Claire's POV:

It's been three days, 3 days of me trying to dodge Xavier as much as I possibly can. I would go for breakfast late when I'm positive that he has left, mostly he won't come back for lunch so I don't have to worry about that, at nights I would eat early and won't leave my room at all.

Why have I been avoiding him? Well to be honest I don't know. He makes me feel things I have never felt before and then he gets all cold and rough on me for no reason. So I thought it's best if I avoid him and I've been successful so far, I haven't seen his face for the past 3 days.

Derek has asked me a couple of times why I have been staying in my room and avoiding him, but Its not him I'm avoiding, it's just Xavier, and Derek is mostly here when Xavier is, and I couldn't risk leaving my room and bumping into him.

I have been in my room mostly, I found a few papers and a pen in the drawer of the dressing table and I have been writing on it, it has kept me quite occupied lately.

But today isn't one of the lucky days, tonight's the party of Chloe's and Oliver's anniversary and gender reveal.

Which means I have to face him. I sigh as I lay down on the floor with my eyes closed. I don't know why but it always helped me calm my racing heart down, feeling the cold floor under me reminds me of Eric, he was the one who actually taught me this trick, everytime I'd get scared or anxious, he would always lay on the cold floor with me.

The thought of him brought a smile to my lips.

"What the fuck! Oh my god, kitten are you Ok??"

A very worried voice of Derek pulled me out of my daze as I opened my eyes and looked at him staring down at me with worry clear in his eyes.

I chuckled and sat up.

"I'm ok Derek, relax" I said and he eyed me confused.

"Why are you on the floor then??"

"I needed to calm my nerves down" I said not making eye contact with him. He walked towards me and sat down on the floor beside me.

"What's got you so worried kitten?" He asked genuinely concerned.

I let out a sigh as I looked at him "just tonight, I don't know how it will go" I said honestly.

He gave me a soft smile and pulled me into him holding me tight in his embrace.

"It's all gonna be ok kitten, I'll be by your side all night, you have absolutely nothing to worry about" he said while softly rubbing my arms.

I hugged him back hoping he was right and this night goes all good.

"What is that?" Derek said and abruptly stood up making me look at what he saw.

Oh crap. The pages I had been writing on were scattered all over the floor beside the bed. I quickly got up but he was fast as he picked them up before me.

"Damn it's a bunch of pages, did you write them?" He asked as he looked through the pages.

"Yes and give them back!" I said as I ran towards him trying to grab the pages.

Even tho I've posted a couple of my books online, it's anonymous, no one knows I wrote them so I feel comfortable enough. But in this case, he knows I wrote them, and let's just say I'm too shy for anyone to read them unless I'm 100% sure it's ready and this one most certainly is not.

"Now I'm more interested in reading what you wrote in it, since you want it back so badly" Derek chuckled raising his hands high up so I can't reach it.

I jumped trying to reach it but it was useless, I tried to tackle him but he took off, running out of the room.

"Derek give it back!!" I shouted and ran after him.

"Come get it then kitten" he said laughing as he ran downstairs.

We ran in circles in the lounge and eventually I was able to tackle him on the floor and grabbed the pages out of his hands.

"Ahuh! Got them!!" I said cheering as Derek laughed uncontrollably under me making me laugh too. Soon the laughter died as we both felt a presence in the room. I looked up and my throat went dry.

Xavier was standing there throwing daggers at us with his eyes. The look on his face was enough for anyone to know he was about to murder someone, mercilessly.

I gulped nervously and looked down at Derek and realized how I was straddling him. I abruptly stood up and so did Derek. My face went red embarrassed. We were so not in an appropriate position and it was the second time Xavier had walked in while we were like that.

I kept my head low as the room filled with awkward silence while Xavier's piercing eyes didn't leave me. He was glaring at me like I am the one he'll be killing mercilessly.

I shifted to my feet feeling uncomfortable with the awkward silence in the room.

Xavier let out a deep sigh and walked away going upstairs. Well, that wasn't awkward at all.

I let out a breath I was holding and glared at Derek, he chuckled.

"I will get my hands on those pages someday kitten" Derek said and winked making me roll my eyes.

"Like I would let that happen so easily" I said feeling confident now.

"Love, Mr.William sent the dress and this bag for you" Ella said grabbing our attention as she walked in with 2 bags in her hands. "Would you like me to help you with anything?" She asked sincerely and I smiled at her.

"No Ella I'll take care of it, thanks a lot" I went to her and took the bags from her hands as she walked away.

"Well I guess I'll get ready too, I don't want a pregnant woman all up in my ass for being late" Derek said jokingly making me chuckle.

I walked back upstairs holding the bags and went into my room closing the door behind me. I guess it won't be as bad as I thought it would be.

I went into the bathroom and hopped in the shower making sure not to get my hair wet. Getting done I walked out and went into the closet to look over the dress. I still don't know what it looks like.

As I pulled it out of the bag I was stunned. The dress was so damn beautiful and sexy at the same time.

Standing in front of the mirror I stripped out of my clothes.

Daring to look me bare in the mirror was harder than I remember. Looking at my reflection, tears pricked my eyes. All I saw were the marks he gave me, on my lower stomach and my entire back. All covered in scars. In his marks.

Ripping my eyes off the mirror I quickly slid on the dress Chloe sent for me. Looking over the dress in the mirror I was satisfied, it looked good.

The dress was a baby pink short dress that ended right at my lower thigh, with a spaghetti strap. It was flowy yet brought out the good angles of my body, Plus I was feeling confident and comfortable in this dress.

Taking a good look at myself in the mirror I went into the room to do my make-up, in the other bag Chloe sent me matching jewelry and heels making my heart melt at her sweet gestures. She's such an angel.

I did my makeup making sure not to overdo it, I just wanted a bit of glamour so I didn't put on any eyeshadow instead ended my look with cat eyeliner. Looking at myself in the mirror I was satisfied with the make-up. I was about to put my hair up in a bun when I remembered Xavier's words. I blushed at the thought of him liking my hair down. So I decided to keep my hair down in its natural way.

Ending it all up I put on a cute locket Chloe sent me along with the matching earrings. I was ready.
There was a knock on my door as Ella walked in shortly afterward. I turned to her as she looked at me in Awe.

"My goodness dear, you look absolutely breathtaking" she said making me blush.

"Masters are waiting for you downstairs love, they'll be stunned to see you" Ella said making me blush.

"Thanks a lot Ella" I said and hugged her as she hugged me back. Pulling away I went out of the room as my heart was beating uncontrollably fast. I don't know why I feel this nervous, but the thought of Xavier seeing me like this somehow makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

I took one deep breath and started walking downstairs. Derek and Xavier were standing at the base of the stairs busy in their conversation. The clicking sound of my heels grabbed their attention as Xavier looked at me and our eyes met, he was looking sharp and dangerously handsome making my heart do a backflip. He was wearing a grey three-piece suit with a black button-up shirt underneath which complimented his whole demeanor.

His face changed from neutral to an emotion I'd never seen on his face before, he glued his eyes on me looking me up and down making goosebumps rise on my whole body. I continued walking down until I was standing right in front of them.

Xavier didn't look away even for a second, I looked at him nervously biting my lip as he clenched his jaw tightly staring at my lips now. It for some reason made me blush and lower my gaze.

I looked at Derek and he was looking at me with a smirk.

"Damn kitten, you look stunning" he said and reached his arm out for me to hold. I blushed and took his arm and let out a soft 'thank you

Derek pulled me closer to him "ready to go?" He asked and I nodded smiling at him. I looked over at Xavier once more and he was still staring at me with his hands in his pockets and his jaw clenched tightly, he seemed unhappy about something, but about what?

Then he started walking towards the main door and so did I and Derek right behind him. Derek pulled me towards his car as Xavier went another way. I looked back at him to see he was sliding in a black Porsche and driving off almost immediately.

Derek tugged onto my arm taking my attention as I looked at him. He opened the door for me bowing down slightly and said "after you m'lady"

I chuckled and sat in the car as he shut the door and jogged to his side and got in. Starting the engine he pulled the car onto the road and began driving.

After around 10 minutes of driving, he spoke "Xavier was totally checking you out kitten"

I choked on air as he said that "No he wasn't!" I said catching my breath.

"Oh he so was kitten, you just don't see it" Derek said chuckling making me blush even harder. There's no way he was checking me out. Right?

Soon he pulled in front of a fancy-looking hotel, Derek opened my door again helping me out and we began walking towards the building, it looked expensive just by its exterior.

Walking in, my eyes widened looking at the gorgeously decorated hotel, it was crowded with people, male and female, all dressed up fancy and expensive. Even tho I was wearing a really nice dress myself I felt so out of place since it wasn't where I belonged in the first place.

People were seated at tables and everything was in perfect discipline as everyone chatted among themselves.

Derek pulled me with him towards a table where Chloe and Oliver were sitting. As their eyes landed on us they both stood up as Chloe gave me a tight hug making me chuckle.

"I missed you cutie pie!" She said as both Derek and Oliver laughed.

"I missed you too chlo, and thanks a lot for the dress, I loved it" I said as she looked me up and down.

"I'm glad you do because it fits you perfectly!"

"Let's have a seat guys" Oliver said as I and Derek sat down on.

"You're looking gorgeous chlo" I said as she smiled brightly.

"I know right? I don't know if I'd be able to keep my hands to myself tonight" Oliver said as Chloe turned bright red making us all laugh.

I looked around the table and there was one empty seat, the one right next to me, is it for Xavier?

I gulped at the thought of him sitting that close to me. I turned towards Derek to ask him to switch seats with me but before I could let even a single word out, my eyes fell on the entrance.

Xavier walked in with all his glory and power as everyone stood up to greet him. Everyone stood up in respect and fear.

Just seeing how people went silent bowing their heads down for him made my heart skip a beat.

He walked with dominance like he owned the place and the people too and Maybe he does.

It was just us who didn't stand up, I lifted my head and my eyes locked with his, he didn't look away instead he looked right into my eyes as he walked toward us ignoring all the greetings he was getting without sparing anyone a single glance.

I gulped and lowered my head breaking the eye contact as I couldn't take it anymore, his eyes are hypnotizing.

Soon the chair beside me was pulled and Xavier sat on it, I took in a deep breath as his dangerous intoxicating scent filled my nose making my nerves calm down.

After 5 minutes of everyone checking their menu cards, a waiter came up to us, he seemed really nervous, I know how he feels. Everyone ordered and now it was my turn but I couldn't, everything was in Italian since this was an Italian restaurant, and I had no idea what all these dishes are and what they might taste like.

Derek poked my arm making me look at him as he whispered "What'd you wanna eat kitten?"

I took a deep breath and whispered back "Whatever you're ordering, I don't know any dishes on the menu" I said shyly as he chuckled and ordered for me as the waiter wrote it down and left hurriedly.

Soon after another waiter came as he served Everyone drinks, I looked at my glass pouting slightly. Welp, I'm not drinking alcohol, no drinks for me.

"Bring a glass of apple juice" Xavier spoke making all of us look at him, I furrowed my brows at him in confusion, he wanna drink apple juice?

The waiter left and Soon came back with a glass of juice as he served to Xavier.

"Anything else sir?" He asked, fear evident in his voice.

Xavier raised his hand slightly to dismiss him as the waiter bowed to him and scurried away.

I was fiddling with the hem of my dress when the glass of juice was placed in front of me, I looked up to see Xavier looking at me. I looked at the glass and back at him. Did he order that for me?

I bit on my lower lip nervously as I let out a soft 'thank you' and reached my hand out to take the glass, a weird sensation of happiness was rising in my chest, just with this small gesture of kindness from him. He remembered that I don't drink.

Everyone was chatting and talking when Oliver and Chloe stood up and clicked a spoon on their glass to grab everyone's attention, everyone went silent as they looked at the now-standing couple.

"I thank you all for joining this special dinner with us, today's the day I got married to this amazing woman, and I'm extremely happy to be celebrating our anniversary with all our loved ones with us"

Oliver made a sweet speech as everyone looked at the couple in adoration and awe, seeing them made me happy as well, I might not know them so well but they are one of the sweetest couples I've seen.

Soon Chloe chimed in as she thanked everyone and then she announced the big news. Oliver was happy beyond explanation, learning that he's gonna be a father of twins as one of them was a baby boy and a baby girl. He kissed his wife as his eyes were filled with tears, happy tears.

Everyone started applauding so did I, I was happy for them. I peeked at Xavier, he wasn't clapping but his lips were formed in a small smile, a genuine smile. He looks much more better with a smile.

My heart skipped a beat looking at him as my lips formed into a smile of my own, I couldn't take my eyes away from his smiling face, I have never seen him smile before.

As if he felt my eyes on him he lowered his eyes from Oliver and Chloe as they landed directly on me. Dang, was I staring that obviously? Sheesh, how creepy!!

I quickly looked down as I started messing with my dress, lucky me soon the food was served and I started munching on my food. Everyone on the table dug in as well, I felt Xavier's burning gaze on me the whole time, which made it so flipping hard to swallow the food.

The food was really tasty, as we all finished eating, Chloe and Oliver excused themselves to see off the guests. Now it was just me, Derek, and Xavier on the table.

"I think we'll get going too I'm extremely bored at this point" Derek said and I giggled softly.

He stood up and so did I when Xavier spoke, stopping us both in our tracks.

"I'll take her back to the mansion" Xavier said leaving no room for discussion as he stood up grabbing his keys and phone. Gulp

I quickly looked at Derek hoping he'd help me but he had a smirk on his lips as he shrugged his shoulders and winked at me before walking away. Did he just leave me in Xavier's hands?

I hesitantly turned to Xavier and gulped. Dear lord help me.

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