03 Ramen and Comfort

Lauren

I had no clue what the fuck I had just agreed to, but I knew I couldn't take it back now. Standing in my pyjamas in the lawyer's office, I stared at Xavier and the Lawyer while they conversed.

"Thank you so much, Lauren; I owe you big time," Xavier said, and I did not speak; I just stared. I had a freaking interview on Tuesday in Stonegate. Will this affect me?

"How much will you want to be paid for this service, Lauren," the lawyer asked, and I stared at him.

I had a headache, and confusion was setting in. I was still trying to figure out what I had gotten myself into.

"Lauren, Lauren," Xavier said, snapping his fingers before me. I snapped out of the shock and nodded.

Soren chuckled a bit. I must have unknowingly done something stupid.

"How much would you want to be paid for this service?" Xavier asked me, and I felt uncomfortable taking money from him.

He was my friend and in trouble; I couldn't put a price on the help. I snapped out of my deep thoughts and shook my head.

"We are friends, Xavier. I do not mind helping out," I managed, and Gilbert disagreed.

"You have to name a price. This is a transaction," Gilbert said, and I felt a bit insulted.

"Very well then, find someone and pay them. You can't force me to take the money. I said Xavier is my friend, and I am willing to help. You don't have to put a price tag on everything; my help does not have a price. Or do you think I am too little and poor to help Xavier?" I asked Gilbert, a bit irritated, and the lawyer shook his head.

"I hope you know this is incriminating, and should we get caught, we can all go to jail," Gilbert said, spelling out the risk.

"Well, then, we must keep our mouths shut and make sure no one knows. I believe we can all do that for our dear friend here," Soren said, and we agreed.

"I will need you to promise that should I get into trouble for this, I will be assisted, and my parents will be helped," I said, and Gilbert sighed.

I had to bring that up because rich people knew how to discard people that were no longer useful to them.

I know they will help their son if it becomes an issue; I had to be sure they would help me too, and my parents won't suffer for my decision to help Xavier.

"This is precisely why I asked you for your price, Lauren," he said, and I nodded.

"Well, that is my price. I want an agreement that should I get into trouble for this, I won't be abandoned to face the music alone, and my parents will be helped should I find myself unable to care for them as a result of this," I said and looked at Xavier.

"It isn't too much to ask," I said, and Xavier agreed. He had a guilty look in his eyes, and I knew he was sorry. All he had to do three in the morning was go to bed, but he just had to extend his fun.

"No, it isn't too much. You shouldn't have to ask," Xavier said with misty eyes, then looked at his lawyer.

"Draft the agreement," he said, and Gilbert nodded.

"So, can we all go home now?" Soren asked, and Gilbert shook his head.

"I will need your signatures so I can process your wedding in the morning and secure everything," Gilbert said and got focused on his computer. We waited for over an hour.

Soon I saw Gilbert printing out some documents.

"I will need you to sign the prenup and some documentation. You too, Xavier," he said to me and Xavier.

I looked at Landon, and he looked a bit worried. I could see his eyes screaming, 'Don't do it,' but I was already in.

Xavier and I signed the documents and left we the office. Heading out of the building, the SUV came around the corner.

"Never mind, I will just grab a cab outside," I said, not wanting to go to another place with them. I was about to move when Xavier stopped me with his hand.

"The least you can let me do is take you to your apartment," He pleaded, seeming calmer and more coordinated but looking sorry. he should be; he had dragged me into his mess.

I managed to smile and nodded.

Another car came, and I wondered where it was from. I did not bother to ask because I knew it was one of those money privileges.

"You guys go ahead; I will be dropping Lauren at home," Xavier said to Soren and Landon and circled to the driver's seat.

Landon helped place my luggage in the car trunk while I sat in the passenger seat and shut the door. Xavier started the vehicle, and we headed out.

"Thank you, Lauren, for helping me," he said while driving, eyes on the road.

"I freaked out this morning. I was so scared. Had you not agreed, I doubt I could find someone I trust," he said, and I was silent.

"I want you to know I do not take your friendship for granted, Lauren. I really appreciate this. I really do. Words can't describe how grateful I am, Lauren." He said, and words could not describe how scared I was. This was all sudden, but I held my tongue.

When we got to my street, I was a bit relieved.

I caught a glimpse of my Landlady at the entrance of the building, and my stomach churned.

I was late with my rent. I had the money, but the trip to Citadel made me forget to turn it in.

Xavier parked the car, and I exited. The Landlady saw me, and before she could speak, I spoke up.

"I have it cash in my room. If you do not mind following me to collect it, I will be happy," I said quickly, and she closed her mouth.

"Good afternoon, Lauren," she said with a smile. She liked money.

Xavier got out of his car, and the Landlady smiled at him.

"You caught a big one," she said, winking at me, and I felt embarrassed. She had a knack for getting into other people's business.

"Hello, young man," she said, and Xavier smiled at her and responded. It was clear she knew who he was. This was the first time he would meet my Landlady since I moved into the apartment a year ago. He stayed alone, so we usually hung out at his place.

"He is a looker," she said, making Xavier laugh and embarrassing me in the process.

"I will come by later," she said, looking at Xavier with an insinuating expression. She had a dirty mind. I wanted the ground to swallow me and cover my shame.

"You can go," I said to Xavier, and he shook his head.

"Invite me for coffee. God knows I need it," he said, and I told him to join me.

Xavier took my luggage from me and helped me carry it. We went up the stairs to the third floor, where my apartment was situated.

"Did your landlady renovate?" he asked, and I remembered he had not been there in eight months. I shook my head.

"Sanitation. We got the place cleaned up. I doubt she has plans to fix the place, but at least it is a roof over my head," I said and opened the door to my one-bedroom apartment.

"I do not have any of the bougie stuff you are used to, so instant coffee will do," I said, entering my apartment, and Xavier followed me in.

He laughed at my statement, and I headed to my bathroom to get some pain meds from the medicine cabinet.

Swallowing the pills, I returned to my kitchen section to put on the coffee maker.

Opening the top, I scooped caffeinated instant coffee, filled the tank with water and switched it on.

"I guess drinking and dancing with strangers is out of the question for you," I teased, checking my fridge for something.

"You couldn't have said it better, Lauren. I mean, just imagine, I gave her a good time, and she tried to fuck my life up," he said, and I laughed.

"You aren't in the clear yet, you know," I said.

"I am sure Gilbert's solution will work. He has gotten my father out of a lot of shit. He is the best," he said with confidence, and I took comfort in it because if what Gilbert suggested did not work, I would be facing jail time. I wasn't stupid. Xavier's folks will find a way out for him, but what about me?

Realising there was nothing to eat in the fridge, I opted for Ramen.

"Ramen?" I asked him, looking at him where he was sitting on the couch in my apartment.

"Sure. Honestly, I do not feel like going home right now," he said, and I figured the shock of the event had somehow lingered.

"Isabella won't be at your house when you get home. My place is far from luxurious," I said, and he got off the couch to join me in the kitchen. My statement had made him laugh. Xavier stood by the sink, adding water to the pot. He was so close that I thought he was about the wrap his arms around my waist. But he didn't; instead, he leaned close to my left ear.

"Peace beats luxury anytime, Lauren, and you have that," he said, and I could understand his angle even though his breath gave me tingles.

We made the noodles together. I had seven packs left, and Xavier made me cook all of them. He had a big appetite.

I sometimes believed he wasn't normal. Usually, he should be fat with how he eats, but he is in perfect shape. He was a very hot and handsome man.

I could understand why Isabella would want to trap him as she did. He was the full package. Tall, handsome, and rich. He was also a gentleman.

We ate the ramen on the couch while discussing the incident with Isabella.

"You have no recollection of the wedding or how you got to your room?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Perhaps, I was drugged because I can handle my liquor, and alcohol would not do that to me," he said, making a very strong point.

"Other than when you met her at the club at three in the morning, have you met her before, maybe have dealings with her or seen her passing?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"I do not know who she is or where she came from. She was alone at the bar, and a guy was trying to harass her, so I stepped in.

I was going to call it a night, but then she asked me to keep her company, and I lingered. I shouldn't have. Thinking of everything now, I should have just gone to bed," he said.

"Did you sleep with her?" I asked him out of curiosity.

"I was out of it, Lauren; I doubt I will be able to fuck a woman while unconscious," he said, and I laughed.

"Well, according to her, you did sign a certificate while unconscious," I said, making a point, and he bowed his head.

"She really had me cornered. I asked Gilbert if I could give an account of what happened in court. He said since it would be my word against hers, it might not help. It will be hard proving foul play." He said, and I could understand his angle.

"Any way you will get out of it unscathed," I said, touching his shoulder, and he looked at me.

"Thank you so much, Lauren,"

Xaviers stayed a while and finally left. After he left, I showered, closed my blinds and snuggled into bed. I had finally found some rest.

Two weeks went by, and nothing happened. I had gone for my interview in Stonegate and was yet to get a call from the company. We didn't hear from Isabella, but we were not at ease.

Xavier had resumed work, and the thought that everything could be ripped away from him took the joy away.

I saw his pain, but there was little I could do. I had done my best; we just had to wait and see.

My phone woke me up. I was shocked to see it was eleven in the morning. The stress of the previous weeks must have caught up with me. I reached for my phone and saw Xavier.

I grumbled a bit before answering.

"Lauren," he said before I could speak.

"Good morning Xavier," I managed.

"Hey, I need you to meet me at the courthouse in an hour. I have been calling you all morning," he said, and I grumbled.

"What is happening? Why do I need to be there?" I asked.

"Because Gilbert has filed for annulment, and the bitch is suing me. Gilbert wants her case thrown out, but today will determine if we will go to court. I will send a driver to bring you to the courthouse. We just have to appear there. Hopefully, the judge agrees to the annulment, throws out her case, and this nightmare ends," he said, and I told him I would be there.

I got out of my bed and showered. Unfortunately, there was no hot water, so I had to settle for a cold shower.

I had no food in my kitchen, so I decided to grab a doughnut and coffee on my way to the courthouse.

I did not know what to wear. I knew I had to dress appropriately, so I wore a short floral dress I bought in case I got asked out on a date. It was funny that I would wear it to court as the fake wife. The scenario made me laugh, and I chuckled. I wondered what would happen. I had to be optimistic, and I prayed Xavier would get out of the mess so I could rest.

I headed out and waited for Xavier's driver to arrive at the entrance. The car arrived three minutes later, and I got in.

"Take me to Neddy's café before we head to the courthouse," I said, and the driver did not seem pleased.

"My orders were to take you to the Courthouse, miss," he said indirectly, telling me I was not his boss.

"Well, if you don't take me to Neddy's to grab something to eat, I will just alight this car. Good luck telling your boss why I did not come with you," I said, and he grumbled under his breath and then agreed to take me to the café.

Changing my mind about doughnuts and coffee, I grabbed a sandwich and a cup of latte before we proceeded to the courthouse.

I finished my food in the car and wiped away any traces of breadcrumbs or milk before we arrived at the courthouse.

I went up the tall stairs that led to the entrance and entered the building; I saw Attorney Gibert and Xavier all setup, waiting for me to arrive.

Xavier walked up to me, happy to see me.

"Am I late?" I asked, and he bent to kiss me on the lip.

I felt him lick something from the corner of my mouth with his tongue, and I felt embarrassed. His actions made me freeze. We had never kissed before. I stood frozen, tight-lipped, unresponsive.

"You had milk on the corner," he said, smiling while I remained still in shock.

He leaned closer and bent to whisper in my ear.

"We have to act the part in public," he said, and I wanted to punch him in the nuts.

Doing that, to me, will lead us to the danger zone.

"I see," I managed and looked around.

I noticed people were looking and some were taking photos. Xavier smiled and led me to where Gilbert was.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Blackwood," Gilbert said, and it sounded weird, but I smiled and nodded.

We sat on the bench together, and Xevier took my left hand. I did not know why. He caressed it gently, sending some jolts through me. I wanted to tell him to stop, but I knew it was all part of the act.

He managed to slip a ring on my ring finger while caressing my hand.

I wondered how he did it. It was unnoticeable, but there the yellow diamond ring was on my ring finger.

"How can we be married, and you do not have a ring?" he whispered to me, and I smiled at him.

"Thank you, darling," I said, a bit audible, playing the part too, and Xavier laughed. I guess I had fallen into the rhythm.