A week passed by but Ailee didn't get any word from Romano. Maybe he was busy? Or maybe he forgot? She doesn't know why she was even thinking about it or him.
A ding from the oven brought her back to the real world. Her cookies are ready. She beamed brightly at the sight of the warm goodness.
She decided to fill up a jar for herself and leave the rest for her family.
Alex and Iris especially, loved the chocolate chip cookies made by her.
She took the jar and went up her room. She got changed into her PJs since it was already evening and then plopped down on her bed.
She was scrolling through her phone while munching on the cookies she made when she got a call from an unknown number.
She hates it. Though it happens very rarely she still hates it. The best she can do is receive the call and ask who they are, if they are someone she knows then she proceeds to the next question but if they are not, she immediately hangs up while muttering a quick 'wrong number'.
It stopped ringing and Ailee sighed in relief. But it was short lived because the ringing started once again.
She very slowly picked up the device and put it on her ear
"Hello" she said in the best voice she could gather that moment.
"Did I bother you?" Yes mister you did, she thought.
"who-who's this?" she felt so intimidated by the strong voice from the other end that her words wavered.
" Its Xavier" came the reply. Huh? She doesn't know any Xavier. She hasn't known many boys infact.
" sorry wrong-" she was about to hang up but what she heard next made her breath hitched.
" Romano DeVinci, Ailee" Him? he actually called?
" Oh" what should she say?
" You? " she ended up asking stupidly.
" Yes me. " amusement could be heard in his voice.
" How are you? " Xavier felt warmth filling him hearing the sincerity in her voice.
"Much better now that I am talking to you." She blushed hearing his response.
While Xavier couldn't believe he was talking some real sweet shit. When did he become like this?
"That's good. I guess?" Her response turned itno a question at the end.
"That's definitely good." he replied nodding to himself.
"Are you eating your dinner right now? " he asked hearing her munching on something.
" Uh no I was just tasting the chocolate chip cookies I just baked. " She replied looking down at her jar of cookies.
" You love chocolates." he stated.
She nodded her head rapidly but soon realised he can't see her so she replied "Yes! Yes! Chocolates are my absolute favourite."
He found her enthusiasm for chocolates very amusing. "Really? I couldn't tell" he replied sarcastically and Ailee once again blushed.
"Can I ask you a question?" she asked after gathering some courage.
"Ask right away"
"Why did you introduced yourself as Xavier just now?"
First his sigh was heard and then came his reply
"That is my first name. I don't like to be called by that."
She was about to say I understand when he spoke again.
"But you're the only exception"
"huh?"
"Ailee I am giving you the right to call me by my first name."
Even he was perplexed by his behaviour.
Didn't he just sent a woman to hell not too long ago for addressing him by his name?
"what? I mean Mr Romano it is really fine with me. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. "
" Believe me its quite the opposite. I'll get mad if you don't. "
After thinking about it for a minute she answered " okay if you insist, Xavier"
That name. His name. The name he despise so much sounded like music to his ears.
In the background, he heard her being called for dinner and decided to let her go.
"I'll call you sometime later."
"Okay bye"
" Mhmm"
She kept staring at her mobile screen, too shocked to believe it actually happened.
Did she just had a normal conversation with THE XAVIER ROMANO DEVINCI ?
She walked downstairs to the dining hall in a daze.
"Lily? Are you alright? Your face is so red." asked her mama.
" hmm? Oh yes I'm fine, just feeling a little bit under the weather. "
" Ok. Rest well after dinner alright? "
Ailee smiled and nodded.
___
It was weekend and all the sisters decided to spend the day together doing all sorts of crazy stuff.
They all were perched up on Ailee's bed and trying to convince her to join them for shopping.
She is ready to take part in everything as long as it can be done indoors. She doesn't want a repeat of last time.
"Please Lily. Just come this once and if you don't enjoy today then I promise we'll never force you into going out ever again." Mila pleaded.
" Come on Ailee we all got a schedule-free day collectively after so long." said Emma throwing herself on Ailee.
" But why can't I stay at home while you go and buy the snacks and all?"
" Its not about just buying things, it is about our bonding time. " Iris said in exasperation.
Ailee sighed. "Ok"
"What?" Mila asked, shocked to hear her agreeing so easily.
"Ok I will go but we will leave whenever I want." she put forward her condition.
"OMG yes ofcourse" they all squealed happily and went into their respective rooms to get dressed.
___
"Why does it look like you're about to kill someone?" Luka asked from Xavier.
" Because I will shortly." came his reply.
" Nah bro have some faith in yourself. I believe you can sit through this shitshow for another hour. "
" And I believe I can bury you underground with my bare hands this very moment. "
"Woah woah woah brother, hold your horses. Let's not get violent. shall we?"
"You dragged me here Luka, I have every right to break your teeth. "
" Not my gorgeous face bruh, all my fans will be heartbroken. "
Xavier rolled his eyes.
" Remind me why am I friends with you again?"
" Because I am the baddest and the most amazing bitch. "
He smiled proudly looking at Luka but seeing his expression it dropped immediately and said "Ofcourse after you best friend. Nobody can beat you haha" He said laughing nervously.
Xavier felt like pulling his hair out.
After a dreadful forty minutes they finally left the auction. With nothing.
Xavier might've punched Luka on his back for wasting his time.
Now they were headed to a fancy Italian restaurant. Finally a place where he will go willingly.
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