Chapter 21 #3
His expression tightened instantly. Without a second's hesitation, he swerved the car to the side of the road and brought it to an abrupt stop.
The tires scraped lightly against the pavement before the car came to a halt.
Xavier immediately turned toward her, his jaw tense, his brows knitted together, an uneasy look settling across his face as he searched her eyes.
"You don't want to come back home now?" he asked, his voice rough with urgency. "I thought we were back together." His gaze stayed locked on hers. "You're my girlfriend again, right? We're going to get married soon."
Elise looked at him with wide eyes. Then, a small laugh escaped her.
"I need to get my things back," she explained patiently. "Everything is still in my apartment. I can't go back to your house right now. Give me a few days. I think it's better that I go back to my apartment first, pack everything, and then come back to your house."
The next second, Xavier's hand shot to the back of her head, his fingers threading into her hair as he pulled her closer. Before she could say another word, his mouth captured hers. He kissed her until she was left breathless, only pulling away when she finally broke the kiss.
He rested his forehead briefly against hers before looking into her eyes.
"I'll take care of everything," he stated, his tone brooking no argument. "For now, we're going back home. I'm not letting you go back to your apartment again."
The very suggestion seemed to offend him. His brows drew together, his jaw tightening as though he couldn't believe she had even considered spending another night away from him.
Before Elise could argue, Xavier shifted the car back into gear and drove straight toward the Chen mansion.
A while later, the car rolled through the mansion gates before coming to a stop in the driveway.
Xavier stepped out first.
The moment Elise got out of the car, he jogged around the front of the vehicle toward her. Before she had even closed the door, his hand found hers again, lacing their fingers together. A smile spread across his face, making him look as though this was the happiest day of his life.
Without letting go of her hand, he led her toward the mansion, pulling her inside with him. Elise couldn't help smiling back at him as she watched the excitement written all over his face.
The moment they stepped into the foyer, Xavier turned to her.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked. "You must be hungry. I'll ask Layla to prepare something for us."
Elise nodded.
"What do you want?" he asked again, clearly determined to make whatever she wanted.
"Risotto?"
Xavier's smile deepened.
"Of course. What else?"
She shrugged lightly.
"I don't really care. Anything is fine."
Still holding her hand, Xavier gave it a gentle tug, pulling her closer until only a breath separated them. His free hand slipped around her waist, drawing her flush against his body as he looked down at her with unmistakable affection.
"I want to eat you," he murmured with a teasing smile before leaning down to steal a quick kiss from her lips.
Elise immediately smacked his arm, shooting him an exasperated look.
His grin only widened.
He leaned in again, pressing a kiss to one cheek and then the other.
Just then, Layla's excited voice rang out from behind Elise.
"Miss Foster! You're finally back!"
Layla exclaimed happily as she hurried toward them, her hands clasped together in excitement. A bright smile spread across her face, relief and happiness written all over her features.
Elise and Xavier finally pulled away from each other and turned toward her.
Elise smiled warmly.
"Hi, Layla. I'm happy to see you too."
Xavier glanced at Layla before turning his attention to the matter at hand.
"Layla, we’re hungry," he said. "Make some seafood risotto. And make a few other dishes as well. We'll have lunch as soon as it's ready. Make sure it doesn't take too long."
"Of course, Mr. Chen," Layla answered immediately with an eager nod. "I'll have all the maids help. We'll have lunch ready in fifteen minutes. I promise it'll be very quick."
The moment she finished speaking, she hurried off toward the kitchen.
As soon as Layla disappeared, Xavier looked back at Elise. He stepped closer, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her on the lips once more. When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead lightly against hers, his lips still brushing hers as a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I can finally breathe," he murmured against her lips, his eyes filled with relief as they remained fixed on hers.
Elise smiled back before her gaze slowly wandered around the mansion.
Everything looked exactly the same as the day she had left.
Her eyes eventually drifted toward the guest room. The door stood open, the bed neatly made, and the room was completely empty.
There wasn't a single sign that anyone had been staying there.
She turned back toward Xavier.
"Where's Astrid?"
He frowned slightly.
"Why would she still be here?" he replied. "I told you it was my mistake that I brought her here in the first place" His voice turned firm. "I sent her back the same day you left this house."
Elise looked at him in complete shock.
"You sent her back?" she asked, staring at him. "Where?"
A frown settled on Xavier’s face, as though the very question offended him.
"I just told her to leave this house after you left." He shrugged dismissively. "By the time I came back, she was already gone."
Elise stared at him in complete disbelief.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Her brows knitted together as she looked at him, genuinely shocked by his answer.
"She's not a bad person. She's actually pretty nice."
She paused, her concern only growing as the thought settled in.
"At the very least, you should have arranged a car for her. Why would you throw her out like that?"
Her voice softened, but the worry in it only became more obvious.
"She's so young. What if something had happened to her?" She shook her head, unable to stop herself from thinking about it. "I don't even think she knows anyone in this city."
Looking back at Xavier, she frowned.
"I'm worried she might get into trouble."
Xavier's expression gradually changed. The calmness disappeared from his face, replaced by visible annoyance. His jaw tightened as jealousy crept into his eyes.
"Why are you so worried about her?" he asked, his voice noticeably colder. "She has nothing to do with you."
Before Elise could answer, he stepped forward, wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, and pulled her against him. His other hand came up to cup her face, his thumb slowly stroking her cheek as he held her gaze.
"It's you and me now," he murmured. "Only you and me."
Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers before capturing them in a slow kiss.
"Stop worrying about other people," he whispered against her mouth. "From now on, you are only allowed to look at me."