chapter 40

Xavier scrunched another paper and threw it in the bin.

He sighed rubbing his temple and closed his eyes while leaning back on his chair.

The doors to his office burst open. It can't be Luka because he always announce his presence.

He could hear his secretary trying to stop someone when the person in question entered.

"Surprise brother" Igor said, storming inside with a smug look.

"What is the meaning of this?" Xavier asked throwing the pencils in the holder and getting up to greet his unwanted guest.

"I would say revenge but surprisingly, I came to talk to you about something" he said making himself comfortable on the sofa.

" I'm listening... for now" Xavier said joining him.

"I heard you killed Dino?"

"You heard right but if you know him then that also means I'm on the right track."

" Don't get happy too early Xavier"

" Mhmm and didn't you say that only two months later the land will be taken from me. I don't see that either I wonder why"

" It's under the process. Why, you anxious about it?"

" Not at all" They looked at each other with equal rage.

"Surprise Zaiii" Ailee skipped her way inside with a purple box in her hands but she stopped dead realising the presence of an unknown person who was equally shocked to find a girl here.

"I'm sorry I'd wait outside" She shyly said and ran outside without waiting for his response.

Xavier stayed calm to not alert his cunning brother.

"Well too many surprises for a warm person like you. Who was she to have the audacity to barge in like that?"

" No one you should be concerned about" Xavier said, tapping his shoe impatiently.

" Oh but I am"

"Oh but you shouldn't be"

Igor's phone rang and he talked on it for a minute before turning towards Xavier with a smile.

"Unfortunately I have to go and we won't be able to talk about it today but I will visit again"he stood up.

" Yeah next time I'll make sure you won't make past the lobby"

" How sweet" he said and left the room.

When he was passing by the waiting area, his eyes caught the sight of her little figure playing with her phone and he approached her with his heart brimming with curiosity.

"I'm Igor, his brother miss..... He won't tell me anything about you so I thought I'd ask you myself"

She stood there dumbfounded and could feel familiar feeling of panick settling in.

"God what did you do to the poor girl Romano?"

"Fucking leave." he said and grabbed her hand taking her inside and shutting the door.

"Hmm that was interesting" he said tapping his chin with a smirk.

___

"Shh it's alright" he said enveloping her in a comforting hug. He guessed she must be overthinking about this incident because she knew he was on bad terms with his brother.

She looked up at him from his embrace and sighed.

"He smiled when he said he was your brother but I saw how he hurt you. Your bruises Zai, I remember them"

"Hey little baby that day I let him have his way. He can't do that again"

"Don't get yourself hurt ever again by anyone" she said and nuzzled her face in his chest.

"I will not" he said and stroked her head.

"I smell something good" he said after a minute of silence.

"Oh oh I brought you a cake" she jumped away and put down the box on the table.

"I tried to make the same one you did on our date" she said smiling toothily.

" You did great baby" he sat down and pulled her next to him.

"And it tastes definitely better than mine" he said and made a weird face.

"You look funny" she giggled.

He relaxed knowing she forgot about earlier and sat there, patiently listening to her telling him all about her day.

He remembers her schedule by heart now. From what she does after waking up to what she does before sleeping, he knew everything as she tells him the same things everyday with same enthusiasm.

He loved it though.

"You will come right?"

"I will"

"Oh and when dad will give you the invitation card act shocked like you didn't hear it from me, hmm?" she said putting the spoon down which she licked clean.

"Alright, anything else?" he said, knowing all too well that there will be no shocked expressions on his face whatsoever.

"Yeah wear black... but you always do. So wear..... maroon? Do you have that?"

" That's not a problem"

" Good. It would look good on you I know" she said tapping his cheek. She spontaneously decided to wear maroon that day but he didn't need to know that just yet.

" Okay I got to go now" she said and stood up.

He followed her and snaked his arms around her waist.

"So soon?" he whispered.

"You're doing it again" she whispered back.

"I'm doing what?"

"Making me feel fuzzy" she said it so innocently he almost cooed. But he decided on just chuckling and pressed his lips on her forehead.

"Good."

"Ta-ta" she hurriedly pecked his lips and ran out while he stood there and watched the door with a small smile lingering on his face.

___

"Mr Laurent"

"Mr Romano" they shook hands and walked to his office.

He looked at Mr Laurent sitting exactly where his daughter was sitting a day ago and almost smiled. Their features are so similar yet so different.

"I came here to invite you to the engagement ceremony of my daughter, Emma" he said and gave him a white card and a box of goodies.

He knew who will eat those sweets.

"Congratulations"

"Thank you. We will be looking forward to your company."

Xavier nodded and they talked business for a while before leaving.

___

"Come on you sloths" Gigi yelled from the counter where she was paying for the dresses they got.

They all groaned but followed her nevertheless. It's not like they don't like shopping or anything but Gigi has dragged them to every showroom she saw in the mall but didn't buy even three dresses.

They were here to buy dresses for Emma's engagement and Gigi being the fabulous fashion designer she was wanted a perfect dress for her big day.

Ailee almost cried when she announced they would do the same for shoes.

They all walked to a yet another showroom and tried on a few dresses.

"Hmm we got one for Ailee and let's see yours Mila. Just come out!"

Ailee breathed in relief and went back inside to change into her dress. She cleverly kept choosing between maroon dresses and black dresses for obvious reasons. Black incase her sister decide on that instead of a maroon one. He'll have plenty of that and won't mind changing last minute.

Mila came out cat walking.

"What say people, ain't I a sight to behold?"

"Ofcourse" Iris replied dryly without even looking up from her phone.

"No Mila. Emma and you need a better one they don't match the vibe"

"Arghhh I'm not doing this again. What the hell is wrong with this now?"

" The colour doesn't suit you, the neckline isn't right, the shape is wierd there are just too many wrongs"

" God you make it sound awful" she said looking in the full length mirror.

" Because it is"

"Emma I saw you, yours is not any better and we're absolutely not taking any risk with yours. I can't have my sisters wearing just anything, I have some reputation."

They changed into a dozen more dresses of different types, colours, lengths and fabrics before finally deciding on an ice grey shimmery dress for Emma and a lilac dress for Mila.

They gave their dresses for fitting before Mila paid and they left for shoes to match their outfits and surprisingly it turned out to be easier than clothes.

___

"Mama seriously Gigi killed us all shadak kadak" Iris whined while moving her hands weirdly.

"Gi what did you do to my kids?" she asked, laughing.

" Gave them perfect dresses. Ungrateful brats"

" Oh it's good and go to the venue Alex is fighting with the event planner about the colours of table cloth and flowers. Please bring him home when you come back."

" Why do you let him go outside at all" she said and left for her room.

___

" Yes?" Xavier said as soon as he picked up the call.

" I called to ask you.... Have you got

your suit yet?" she asked biting her lip nervously.

" No, why?" he said and her eyes lit up.

" Don't get one" she spoke hurriedly into the phone.

" Okay but why baby?"

" Because I got you one" she said proudly.

He stopped writing on his iPad and sat up straight.

" You got me..... a suit?" he asked, amused.

"I did"

Technically she just saw it in one of the showrooms but she'll quickly go and ask them to deliver it soon.

"I appreciate that. I was really busy"

"I got you baby but don't tire yourself much alright?"

" I'm not tired just a bit busy"

" Hmm I'll see when I'll come to visit Doodle"

"Alright"

"Bye take care"

"Hmm"

She smiled and went back to the mall to get some stuff for her man. It was her turn to spoil him like he does every time.

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