close to my dialling heart

31🌹love in full color

🎶 I wanna love, wanna love, wanna love you like that🎶
                     ~Canaan smith~

XAVIER 🥀

I watched her until she vanished from sight, but I found myself taking a step forward, eager to catch another glimpse of her. The knowledge that she was my girl filled me with a sense of pride and joy. She glanced towards the entrance, and our eyes met once more. Her eyebrows furrowed, but a smile soon spread across her face, and she waved at me again. I returned the gesture, keeping my other hand casually in my pocket. She turned back to her bag, still shaking her head with a smile. I couldn't help but chuckle at my besotted behavior.

As I turned to leave, I collided with a stranger, our bodies bumping together with a soft thud. He was a man, slightly shorter than me, with a meticulously groomed beard and a stiff demeanor. His eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a tone laced with hostility. "Are you in this class?" I shook my head, and he seemed to relax slightly, though his gaze still lingered on me with a hint of suspicion.

...

I strolled into class a little late, not bothering to apologize or make a scene. Time wasn't really my concern, unlike Dove, who was always punctual and organized. As I made my way to my seat, I caught Mal's intense gaze, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words. She was already seated, her chair pulled close to mine, as if she'd been waiting for me. I let out a subtle sigh, my lips curling into a slight smirk as I slid into my seat, bracing myself for whatever lecture or conversation she had in store for me.

"Xavier..." she began, her voice low and serious, as she inched her chair even closer, our knees almost touching. "Mallika," I replied, my voice calm and collected, as I leaned back in my seat, my eyes locked on hers, ready to hear her out.

"Just be honest with me..." Mal began, her voice laced with a hint of concern. "What do you intend to do with Dove?" I paused, a chuckle escaping my lips as I gazed ahead, pretending to study the whiteboard.

"What do you mean?" I asked, feigning innocence, though I knew exactly why she was asking. My past relationships had been purely physical, no strings attached, but Mal knew me too well.

"You know what I mean," she pressed, her eyes narrowing with a stern expression. "Do you like Dove?" A sly smirk crept onto my face. Like? That was an understatement. I was already head over heels in love with her. It wasn't just about the physical attraction; it was the way she made me feel. She brought a smile to my face without even trying, and I cherished listening to her talk. I hated seeing her cry, and I longed to be there for her through thick and thin. We'd started dating without even realizing it, our connection growing stronger with each passing day.

"Look, X..." Mal continued, her voice softening. "I think Dove is too innocent for this." She gestured, her hands emphasizing the point. "For the way you are, for the life you lead."

You're probably wondering how Mal and I are so casual with each other. Well, we went way back to high school, sharing the same table and all. Mal knew more about me than Miles ever did, and I was grateful they never really talked. It would've been a headache dealing with both of them together! Mal was the only one who knew about my mafia family background, but she was blissfully unaware of the darker aspects of my life. She knew I was trouble, but she'd never seen me in action.

"Xavier?" Mal's voice brought me back to the present, her expression worried. I understood why - Dove was too innocent for someone like me. But she was good for me, and I found myself taming my wild side around her. "Mallika?" I replied, my gaze still fixed ahead, avoiding the lecturer's disapproving stares.

"What do you plan to do with Dove?" Mal pressed, her concern evident. "I know you two are dating, but do you really like her?" I hesitated before responding, my eyes still fixed on the whiteboard. "I do like her." I finally admitted, my voice low. "I like her a lot." I repeated, as if to convince myself.