As Xavier walked briskly toward the door, Zara watched him with a knowing smile. She lingered for a moment, calling out just loud enough to catch his attention.
"By the way," she said casually, "I'm going out tonight."
Xavier paused mid-stride, his hand resting on the doorframe. Without turning, he asked in a low voice, "Where to?"
Zara sauntered closer, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. "Oh, just a small gathering," she replied breezily, brushing an invisible speck of dust off her sleeve. "It's nothing major—just a few old friends. You wouldn't be interested."
He glanced over his shoulder, his brow furrowed slightly. "Who's going to be there?"
She grinned, sensing the faint edge of curiosity in his tone. "Why don't you take a wild guess?"
When he didn't reply, Zara tilted her head, stepping past him and grabbing her coat. "Liam," she answered, her voice light and teasing. "And a few others from school. You remember Liam, right? Tall, charming, perfect hair?"
Xavier's jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Zara didn't press further. Instead, she tossed her coat over her shoulder, adjusted her bag, and turned toward the door. "Anyway," she said over her shoulder, flashing him a cheeky smile, "don't wait up." She puckered her lips in an exaggerated kiss and blew it toward him before stepping outside, leaving the faint echo of her laughter behind.
---
Zara drove through the city in her sleek, newly purchased Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail. The car was a masterpiece, its black exterior gleaming under the city lights and the crimson rose accents adding a touch of elegance. She'd bought it earlier that week after deciding she couldn't rely on Xavier to drive her around all the time. It was one of many in her growing collection, most of which remained back in Paris.
As she navigated the streets, Zara couldn't help but smile at the memory of Xavier's reaction. He could play it cool all he wanted, but she knew she was getting under his skin.
The gathering was at an upscale rooftop lounge, the kind of place Zara hadn't frequented in a while but still felt right at home in. As she stepped out of her car, all eyes turned to her. She was used to the attention, and tonight was no exception.
Inside, the music was low and the lighting dim, casting a warm glow over the chic décor. Zara spotted Liam almost immediately, his easy smile and confident demeanor making him stand out in the crowd.
"Zara Winters," he greeted, his grin widening as he approached. "You've still got a knack for making an entrance."
"I try," she replied smoothly, accepting the light kiss he placed on her cheek. "It's good to see you, Liam."
They exchanged pleasantries, reminiscing about old times while mingling with others from their school days. Despite the lively atmosphere, Zara couldn't shake the thought of Xavier. Was he still thinking about her? Would he stew over Liam's name all night?
The thought made her laugh softly, earning a curious glance from Liam.
"What's funny?" he asked, leaning closer to be heard over the music.
"Nothing," Zara replied, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Just thinking about how predictable people can be."
---
Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Xavier sat on the couch, his phone forgotten on the table in front of him. His mind kept replaying her words, her teasing smile, and the way she'd so casually mentioned Liam's name.
He leaned back with a sigh, his fingers drumming against the armrest. He wasn't jealous. Of course not. Zara was free to do whatever she wanted, see whoever she wanted.
But the thought of her laughing and chatting with Liam, of all people, was enough to make his jaw clench.
"Damn it, Zara," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
With a resigned sigh, he grabbed his phone, scrolling aimlessly. He wasn't about to admit it, but tonight was going to feel a lot longer than it should.