The Playboy's Wicked Revenge (Major editing In Progress)

6: First Step

Sia

“Sia??” My aunt’s voice echoed from the hallway, filled with confusion.

I sank further into the couch, hiding myself beneath the folds of my oversized Hello Kitty night suit- pink, fluffy, and criminally childish for a 23-year-old. I looked like a walking cotton ball with a cartoon addiction.

“Come on in, she’s right here in the living room!” my aunt chirped, far too enthusiastically for someone receiving an early-morning guest.

“Sia, look who came for you,” she sang.

I didn't look. I didn’t want to. I just kept wishing the Earth would open up and swallow me whole. My heart already knew. My skin prickled in awareness.
“Looks like she’s busy,” came a familiar, arrogantly amused voice.
Xander.
Of course.

I wanted to disappear completely.
“Siaa,” my aunt called again, this time through gritted teeth. That tone meant trouble.

I peeked through my messy bangs and slowly lifted my head. And there he was.
Xander Black.

Wearing jeans and a navy sweater. No formal three-piece suit, no starched white collar, just casual confidence dripping off him like cologne. His hair looked slightly ruffled, as though he’d just run his fingers through it, and still, he looked like the cover of a luxury fashion magazine.

He met my gaze and smirked. I froze.
'He’s unfairly good-looking,' I caught myself thinking. And then hated myself for it.
"Aunt Princia, if you don't mind, I’ll just be a minute," Xander said smoothly, still watching me.
My aunt doesn't care, she was is someplace else.
He sat beside me without hesitation. My panic tripled.

“Nice dress,” he said with a teasing smile. “I love the kitty.”

My ears burned. I wanted to vanish into the couch.
“I came here to pick you up,” he whispered suddenly, close to my ear.

I stiffened. His voice, low and smooth, sent involuntary chills down my spine.
Just then, my aunt returned, completely oblivious to my spiraling discomfort.

“So, X, everything’s fine?” she asked, smiling brightly.

“Yes, Actually, I was talking to her yesterday- she mentioned she’s job hunting. There’s a vacancy in my company, so I thought I’d ask her to come by. It’s Saturday, so I figured we could talk over lunch. If things work out, she can join from Monday.”
He delivered the lie like he was born for it.

I gawked at him.
Job hunting?
Lunch?
Joining Monday??

My aunt clapped her hands, beaming like she’d just seen a miracle.

“Really? That’s so sweet of you, X!”

My mouth parted, fumbling for words. “B-but Aunt, I... I don’t—”

“What happened?” Xander cut in, faking innocence. “Didn’t you say last night that you’re in need of a job?”

I wanted to throw a pillow at him.
My aunt’s smile softened. “Sia, honey, is there any problem?”

Her voice was uncharacteristically gentle which is rare And I couldn’t disappoint her. Not again. Not after everything.

“N-no problem,” I muttered.

“Then go and change,” she said, already turning to leave.

Meanwhile, Xander leaned back smugly, like he’d just scored a win.

I stormed off to my room and took the fastest shower of my life. My mind was a blender of confusion, dread, and… something else I didn’t want to name. I put on my maroon sweater, black jeans, and a little mascara and lipstick—my usual go-to. Hair down. Simple. Me.
But why this?