27: I’ll show him difficult

LILLIAN

The thing about shopping every single day and spending so much money on things you already have is that it gets old, real fast.

I thought maxing out Xavier’s black card over and over again would get his attention. But it didn’t. Instead, I’d just wake up to see another black card by my bedside with a note from him saying, “Have fun.”

He was taunting me, and I knew it.

Not to mention, I was basically proving his point that I brought nothing to the table and that all I had to offer was my ability to waste money shopping.

To make matters worse, ever since our run-in at the store, my so-called friends had been trying to get in touch with me. Mara, Chloe, and Rita haven't stopped inviting me to brunch or lunch dates, but I declined every time, giving one excuse or another.

I wanted to show them that they were no longer on my radar and didn’t hold any priority in my life.

But as much as I enjoyed snubbing them, I needed something to do.

I was bored out of my mind. I couldn’t keep spending days aimlessly shopping or lounging around the apartment. I needed something meaningful to fill my time and distract me from this farce of a marriage.

But right now, there was nothing, so I was lounging around the apartment, checking out spaces I hadn’t looked at since I got here.

It was obvious that Xavier never planned to have a family. For a multi-billionaire, there weren’t many rooms in this place. It was a typical bachelor’s apartment—modern, sleek, and cold. The lack of warmth and personal touches spoke volumes.

This only solidified the fact that he married me out of spite. Whatever obsession he had with me when we were younger had transformed into something darker and more sinister. This wasn’t just about revenge; it was about control.

I continued my journey down the hall toward the only room I had not checked.

When I reached the door, I tried the knob, but it was locked. I frowned and tried again, just to confirm, but it was actually locked.

Weird.

Yes, it felt weird since all the other rooms in the house were unlocked. Why was this one room the exception? What was Xavier hiding?

“What the hell are you doing?”

Startled, I spun around to see Xavier standing just a few feet behind me, dressed in his work clothes and holding a briefcase. His face was twisted into a deep scowl as he stared back at me.

Heaven knows I did not hear him come in.

How long has he been standing there?

“I was just… exploring,” I stammered, feeling caught off guard.

“That room is off-limits,” he said sharply, stepping closer. “You have no business being here.”

“Why is it locked?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“None of your concern!” he snapped. “Stay out of it, Lillian.”

What’s with his attitude?

“I think it’s my concern because you are suddenly so pressed and aggravated,” I retorted defiantly. “Except you are hiding something in there, I don’t get why you are so bothered.”

He chuckled.

“Bold of you to assume I owe you any explanation on what goes on in my own house,” he stated, and began to walk towards the masters bedroom. I match right after himZ

“Our house,” I corrected.

“My house,” he maintained, dropping his suitcase and removing his suit.

“You know, for someone who was so hell bent on marrying me and had to destroy my father’s company just to get my attention, you don’t seem to give a fuck about this marriage,” I said, folding my hands across my chest.

“And for someone who has sang how much she hates me like a mantra over and over again, you give an awful amount of fucks marriage.” he retorted back, turning around to look at me while loosening his tie around his neck.

I had to stop my eyes from following the movement.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were falling for me, Lillian,” he added smugly and I scoffed I response.

“You must really think so highly of yourself,” I said. “The reason why I was down that hallway and in front of that room in the first place is because I’m bored out of my mind in this house and I was trying to entertain myself,”

“Guess someone got tired of shopping and maxing out my card,” Xavier commented, a sarcastic chuckle punctuating his words as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.

Why the hell did I just find that attractive?

“I don’t care about shopping or maxing out you stupid black card,” I said, the exasperation in my voice evident. “I just want to do something meaningful for once and you are not even giving me that opportunity,” I threw my hands up in frustration.

“Oh yeah? And what do you want to do?” He asked, folding his hands across his chest, his huge biceps flexing unconsciously. I swallowed and took my eyes away from his biceps to look at him.

“Give me a job,” I simply stated.

Xavier burst into laughter, like I had just said the funniest thing ever. His laughter echoed through the hallway, but I stood there, waiting. When he finally noticed I wasn’t laughing, his amusement faded.

“You are serious,” he noted, still chuckling a little.

“Does it look like I’m joking?” I shot back, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

“There is no way in hell I’m giving you a job.” His expression hardened.

What?

“I have my credentials—“

“Credentials?” he mocked, cutting me off. “Your only credential is being a spoiled little princess who has no idea how the real world works. You think a fancy degree and your family’s name mean anything? You’re nothing but a rich girl who can’t do anything but shop and whine!”

His words cut deep, like a dagger twisting in my chest. My breath hitched, and I felt a hot flush of shame and anger rise to my cheeks.

I guess that’s how Xavier sees me too, just like every other man I have encountered, thinking I was nothing but an airhead, someone who only got where she was because of her dad’s money.

I knew he saw me as worthless, but the constant reminder was painful.

Still, I tried to hide the hurt, lifting my chin and refusing to let him see me crumble.

“Fine,” I breathed. “If you won’t give me a job, then at least tell me where my father is so I can see him. It’s better than shopping or staying in this house.”

Xavier’s eyes narrowed.

“You’ll see your father whenever I deem fit. Not before.” He deadpanned.

For God’s sake!

“Xavier—“

His phone rang, cutting me off. He glanced at the screen, then picked up his briefcase.

“I’m going back to the office,” he said. He wasn’t asking for my permission, he was telling me. “You had better not do anything you’d regret,”

And with that, he turned away and walked out, leaving me alone to take in all his cruel words. I stood there, feeling the sting of his disdain. Just as I was about to sink into self-pity, my phone buzzed with a new text.

It was from Rita.

You guys sure don’t know when to quit. I sighed, checking the text.

Bitch #3
Hey Lillian! We’re planning a girls’ night out tonight. Drinks, dancing, the works. You in?

I wanted to say no. I didn’t feel like facing anyone, especially not those bitches. But then, a rebellious spark flared up inside me and I started having second thoughts about turning them down.

If Xavier wants to be difficult, I’ll show him difficult. I smirked as I quickly typed back.

I’m in. Time and Address?

As I awaited a response, I headed to my closet to find something to wear, a smirk playing on my lips.

If I was going to make a statement, I might as well do it in style.