AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
Xavier didn't step inside; instead, he did something worse. He reached for my hand, not rushed, not possessive. Careful, like he was handling something fragile and expensive and very capable of biting him. I barely had time to process before he lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. It wasn't dramatic, it wasn't performative, it was quiet. Behind me, I heard Ina make a strangled sound that was definitely a victory noise. Michael whispered something about needing a cold shower and a therapist. Wanessa just hummed, satisfied, like a scientist watching a hypothesis prove itself.
"Good evening." Xavier said softly, still holding my hand. "Shall we?"
I nodded because my mouth had unionized against me. He guided me to the car with the politeness of a man who knew exactly how dangerous his manners were. The door opened. Leather seats. Subtle scent of cedar and money. I sat. He closed the door gently, like this wasn't the beginning of my downfall. The engine purred to life as we pulled away. Silence settled for a moment, not uncomfortable, just weighted.
"So." I looked, staring very hard out the window. "Before we get too far."
"Yes?" He replied, eyes on the road, voice calm.
"I had like to officially request a simpler location." I said.
A pause.
"Define simpler."Xavier said.
"A place where the napkins are not folded like swans." I said. "Where the menu doesn't require emotional preparation. Somewhere I won't feel underdressed if I breathe wrong."
Another pause, he turned onto a familiar road. Too familiar.
"Xavier."I began.
"Yes, Bella?"He asked calmly.
"That road leads to-"I began.
"The restaurant." He finished smoothly.
"That restaurant."I groaned.
The one people whispered about. The one celebrities used back entrances for. The one that had a waiting list longer than my lifespan. It's a 'Golden Swan'. A five star restaurant. The closer we got, the worse my brain behaved. The streetlights started looking… curated. Too warm. Too intentional. Even the trees felt expensive. I recognized the wrought iron gate before the sign, which was frankly rude of the universe. My phone buzzed. I didn't look at it yet. I was busy, lightly panicking.
"Xavier." I said, carefully calm, like I was negotiating with a bomb. "This is not a casual restaurant. This is my net worth as a publicist restaurant."
"I know." He said pleasantly.
"That's not reassuring."I said.
I heard a message in my phone as I looked down realized it was Wanessa.
"Breathe in. Breathe out. If you pass out, fall dramatically. It adds mystique."Wanessa texted me.
I typed back with one hand.
"I am approaching the Golden Swan."I sent an answer.
Three dots appeared immediately.
"OH??"Wanessa sent. "Bella. That's not a date. That's a declaration of war."Wanessa sent a second message.
The car slowed, the gate opened without Xavier stopping. Without him even looking at anyone. It just parted. Like the restaurant sensed him and decided resistance was pointless. My soul attempted to exit through my left ear.
"There's a gate." I whispered. "Why is there a gate?"
"For privacy." He replied.
"For who?" I hissed. "Royalty?"
"Occasionally."He smiled faintly.
The building came into view, soft golden light. Stone arches. Windows that suggested people inside were discussing art and wine pairings and sins I could not afford. I pressed my forehead to the glass.
"I asked for simple." I said weakly.
"You said simpler." He corrected gently.
"That is a legal loophole and you know it."I sighed.
My phone buzzed again.
"Okay but listen, if you're going to be emotionally ruined, at least do it somewhere with good dessert."Wanessa sent me a message again.
The car stopped. A man in a tailored coat was already there, waiting, smiling and way too calm. Xavier stepped out first, walked around, and opened my door. Of course he did.
"Bella." He said, offering his hand again. Steady, patient and I looked at it like it was a contract written in cursive.
"If I embarrass myself." I warned. "I will haunt you."
"I will survive." He said, eyes warm. "Take your time."
I placed my hand in his. The instant my heels touched the stone, the door opened.
"Good evening, Mr. Stoneheart." The host said smoothly. "Welcome back."
"Your table is ready." The man continued, then glanced at me and smiled with professional delight. "And it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
I turned slowly to Xavier.
"Why does he know I exist."I asked.
Xavier's thumb brushed lightly over my knuckles, grounding and entirely unhelpful.
"You are with me." He said simply.
My phone vibrated one last time. It was Wanessa.
"I repeat. DECLARATION. OF. WAR. Also, I am proud of you. Don't trip."Wanessa sent me a message.
Too late. The universe heard her. I took one step forward, nearly caught my heel, and recovered with what I hoped looked like grace, not impending doom. I felt Xavier steady me, instantly silent, solid, and amused. His voice dropped, just for me.
"You are doing fine." He murmured.
Which was ridiculous. Because nothing about this was fine, and yet he didn't let go of my hand as they led us inside, past hushed voices, past familiar faces pretending not to stare, past a reality I had very much tried to avoid, and somewhere between the chandeliers and my racing heart, I realized something terrifying. I wasn't running anymore.
The VIP room was not a room, it was a statement. Tall arched windows draped in sheer gold fabric around a table set for two, candles already lit like they'd been expecting us specifically. Soft music hummed from nowhere and everywhere at once. There were no other guests, no noise. I stopped walking.
"Oh no." I whispered.
Xavier noticed immediately.
"What is it?" He asked, genuinely concerned.
"This is the kind of room people confess secrets in." I said. "Or propose, or ruin entire bloodlines."
"Relax."A flicker of amusement crossed his face.
That did not help, the waiter bowed, not nodded.
"Welcome, Mr. Stoneheart." He said. "As always, please let us know if you require privacy adjustments."
As always. Xavier nodded once.
"Thank you. We'll call if needed."A man said.
The door closed behind us, not softly. The click echoed far too loudly.
"We are alone."I turned in a slow circle.
"Yes."He said.
"On purpose."I said.
"Yes."He nodded.
"I feel like I should have signed a waiver."I sighed.
Xavier pulled out my chair before I could spiral further. The gesture was smooth, practiced, but his eyes stayed on my face, searching.
"Bella." He said quietly. "If this is too much-"
"Too late." I said. "Iam already here and the chair has claimed me."
A corner of his mouth lifted. He took his seat across from me, posture relaxed, but his attention sharp. The candles flickered, throwing warm light across his face, softening edges that usually felt dangerous. My phone buzzed and I didn't even need to look.
"VIP ROOM??? BELLA. Blink twice if you're being proposed to or sacrificed."Wanessa sent me a message.
I shoved the phone face down. The waiter returned, already holding menus we didn't ask for.
"Shall I bring the usual, sir?" He asked.
Xavier didn't look at the menu, he looked at me.
"And for the lady." The waiter continued smoothly. "The truffle risotto, citrus glazed salmon, sparkling water with lemon. Dessert will follow later, unless preferences have changed."
I froze slowly and carefully.
"I didn't order that." I said.
"Of course not, miss."The waiter smiled politely.
Xavier's gaze didn't waver.
"That's correct."He said.
"How do you know that's my favorite."I stared at him.
His expression shifted, subtle, unreadable. Like he had stepped onto a line he hadn't meant to cross yet.
"You mentioned it once." He said.
"When?"I asked.
"Earlier."He asked.
"That is not an answer."I frowned.
The waiter left before I could interrogate further. Silence settled again, heavier now.
"Xavier." I said carefully. "How long have you been paying attention to me?"
He leaned back slightly, studying me like he was deciding whether to tell the truth… or something worse. Before he could answer, his phone vibrated on the table. Once, twice. The screen lit up. 'INCOMING CALL - BOARD OF DIRECTORS' He glanced at it. Then, without breaking eye contact with me, he turned the phone face down.
"I am busy." He said calmly.
My stomach dropped. Because powerful men did not ignore calls like that. Not unless they were choosing something else. Something someone else. The candlelight flickered. His gaze softened, intent, dangerous.
"Bella." He said, voice low. "There is something I need to ask you tonight."
My heart slammed into my ribs.
"What." I whispered, already knowing I wouldn't like the answer.
He leaned forward and the door to the VIP room slowly began to open, it was the moment I knew there was no way back.