Shadows Of Desire

Chapter Fourteen

Xavier’s house sat on the edge of the city, hidden behind a sprawling iron gate and surrounded by towering trees. It was a large, modern structure with walls of glass that looked out onto meticulously maintained gardens. Soft morning light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the quiet elegance of the marble floors and clean lines of the high-end furnishings. It was an impressive place, designed to feel luxurious but empty—Xavier’s retreat from the world.

Mrs. Stan, his secretary and unofficial house manager, bustled through the house early, carrying her tablet and her usual sense of calm authority. She had been there since he was a child, a steady presence and motherly figure who’d become part of his world in ways few others had. She had a keen eye for detail, a professionalism Xavier admired, and yet she held an affection for him that made her more than just an employee.

As Xavier walked down the staircase, Mrs. Stan looked up, her usual gentle smile spreading across her face. “Good morning, Xavier. Ready for the big day?”

“Yeah, I suppose,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “I still don’t know if I’m cut out for all this.”

“You’re more suited to it more than you think,” she said, her voice kind but firm. “You have a way of connecting with people—even if you pretend you don’t.”

Xavier gave a small smile, acknowledging her words. He was about to respond when the sound of a rake on gravel outside caught his attention. Through the glass, he spotted Mr. Stan, the gardener who had been tending the grounds as long as Xavier could remember. With a wiry build and weathered hands, Mr. Stan was always moving, always working, his dedication matched only by his quiet kindness.

Xavier opened the back door and stepped onto the patio. “Good morning, Mr. Stan,” he called out, his tone softer than usual.

Mr. Stan straightened, wiping his brow and giving Xavier a respectful nod. “Morning, Xavier. Everything’s ready for you today. Your parents would be proud.”

There was a pause as Xavier took in the words, and he nodded, unable to fully respond. Stan’s words always had a way of hitting close to home, reminding him of why he kept going, why he took part in the charity his parents had once supported.

As he made his way back inside, Mrs. Stan was waiting with a cup of coffee. She handed it to him with a knowing smile. “You’re going to be wonderful today. Just remember what this means—to you, and to them.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Stan,” he murmured, taking a deep breath.

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The Montehu Orphanage had been carefully designed, built to feel more like a home than a facility. The walls were painted in warm, soft tones, and children’s artwork decorated every hallway. By the time Xavier arrived, the place was buzzing with donors, volunteers, and families eager to see the new space. For a moment, he took it all in, feeling something shift inside him—a deep satisfaction, maybe even pride.

He spotted Nauxr before she saw him. She was standing near the entrance, her attention caught by a young child who’d latched onto her leg, clearly fascinated by her. Nauxr was laughing, trying to balance as she spoke to the child, her tone soft and playful in a way Xavier hadn’t seen before. She looked up then, catching his eye from across the room. For a second, he felt his usual guarded expression falter.

As he moved through the crowd, greeting people and exchanging polite smiles, he caught Nauxr watching him. Her gaze was intense, as if she were trying to decode him. He tried not to let it affect him, but he knew she was seeing a side of him he usually kept hidden. Just then, a toddler tugged at his pant leg, her big brown eyes staring up at him with unfiltered curiosity.