Chapter 4

The first couple of minutes is Xavier cursing and mumbling under his breath. He sighs and looks over to me. “What happened?” he asks, still pissed.

“I don’t know,” I reply. “I was waiting for you outside and then that guy bumped into me and started touching me everywhere.” I say reluctantly.

He doesn’t say anything, he just keeps his eyes on the road, but I can see the anger building up inside him. He raises his fist and I could swear I made a whimpering sound. I turn away and I look at the window as Xavier gets quiet.

“Dionne.” He says, his cold, hard mask still intact. I look at him, not saying anything, and he shifts in his seat, well aware of why I reacted that way. “Who did it?” he asks.

I look down at my hands and I don’t reply.

“Was it those assholes at the university?” he asks, genuinely concerned. “Dionne?” he says, his fingers brushing against my arm. I jump at his contact and suddenly a tear falls from my eyes. “God.” He says as I begin to cry.

I can tell he’s not used to emotion.

“You don’t have to tell me.” He says. He looks back at the road and doesn’t say anything the rest of the ride.

When we arrive at the house, Daxine sees me and hugs me. “How was your first day sweetheart?” she asks sincerely.

“A couple of frats tried getting in her panties in broad daylight and everyone around was gonna let it happen. How’s that sound?” Xavier says, obviously still pissed.

“Oh honey. I’m so sorry. You’re a very beautiful girl, but that shouldn’t give them a reason to take advantage of you. I’m horribly sorry.” Daxine sympathizes.

I give her a warm smile and I nod my head. I turn around to go upstairs and a loud voice interrupts me.

“When you walk in, you should always speak to the man of the house, girl.” Xavier’s dad, says.

I turn around to look at him. “I thought that was Xavier?” I say, confused.

His laughter booms throughout the house, making me jump slightly.

“Are you stupid? I’m the man of the house. How can Xavier marry someone so disrespectful?” he says, yelling as he grabs my arm.

“Axel.” I hear Xavier say, as he walks up to his father.

“Where are your manners, Xavier?” his father replies, quickly letting me go.

“I won’t have any until you have some for her. Let’s not step too far out of line. Let’s also not forget that you’re the one who arranged this shit. I didn’t choose this. No matter how bad I hate this situation, she’s still my fiancé, and I demand that you treat her as such. If you call her out of her name or touch her again, I’ll make sure you don’t have a tongue or fingers to touch or say anything else again.” He says with a menacing tone.

His father’s embarrassed as he stands there. Xavier looks at me for a second and turn around and walks toward the door.

“I have a meeting to attend, vuelvo enseguida.”

[ I’ll be back. ] he says looking at his mother.

I turn around and I go upstairs to do my homework. Hours later, the maid comes upstairs to let me know dinner’s ready and as we walk downstairs, we talk.

“What can I call you?” I ask.

“Just call me the maid.” She says, carefully leading me downstairs.

“What’s your name? I just want to refer to you as that. I don’t want to be rude.” I insist.

“It’s quite alright ma’am.” She replies.

“Please?” I ask again.

She looks at me and sighs.

“You can call me Cindy.” She says.

“Cindy. Well thank you for taking care of me, Cindy.” I say, making her blush.

I sit at the table and dinner isn’t served yet so I look around and I see that Xavier isn’t at the table. “Where’s Xavier?” I ask.

“He’s your husband, not ours.” Axel says.

“Enough, Axel. Xavier’s already warned you, and you know how he gets. He won’t hesitate.” Daxine says.

What does she mean “He won’t hesitate” ? I grew up in a mafia too, and that doesn’t sound too good.

“Could you go and get him, darling? The food’s gonna be cold by the time he gets down here.” Daxine says.

I look up and I hesitate for a second. Then I give her a warm smile.

“Sure.” I say.

I get up and I go upstairs checking every room. I come across an office that I assume is his based off of its dark color. I walk in with a knock on the door and his head lifts from the paperwork he’s doing on his desk. He looks at me and his eyebrow shoots up.

“What is it?” he asks, still holding his pen in his hand, looking up at me with an arched eyebrow.

“Daxine wanted me to come and get you. Dinner’s ready.” I say, trying to avoid eye contact.

“I’ll be down in a second.” He says, and puts his head down.

“She says she doesn’t want the food to get cold.” I say, trying to get him up.

He sighs and looks from me to his paper and then he stands, putting his pen down. “I’m coming.” Xavier says.

I turn around and I start downstairs, feeling nervous as he walks behind me. When we arrive in the dining area, the maids start to serve dinner. I glance up at Xavier, whose sitting across from me and he’s messing with the rings on his fingers as he bites his lip in thought. I want to ask him what he’s thinking about as I sit there, but I don’t as I sit back and start to eat my food. When dinner is finished, I join Daxine in the kitchen.

“What’s the matter sweetie?” she asks as she washes a plate.

“Nothing, I just wanted to help.” I admit, picking up a dirty dish to wash.

“That’s very kind, but I can do this.” She says, smiling.

“It’s okay. I can help.”

I start helping her wash dishes and before I know it, we’re finished. I go up to my room and I shut the door behind me as I walk over to my bed. When I lie down, I check the time and it’s 10 o’clock. I start to drift off and then I hear my door open. I lift my head and I push my hair behind my ears, focusing on the figure in the doorway.

“Can I come in?” Xavier voice comes, as I turn on my lamp.

“Yeah. Come in.” I say, bringing my knees to my chest to make room for him.

He sits at the foot of my bed and fidgets with his rings, looking down at his hands. “Are you alright?” he asks, messing with his rings and avoiding eye contact ..

I look up at him and I realize what he’s talking about.

“I’m fine, it was nothing.” I say.

“No, it was something. I didn’t like that. Seeing my … a woman being harassed like that. I may be ruthless but I still care, especially about someone I’m supposed to be marrying in God knows how long.”He shifts and looks me in the eyes.

“That ever happens again, or if anything you don’t like happens at school, or here at home, you let me know, okay? I’d like for you to be comfortable.”

I nod my head. “Okay. I will.” I say, a small smile showing on my lips. Xavier’s eyes fixate on them for a moment, then he shakes his head and closes his eyes, getting up.

“Goodnight.” He says, walking away.

“Goodnight, Xavier.” I say, smiling as he closes my door.