Zoey's POV I prop my aching feet up on the footstool, my tired eyes lazily stare over at the large tv embedded on the opposite wall. The bright screen blur as my drosey mind wander back to the impromptu staff meeting today. I never even got a chance to tell Tracy that next week is probably the last week that I'll be working for her, for Stephen Enterprises. I really want to give her a heads up before I turn in that damn resignation letter, just haven't gotten around to do that yet. I've worked at that place for around four years, that's four long years of me putting in enormous amount of work to help keep the company afloat. As they say though, all good things must come to an end. It truly will be a bittersweet moment if I choose to quit. My stomach churn uncomfortably just thinking about it, I haven't even start looking elsewhere yet. I stiffle a yawn placing the back of my cool hand against my hot mouth. You know I'm not taking over the company right? It's just a partnership, I
Xavier's POVThe next dayMy fingers hug the smooth steering wheel of the sleek rental car. The melodic music that is emitting from the speaker gradually fade in the background and the very back of my mind, all I can think about is seeing my son. How will he feel about me? Does he know the truth? Does he hate me? I glimpse at the passenger seat. All the stuff I bought online yesterday is scattered all over the seat and the black car carpet. I didn't even have time to arrange them properly, I just threw them all in this morning. It would be a waste of time anyway since they would most likely fall off onto the car's floor. I shift uncomfortably in the leather seat, the phone call I got from Zoey earlier replays back in my head. The only thing she told me was that he was willing to see me followed by an address in Long Beach. I glance over at the GPS swallowing nervously as I inch nearer to my destination. I don't even have any plans for us today, as soon as I got the call I just too
Zoey's POV "So Xavier Danvers huh?" I hear Ethan mumble. Despite him trying to keep his voice at a neutral tone, I can still hear the subtle hint of distaste wooven in his words, even in the heavy traffic chaos he is currently trying to maneuver through. Instinctively, I swallow. Heat slowly creep up my spine despite the cool ac that is blasting out of the air vents. Quick flashes of Ty and Xavier chatting from earlier fill my mind. Tyler had been eagerly showing his father all evening, the simple game he had managed to finish create a few days ago. We had both shared a laugh at how enthusiastic the kid was... I bite my bottom lip to keep the joyful memories a bay. "I already told you..." I begin, but my words trail off into a dry gulp. Turning my gaze from the bright city lights, I face him. His features glow under the dim light of the car, especially the obvious tick in his jaw. "I know," Ethan cuts me off with a sigh. He glance at me and curl his lips in a sincere smile, "and I
Xavier's POV "Mom," I sigh pinching the bridge of my nose as I glance over at Tyler's sleeping form. His covers rise and fall indicating that he is indeed asleep. The little guy must be tired. "Look, I am exhausted as it is. I don't need this too." "Xavier you have to be here for your father's death anniversary tomorrow," she says in a stern tone. Boy, I can literally feel her irritation through the God damn phone. "What are you doing out in LA so long? Have you forgotten about it?!" "No I haven't," how can I? I heave a heavy sigh feeling drained as fuck. "I am sorting out some things mother. I will be there as soon as I can. I have to go now. See you tomorrow.""You better be here, I am not playing with you boy," I roll my eyes at that. Fuck, now she's the strict parent. "and I love you son." "I love you too mom," with that I hang up and place the phone beside the car key on the small desk that I am currently sitting before. A selfie of our last family gathering flash on the scree
Xavier's POV "I am sorry about your dad," Zoey says to which I heave a long sigh. This is the last thing I want to talk about. I shiver involuntarily as small goosebumps prickle the surface of my tattooed arms. The realistic nightmare from earlier still haunt me even now. It's replaying itself over and over again in my head on a sick endless loop. It doesn't help at all that the man's birthday was suppose to be tomorrow. My heart clench painfully tugging at the fragile strings in my chest, the tragic scene from that day briefly flash itself in my mind. "My condolences," "It's fine," I lie. My shoulders slouch in a poor attempt of a shrug. The pain in my chest hits me over again tenfold, the corner of my eyes crinkle threatening to leak a wave of fresh tears. It has been two years and this shit still affects me this much. I shake my head silently refusing to let any fall. Instead I focus on the back of Zoey's head so I don't trip and tumble on her over these steep stairs. "Thank you
Xavier's POV "Mhmmm," I silently nod in complete agreement with Tyler but my eyes carefully read over the departments' files in my grasp. I seriously want to get through all this so it can be done and over with. My early vacation starts tomorrow, I swear. I am exhausted as fuck. I hardly took a break over the years. I think it's also good timing since school will be out in a month or so. "Look buddy, I have to go." I sigh looking over at the mounted files I have to vent carefully. I'm suppose to sign them off and send to the company's COO. I should have done this three days ago. An expression akin to disappointment washes over his face. My heart wrench staring at boy's sad features, this has to be the absolute worst part of being a parent. Tyler and I have been communicating via video calls every single day about a lot of random shit. He is such a well mannered kid, brilliant and all around a wonderful blessing. I am so grateful and proud to be apart of his life moving forward. I
Xavier's POV "I trust everything is going according to plan." I comment. Leaning further over the railing of the balcony, my eyes flicker around to several random illuminated buildings. The crisp morning breeze caresses my neck and bare arms leaving tiny goosebumps in its trail. Inhaling the clean air I involuntarily relax my tense muscles. I haven't done this in such a long time. "Yes Sir," the pilot reply in a formal tone. "You have a full tank to get you to the desired location and the weather for the day will be pretty mild. I throughly checked Sir, everything is up to par, you should be fine." "Great. I need to reach L.A. by nine," my eyes are now train on the pinkish strip of colour that already taints the dark sky. "Expect me in the next hour or so. I'll see you soon." With that I end the call and dump the phone in my front jeans pocket, heaving a sigh I brace myself off the rail. Taking one last look at the familiar skyline I head back inside and bolt the balcony door beh
Xavier's POV "We should really be on our way," I inform Brad for the fifth time. Dumping the smartphone back into my pocket, my eyes sweep the large foyer for any sign of Claire. Unfortunately she is nowhere in sight, my best guess is that Diane whisked her off somewhere. The pair was literally standing by one of those undecorated table just a mintue ago. Fuck. Pressing the thick champagne stem against my palm, I exhale sharply in annoyance. The remaining streaks of cold water run down my clammy fingers ticking me off even more. I don't know what's worse the bustling event planners or an absentee Claire. My brother's heavy hand pat my shoulder, his way of silently encouraging me to hop back into the bland conversation. This man has been purposely ignoring everything I've been saying for the past half an hour. It's his childish way of getting me to stay longer than I actually should."Xavier dear," my eyes automatically land back on the woman in front of me. "I hoped there was a b
Zoey's POV Three full whole weeks have passed since the night Xavier unveiled the startling truth about Dasha. Time since then has continued to flow, bringing with it a mix of routine and unforseen challenges. As the Chief Financial Officer of Agrocentre Enterprises, my days are usually consumed by spreadsheets, finance reports, and strategy meetings. Today, however, I find my mind wandering to more personal concerns. My period is late. I'd noticed it a couple of days ago and have since been distracted. I'm caught between the thrill of hope and the sobering realism that it could be nothing more than stress-induced irregularity.Yet, that's not the only thing that piqued my interest since week. A close inspection of the company's documents had revealed a surprising. The ownership of Agrocentre Enterprises, the company where I'm serving as a CFO, appears to have been transferred over to me. When, how or why this had transpired I have not a clue, but I'm positive this switch up has eve
Xavier's POVMy heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing the feelings I harbour for the woman laying in my arms. Zoey. Her name is a mantra in my mind, a single word that holds so much meaning, so much emotion. Our breaths mingles, our bodies still intertwined on the couch. The open space is bathed in the soft light of the moon which casts an ethereal glow over everything. The night is peaceful, intimate and perfect.My fingers trail lightly down her back in a soothing manner. She shivers in response to the touch to which I smile. She's a beautiful woman, each and every surface of her. Those striking hazel eyes, that sexy smile, the way she looks at me with so much love - it's overwhelming but in the best way possible."I love you, Zoey," I whisper into her hair, my words heavy with the truth of my feelings. This woman, she's become my world, my anchor. She has brought the gift of love and light into my life, one that I'll will be eternally grateful for.She stirs in my arms, her
Zoey's POVI watch as the sun slowly sinks into the far horizon. It's the natural end of yet another day.Certain things do have to come a natural end don't they? Heaving a heavy sigh, my fingers toy with the cold handle of the ceramic mug. The remnants of my hot coffee lingers at the bottom of it. Soft overhead lights flickers on bathing the small café with an unnatural dim glow. The quiet hum of background conversation create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort but I feel quite the opposite of it. Ethan's earnest brown eyes study me over the rim of his coffee cup, a soft smile playing on his lips. His white coat is draped over the chair next to him, the medical emblem of his profession and a strong testament to the countless lives he's saved.True be told Ethan and I were never serious. It was a casual relationship, one that was built on common interests and convenience, but I've realize now that it's time to move on. With Xavier making efforts to be a part of Tyler's life and min
Xavier's POV Underneath the faint indigo Seattle sky, I stand amidst the elaborate decorations and crowd of cheerful guests on my mother's grand estate. My heart pounds against my rib cage in anticipation of their arrival. Today's not just another day. Today, my son Tyler, turns nine. I've turned the world upside down to make it memorable. As memorable as one's ninth birthday can be. Yet, despite all the meticulous planning and preparation, a throng of anxiety reverberates through me. It honestly feels like I'm about to shit myself. It took every fiber of my being not down a bottle earlier. I know that I need to be every bit of sober for this momentous occasion. Every few minutes or so, my gaze instinctively darts towards the estate's entrance. Each rustle of leaves, every flash of light sends my heart pounding wildly in my chest. They're on their way - Zoey and Tyler - making the trip from Long Beach on my private jet but I can't help but wish I was there with them.I've arranged
Xavier's POV A week had passed since our trip to Jamaica. Seven long excruciating days filled with emotional turbulence and strained silences. Tyler hasn't said a single word to me since that night, since the night I turned his whole world upside down. According to Zoey, he's still processing, still hurting over what he had heard. My mind keeps replaying that night as if in a sick loop. The hurt in Tyler's eyes, the way his world shattered with my confession is a memory I wish I could erase, not just from my mind, but from his too. My heart is riddled with pure guilt yet I am weirdly happy at the same time. Now that it's all out in the open and no more secrets are lurking in the shadows gives me great hope. Yes, we have a lot talk about, tough conversations to get through but it will be okay. I've said all I had to, all I could really, now it's time to hear from the big man himself. My son. All I can do is give him the time and space he needs. In the meantime, I've been visiti
Xavier's POV Here I am, perched on the grainy warmth of the Dunns River Falls beach in Jamaica. I watch Zoey and our son play in the water, their laughter bounce off the ocean waves and mingle with the cheerful shouts of other beachgoers. In this moment, I feel an odd sense of wholeness; a poignant satisfaction I've not known before. Yet, within that sense of completion, a tinge of regret persists. It's as if the paradise before me only magnifies the gravity of my past transgressions. There's no escaping the memories of my careless actions, the times I'd taken Zoey for granted. Despite the caress of the tropical breeze, a shiver runs through me. Zoey. Her name, her face, her smile. They're all etched so deeply into my mind. I love her, and yet, I did hurt her. I fucked up. I allowed my pride and stubbornness to eclipse my affections. And it is this remorse that overshadows the moment, a bitter reminder of a time I wish I could erase, and yet also a time that shaped me into
Xavier's POV "Yes! Yes! Mhm," In the soft moonlight, the woman's facial expression screws up in one kin to pure pleasure. Her perky breasts rise and fall with each bounce as we start to strike a perfect rhythm. Up and down. Our bodies glisten with streaks of sweat very much evident of our prolonged fucking. "Fuccck!" We've been at it from dusk, definitely for a couples hours now but I just can't seem to get my fill. Mentally anyway. God! Fuck! The jumbled thoughts keep taunting me, playing various scenarios of how this could all pan out. No matter the angle I look at this shit from, it always end the same: they'll leave again. A crippling pain shoots in my chest at the possibility. The fucking awful possibility. No, don't think. Don't fucking think. Not now. "Not now," I mutter bringing myself to the mission at hand. I need control. I need to be in the one in absolute control. I fucking need it. Leaning forward, I begin to suckle on a harden nipple. It's salty vanilla taste elici
Xavier's POVI groan in bliss at the specks of sand sinking beneath my bare feet as I stroll down to the beach. The crashing of the waves grows louder around me with every leisured step. My eyes are immediately draw to the silvery stretch of ocean, totally enthralled into panoramic beauty of the landscape. For the first time since being here, miles upon miles away from home, I feel less anxious. Somewhat at peace. "Very therapeutic," plopping down onto the sand, I vaguely wonder if Duke would mind a change of scenery. Speaking of which. I mentally note our session for tomorrow morning. Sitting criss crossed now, I pluck my IPhone from the pocket of the thin basketball shorts I'm now sporting. I immediately went to my emails, skimming through the ones flagged important first then the others. I reply to as many as I can, copying and forwarding memos from my various businesses to my appropriate assistants. The jet is back home, fueled, clean and at my disposal for this weekend which I'
Zoey's POVMy eyes fall to the heartwarming scene in front of me: Tyler is cuddled against Xavier's chest as they both sleep peacefully, only light snores shared between them. I smile fondly at the pair as I remove my phone from my ripped jeans to photograph this wholesome moment. After taking a couple I stow away the device grinning like a hyperactive fool. My sweet boys... Mine...A familiar feeling surges through my body at the thought igniting every single cell in its wake. Oh no. I blow out a small puff of air as I turn my attention towards the fluffy clouds gallivanting outside the plane's window. Will all of this even last? I'm getting awfully accustom to this. The past three months have been quite mind-fucking. Honestly, I still haven't fully come around to the idea of having Xavier back in our lives. In my life. I would be lying if I said I don't feel anything for him, especially now that's he's back and fitting in so well but hanging onto the pain he left behind have som