Chapter 24: A Tale of Two Sides

The laughter from the table was infectious, and Zara couldn't help but get caught up in the moment. The delicious food before her seemed almost secondary to the entertainment that Ethan had provided with his story about Xavier. The way he described their childhood, their antics, and especially Xavier's famously cold demeanor had the whole table in stitches.

But Zara wasn't about to let Ethan have all the fun. No, she was determined to get in on the act too. As the laughter died down and the conversation settled, she couldn't resist. With a sly smile, she leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she turned to face Ethan and Lila.

"Well, well," she started, her tone playful, "You guys think that was funny? Let me tell you about this guy here." She pointed dramatically at Xavier, making sure to emphasize the words as if she were about to reveal a dark secret.

Xavier didn't flinch, his expression as stoic as ever, though she could see a subtle twitch at the corner of his lips that suggested he was curious to hear what she would say.

"I'm telling you," Zara continued, leaning back in her seat with the kind of confidence that only she could muster, "This guy," she jabbed her thumb at Xavier again, "is a real piece of work."

Lila and Ethan exchanged amused glances, sensing where this was going.

"Let me start with the time he almost hit me with his car," Zara said, leaning in closer, her eyes wide in mock horror. "This guy literally came speeding down the road, swerving all over the place like he was trying to win a race!" She paused for dramatic effect, looking over at Xavier with a smirk. "And when he almost ran me over, do you know what he did? He didn't apologize or ask if I was okay. Nope. He just looked at me like I was the one in his way."

Ethan and Lila were already laughing, enjoying every moment of her exaggerated retelling. Zara was in her element now, playing up every detail for maximum effect.

"Then there was the time he ignored me for two whole days after I called him to ask a simple question. Just left me hanging, like I was some random person calling about a pizza order or something!" She threw her hands up in mock exasperation, looking at Xavier like he was the true villain of the story.

Xavier, for his part, didn't react outwardly, but Zara could see the flicker of amusement in his eyes. He was letting her have her fun, but he wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of a full reaction. Still, she could tell he was enjoying the absurdity of her storytelling.

With a final flourish, Zara placed her hand on Xavier's shoulder, leaning in close with a mischievous grin. "But don't worry, bro," she said with a wink, "I accept apologies in cash." She patted his shoulder lightly and looked over at Ethan and Lila, who were practically doubled over in laughter by now.

The joke was enough to send them into fits of giggles, and Zara couldn't help but chuckle at her own antics. Xavier, meanwhile, remained calm, but a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm serious though," Zara continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she turned back to Xavier. "You should really send me a check. I think I've earned it at this point."

Lila wiped a tear from her eye as she laughed. "You're too much," she managed between giggles. Ethan, still chuckling, shot Xavier a look that seemed to say, Good luck with her.

Xavier's expression softened just the tiniest bit. He wasn't used to being the punchline of a joke, but Zara had a way of turning everything into a joke—and that was something he couldn't entirely ignore.

"Yeah, yeah," Xavier finally said, his voice low but laced with amusement. "I'll keep that in mind."