SCARLET'S POV.
I rushed outside and hurried over to Xavier's apartment. Upon entering the sitting room, the portraits on the wall reflected in my eyes, dawning on me that I was exactly where I needed to be—Xavier's apartment.
Relief flooded through me, and I sluggishly made my way back to my room. Collapsing onto the bed, I began to reflect on the events of last night with Addison.
He stood out from his brothers, bringing me back to Xavier's apartment helping prevent potentially bigger troubles.
Lying there, memories of the delightful aroma that filled my senses when he presented the food surfaced. He was undeniably a talented cook, and his voice had a melodic quality, reminiscent of a bird's song. If I didn't know better, I'd believe he'd shape-shifted to acquire such a beautiful voice.
As thoughts of him occupied my mind, I yearned for his presence, wishing he could come and rescue me from Xavier's place at this very moment. The sudden exhaustion weighed on me, making me long to be in his arms for the rest of the day.
Glancing down at my jeans, I realized I was still dressed from last night—a telltale sign to Xavier or Jade that I had been out. Slowly, I stood up and unzipped my jeans, carefully maneuvering them off.
After a few moments, I managed to slip out of them, now only in a T-shirt and my panties.
I moved ahead to find some cotton clothes; the weather felt chilly, and I needed something to ward off the cold.
The abrupt slamming open of my doors startled me, and I couldn't help but release a loud scream. I shut my eyes, paying no mind to the figure in front of me.
"Damn it!" I sneered as I opened my eyes to find Xavier standing there.
He gazed at my half-naked body with a different kind of hunger in his eyes. What could he possibly want this early? Why slam my doors like that?
I was half-dressed, but he seemed unfazed. Well, I didn't care much about him seeing my naked body; it had been part of my job, so it no longer scared me.
However, one thing was certain—the Fedele family wasn't as discreet as other royal families. My family covered themselves due to their royalty, unlike the Fedele, who seemed unbothered about open displays, even in the streets they don't mind an orgy.
"Where were you last night?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I rolled my eyes.
How on earth did he know I was out last night? Damn it, Jade must have blabbed instead of sleeping.
"What if he's just guessing?" Tafe interrupted.
"Nowhere," I lied, and he smirked knowingly, stepping closer.
Oh, damn! I whimpered inwardly. I followed Tafe's advice, and now, as usual, I might end up being pushed against the wall.
"Are you trying to say you didn't go anywhere last night?" he questioned.
"Did you sleep in your room?" His intense gaze fixed on me, and I avoided meeting his eyes.
Someone followed me, I thought.
He seemed to have detailed information, knowing I hadn't slept here last night. Frankly, I couldn't even recall where I did sleep.
"Are you going to keep lying?" His voice taunted me as he leisurely settled onto the bed.
"It still looks well-arranged for someone who claims to have slept here."
My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond.
"The mistress of lies seems to be short of lies," Tafe mocked, but I scowled, already planning to lock her out later.
She thinks she's petty, and this situation amuses her. If I manage to survive this, I'll make sure to taunt her next.
Xavier always seemed to outplay me. How did I always end up at a loss for words around him?
"Listen," his voice suddenly softened, resembling Addison's soothing tone.
"You belong to me. Not just me, but you're my mate, and none of them can claim you," he sneered.
"I was hungry and scared. I've never slept alone," my voice almost pleaded, trying to project myself as the victim. I knew I had to leverage his calmness.
"Why did you starve?" He thundered, staring at me with what seemed like anger over my negligence of eating.
"I... I just didn't feel like it. The emptiness killed my appetite," I quickly corrected myself, avoiding admitting my lack of culinary skills.
I sounded like a character out of a fairy tale, but I had no choice. This was the path I needed to take to survive.
For what felt like an eternity, he bore into me with silence, and I silently prayed for Selene's protection. I hoped his gaze didn't foretell impending doom.
"You can't succumb to those men," his voice snapped me back to reality, and I winced as I looked up to see him standing before me.
"You're mine and mine alone. None of them can ever take you away from me," his voice carried a mix of longing and pain, leaving me wondering what he held against his brothers.
"Today is my welcome party, and I need you to join the other maids in preparing for the celebration," he explained, almost pleading, and I couldn't help but notice a change in his demeanor.
It was as if he had lost something.
"Yes, sir," I finally replied, turning away to dress. His gaze wasn't fixated on my naked body, but his mind seemed elsewhere, and I couldn't fathom where it wandered.
Swiftly dressed in a skirt, I made my way out of the room. However, as soon as he noticed I was leaving, he followed and shut the door behind us.
I quickened my pace to the door, and as I opened it, I found Jade standing there. My stomach churned at her presence. What on earth did she want now?
"I thought you wouldn't dare come out," she sneered.
I shrugged. "Your ugly face just ruined my day."
Walking past her as she stood there in disbelief, I could tell she hadn't expected a response.