Zara thrived in the buzz of the gathering. The warm glow of the rooftop lounge set the perfect stage for her playful banter and laughter. She flitted effortlessly between conversations, her charm drawing people in as always. Liam and a few of the others from her school days huddled around her, sharing old stories and catching up.
She was, as always, a magnet for attention—especially among the boys. It was no secret that Zara had always been popular, a combination of her effortless wit and striking confidence.
While Zara basked in the lively conversations, Apollo had his own fan club. The Siberian Husky sat proudly at her feet, soaking up the adoration of anyone who crossed his path. From the way he wagged his tail and leaned into their pats, it was clear he loved the spotlight as much as Zara did.
"Honestly, Zara," Liam said with a grin as he crouched to pet Apollo, "this dog is your perfect match. Both of you know how to work a room."
She laughed, giving Apollo a playful scratch behind the ears. "You're not wrong. We're a team, aren't we, boy?"
Apollo barked happily, earning another wave of laughter from the group.
As the evening wore on and the crowd began to thin, Zara checked her watch. It was getting late, and as much as she loved the atmosphere, she knew it was time to head home.
"I should probably call it a night," she announced, looping Apollo's leash around her hand.
"I'll take you home," Liam offered immediately, stepping closer.
Zara arched a brow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Oh, you'd take me home, would you? Careful, Liam—if you drop me off, I might not let you leave."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "And you think I'd mind?"
The two exchanged a few more lighthearted remarks before Zara finally waved him off with a laugh. "You're sweet, Liam, but I've got my ride. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin your night by tying you down."
"Your loss," Liam replied, winking as he stepped back.
With that, Zara slipped out, Apollo trotting faithfully by her side.
The drive home was quiet, the hum of the Rolls-Royce filling the space as Zara replayed the events of the evening in her mind. The attention, the laughter, the warmth of old friends—it had been exactly what she needed.
When she arrived home, the apartment building was still and dark, save for the soft glow of the streetlights outside. Zara entered, Apollo trailing behind her, his tail swishing lazily.
As she stepped into the living room, the darkness enveloped her, the silence unsettling after the lively energy of the evening. Reaching for the light switch, she flicked it on—and immediately froze.
Her heart leapt into her throat as her eyes landed on a figure seated in the corner.
Xavier.
He sat poised in the armchair, his legs crossed and a crystal tumbler in his hand. The amber liquid inside glinted under the light. His gaze met hers, calm and deliberate, but his expression gave away nothing.
"Xavier," she breathed, her voice faltering as she clutched Apollo's leash tightly. "What the hell?"
"You're late," he said simply, his deep voice carrying a quiet authority that sent a chill down her spine.
Zara blinked, regaining her composure as she stepped further into the room. "I didn't know I had a curfew," she shot back, her tone sharp but playful as she tried to mask her initial shock.
Xavier didn't reply immediately. He set his glass down on the side table with a deliberate motion, leaning back in the chair. "Curfew, no. But you could have had the decency to text. You've been gone for hours."
Her brows shot up, a mixture of surprise and amusement washing over her. "Are you seriously keeping tabs on me?"
His jaw tightened slightly, though his expression remained cool. "You're reckless, Zara. It's late, and you were out alone—"
"I wasn't alone," she interrupted, smirking. "Apollo was with me. And, in case you forgot, I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."
Xavier stood, his movements smooth and controlled as he crossed the room. He stopped a few feet from her, his towering frame making the space between them feel charged.
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful," he said, his voice quieter now but no less firm.
Zara tilted her head, meeting his gaze head-on. "Is that concern I hear, Xavier? Or are you just annoyed that I didn't check in like a good little girl?"
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them thick and unspoken. Apollo whined softly at Zara's feet, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
Finally, Xavier stepped back, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Next time, try not to make me wonder if I'll have to bail you out of trouble," he said, his tone clipped.
Zara watched him as he turned and headed for the hallway, his retreating figure as composed as ever.
"You're welcome to join me next time," she called after him, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Xavier paused but didn't look back. "Don't push your luck, Zara."
With that, he disappeared down the hall, leaving Zara standing in the living room, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
"Interesting night," she murmured to Apollo, who wagged his tail in agreement.
She kicked off her heels and sank onto the couch, her thoughts lingering on the look in Xavier's eyes—half frustration, half something else she couldn't quite name.
It was going to be an interesting week.