CHAPTER 16

Beatrice's POV

Immediately after I left the office, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Xander hated me so much. Is this confirmed, or was he just trying to be possessive?

No, I don't think he could ever be possessive; I was just like any other woman to him, a one-stand woman, but wait; if I should think about it carefully, this was the man that deflowered me, he was the one I was under once upon a time, screaming out my lungs.

Different thoughts exploded through my mind, but I did my best to push them out of my mind as I made my way home.

My treasures were waiting for me, and no matter what happened with Xander, they were the ones who always made me happy effortlessly.

I was met with a chorus of voices when I walked in, each beaming with smiles. I dropped my keys immediately onto the table, and the tension I had been holding onto all day dissolved instantly with their voices.

“Mom! You’re home!” Caleb said, rushing over to hug me, his small arms wrapping around me. “We missed you."

”What of our ice creams mommy?“ Cooper asked.

“I’m sorry I couldn't get it; I was late, kids,” I said softly, bending down to kiss each of their foreheads. I wasn’t used to feeling guilty about late, but today felt different. The day's weight hung heavy, and their innocent faces reminded me that no matter what happened with Xander, my priorities would always be them.

“You’re fine, Mama,” Charlotte reassured me, her bright eyes sparkling. “We’re okay. You work hard; we understand.”

I smiled at her, pushing the frustration away as I ruffled her hair. “I know you understand, sweetheart. I’m just sorry I wasn’t here for dinner.”

Cooper, always the quiet one, nodded his agreement. “It’s okay, Mummy .”

They were my world. No matter how difficult things were with Xander or anyone else, these three were the ones who kept me going. Their love and understanding were all I needed to stay on my feet.

After a few more moments of conversation and tucking them in for the night, I found myself standing in the hallway of our apartment, staring at the silence that had fallen over the house. It was peaceful, but there was still that nagging feeling in my chest. I couldn’t figure out if it was because of Xander’s earlier words or if something was off.

Shaking it off, I slipped into bed, letting the day's exhaustion pull me under. But sleep didn’t come easy. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw how Xander had looked at me earlier—like he was trying to figure me out but unwilling to let me get too close.

I sighed, pulling the covers tighter around myself. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.

The next morning arrived far too soon. The sun was barely up when I found myself getting the kids ready for school. I made them breakfast, packed their lunches, and kissed them goodbye, feeling the weight of my responsibilities more than ever.

Once they were off, I took a moment to collect myself. It was a big day at the office. A business lunch. I had barely gotten the details, but it was clear that this wasn’t just any regular lunch. There were whispers of important meetings and company-wide discussions.

I stepped into my closet, staring at my clothes momentarily before deciding to go for something sleek but not overdone. I opted for a dark emerald green dress, just above the knee, with a flattering neckline that didn’t scream attention but held a presence. Paired with heels, it gave me the confidence I needed to walk into the office, even if I didn’t quite know what the day would bring.

The drive was a blur. Traffic, thoughts swirling, everything a little too quiet. When I pulled into the parking lot of the company building, I couldn’t help but feel a small wave of anxiety—especially with Xander still fresh in my mind.

I made my way inside, adjusting my outfit nervously. Pearl was already there, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she walked past me. “Looking stunning, Beatrice! You ready for this?”

I smiled back, nodding. “I hope so.”

“I’m sure you are,” Pearl said with a wink, her tone almost teasing. “Everyone’s buzzing about today. Should be exciting.”

We made our way to the conference room, where the event was set up. Tables were being arranged, glasses polished, and the air was thick with preparation. It felt different today as if something was about to change.

Xander was already there, standing near the head of the room, his commanding presence filling up the space. As soon as I walked in, his eyes found mine, and for a brief second, I felt like everything around me disappeared. It was just us.

He didn’t smile, of course. Xander wasn’t the type to offer warmth, but his gaze was more intense today. It was like he silently judged something in me, something I wasn’t sure I understood.

“Beatrice,” he said, his voice low, commanding. “Come. Sit with me.”

The words sent a jolt through me— wasn't he just evident that he hated me yesterday? I was caught off guard, but before I could think too much about it, I walked toward him, noticing the looks of the other employees already seated. They were all waiting for Xander’s command, as they always did. He ruled the room effortlessly.

I sat beside him, the space between us tense. His scent was familiar—wood and leather, powerful yet comforting. But something was still off in the air, something between us that couldn’t be ignored.

The room buzzed with energy as everyone got settled. Pearl and the others looked at us, some curious and others suspicious. But no one dared to speak out of turn. Xander had already clarified who ran the show, and no one questioned him.

As the lunch began, the servers came around with food trays, placing platters in front of the guests. The atmosphere was professional, but there was an undercurrent of tension beneath it, like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something to happen.

Then, just as the servers were about to serve Xander, he raised his hand to stop them. His gaze shifted to me, his jaw set with determination.

“Beatrice,” he ordered, his voice authoritative. Stand up. Serve me.”

I froze, unsure of what to do.

The room fell silent. Pearl, who had been chatting with the person beside her, now stared at Xander with wide eyes. Others followed suit, confusion and discomfort written on their faces. I could feel their eyes on me, all waiting for me to respond.

“Xander…” I murmured, my voice shaking slightly. “What do you mean?”

But Xander didn’t flinch. His eyes were focused solely on me, as if he had issued a simple request and expected me to obey.

“I said stand,” he repeated. “Serve me.”

The room was still, everyone waiting for me to react. I could feel the heat of their stares, the silence thick with expectation.

It wasn’t just unusual. It was wrong. Why was he doing this?

I stood up slowly, my heart racing in my chest. Was this a test? Was he trying to humiliate me in front of everyone?

But before considering the implications, I walked toward the table where the dishes were laid out. The smell of food filled the air, but my hands shook as I picked up the first dish. I tried to hold myself together, but the moment's weight felt like it was crushing me.

I glanced over at Xander, who was watching me intently, his expression unreadable.

And that’s when I noticed it. His gaze was cold, but his jaw tightened. His eyes flickered with something else—something deeper. There was a silent struggle in the way he watched me.

I couldn’t explain it. I just knew, deep down, that something was about to change.

The moment felt like it stretched on forever. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on me, each of them questioning, wondering why Xander had given me such an order. But it wasn’t until I reached for the glass of wine and served it to him, his fingers brushing against mine, that I realised just how dangerous this moment truly was.

Was this all part of the game? Or was there something more to his actions than I could see?

As I returned to my seat, I could feel all eyes set on me. I couldn't shake off the feeling that this was only the tip of the iceberg— something that could change everything between us.

The tension in the room was unexplainable, and for the first time, I wondered if I had made the right choice by staying where I was insulted. Well, I had no choice because even though he acted harshly, my salary was never left unpaid—literally, my salary was the highest in the whole company.

I sat down beside him, trying not to show the unease bubbling inside me. But as Xander turned his gaze to me again, I could feel his unspoken words hang in the air.

Was this his way of claiming me? Or was it something more?