MANIPULATION

Xavier carried Isa in his arms, her head resting against his chest, as they left the airport. She had pretended to fall asleep, hoping to avoid conversation, but Xavier didn't mind. He had a plan, and it didn't involve genuinely caring for her, yet he was going to play the role of the best husband.

As they arrived at their destination, Xavier placed Isa on the bed. "Why don't you take a bath, Isa? You must be exhausted from the flight." He whispered, but she refused to reply, causing Xavier to smirk.

To punish her, he decided to undress her, his fingers brushing against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. But Xavier's touch was calculated, not loving, he kept teasing her until he reached her bra, just as he was about to remove it, her hand caught his.

"What pervert are you doing," She yelped, standing up and covering herself with the blanket. "Please, what is it that I have not seen, besides my wife is tired, is bad I bathed her," he defended, a grin playing on his face.

"Yes, very much," She snapped, standing up and entering the bathroom, it was much easier to locate since he had left the door open. "Should I join you?" He yelled. "Get out," She screamed, causing him to laugh.

As Isa bathed, Xavier stepped out onto the balcony, his phone in hand. He dialed a number, and a woman's voice answered. "Hey, Chelsea. How are you doing?" He asked, trying so hard not to call her any loving name.

"I'm good, baby, How about you? How's your new wife?" She mocked, mumbling something to herself to which she laughed.

Xavier chuckled, his cold eyes were now relaxed. "She's perfect, Chelsea. Just what I needed for my revenge, everything is going perfectly well,"

Isa, who had been listening in on the conversation, felt a chill run down her spine. She had thought Xavier was being genuine, but now she realized she was just a pawn in his game.

Now she was having second thoughts. "Revenge," she mumbled. What does he mean by that, she decides to act normal, knowing she will find out later.

As Xavier returned to the room, Isa asked him what she could do to pass the time. Xavier smiled, his eyes glinting with deceit. "Why don't we go for a bike ride? The scenery is beautiful here."

Isa agreed, and Xavier arranged for Nathan to prepare the bicycles. Unbeknownst to Isa, Xavier had instructed Nathan to tamper with her bike, loosening the strings to ensure an accident.

As they rode, Isa felt a sense of freedom, the wind in her hair, the sun on her face. But suddenly, her bike wobbled, and she fell, hurting her ankle.

Xavier rushed to her side, his face a mask of concern. "Isa, love, are you okay?" But his words were hollow, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Nathan call the doctor and make sure he arrives before me or else," He threatened, As he carried her back to their villa,

The excruciating pain she felt made her hold him tightly, sobbing quietly. "It all will be alright," He whispered, drawing her close to his chest.

This was new for her, growing up, no one had ever shown her this care, she had always been forced to hide her pain but now, he was being different.

She stares at him, seeing his face filled with fear, care and worry. "But then what did he mean by that," she thought, removing her head from his chest.

Xavier had noticed the sudden hostile nature, yet he didn't break character, holding tightly to her.

"Sir," The doctor voiced, distracting him. He was already here, in fact twenty minutes early as it was planned.

"It's a sprain Sir, I will give her an injection to kill the pain and place cast on her legs, but I need to see how bad and she should avoid using the leg to walk, she should avoid walking too," He explained, his words were pleasing to Xavier.

With him gone, Xavier looks at Isa, sighing a bit. "I thought you knew how to ride a bike?" He snapped, of course he had plans to pin it on her.

"I did, I did not know what happened?" Isa immediately explained. "You had me so worried, I trusted you to ride alone because I thought you could handle it," he went on.

"If anything had happened to you," he paused. "I understand and I'm sorry, jeez I will be careful next time," She apologies, taking the blame for something she never caused.

"You seem angry at me, is there anything you would like to ask, feel free, I promise to provide you with the truth," he assured, knowing and sensing something was disturbing her.

Isa hesitated, however she still asked. "Yesterday, you spoke of revenge," She began, looking into his eyes.

Her words had taken him unaware, he didn't expect she would listen to his call, yet he quickly recovered, his eyes filled with sadness.

"You are not the only one who was heartbroken or cheated on Isa," He began, Isa could sense the sadness in his voice.

The night before my fiance had cheated on me, I had found out she was having multiple partners," he paused.

"I understand Xavier, I am sorry, I forgot I had also use you for revenge, you don't need to,"

"It's alright, we are partners and I really fill I should open up with you, the world expect me to be perfect and something I don't even know how I managed to deceive them when I am just a man broken," he cuts in, causing Isa to lower her eyes, she had regretted bringing this up.

Indeed she was just like him, having to be strong even when she just wanted to hug her mother and cry.

"I won't doubt you anymore, I'm sorry for opening your scars," She apologies, exactly what Xavier wanted.

"I will go get you something to eat, you should rest," he warmly said, tucking her in and making sure she was asleep.

He walks out, grinning, cleaning the fake tears off his eyes.

This marks the beginning of his manipulation.