All's Fair in Love and Business: Xavier's Story

Ch. 6

Piper Keller   

"He what?" I ask Liz for the second time, still outraged at her he nonchalant attitude. I wish she'd take my near melt down a little more seriously.

"I know how you must feel. But this will be good for you." She states, convinced she knows what she's doing.

"How could this be good for me? You're the one who basically warned me away from him. Now, what? You're changing your mind?" I ask, bewildered.

"I'm not changing my mind. I sincerely think he's up to something and I have no inkling on what it could possibly be. However, he wants to show it to someone else. So, this could clear up a few things for you." She points out.

I feel my mouth start to get dry and lick my lips. "He's showing it to someone?"

"Yes, he didn't say, who. So don't ask."

He wants to parade his girlfriend in front of me, and she acts like its not a big deal. Thats a huge deal! I don't want to meet anyone Xavier is involved with, why would he want to hurt me like that? I've been nothing but nice to him and I certainly don't owe him even a smidgen of courtesy.

"I don't want to meet anyone he's with. It's humiliating and awkward, how can you not see that?" I question, getting upset.

"Like I said yesterday. Its all about closure for you. Its about putting the past in the past and moving on with your life. This could be a huge blessing in disguise. An opportunity to open your eyes to the truth, that Xavier Sterling is a big pile of steaming hot dog doo-doo and you don't need him. Let the poor girl he's with be ruined by the selfish prick and don't look at her with envy but empathy, because we both know he'll just throw her away like he did to you." I can see that Liz wants me to be impressed by her speech but it doesn't help. I take a deep cleansing breath and close my eyes.

"I will show them the house. I will be professional and cordial. I will not let him hurt me, this is fine. I can do this." I
open my eyes to see Liz lift her eyebrow at my self-affirmations.

"You'll go far, grasshopper." She teases, as she hangs up another baby outfit. The closet is near to bursting. I roll my eyes at her and start to help.

Saturday

    I couldn't sleep last night. I don't know why I let this man do this to me. Its made me angrier than I've been in a really long time. I feel pathetic that Xavier hasn't even been in my life over a week and I've become unhinged by him.

This isn't the me I want to be. By the time I see his car pull up to Wheeler Realty I'm ready to face him and his "someone else" as an adult. That means plastering on a fake smile and being perfectly pleasant and accommodating for my client. Client, that is all this is. I open the door and make my way to the car just as Joe opens his door.

"Its fine Joe, I got it." I say, already halfway to the back door. The door opens and Xavier's long figure unfolds from the black leather seats.

"Mr. Sterling. You ready to see your house today?" I ask, nicely. My question gives him pause for some reason. "Oh, thats right. Don't worry, theres nothing to hate about that house." I whisper, coming to a stop at the door. I give him my most assuring smile and climb in, prepared to deal with meeting his significant other.

When, I lower my head and slide in, my eyes meet a familiar face. "Madeline! Its so good to see you again. How's Charles?" I ask, still in momentary shock at seeing Xavier's mother. Its been years since I've last seen her. She called me after she found out that we had broke up, but that was the last time we've spoken.