Chapter 22 - Exes and Children.

While Amelia changed, several thoughts ran through her mind. For some reason, she found herself anxious to meet Daphne and she dressed as quickly as she could, putting on the first dress she found in her luggage. She didn't have time to dry her hair. And she sure as hell didn't want to miss a minute of whatever Xavier and Daphne were saying.

"What are you doing here?" Xavier asked and Daphne shrugged.

"Is that how you'll welcome me? Or have you forgotten me so quickly?" Daphne asked as she pouted, she ran a hand across Xavier's face.

Xavier shrugged.

"I'm just surprised. How did you know I'm back in California?"

"Well, I have my sources Xavier. And they never fail me."

Daphne said as she looked around the house, waiting for Xavier's wife to come out. Daphne had been momentarily shocked by how young she was. She had the face of an eighteen year old and her eyes, they were in the most rarest and exotic form and Daphne was slightly impressed and very envious.

Xavier had certainly done better than she expected him to. And Daphne had certainly not expected him to marry so early after her rejection. When she rejected his proposal, she had expected him to come back and beg her. But few days later he called things off with her and went to New York. The next thing she heard was that he was married!
Married! Daphne almost died of shock.

"Well, it's good to see you. You look good."

Xavier said as he swiftly looked at Daphne and smiled tightly. He really hoped that Amelia wouldn't come out because the situation was already uncomfortable enough for him.

"You didn't pick any of my calls. Even when I called to congratulate you, it kept going to voicemail."

"Daphne... What we had, you made sure it was over..."

Xavier started and Daphne stopped him with a lifted hand.

"I didn't! I only rejected your proposal because I felt it was too early. And you were proposing for the wrong reasons. I never said I wanted it to be over."

"Well, you certainly acted like it. And I was desperate. I was scared some thing would happen to Nana and she'll never be able to see her only wish for me come true."

"Xavier..."

"Daphne, you toyed with my feelings. You expected me to beg and I didn't. That's why you're mad."

"So? You still left me anyways. Does your new wife make you feel even half as much as I make you feel?"

Daphne asked as she ran a hand across Xavier's chest, her face was inches away from Xavier's.

Amelia came out at that moment, watching Daphne running her hand across Xavier's chest, her face dangerously close to his. Like she wanted to kiss him.

"Am I interrupting anything?'

Amelia asked and Xavier slowly pulled Daphne away from him.

"No, no you aren't."
Xavier said.

Daphne stared at him with surprise before turning to Amelia.

"I'm Daphne Steele. And you are?"

"Amelia Black."

Amelia answered with emphasis on the word 'Black'. Daphne looked unfazed. In fact, she even looked amused. Amelia guessed that she was in her late twenties or her early thirties. Her face was dewy and pretty. She had wide blue eyes fringed with dark lashes and high cheekbones and a pointed chin. Her lips were pouty and luscious. Too pouty, Amelia observed as she wondered if the woman had fillers in. And she was voluptuous too, everything that Amelia didn't have. Her breasts were practically spilling out of the cream bandage dress she had squeezed herself in and she had long legs and a lean waist.

"Oh yes. Congratulations to you both."

"Thanks."

Xavier answered but Daphne was still staring at Amelia.

"So, if you won't mind me asking, how did you guys meet?"

She asked as she cocked her head.

"I don't think that matters. What really matters is what you're doing here?"

Amelia asked and Daphne looked taken aback.

"Doing here? I just came to say hello. And I couldn't resist seeing the woman that finally snagged Xavier."

"Well, now you've seen me. Anything else?"

Amelia asked and Daphne briefly glanced at Xavier but Xavier shrugged.

"Okay, if there isn't anything else, I'll walk you to the door."

Amelia added as she started walking towards the door. Daphne followed slowly after, when they reached the door, Daphne glared at Amelia, eyes blazing with silent fury.

"You'll be seeing me around a lot more."

She told Amelia with a tight smile.

"Well, I don't look forward to your visits."

Amelia retorted with a saccharine sweet smile.

"Xavier certainly will. Do you see the look in his eyes? He still wants me."

Daphne sneered and Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Well, I'm the one married to him."

"Ouch! You think that hurts? You're still new to everything. How old are you? Twenty? You still have a lot to learn."

Amelia blinked rapidly. A lot to learn? About what?

"This is my playground. And here, Xavier belongs to me. You're fighting a losing battle."

Daphne said as she walked out, slamming the door on Amelia's face.

Amelia stood next to the door for a few seconds, a little angry and very confused.

What did she mean? Did Xavier really want her back?



Back in the master's suite, Amelia was fuming. She contemplated talking to her mother but she doubted her mother had any solid advice to give her. She had grown more and more distant from her parents after learning that they didn't care about her happiness, only theirs. And they were willing to use her to achieve their own selfish desires.

Xavier walked in while Amelia was combing her hair in front of the vanity mirror.

"I see you're angry."

He started and she ignored him as he sat at the edge of the bed.

"Ignore Daphne. She's just a little jealous."

"Well, it'll certainly be hard ignoring her if she's going to be around a lot more than usual."

"You have to understand... She's a family friend too..."

"What exactly is your point Xavier??"

Amelia asked as she turned to Xavier who looked mildly confused.

"Tell me, are you still in love with her? Do you still want her?"

She asked and there was a short silence. Xavier didn't answer and Amelia felt like she had been stabbed in the chest.

She was a fool. Such a big fool.

Xavier still loved Daphne. And she had let him kiss her. Touch her. While he might have been thinking of another woman. She had let herself stupidly fall for him when his heart was with another.

She stood up in anger hurrying to leave and Xavier ran after her and pulled her back.

"Wait! Amelia!"

"Leave me alone!!!"

Amelia screamed as she slapped at his chest.

"Why would you kiss me if you're still in love with her? Why would you even act like you want me?"

"I don't love her Amelia! Please I don't."

Amelia tried to pull away but Xavier's hands pinned her waist down despite her protests.

"I don't believe you. I saw the way you looked at her. And until you're sure of what you want, don't fucking touch me!!!"

She screamed and he released her from his grasp.

"Amelia! Amelia!"

Xavier called as Amelia walked out it the room.

She had never felt so stupid and so used in her entire life, why did he pretend like the kiss meant something?

Why did he act like he wanted her when he didn't?





Amelia woke up to to the sound of children. The giggling of children and their screams.

Children? She thought she was hearing things as she stood up from bed and walked into the bathroom. She had slept very late last night. She had been updating her friends on the latest situation and they all seemed equally mad. Molly especially was planning to fly to California and beat up Daphne. Ruby on the other hand didn't hundred percent believe that Xavier was still in love with Daphne. And her friends had cheered her up. For one, they had come up with better comebacks to what Daphne said and they had talked and talked till their eyes were heavy with sleep.


Xavier gave Amelia some space and moved to the guest room leaving the masters suite for her. He had tossed and turned all night long wondering how he was going to get back on Amelia's good side. And he still didn't know what Daphne said that made Amelia so mad. His Aunt, also his mother's sister arrived with her children the next day. She had told him she was visiting but he was unable to relay the information to Amelia since she was angry. she was so angry that she had eaten her dinner in her room.

Nana was very concerned. But he had tried to assure her that it was nothing but a lovers quarrel.

"Will you come back for dinner?" Xavier asked as his aunt shrugged.

"Yes I will. Where's that pretty wife of yours?"

His aunt asked as she raised her eyebrow.

"Oh she's very tired so she's resting in her room."

"Okay, well I wish I can stay longer but I have to rush somewhere. Damien and I would come back and have lunch with you guys. Are you sure you'll be okay with them?"

Xavier smiled as he glanced at the kids. The youngest Kyle was hugging his legs and Xavier lifted him up and put him on his shoulder. The little boy screamed in delight.

"This isn't really my first time babysitting. And Amelia loves kids."

His Aunt looked very reassured after that and Xavier wondered if he should have added that.

He had not seen Amelia with kids and she certainly acted like she didn't want kids.

He was still waiting for an opportunity to talk to her. He was angry that Daphne had ruined things between them.
Last night he didn't see her after they had talked and even after that she had not come out of her room.

He just hoped that she would come around.