“Xavier, you’re quite the dancer when you’re drunk,” Tina said with a hint of surprise in her voice, her breath warm against his ear.
Xavier chuckled, the alcohol buzzing through his veins. “I didn’t know I could dance either… Honestly, I don’t even remember the last time I did.”
The music thumped around them as Xavier moved closer to Tina, syncing his movements with hers. He’d lost track of how many vodka shots he’d had by now. Everything was a blur of lights, laughter, and bodies swaying to the beat. Tina’s friends were dancing nearby, but his focus was entirely on her.
“You’re so handsome,” Tina said, her hand sliding over his muscular chest.
Xavier heard the compliment and locked eyes with her. In the next instant, she grabbed his shirt and yanked him toward her. Before he could react, her lips were on his—fierce and intoxicating. For a moment, he froze, and then the alcohol took over.
He kissed her back, harder, his hands slipping around her waist as the world around them faded away. He was losing himself in the moment, ignoring everything else, swept up in the heat of it all. The music seemed to pulse even louder, merging with the pounding of his heart. Every sensation felt amplified—the softness of her lips, the heat of her body pressed against his, the wild energy of the night.
Just as the moment was about to intensify, a sudden vibration against his leg made Xavier pause. He pulled out his phone, which was ringing.
“Leave it,” Tina said, her voice irritated, her eyes locked on him.
Xavier was tempted to ignore the call and pick up where they left off. But when he glanced at the caller ID, it felt like a splash of cold water.
“Logan?” he muttered, blinking and trying to clear his head. He stepped back from Tina and pressed the phone to his ear.
“Xavier!” Logan’s voice was full of energy. “How’s it going, man? Hope I didn’t wake you.”
Leaving a frustrated, yelling Tina behind, Xavier stepped out onto the deck. The cool night air hit him, bringing a bit of clarity to his foggy mind. He leaned against the railing, feeling the salt-tinged breeze wash over him.
“Logan…” Xavier said in a heavy tone, struggling to stay focused.
“What’s up, buddy?” Logan asked again, his tone upbeat.
“I just wanted to check if the cruise is doing you any good. I can sense you’re happy.”
Xavier stared out at the dark expanse of the ocean. The fresh air sobered him a little, and Logan’s words echoed in his mind. The waves crashed rhythmically against the hull of the ship, a soothing contrast to the chaos of the party he’d left behind.
“Yeah,” Xavier said, his voice steadier now. “I… I’m feeling better.” He left the railing and headed toward his room, the exhaustion of the night catching up to him. His steps were sluggish as he trudged down the hallway.
“Good! I told you this trip would be good for you. Have fun and forget everything else for the remaining six days of your trip,” Logan said.
“Yeah… I am enjoying it. Can you believe I was partying and drinking with a bunch of girls? I don’t even remember the last time I partied with friends,” Xavier said, exhaling deeply.
“Then I must’ve interrupted you. Go back to the party and try to find a girl for the night… man, you need it,” Logan said, trying to persuade Xavier to enjoy himself more.
“Nah… I’m done with partying. I’m going to sleep,” Xavier said, exhaling deeply. He reached his room, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
“Go back to the party and live in the moment,” Logan insisted.
Xavier lay down on his bed and said, “No… I’m sleeping.” With that, he closed his eyes and hung up the call. The bed felt unusually comforting, a welcome contrast to the frenetic energy of the night. He tried to get up and change his clothes, but the alcohol’s effects soon took over. His phone slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a dull thud. The room spun slightly as he fumbled to retrieve it, but his tiredness was overwhelming.
He flopped back onto the bed, his mind still racing but his body too heavy to move. The sense of relief from disconnecting from the chaos of the party was palpable, even as the residue of the night’s events lingered. With a final, weary sigh, Xavier closed his eyes, letting the darkness of sleep pull him under.
Xavier woke up feeling refreshed as if he was finally finding himself again after ages. Surprisingly, it was the fourth day without internet, and he was enjoying the forced detox, courtesy of Logan. He was happy, wearing shorts, sunglasses, and a splash of perfume. He even found himself singing along to his favorite song—a rarity for him.Entering the dining hall for breakfast, he was momentarily startled by the noise of a kid. He turned, bracing himself for a possible encounter with the twins. To his relief, it wasn’t them.However, as he looked around, Xavier spotted the wild twin siblings already causing chaos near the buffet tables, bickering over something that involved a lot of arm-waving and loud voices. His mood soured instantly. He considered making a hasty retreat, thinking that perhaps it would be wiser to skip breakfast and avoid the dining hall altogether.Just as he was about to turn on his heel, a woman approached him with a warm, inviting smile.“Hey,” she greeted him.
“Go and catch them!” Tina said, shoving Xavier toward the door.Xavier realized he had to catch the twins quickly. He needed to get the photos deleted before they accidentally or intentionally ended up on social media. The last thing he needed was a scandal that could ruin not just his reputation but the entire Donovan family’s name. He could already imagine the headlines—disgrace, scandal, humiliation.“Wait! Stop right now!” Xavier shouted, his voice a mix of desperation and anger.The twins ignored him and continued racing toward their cabin.After a frantic chase, Xavier finally caught up as they slipped into their cabin. He lunged forward and grabbed the door before it could close.“Xavier? What’s going on?” Leila, standing in the middle of her cabin, looked at the breathless Xavier with surprise.Ignoring Leila’s question, Xavier fixed his glare on the twins and said, “Your niece and nephew just took some very inappropriate photos of me. I need that phone. Now.”Leila’s expressio
Xavier reclined on the sun lounger, soaking in the warmth of the sun. He glanced over at Bella, who was applying sunscreen to her legs in a two-piece bikini. Bella looked up, a curious expression on her face, and asked, “Where’s Tina? I thought you two were inseparable.”Xavier tilted his head and continued, “If you’re her friend, I figured you’d have a better idea of where she is. I just met her a couple of days ago.”Bella looked at Xavier with a playful smirk and asked, “Why do you always focus so much on Tina? There are plenty of people around who might offer you something even better. Why not give them a chance?”Xavier raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He chuckled and replied, “Well, if someone’s name starts with a ‘B’ and they’re wearing a flowery bikini, I’d have to say I’m all in.”Bella’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she tilted her head, the sun catching her sun-kissed skin. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper,
Tina burst into the cabin like a storm, eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.Xavier, his shirt hanging open, belt unbuckled, stood there looking like a deer caught in headlights. Bella, panic written all over her face, was frantically trying to wrap the bed sheet around herself, but the more she pulled, the more it slipped, leaving her looking like she was fighting with a curtain.“Well, isn’t this just perfect,” Tina said, her voice cold and dripping with sarcasm. “Xavier, seriously? Bella?”Bella shot Xavier a desperate look. “I told you to lock the damn door!”Xavier, flustered and half-dressed, waved his hands in surrender. “I didn’t think the twins would just barge in—”Xavier snapped his attention to the twins, who were giggling like it was the best prank they’d ever pulled. “What are you two doing in here? This isn’t a game room!” He pointed at the door, trying to regain some control.The twins just grinned wider and, with one final look at their handiwork, bolted out of the
“Xavier!” Bella hissed, her voice shaking with frustration. “Why didn’t you lock the door?”Xavier looked up, his relaxed expression turning to confusion.“Why do you keep going on about it, Bella?”“You’re such an idiot sometimes!” she snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.“We were—” She cut herself off, blushing harder. “We were having sex, and you left the door unlocked.”Xavier’s jaw clenched. Her sharp tone sliced through the room, and he felt his anger start to rise.“If I forgot to lock it,” he said coldly, “then why didn’t you lock it?”Bella’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious right now? You expect me to be thinking about locking the door when you’re the one who’s supposed to handle stuff like that?”Xavier stood up abruptly, temper flaring. “Oh, so now it’s all on me? You could’ve locked it just as easily. Why are you acting so helpless?”“Because of you, I had to face that humiliating situation!” Bella shot back, her voice growing louder.“You left th
Xavier glanced at his phone and saw Logan’s message flash across the screen."Where the hell are you, man?"With a heavy sigh, Xavier dialed Logan back. It didn’t even take two rings before Logan answered.“Finally! I’ve been trying to reach you for hours!” Logan’s voice was a mix of concern and exasperation.Xavier got up from his bed and flopped down onto the sofa, rubbing his temples. “Yeah, I know. I’ve been… occupied.” He let out a sigh, trying to shake off the stress.“Occupied? Dude, you’re supposed to be relaxing. I didn’t force you onto this cruise just so you could stress out over more stuff. You need a break.”Xavier let out a half-laugh, half-groan. “Well, it hasn’t exactly been the stress-free escape you promised. It’s a mess here.”Logan’s voice softened, shifting into his professional tone. “Okay, what happened? You sound like someone just told you the pool bar ran out of rum.”Xavier sat up, running his hand through his hair. “I invited this girl, Bella, to my room. We
Xavier stepped onto the deck of the cruise ship, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The cool night breeze brushed against his skin, but his mind was preoccupied.“Where is Leila?” he muttered under his breath.He looked around again, but she was nowhere in sight.“She said she’d meet me here,” he whispered, a frown creasing his forehead. “Or at least, that’s what the server told me.”He took a deep breath, his frustration rising, and turned back toward the interior of the ship. “Let’s ask the server again,” he said to himself, ready to retrace his steps when suddenly, a splash of cold, vibrant liquid drenched him.Xavier froze, his designer suit now soaked, the coldness seeping through his clothes. He looked down at the colorful water dripping off him in disbelief.“What the—?!” he shouted, spinning around, eyes wide with anger.Standing behind him, grinning mischievously, were Zane and Alana, the notorious twin siblings. They held oversized water guns, and the moment their eyes met
The morning sunlight spilled over the deck of the cruise ship, casting a warm golden hue on the calm ocean waves. Xavier leaned against the railing, exhaustion clear on his face. He hadn’t slept well; the night had been a restless one, haunted by the argument with Leila and the chaos caused by Zane and Alana. Every time he tried to close his eyes, those memories played on repeat, gnawing at him with a heavy guilt. Now, as dawn broke, he felt the weight of his thoughts pressing down, the peaceful ocean a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside him.“Maybe I was too harsh with Leila,” he thought to himself, running a hand through his hair.Should he apologize? He knew he’d acted out of frustration, not considering Leila’s situation. With a deep breath, Xavier headed toward where he knew she’d be.Leila sat in a quiet corner of the deck, staring out at the horizon. The twins were nowhere to be seen, and Xavier noted the calm on her face, though her eyes seemed heavier than before. H
The night was still, the city lights casting a soft glow through the windows of Xavier’s apartment. The air in the room felt thick with unspoken words, and yet Ember felt completely at ease as she sat on the couch, her legs crossed, sipping her wine with a casual grace. Her eyes remained on Xavier, who had just finished explaining the entire ordeal with Zane and Alana’s disappearance.Xavier had gone through every detail, recounting the moment he received the news of their vanishing, the fear and terror that had gripped him, and the eventual relief when they were found. But as he spoke, Ember’s gaze drifted away from him, her thoughts clearly somewhere else.Xavier paused mid-sentence, his voice faltering when he realized she hadn’t been listening.“Ember,” he said softly, his brow furrowing.“Are you even listening to me?”Ember’s eyes flickered toward him for a brief moment, her lips curling into a seductive smile. She set her wineglass down, her fingers tracing the rim as if the co
The sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore was soothing, almost hypnotic, but it did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside Ember. She sat on a plush towel, basking under the afternoon sun, surrounded by her group of friends. The warmth of the sun kissed her skin, yet a coldness gnawed at her heart as she watched the carefree laughter of her friends. Each of them was dressed in designer bikinis, their expensive swimwear glistening in the sun, the epitome of wealth and status. Yet, despite the luxury and beauty surrounding her, Ember couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Or rather, someone.One of her friends, a tall blonde woman named Chloe, lounged beside her, a glass of champagne in hand."Ember, where's Xavier? He’s usually here by now," she asked, her tone casual, but her eyes were sharp with curiosity.Ember’s fingers traced the rim of her glass as she stared out at the horizon."He’s probably busy with his wild children or dying father," she mutte
The air was thick with tension, the weight of the unknown pressing down on Xavier’s chest. Every minute that passed without any sign of Zane and Alana made his worry grow exponentially. The school had been searched from top to bottom, every hallway, every classroom, every corner. The guards, both of the school and Xavier’s, had been dispatched to search the surrounding areas. Still, there was no sign of his children.Xavier’s mind raced, unable to focus on anything other than the image of his kids, missing and alone. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—he loved them. He loved them in a way that he had never fully recognized before. He thought of the times they had come to him, seeking comfort after a nightmare or needing his help with their schoolwork. He thought of their laughter, their energy, their constant chatter. Now he couldn’t imagine a life without them, but he had never fully allowed himself to admit how deeply they had become a part of his world.He clenched his fi
The drive home felt longer than usual. Xavier’s mind was racing as he tried to process everything that had happened. Thomas was quietly resting in the passenger seat, the therapy session having drained him. His father had barely spoken a word since they left the clinic, and Xavier had allowed the silence to stretch on. It was a rare moment of peace, a chance for Xavier to reflect on the complicated web of emotions that had unfolded between them in recent weeks.When they finally arrived home, Xavier stepped out of the car, his mind still heavy. He was about to head inside when Bella appeared in the doorway, her face pale and strained.“Xavier,” she called, her voice tight with worry.“Zane and Alana haven’t come home yet. It’s already late.”Xavier’s heart skipped a beat. The familiar sense of unease began to settle in his stomach.“What do you mean, they haven’t come home?”Bella stepped forward, glancing nervously down the driveway.“I called their school, but they told me all the s
Xavier’s hand tightened on the steering wheel as he drove through the streets, the familiar hum of the car’s engine a backdrop to the silence in the vehicle. Thomas sat beside him, his frail figure slumped in the passenger seat, his eyes hollow with exhaustion. It was his third round of chemotherapy, and the weight of it was clearly starting to take a toll on him. The physical changes were evident—his once broad frame had thinned considerably, his skin was pale, and his eyes seemed permanently tired. The chemo was slowly breaking him down, but it wasn’t just the disease; it was the emotional strain, the battle that had taken a toll on his spirit.Xavier could feel the tension in the air, the weight of what lay ahead hanging over them both. It had been a long, difficult road, but today felt especially heavy. He was exhausted, not just from the demands of work and family, but from the emotional toll that his strained relationship with Thomas had put on him.When they arrived at the hosp
The soft click of the door opening was barely audible as Bella stepped into Xavier’s study. She had been avoiding him for the past few days, needing space to clear her mind, to understand what was happening in her heart. But today, something in her had snapped. She couldn’t pretend anymore.Xavier was sitting at his desk, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp. The papers in front of him seemed like an endless blur, each one a reminder of the responsibilities that weighed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t hear Bella’s footsteps at first, too consumed by the work in front of him.“Xavier,” Bella said quietly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.He looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers, a quiet understanding passing between them as if he had known she was standing there all along.“Bella,” he said, his voice softer than usual.“What’s wrong?”She stepped closer, the words almost stuck in her throat, but she forced them out, her voice breaking with emotion.“I want to leave. I
Xavier sat in the expansive living room of his mansion, the silence enveloping him as he stared out at the manicured gardens outside. The soft hum of the house was a comforting contrast to the chaos he had just returned from in Washington. His mind was still processing the conversation he’d had with Leila, the revelations that had shaken him to his core.As the door to the living room opened, Xavier looked up and found Jacob coming towards him.“Xavier,” Jacob greeted, his tone forced casual as he approached the couch. He sat down across from Xavier, his posture tense, as though he had something important on his mind.Xavier raised an eyebrow, not in the mood for pleasantries.“What’s going on, Jacob? What do you want?”Jacob’s eyes flickered briefly to the side before meeting Xavier’s gaze.“I need your help,” he said, his voice lower now, tinged with an urgency that immediately piqued Xavier’s interest, though not in a good way.“I’m in a tight spot, and I need a loan. A big one.”X
The small café in Washington had a cozy atmosphere, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the soft hum of background chatter. Xavier and Leila sat across from each other, two mugs of coffee placed on the wooden table between them, the steam rising from their cups as an unspoken tension lingered in the air.Xavier took a deep breath, his fingers curling around the mug, seeking warmth as much as solace.Xavier and Leila had left Dr. Priya’s clinic for a while and came to Cafe to have some coffee and discuss few more things while they had a chance."How are you now, Leila?" Xavier asked quietly, his voice uncharacteristically gentle."What does your doctor say?"Leila looked at him for a moment, as if weighing the truth of her response. She glanced down at her hands, fingers resting on the edge of the mug, before lifting her eyes to meet his."Alzheimer’s never cures," she said, her voice tinged with a sense of finality."But the medicine can help control its symptoms. So
Xavier's mind raced as he stepped off the plane in Washington, the weight of the upcoming conversation with Leila heavy on his shoulders. It had been weeks since he last heard her name, and now, after all his searching, he was finally going to face her.His manager, ever efficient, was waiting for him at the airport, greeting him with a slight nod."Mr. Xavier," his manager said, gesturing toward the car."I’ve arranged everything. Dr. Verma’s clinic is just a short drive away."Xavier nodded silently, his thoughts still spinning. There was a knot in his stomach, a mixture of frustration, confusion, and, oddly, anticipation. He had so many questions for Leila. The woman who had vanished from his life, leaving him with Zane and Alana, only to disrupt his world with her sudden disappearance, was finally within reach.The drive felt long, despite the distance being short. Xavier's mind kept circling back to the same question: Why had she disappeared? What had driven her to leave her niec