Chapter Eighteen, Shadows of Revelation

Grace’s Point of View

“What do you mean Rei stayed over at Xavier’s?” Lillianna shrieked.

As I failed to move the phone away from my ear in time, everything seemed slightly muffled afterward. I repeatedly asked Lillianna to repeat what she said, but it only seemed to agitate her more. It's not my fault that she most likely caused me temporary hearing loss. I could have switched ears, but I didn't trust her not to scream at me again.

"I can sense that you might need some time to process everything. Why don't you give me a call when you're ready?" I said softly before gently ending the call.

The ringing in my ear was relentless, causing me immense pain. I let out a deep sigh as I tried to process the situation, gently rubbing my ear in hopes of finding some relief. Lillianna had claimed to be Xavier's closest friend. However, I couldn't help but wonder if she was concealing something from me.

Lillianna had been very upset that Rei intended to mess around with Xavier at the club. She had not interfered, so I thought Lillianna didn’t have feelings for Xavier Woods. But, if Lillianna was interested in Xavier Woods, things just got complicated for Rei, Xavier, and me. I could only hope that my former employer was still keeping tabs on Rei Draven. That would be our only hope to keep Rei safe if my best friend decided she was interested in this biker. Lillianna was dangerous when she felt threatened.  My oldest and dearest friend had a relentless streak in her, and when Lillianna asserted her claim on something or someone, she refused to let go.

Sitting at the table, the need for coffee hit me like a freight train. Conversing with Lillianna before getting my much-needed caffeine fix seemed like a hazy, irrational decision. A smile crossed my face as I reflected on my conversation with Rei. I trusted her assurances that nothing untoward had occurred. A sudden, fierce storm had struck last night, and it seemed plausible that Xavier had offered Rei a ride to his place to change into dry clothes.  Rei couldn’t afford to get sick from riding to my place soaken wet. She was the only one providing for her family.

Over the past decade, I've slowly nurtured Rei's untamed nature, allowing it to flourish gradually. I had caught glimpses of Rei's wild side through her comments, the shows she wanted to watch, the online orders she placed when she forgot to close the window on her laptop, and by sharing her risqué dreams about a biker. But sharing her fantasy of messing around with someone in a public space was unexpected. I hesitated until Rei shared that she wanted Xavier Woods for that. Knowing he was Lillianna’s best friend assured me nothing would go further than what Rei wanted.

The shrill sound of my phone interrupted the silence, sending a shiver down my spine. I had been hoping for peace and quiet, especially since my ear was still throbbing from the last time I had to endure Lillianna's angry outbursts. I hesitated before answering, dreading the inevitable onslaught of her piercing voice. It took ages for her to calm down once she was in a rage. As I reached for the phone, ready to switch it off entirely, I noticed that it was Shiloh calling. Without a moment's hesitation, I pressed the answer button.

Shiloh's voice cracked with emotion as she spoke into the phone. "Auntie Grace?" she sobbed, her distress evident even through the phone line.

"What's the matter, sweetie? Are you alright?" I inquired with concern.

Shiloh wept as she recounted the distressing moment when her mother returned home wearing the same attire she left in, accompanied by a man.

Wait, what? Xavier likely gave her a ride back home. Knowing Rei, she probably would have invited him for breakfast if they hadn't eaten anything.

Carefully, I inquired, “Was his name Xavier?” Shiloh's temperament resembled Rei's. Her anger was rare, but it erupted like a volcano when it surfaced.

“Yes. Do you know him?” Shiloh asked hopefully.

“I do. Xavier took your mother out for a motorcycle ride as part of her birthday present. They got caught in that storm and returned to his place to change clothes. He insisted she have a shower because her lips were blue and your mother was freezing when they got back. She drifted off to sleep while curled up on his comfortable couch, passing the time as she waited for her clothes to complete their cycle in the dryer. Your mother did text me to let me know where she was, and spoke to me this morning,” I assured Shiloh.

“Oh,” Shiloh’s voice said quietly with remorse.

“Were you disrespectful to your mother, Shiloh?” I asked in a stern voice.

Shiloh hesitated momentarily before acknowledging, "Yes, I need to go and apologize to Mom and her friend. Thank you, Auntie Grace." She then mumbled a quick goodbye before finally hanging up the phone.

Rei’s Point of View

I was sure that once my daughter slammed the bedroom door, she would call Grace. Shiloh just needed a moment to calm down before reaching out to her trusted person. It was unusual that my best friend also happened to be her go-to person, but it worked for them. Despite having close friends her age, my daughter showed maturity beyond her years. When Shiloh was troubled, it was Auntie Grace she turned to. My best friend would reiterate everything I needed to say - she spoke the truth, after all.

My heart swelled when Shiloh apologized to Xavier. He wasn’t expecting it or the fierce hug my daughter gave him. But his kindness had saved us more than I think Xavier realized. Because he stopped and helped us, our lives took a turn for the better that day. I framed the picture Shiloh had created as a reminder that there is still good in the world. It's a cherished piece of art in our home, and I think it sparked the boys' interest in motorcycles.

As Xavier blushed, a mischievous smirk played on my lips. It was endearing to see him at a loss for words. I felt a surge of relief that I hadn't unwittingly driven him away. I couldn't quite decide if pursuing this was wise, but I was drawn to him and eager to extend our time together. He was undeniably captivating, and I found myself developing strong feelings for him.

Unknown Point of View

“Rei Draven stayed overnight at Xavier Woods’ apartment last night,” I told my boss.

The line was eerily silent, leaving me uncertain about his response. The absence of sound on the other end of the call made me distinctly uneasy.

“He drove her back to the family home and is still inside,” I added quickly.

"Understood," my boss replied, his voice gruff and to the point. "Please continue to keep a close eye on the situation and make sure to update me regularly."

The call abruptly ended, leaving me staring at my phone in disbelief. Taking on this job was never something I had wanted to do, but my boss was not someone you could refuse or betray. I reluctantly accepted the task of watching Rei Draven, following my instructions with a sinking feeling that Xavier Woods must not discover my involvement.