier reached the restaurant after an hour long car ride.

He met up with the owner and manager and they gave him a thorough tour of the place.

Xavier liked the vintage style architecture but wasn't too pleased with the location. It was situated on a narrow road with not many decent people living around.

His time was wasted. It was clear he won't buy it yet the owner didn't stop pestering him but one hard glare from Xavier and he shrunk back.

He left the place soon after to continue with his appointments.

It was around 2 in the noon when he got a text from Ailee.

{Beep Beep.}

{Time to rest Mr Romano~}

-Coco

{5 minutes?}

-Mi Amigo ♡・⁠_⁠・

{Ok but make sure you eat as well?}

-Coco

{Alright}

-Mi Amigo ♡・⁠_⁠・

True to his words he left his office after 5 minutes to have lunch in a nearby restaurant and then went straight to his penthouse for resting as he can complete rest of the work from home.

He slept for good 2 hours and woke up feeling so much better. He silently thanked Ailee and got back to his work.

___

Later that night he got a call from a private number.

He received the call but didn't speak wanting the other person to reveal themselves first.

"Romano I was informed you're here in Russia. Welcome brother." said a deep voice and he knew in an instant, who it belongs to.

"Igor" Xavier acknowledged.

"Good to know you haven't forgotten me" came his reply.

" I received your welcome gift Igor and I must say it was rather immature coming from you." Xavier said mockingly.

Igor gritted his teeth hearing his insult.

" I will make sure you fall hard from that high horse of yours Romano. You will pay for what you've done."

" Mhmm so sweet of you big brother I will be waiting patiently for that time."

" Yeah you do just that"

Igor grunted and hung up.

Xavier put his phone down and rubbed his temple sighing loudly.

He too deserves a nice vacation after a decade of endless working, fighting, injuries and what not.

But first he'll have to do something about this pain in the ass of a brother and then he'll maybe think about himself.

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