Chapter 32: Claiming the Room

Zara wasn't one to shy away from taking control of situations, and this time was no different. Before Xavier could even open his mouth, she was already marching toward the two bedrooms, her eyes scanning both rooms. They were both luxurious in their own right, but one had a larger bed, a bigger window with an even better view of the skyline, and a cozy corner with a plush armchair. It was easily the more appealing of the two.

Without a second thought, Zara pointed toward the room and said, "I'm taking this one."

Xavier looked at her, his usual cold demeanor barely shifting, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a hint of annoyance, maybe. He didn't protest. He simply nodded and walked past her, toward the other room.

"Suit yourself," he muttered.

Zara grinned to herself, her confidence soaring as she stepped into the room and immediately started to unpack. She arranged her clothes in the walk-in closet, organizing everything meticulously. Her shoes were placed in neat rows, and her bags were hung with precision. She took her time, enjoying the process of making the room her own, even if only temporarily. This was her space now—Xavier could have the other one.

After she finished, she made her way to the bathroom. The en-suite was nothing short of incredible. The massive tub sat in the middle of the room, surrounded by marble counters and sleek, modern fixtures. The atmosphere was serene, and the sight of the large bathtub was too inviting to resist. Zara filled the tub with warm water, throwing in a bath bomb she had packed for the occasion. As the fragrant steam filled the room, she leaned back and relaxed, letting the water soothe her tired muscles.

She must've spent hours in the bath, losing track of time as she let the warmth envelop her. It was the perfect escape from the tension of the day, and for a while, she didn't think about anything. She didn't think about Xavier or the awkward living arrangements. She just enjoyed the peace and quiet, allowing her mind to reset.

Finally, when her fingers had wrinkled from the water and she started to feel the pang of hunger, she decided it was time to get out. After wrapping herself in a towel, she made her way to her bedroom, where she dressed in something casual but comfortable: a short-sleeved, cropped charcoal gray t-shirt with a light gray graphic design on the front. She paired it with loose-fitting, light lavender sweatpants that were soft against her skin. Zara let out a sigh as she looked at herself in the mirror. She felt good. Comfortable. She wasn't in the mood to get all dressed up—she was here to relax, at least for the evening.

After freshening up, Zara wandered into the sitting room, where Xavier was already lounging on one of the sofas. She was surprised to see him dressed casually for once. Gone was his usual suit-and-tie business attire, replaced by loose, black sweatpants and a fitted long-sleeved, dark gray shirt that defined his abs perfectly. His toned physique was visible beneath the fabric, and for the first time, Zara noticed how athletic he looked. He had his laptop open in front of him, but for once, he didn't seem completely absorbed in work. Instead, he was scrolling through something on his phone, his face unreadable.

Zara couldn't help but notice that he looked… normal. For once, he wasn't the imposing, intimidating figure she'd grown accustomed to. The casual look somehow made him seem more approachable, even if only a little.

"Wow," Zara said, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorway. "Look at you, all casual and stuff."

Xavier glanced up, raising an eyebrow at her comment, but he didn't say anything. His attention quickly shifted back to the phone in his hand, as if he couldn't be bothered to respond.

Zara rolled her eyes playfully. "Guess we can't all be professional 24/7, huh?"

He gave her a slight nod, but still, he didn't engage in the conversation. Zara sighed inwardly and walked over to the couch, sitting on the opposite side of the room. She picked up a magazine from the coffee table and started flipping through it, occasionally glancing at Xavier to see if he'd break the silence.

As the minutes ticked by, the silence between them felt less awkward, almost comfortable. But Zara couldn't help but wonder how much longer they could co-exist like this without the tension building up again. It wasn't a question of whether she could stand him or not—it was whether they'd learn to navigate this strange living arrangement without killing each other first.

"By the way," she said, breaking the silence as she shifted in her seat. "I hope you don't mind, but I've already claimed the bigger, prettier room. I mean, it's only fair."

Xavier didn't look up from his phone. "Whatever," he muttered, his voice flat. "It's your space. Do what you want."

Zara leaned back, a satisfied grin tugging at the corners of her lips. At least there was one thing she had complete control over. And as the night stretched on, with Xavier still lost in his phone and Zara idly flipping through pages, a strange peace settled over them both. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but it was… manageable.

For now.