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

Ch. 7

Xavier Sterling

"That's your advice? Get her back!" I yell into the phone. "Obviously, thats the plan."

"Well, I'm not entirely sure what I need to tell you to do! I shouldn't have to tell you to stop being a total ass wipe but you continuously are!" She shouts back angrily.

"Eva!" I plead, needing some sort of direction.

"Agh, fine. Are you with her now?" She questions.

"Yeah, we're at a house I buying." I explain, wincing when I realize what I just told her.

"A house? Where?" She asks, incredulously.

So much for keeping my new sanctuary a secret. "About fifteen minutes from you." I admit.

"Text me the address. I'm on my way." She orders, hanging up before I can beg her not to come. Now that I think about it, maybe this will be good. It might serve me well to have Eva here, perhaps even get some information from Pip.

Piper Keller

    At the front door of Xavier's new home I let Madeline in and look back at Xavier who is visibly upset and talking on his phone. Judging by his mannerisms and tense body language something bad has happened. Not knowing if I should wait for him or give him the time he needs. The choice is made for me when Madeline calls my name. Entering the house I take one last look at Xavier before I shut the door.

"Oh, don't worry about him dear. I'm sure it's something to do at the company. He'll sort it out, he always does."

I nod. "I'm sure you're right." I reply, glancing back at the door.

"I am." She states, knowingly. "This is a nice house. Not what I would've picked for Xavier but its not the first time I've been wrong about him. Still its a surprise, its comfortable but not in the style I would assume he'd like." She adds, running her hand alone the ornate chair rail in the hallway.

"On that we can agree. But it did have less staircases than the others." I respond, off handedly.

"Staircases? Why would that be an issue?" She questions, thinking the reasoning strange.

My mouth opens but no sound comes out. Finally, after looking like a fish out of water I answer, "I'm not entirely sure. I think he plans on having this home for a while. He wanted to make sure it was, kid friendly."

The look she gives me makes me nervous. "He said what? Surely, you're joking." She replies, in total disbelief. Then she stops to look at me her face stunned. "He hasn't even been with anyone serious since you. Who could he possibly be dating that he'd buy a house for the eventually of children?" She asks, stating each word totally lost.

At a loss on what to say I shrug. "Its what he said. I really don't know him that well, anymore. So, I can't really tell you anymore than that."

She nods in understanding and we continue walking to the back of the house. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened between you and Xavier? He's never mentioned it." She inquires, curiously.

"Oh, ah-I." I take a second, my mouth unusually dry. "We just weren't communicating well." I tell her, giving her a small smile. The look she gives me lets me know I'm not going to get away with that little of an explanation so I continue, knowing Xavier could join us at any moment I'd rather get this done with.