Chapter 16 A call from step-sister

True to my word, I stayed in the suite all night, eventually succumbing to sleep in the luxuriously soft bed. The next morning, a sharp knock on the door jolted me awake, momentarily disorienting me as I tried to remember where I was.

"Anastasia, it's almost eleven. Would you prefer breakfast in your room, or are you joining me downstairs?" Xavier's voice, tinged with boredom, came from the other side of the door.

I muttered a quiet curse under my breath, hurriedly disentangling myself from the cocoon of blankets. "I'll be right there! Just... give me a minute..." I called back.

When I finally opened the door, still a bit flustered, I found Xavier leaning casually against the wall opposite me, arms folded across his chest and a wry smile on his face.

"I guess I don't need to ask if you slept well," Xavier smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief.

I glared at him, folding my arms in front of me to mirror his posture. "Seems I don't need to ask if the pack needs a comedian either... you'