Chapter 030 Taken Back to the Hotel
"I'm speaking the truth. I am curious, Mr. Montgomery, why are you here tonight?" Grace stood directly next to Xavier.
Xavier shifted his wrist, causing the wristband he wore to jingle softly.
The bracelet looked like it had seen its fair share of wear, as if it had been caressed often by its owner, imbuing it with a noble aura. When worn by Xavier, it seemed to mark him distinctively.
Grace had done her homework. She knew that the bracelet on Xavier's wrist had never been removed. It made her curious of who could have given it to him to make it so significant?
"You don't need to know," Xavier replied with an icy detachment. He was there only because the Turner family had once done him a favor, and by showing up, he was returning the courtesy.
"If you won't tell me, that's fine. Knowing more doesn't do me any good anyway," she replied.
Grace came closer, a hint of her scent wafting in the air.
These past few days, Xavier hadn't been resting well. Despite his ongoing battle, with severe sleep disorders, his sleep seemed to improve during his first few days back in Skigeth. He thought it might be the environment but now wasn't so sure.
Refusing to entertain the notion that Grace could be a factor, the idea that his sleep could depend on a woman was inconceivable to him. Yet, he wondered if it might somehow be related to her scent.
"What perfume are you wearing?" he asked Grace.
"What?" Grace sniffed her arm but couldn't detect any odor. "I'm not wearing any perfume. While I excel at blending fragrances, I prefer not to wear perfumes as it sometimes interferes with my sense of smell."
"Mr. Montgomery, do you think I smell like something? I just came straight from work. We have a fragrance line in Lewis Group; I might have some residual scent on me," Grace concluded.
"Uh-huh," he muttered without elaboration.
"Mr. Montgomery, what kind of scents do you like? I could make you a bottle of perfume myself next time!" Grace offered, excitedly.
"No need," he declined.
Xavier set down his empty glass and headed for the door. The party was dull, and he had stayed there long enough to give the Turner family due respect.
After bidding the hosts farewell, Xavier left. He had made it clear beforehand to treat him like any other guest, with no special attention necessary.
Grace trailed after him asking, "Mr. Montgomery, are you leaving? Can you give me a ride?"
The indifferent man didn't even spare her an extra glance before striding off.
Grace had only mentioned it in passing, and it made sense for Xavier to decline. Had he agreed, she would have been the one surprised by his response.
Not wanting to stay any longer herself, Grace said goodbye to Angela and took her leave. Angela, understood Grace's discomfort, didn't insist on her staying.
Grace just realized that she couldn't get a cab from her current location. Initially, she had hitched a ride with Angela to the venue, it was an upscale private villa community where outside vehicles were not permitted entry.
Left with no choice but to walk out, which was about a half-hour trek, she decided to go on foot since she had nothing urgent to do afterwards.
She hadn't walked too far before she saw a luxury car zoom past her. It seemed familiar since she'd ridden in it before.
"Mr. Montgomery! Xavier!" she called out almost instinctively, doubting that Xavier would even hear her. To her surprise, the car came to a halt up ahead.
Grace hurried toward the car and tried the door, finding it unlocked. With a smile, she thought that perhaps Xavier wasn't as rigid as he appeared. Settling into the spacious and comfortable interior of the executive car, she saw Xavier sitting in the back seat like a statue.
"Mr. Montgomery, I thought you were really going to leave me behind," she said.
"You're leaving just after arriving?" he asked.
Grace had already stayed at the event for some time. "There's no rule that I can't leave early. Besides, getting to ride in Mr. Montgomery's car makes my visit worthwhile," she replied, unfazed by Xavier's disdainful snort.
Midway through the ride, Grace inquired, "Mr. Montgomery, aren’t you going to ask where I live?"
Xavier, engrossed in his tablet, seemed not to hear.
Grace felt oddly at ease, mused to herself, "It's not like he can sell me. I'm not worth much, and Xavier wouldn't be interested in such small change."
The car stopped at a hotel parking lot, where the driver opened the door for Grace.
"Mr. Montgomery, taking me to a hotel without my consent isn't really appropriate, is it? You didn't even ask if I was willing," she commented.
Xavier tossed the car keys to Grace. "If you're unwilling, drive yourself back."
Returning the keys to the driver, she followed Xavier inside. "I've been drinking, of course I can't drive."
They stood together in the elevator and then followed Xavier to the familiar hotel room door, which he opened and led her inside.
There was no sign of life in the presidential suite; probably Xavier hadn’t planned on staying long.
"Mr. Montgomery, should I go take a shower first?" asked Grace.
Xavier was a regular guy, and bringing her to the hotel, Grace figured he wasn't interested in discussing poetry or philosophy with her. They were adults, after all, more focused on physical pleasure than emotional connection.
"No need," he said abruptly.
Grace looked at him incredulously, wondering, ‘Is Mr. Montgomery even impatient for me to take a shower?’
As she pondered, she couldn't help but think, ‘I wouldn't have guessed Mr. Montgomery was this type of person!’
By looking into Grace's eyes, he knew exactly what she was thinking. "Grace, can't you think about something else?" he asked.
"Mr. Montgomery, isn't it obvious what you're implying? A single man brings a single woman to a hotel; I can't think of any other reason," she replied.
Xavier was at a loss for words. He had brought Grace to the hotel, but not for the reason she was insinuating.
"I still have some business matters to attend to," he had mentioned before while they were in the car, staying busy the entire ride.
After saying that, Xavier seated himself in front of a computer.
"Mr. Montgomery, may I use the things here in the hotel?" Grace inquired.
"Sure," he responded.
Grace didn't disturb Xavier and even closed the door to his office as she left. Xavier made a long-distance call, speaking fluent Italian.
Roughly an hour later, Grace tapped on the door.
"Come in," Xavier responded.
"Xavier, are you finished with your work?" Grace asked, gently.
"Mhmm," he hummed in response.
"Are you hungry? I've made some food. Would you like to try some?" Seeing Xavier rub his stomach, she guessed he might be feeling a bit unwell.
Xavier hadn't eaten much that evening, so she had ordered some dishes and then made soup in the kitchen.
His brow furrowed slightly. Over the years, his irregular eating habits had led to a sensitive stomach, though it was nothing severe.
His stomach ached a bit from drinking on an empty stomach that night.
Following Grace out, he found she had prepared a simple pork rib soup and a couple of dishes that looked delicious.
Xavier's gaze deepened as he thought to himself, ‘Did Grace research about me in an attempt to please me?’
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