Stuck Up Meets Crazy. [COMPLETED]

TWENTY THREE

Cara should be used to Xander's knack for pushing her buttons by now, but somehow, he keeps finding new ways to do it.

There she sits in the living room, dressed in a blue dress, makeup perfectly done, and her curly hair straightened. She should have canceled the date, but after spending so much time picking out the perfect outfit, she's at least expecting a nice dinner and maybe even a jet ride.

"Madam Cara," Marco says as he enters the room.

"Cara," she corrects him sharply.

He nods. "Sir Alexander is currently occupied. I've been instructed to drive you to the hangar where he will meet you."

At least she won't have to see his face during the drive. They might not even make it to dinner before she throws the DNA test results in his face.

"Fine," Cara says as she grabs her small Gucci bag, the one holding the envelope.

---

Xander waves Marco off, then opens the door for Cara. He's greeted by a stunning woman in a blue dress with a frown that's almost as striking as her outfit.

"I apologize for being late," Xander says, extending his hand. Cara ignores it and exits the car on her own.

"You look beautiful," he adds.

"I know," Cara replies with a forced smile, heading toward the jet.

Xander watches her walk away, the anger in her steps somehow making her even more captivating.

---

During dinner, Xander feels the tension despite his attempts at small talk. Cara is pointedly ignoring him. He fears asking if he's done something wrong, afraid he's only making things worse.

"I just want this night to be special," he finally says, trying to break the silence. "Did I do something wrong?"

Cara seizes the moment she's been waiting for. She pulls the envelope from her bag and slides it across the table. "Tell me why you requested a DNA test," she demands.

It's another mess-up in a night that was meant to be about getting to know each other. Xander remembers telling Gwen to cancel the test, but she went ahead with it anyway. He'll have to find another doctor, preferably one without personal interests.

"I can explain," Xander begins, clearing his throat.

Before he can say more, the waiters arrive with dessert.

"Sir, Madam, your dessert," the waiter says with a smile.

"Thanks," Xander mutters.

Cara interrupts, "If they set the dessert down, I'll throw it at you." Her wicked smile shows she's not kidding.

Xander, not wanting to risk his suit or his evening, says, "You can take it back."

The waiters leave with the untouched dessert.

"Well, your explanation?" Cara demands.

Xander is relieved he rented out the restaurant for the evening. At least no one else will witness Cara's outburst.

"I did tell her to cancel the test, but she went ahead with it anyway," Xander explains.

"Great. So the almighty Alexander Black changed his mind. I feel so special," Cara mocks.

"It's not like you gave me a choice. You showed up claiming to be pregnant, and..."

Cara cuts him off, "Whoa, you act like we didn't have sex. Here's some advice: if you didn't want me showing up like this, maybe you should have used a condom."