The Truce
“I can tell. That’s what happens when a man like him settles. You’re one lucky girl though. He’ll usually go for better-looking girls, not someone so…” she looked Elaine over. “I don’t know if simple is the right word.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment,” Elaine replied, finally finishing off with her makeup and slipping the foundation back into her bag.
“You still have to be careful though. Men like Xavier get easily bored with simple girls. Just a girlie’s tip.”
Elaine clamped her eyes shut. The way the girl said it, she said it like she knew the ins and outs of Xavier like they’d known each other for way longer than anyone would expect. But she didn’t let the woman’s words get to her. She’d come a long way with Xavier to let the mere words of an ex get to her.
The difference between the both of them was that Xavier was married to her and the girl on the other hand was a mere ex.
“Thanks for the tip. But perhaps you could apply it better to someone else. I trust my husband.” He would rather jump a cliff than make her cry. She was sure of it.
“Ahh, that’s a good one then. I do hope he doesn’t disappoint. By the way, I heard of the tragic story of your baby. I’m sorry about it. If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“That’s reassuring.”
She intended to walk past the woman but she again stopped her.
“Please wait.”
Elaine sighed. It was like the woman was purposely keeping her away from Xavier. Or perhaps something was going on outside the powder room that she needed to know about?
Meanwhile, back at the stable as Elaine left for the rest room followed by Arla, before Xavier could stand up from the chair and go after them, his sister’s hands came around his wrists and pulled him backward to the chair. “The fuck?” He frowned, glaring at her hold on his hand.
“Can you just sit for a while? It won’t take long. I just have something to say.”
“Did you send your friend to keep my wife away?”
“I told you it’ll only take a few minutes.”
From the corners of his eyes; he saw the waitress come in with the food and he gestured for her to take them back before leaning back on the chair and crossing his legs together.
“What do you want to say? I’ll give you five for the sake of blood.”
“Hmm… I want to propose a truce.”
“What?”
“A truce. Let’s stop being enemies.” She pushed her chair closer to him so that they sat close to each other. She frowned when the man threw his head backward and burst into laughter, the chill of his voice sending shivers down her spine.
“A truce?” He repeated her words. “Impressive.”
“What is funny?”
“Everything. Margaret Romano finally bowing down to me? What a good day it is. I never imagined this day coming so soon.”
“You don’t have to make it sound that way.”
“Tell me, what made you change your mind? Got broke and needed help?”
“I didn’t get broke that much to ask for a truce. It’s not about being broke.”
“Make me understand, sister.”
Margaret let out a deep sigh. Why can’t her brother be understanding for once and just agree now that she was asking for a truce? He never ceases to make things way harder for her.
“What is there to make you understand?”
“You want to scold me?”
She immediately shut her mouth. “Fine. I mean I’m tired of the fight between us. I want us to stop being enemies.”
He shrugged. “Impressive.”
“I know, right? What do you say?”
“So when we stop being enemies, what is going to happen?”
“You accept me in the business. And my son too.”
Xavier’s lips twitched. Somehow, he knew that it was exactly what she wanted. From the moment she proposed the truce, he knew that all she wanted was to be part of his business. Stupid coy woman. He thought.
“And what do I get in return?”
“I’ll make sure to stay out of your way and also support you. I’ll be supportive. Just accept me and my son and watch us bring change to you.”
“That is one hell of a tempting offer. Too bad I have to disappoint you.”
“Don’t do this, Xavier. I’m your sister.”
“Your son is a piece of trash, fucking useless. And you know too well that I can’t stand walking with women, especially women like you.”
“Because what? You look down on us?”
“Trust me, I don’t. I can’t stand nagging asses. Nor am I in the position to protect you if you fuck up. You stay out of the business and find something to do. Meet our mother:”
“So this truce won’t be accepted by you.”
“Who wouldn’t accept a truce from the almighty Margaret Romano herself? Truce accepted but the thing is that we can’t work together. Let’s seal it.” With a cocky grin plastered on his lips, he stretched his hand forward to Margaret for a handshake, intending to seal the deal. She looked downward at his outstretched hand. She rolled her eyes.
“You didn’t accept my request.”
“Will you accept the handshake or not? I’m not the one who suggested this.”
Reluctantly, she took his hand and passed him a fake smile. “So we’re good now?”
“We are, big sister.” He called her the word for the first time in a very long while. They broke away from their handshake just in time for Elaine to step back to them. She took her seat and placed her bag on the table, her feet tapping on the floor nervously.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you again, sister-in-law,” Margaret averted her attention to Elaine. “I guess it’s time that I take my leave. We should see some other time.”
At that, Margaret took her bag, waved at her friend stepping out from the powder room, and together, they took another seat a few meters away from the couple.
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