Chapter 40

Xavier brought up the idea of the two of them going to an art exhibit. Rachael was surprised because she was recently beginning to think she was just his fling. This notion was supported by the fact he never took her anywhere, but he proved her wrong when he knocked on her room door with a red dress in his hand.

While in the car, Rachael played with her fingers nervously. Xavier noticed her unease and slipped his hands into hers while still on her lap. She loved that the dress was lovely, but she hated the way it exposed all her thighs.

"Don't tell me you haven't gone to an exhibition before,"

Of course, she had. Just not with a public figure like Xavier.

"I have" she mouthed. " This dress is too short" she blurted out to give him corrections in case he tried to get her a dress in the future.

"It's perfect" his hands rested on her thighs and she swallowed hard.

"I can't bend down in this"

"You don't need to"

"Xavier" she snapped at him in annoyance and he chuckled.

"Fine, corrections taking," he said in defeat, leaning back on his seat. He removed his hands from her thighs and Rachael immediately felt deserted. She wanted him to touch them, but he denied her that privilege by removing his hands.

She found her hands together once more as they played with each other, apprehensively


*******
Rachael's lips parted slightly with a gasp when Xavier took her hand and slipped it under his arm. They walked side by side through the huge building, Inscribed on it "Imperial hall" Rachael swallowed hard as the both of them walked. They were surrounded by his guards. Three at the front and two at the back.

They finally got inside after numerous searches were done on them. It was for security measures, but Rachael noticed how Xavier wasn't okay with it. He almost went into fist mode when the guard brought the metal detector too close to Rachael's boobs.

The hall was classic, but the people present in it were way more classy. The whole place reeked of sophistication. Now she knew why Xavier went out of his way to get her a decent dress. She didn't feel belittled a bit, but she still admired every one of them. It was an Italian-themed exhibit. She knew that because of the Opere d'arte italiane ( Italian artwork) inscribed on the wall. And also the rustic design that was complemented by endearing bright colors. The chairs were arranged by the side, slightly drifting away from the stage which Rachael concluded was where the artworks would be auctioned.

She felt someone's hands around her waist. Even without turning, she already knew it was Xavier. His manly scent filled her nose as she veered around to look at him.

"Relax" he whispered into her ear. Rachael bit her lips and nodded. The way he could notice the slightest details stunned Rachael. She was apprehensive and he noticed it.

"I am" she whispered back.

"Then stop gaping around like a novice" he drew away from her and she scowled at him.

A butler passed and Xavier took a drink for the both of them. He handed it over to her. "Shall we?" he said, notioning her to walk.

When they got to the busy part of the hall, Rachael noticed how people looked at them. There were two sets of people. The ones who stared at them in awe and the ones who stared at them in jealousy _ especially the ladies. Xavier was a strikingly good-looking man and he got the due attention. His black tuxedo that clung to his virile self made him more appealing than ever.

"Xavier" a voice was heard from behind. The voice was familiar. Rachael was sure she had heard it before. When she turned to look back and saw Lucas, she confirmed her initial assumption.

He had his usual charming smile on as he approached them. He gave Xavier a handshake and smiled briefly at Rachael which she returned.

Xavier pulled him to the side and there they talked inaudibly for a while. Rachael was left, subdued to the constant stares people threw at her. At that point, she was confused if they looked at her in admiration or something else.

After what seemed like forever, they came back. Xavier slipped his hands around her waist once more, pulling her closer to himself. Rachael flushed.

Lucas smiled at her "Looking as ravishing as always" he complimented and she smiled back. She also didn't fail to notice how Xavier gripped her waist more tightly as his way of telling her to cut the small talks. She loved this jealous side of Xavier.

" When is the auction starting?" She asked when Lucas had left.

Xavier bent his wrist. "In the next 5 minutes," he stated.

"Ok good. I need to be in the bathroom real quick" she said. Her dress zip had been poking her for a long time and she needed to adjust it.

Xavier hesitated for a brief second. "To do what?"

"I'll be back" she scowled at him.

"Should a guard follow you?"

The amount of trust he had for his guard surprised Rachael. "No, I will be fine. This building is heavily guarded. No one will steal me from the restroom"

"Fine" he slid his hands off her waist. "Be back in exactly 2 minutes"

"What? that's two short"

"I mean it, Rachael. If you are not back as fast as possible, I'll have to come to get you myself" he stated firmly and all Rachael could do was nod.

She left him and walked away from the hall. After asking for directions, she finally found the bathroom. It was a unisex bathroom, but she didn't mind. She got in and began adjusting her dress.

Rachael was too carried away that she didn't realize when the door opened. Her eyes were closed as she tried her best to reach the zip at her back. Suddenly, A cold hand caressed her back and grabbed the zip for her.

"Let me help with this" she heard the familiar voice and her eyes abruptly flicked open.

As she looked at the figure behind her back through the mirror, her heart stopped beating. A gasp escaped from her lips as she shivered. He looked the same. His brown eyes didn't change at all. It still had the terror and slyness in them. Just when she thought she had gotten away from this monster for good, he showed up again.

Her shaky lips parted when they finally found words. "Ralph," she spoke in a shallow whisper.