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

Ch. 33

    I smile watching Eva drive up to the house going fast, I grimace when I see the car jerk to a stop. The woman doesn't do anything in half measure. She open's the car door and waves towards me. I wave back and watch as Ruxin gets out of the vehicle unfazed. I smirk thinking if that were me I'd be kissing the ground.

"Do you always drive so fast?" I question, amused.

"That wasn't fast. If you want to go for a ride, I can show you fast." She jokes, walking up to the house. I hug her and turn to Ruxin.

"Are you grateful to be alive?" I whisper, loud enough for Eva to hear.

He nods. "Always. I should've never let her talk me into buying her that car." He replies, giving me a hug.

"Like you had a choice." Eva states, smugly. Making me laugh, she winks at her husband who smirks back at her.

I lead them into the house, knowing how badly Eva wants to see the changes to the interior and Xavier's culinary skills. "You changed the color in here. I like it, its not as dark as it was." She says, noticing the wall color.

"I didnt do anything. That was all Ian, thanks again for recommending him. I love everything that he did. He went above and beyond, I'm happy with it all."

"How'd the bedroom turn out? I know he had an issue with the wall paper, then the rug, he was having a hard time getting the supplies in the time frame Xavier gave him." She states, sympathetically.

As we near the kitchen I hear pots and pans and look towards Eva, "I'd show it to you, but it sounds like he's starting his cooking presentation."

She brushes by me and hurries to witness the event. I laugh at her antics and quicken my pace as well. I hear her ask, "What's for dinner?" As Ruxin and I walk into the room.

"For an appetizer I'll be making, zucchini carpaccio with salt broiled shrimp. Main course, Duck confit with asparagus and garlic butter fingerling potatoes." Xavier answers, sounding as pompous as the dinner he's about to cook.

    Eva sits down on a stool looking as though she's trying not to laugh. "Who are you?" Ruxin asks, suspiciously. Eva laughs and I smile as Xavier glares at Ruxin.

"I could use help if anyone would like to volunteer." He states, urging one of us to be his assistant.

"No! No one is to help him. If something turns out bad he'll blame it on one of us." Eva orders, seriously.

Xavier glances up at me, challenging me to defy Eva's orders. "Sorry, hon. She does have a point."

"When have I ever done that?" He asks, outraged.

I roll my eyes. "How about the time I accidentally crushed up the bayleaf and put them in the stew." I say, reminiscing on one of our past joint cooking experiences.

"You ruined the whole thing, but that was ages ago." He states, defensively.

"Just this week I made the vinaigrette too sweet." I point out, unapologetically. I think it tasted just fine, however, the master chef had something to say.

Realizing I won the argument he goes back to cooking and ignoring us. Eva, watches suspiciously but when she realizes Xavier knows what he's doing she gets bored. "I cannot believe I didn't know this about him." She sighs, smirking.

"I can't believe he kept it from you. He loves to brag." I reply, teasingly as Xavier looks up from his prep work. He winks and goes back to slicing.

"Oh, I got an artist to start on the walls in the nursery." She says, turning towards me eagerly and bringing up pictures on her phone.

    I hear Ruxin scoff and turn away from the offensive portraits. I smile when I see a landscape with two mountains and the name, Xavier written above the dark wood crib. I glance at Ruxin who look like he could use a drink. I get up from my seat passing the phone back to Eva. "I love it. The same person has to do our Ruxin's nursery. Text me the number." I say, noticing the grin on Ruxin's face as Xavier quits working momentarily before clenching his jaw together tightly and finishing his task.

I watch Eva show Xavier the photos and he looks beyond pleased. "That is pretty cool." He admits.

"Beer or wine?" I ask, Ruxin as I hand Eva a bottle of sparkling water.

"A beer sounds good." I nod and take one out three bottles. I uncap them and give one to Ruxin and Xavier with a pint glass. They refuse the glasses so I put them back and go back to my stool.

"You're wearing your ring again." Ruxin notices, pointing to my hand.

"Yep, I got a proper proposal." I reply, happily.

"When?" Eva asks, excitedly putting her phone down.

"Just a little after I went home to find my things moved into his house." I state, smirking.

"And you said yes, after that?" Ruxin asks, shaking his head in disbelief.

I laugh. "Yep, fool that he is. I can't help but love him."

Eva starts getting watery eyed. "I'm so happy."

"Oh, no. No crying." I tell her, as she wipes at her eyes.

"Was it romantic?" She asks, needing details.

I shrug. "He got down on one knee after I got out of the car determined to kill him for emptying my house. I don't know I guess I just realized enough is enough and when he asked me, I said, yes." I say, simply.

"You didn't even make a grand gesture?" Eva shouts, disappointed.

"There wasn't anytime! I wanted to have roses, candles and wine but when she showed up just as the movers left. I sprinted to our room got the ring and ran out the door to ask her." Xavier explains.

Eva tilts her head to the side, pleased. "Awe. Thats kinda cute."

I laugh at her mood changes, forever amused by her behavior.

Xavier takes down plates and loads each dish with zucchini carpaccio and places the prawns delicately on top. He slides them in front of each of us and hands us forks. I wait for Eva to take her first bite, when she does I'm not disappointed. "Oh, my God. This is awesome."

I smile smugly. "Told ya."

Okay, I'm not going to lie. Been drinking a little. Any mistakes please let me know. I sincerely appreciate it! Xo