Chapter 41: Owning the Day

The morning had an unusual buzz of energy, and Zara seemed to be at the center of it. She carefully assembled her outfit—each piece chosen to make a statement. Her white, long-sleeved blouse with a delicate keyhole neckline paired effortlessly with a houndstooth blazer and matching mini skirt. Sheer black hosiery and gold accessories added just the right touch of elegance. By the time she was ready, she looked like someone who could command any room she entered. 

When she strode into the living room, her heels clicking against the floor, Xavier looked up from his laptop. His gaze flickered over her, a mix of surprise and mild amusement crossing his face. 

"Well," he said, shutting the laptop with a soft thud. "Someone's certainly stepping up their game. Is this an official declaration of war on yesterday's wardrobe?" 

Zara smirked, adjusting the strap of her gold chain purse. "Maybe I just woke up and chose power. Ever think of that?" 

Xavier chuckled softly, standing to grab his keys. "Power suits you. Still, yesterday's Zara might feel a little betrayed. Should I be worried about what tomorrow will bring?" 

She shrugged, moving past him toward the kitchen. "Maybe. Or maybe you should just accept that I can do it all." 

Xavier leaned against the counter, his expression sly. "At this rate, you might want to decide—masculine or feminine. You can't have it both ways." 

Zara froze mid-step, her hand resting on the fridge door. Slowly, she turned to face him, her lips curving into a mischievous grin. "Oh? Is that a challenge?" 

Before he could reply, she grabbed her phone from her bag and scrolled for a moment before a familiar beat started playing from the speaker. She stepped back into the living room, took a deep breath, and began to sing dramatically. 

"I can be a bitch, I can be a diva, 

I can throw a pitch, I can play receiver, 

I can turn a bad boy into a believer. 

I can do both, I can do both." 

She accentuated each lyric with exaggerated poses, her hands gesturing grandly like she was performing on stage. 

"I can be your boy toy, I can be your bride, 

I can shut my mouth, or I can open wide. 

Do you want the masculine or feminine side? 

I can do both, I can do both." 

By the time she reached the last line, she was strutting like a runway model, her hair flipping dramatically. It was all from "Both" by Todrick Hall, and Zara made sure to bring the full energy of the song into her impromptu performance. 

Xavier leaned against the counter, watching the display unfold with an expression caught between disbelief and reluctant amusement. "You've officially lost it," he said finally, shaking his head. 

Zara twirled once more, striking a final pose. "Admit it. You're impressed." 

"Impressed isn't the word I'd use," he replied, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him. "Let's go. We've got a meeting, and I'm not letting you turn this into a Broadway production." 

She laughed, grabbing her bag as she followed him out the door. "You're just jealous of my range." 

The ride to the office was filled with playful banter, though Zara couldn't resist sneaking in a few dramatic sighs about how much she was "sacrificing" for this project.

"You know," she said, tapping her fingers on the car door, "if this meeting doesn't come with free snacks, I'm boycotting."

Xavier gave her a sidelong glance. "You do realize you're not exactly in a position to make demands, right?"

"Wrong," Zara shot back. "Snacks are a basic human right. I'm standing up for the oppressed."

When they arrived, Zara's theatrics shifted into professionalism. The sleek office building was bustling with activity, its glass façade reflecting the morning sunlight. Inside, they were greeted by the hum of conversation and the click of heels against marble floors.

The conference room was spacious and modern, with a large table surrounded by key players in the project—architects, designers, and managers. Zara and Xavier took their seats near the front, immediately commanding attention as they entered.

Sylvia, the lead architect, stood at the head of the table, presenting a series of blueprints. As she detailed the vision for the estate development, Zara leaned forward, soaking in every detail. The plans were impressive, but Zara wasn't one to let things slide without scrutiny.

"Excuse me," she said, raising her hand slightly, "but can we talk about the placement of the central garden? It feels a little disconnected from the rest of the estate. Shouldn't it be more integrated into the flow of the design?"

Sylvia paused, considering Zara's point. "That's an interesting perspective. We could look into repositioning it to make it more accessible."

Xavier glanced at Zara, a flicker of approval in his eyes. She wasn't just sitting in for appearances—she was actively contributing.

As the meeting progressed, Zara continued to ask thoughtful questions, earning nods of agreement from the team. Xavier, meanwhile, exuded his usual calm authority, outlining their expectations with precision. The duo balanced each other in a way that didn't go unnoticed by the others in the room.

After the Meeting

When the meeting concluded, Zara leaned back in her chair, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Well, that wasn't so bad. I might even say it was… productive."

Xavier smirked, packing up his notes. "You actually paid attention. I'm impressed."

"Don't act so surprised," Zara replied, standing up and adjusting her blazer. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

As they walked out of the building, Zara couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. She had held her own in a room full of professionals, and while she might not have admitted it aloud, Xavier's subtle nods of approval had boosted her confidence.

"By the way," Xavier said as they reached the car, his tone teasing, "nice outfit. Very professional. I almost didn't recognize you."

Zara smirked, sliding into the passenger seat. "See? Told you I can do both."

As they drove off, Zara's mind buzzed with ideas for the next steps in the project. But for now, she allowed herself a moment to bask in the day's success.