Chapter 21 - Cali Pools.

Everything happened in a rush, in a flash, Amelia was saying goodbye to her parents and friends before she started getting ready for the trip to California. Xavier's grandmother was also going to be leaving with them. From what she had heard, Nana was tired of being holed up in the cancer centre, and her chemo treatments were not making any changes.

It worried them that she wanted to stop her chemo treatments but she insisted that she wanted to leave. And they had no other choice than to respect her decisions. Besides, there was a charity ball the Black family held yearly in her honour. It was for women with breast cancer and it was a project that was very dear to Xavier's Grandmother's heart.
Amelia had been nervous about a lot of things, the first being that she was moving to unchartered territory and staying there for a couple of months. The second being that California was the home of Xavier's ex girlfriend, Daphne Steele. She was very close to the Black family and Amelia wondered if Xavier seeing her would mean that he would start chasing her all over again.
She didn't want to be bothered about it but the thought constantly nagged at her as she wondered the endless possibilities and the things that could happen.

When they arrived at Atherton, California, Amelia marvelled at how huge the house looked. The house was gorgeous. It was 1.11 acres of shining contemporary architecture. Set on a serene landscape and surrounded by majestic oaks. Bathed in natural light throughout with walls of windows opening to the expansive and private rear manicured gardens.

According to Xavier, the house boasted of a theatre, wine room, exercise room, two master suites, five guest rooms, a pool, outdoor fireplace a barbeque grill and an elevator.

"Woah! This is a really pretty place."

Amelia commented as she helped Nana get out of the car.

Nana smiled.

"It really is something. I'm just happy that now the house can be filled with you and the sound of children pretty soon."

"I can't wait for you two to start a family."

Nana added and Xavier and Amelia exchanged a look. There was a lot that they were trying to hide from Nana but she was so inquisitive. She kept asking them about their plans for the future and if they were working on having kids soon. Amelia had been mildly mortified when she heard Xavier's answer since he claimed that they were working towards it.

She needed to talk to him once they got into the house. Since Nana would also be staying with them, Xavier and Amelia had to share a room, to try and show that they were in love. After sleeping with Xavier when he was sick, Amelia wasn't sure she would be able to stomach a night alone without giving in to his advances.

"Let me give you a tour." Xavier said as he held Amelia's hand and led her into the kitchen. The kitchen was an open galley style with a twelve foot long food deep granite table top and it had top notch quality appliances that would make any chef proud.

"You don't have to worry about cooking. There's a chef around here somewhere. Later you'll meet the staff but they prefer to stay in their quarters."

Xavier said and she shrugged.

"I never want to worry about cooking. That's quiet a relief though."

Xavier chuckled.

"I knew you'd love it. Come, see the dining room."

The dining area was surrounded by glass walls, bringing the outside in with a custom table that expanded to ten seats.

After a while of going around the house and Xavier showing Amelia around, he finally took them to the master suite where he and Amelia would be saying.

"I hope you understand why we have to be sleeping together. Nana will be staying with us and she would be worried if we aren't sleeping together."

"I understand." Amelia said as she nodded her head.

"My family will also be visiting for a while and they might stay over. I'm just telling you in advance."

"It's okay Xavier. I understand."

Xavier smiled as he led Amelia into the masters suite.

The master suite was a world into itself.  Outfitted with a king size poster bed, the room opens onto the covered portion of the deck. The bedroom had a sitting area, large HDTV, DVD player, vaulted wood ceilings, and plenty of storage. The ensuite bathroom contained a deep soaking tub, separate walk in shower, long vanity with double sinks, lots of light, wall hung TV, and heated floors.

Amelia had seen her fair share of pretty houses and majestic opulence but Xavier's house so far exceeded her expectations.

She stood looking at the entire room and only one sentence came to her mind.

Oh Xavier's got money!!!

She knew he was rich, but clearly she had underestimated his wealth. Grossly underestimated everything about him.

"This is really beautiful. I like it here already. It's so peaceful and serene."

"Yea, it is. Wanna see the outdoors? There's a great pool."

"I wanna check it out!"

Amelia whined and Xavier took her outdoors to see the pool. The large rectangular pool was beautiful. Amelia could imagine herself swimming in it on hot summers days. She was grateful that the weather was warmer in Cali. It was basically summer all year round. She could also imagine sunning herself next to the pool side in one of the luxury beach chairs. Her days were never going to be boring again! She thought as she imagined how the scenery was also going to look pretty if she took the time to paint it.


"Honestly, when you said we had to move to Atherton. I almost didn't want to go. But now, I'm kinda happy that I did."

"I knew you'd love it here! It's much better than being couped up in your tiny studio apartment back in New York."

Amelia rolled her eyes.

"I liked it there too."

"I know you do. This place is just much better."

Xavier retorted as he looked at the water and looked at Amelia. There was a naughty thought in his mind.

"Hey Amelia!"

He called out and she looked at him.

"What?"

"Can you swim?"

He asked and Amelia scoffed.

"Of course I can swim. What are you talking..."

Amelia couldn't finish her sentence before Xavier pushed her into the water. She had been standing too close to the pool's edge and the moment she hit the water, she resurfaced with growing anger and rage

"What the hell is wrong with you!!! Why did you do that?"


"That's payback for telling my Nana that I modelled nude for you and I'm considering the work being added to your art exhibit."

Xavier shouted and Amelia's mouth hung wide. She was only joking! She had only been joking when she told Nana that and the old woman had been so horrified that she must have actually believed it and Xavier fumed throughout the entire trip to California.

She thought he had forgotten all about it. And she certainly had no idea that he was so vengeful.
A silly idea crossed her mind while she was in the pool...

"Argghhhhh!"

She screamed and Xavier turned to look at her.

"Cramp! I have a cramp Xavier!"

Xavier looked mildly concerned.

"Are you sure? Are you joking?"

"Does it look like I am?? Just get me out of here!"

She shouted as she fully submerged herself underwater. She could hold her breath for a minute and thirty seconds only. She reckoned that it was enough time for Xavier enough to jump in after her.

And she was right. Less than a second later, Xavier was already in the water making a big splash. He only had time to take off his shoes and when he got into the water and Amelia resurfaced and started laughing hysterically. He realised that he had been played.

"Okay! That wasn't funny."

He said as he swam closer to Amelia and she splashed water on him.

"Are you sure it wasn't? Cause I sure as hell got you. Strike two!"

"Hmm! Come here!" Xavier growled as he swam towards Amelia. She wasn't fast enough to swim away and he caught her by the waist while making a big splash. Amelia was still struggling in his arms when he turned her to face him and she started beating on his chest.
She continued and Xavier did nothing to stop her till she looked up at him and found out that he was staring at her.

In Amelia he saw beauty. Her eyes were a rich violet that stole his breath while looking through one's soul. Her hair which was plastered on her head was like an obsidian waterfall that tumbled down her back in thick locks. Her lashes hung with droplets of water that made them look even more longer and sensual. And her mouth… oh, how he wanted to kiss that mouth.

"What are you staring at?"

She asked and Xavier shrugged.

"You're so beautiful. Sometimes I can't help staring."

He said and Amelia's cheeks reddened.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked and Amelia was about to protest when Xavier covered her babbling mouth with his.

It was a full on, open-mouthed, almost sexual kiss. And Amelia loved it.
Xavier loved the way Amelia's small body melted into his. The way their lips fit like two puzzle pieces. The way she relented as he played with her hair and held her tighter and tighter. When they broke away after what seemed like ages she looked at him and he smiled.

"Let's get out of here." Amelia said as she swam out of the pool. Xavier followed her closely as he slowly started removing his wet clothes. Amelia did the same, taking off her jacket and wet sandals. Someone had been kind enough to leave two towels on the beach chairs and Amelia picked one up eagerly and threw the other at Xavier.

They were still walking towards their room when they heard the doorbell and they stopped and turned.

Amelia glanced at Xavier.

"Are you expecting anyone?"

She asked and he shrugged as they both walked into the living room while one of the help went to get the door.

A tall redhead woman sauntered in with a proud smile on her face.

"Daphne?" Xavier asked in confusion as he walked up to meet her.

Daphne?

Amelia asked herself as the woman's gaze became focused on her.



Hi! In the last chapter I mistakenly put LA instead of California in Xavier's note. Sorry for the error. I hope you're enjoying the story. A nice comment will go a long way! Thanks.