Tangled in Desire

For the first time that evening, Zara and Xavier were in the midst of something that could almost be called a conversation. The tension between them had softened just a little, but it was still charged with unspoken words. Xavier, as always, spoke in measured tones, revealing very little. Zara, on the other hand, had mastered the art of filling the silences with her own witty commentary, trying to coax him into saying something, anything, that wasn't so… typical of him.

"So," Zara said with a raised eyebrow, taking a sip of her drink as she leaned against the bar, "You don't look like the charity ball type."

Xavier looked at her briefly, his expression unreadable. "I'm here for business. Charity balls are a means to an end."

She chuckled softly, not letting the coldness in his words throw her off. "I can't believe you're one of those people who still sees social gatherings as just business deals."

"It's not about what it is, it's about what it can do," he replied, his gaze never wavering from hers. There was a flicker of something—was it interest?—but it was gone in an instant.

Zara was just about to throw in another teasing remark when the sound of high heels clicking against the polished floor interrupted them.

A young woman, no older than Zara herself, appeared out of nowhere, sauntering towards Xavier with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. She was wearing a gown so revealing that it left little to the imagination, the kind of dress that seemed to scream for attention. She wasn't just walking, she was strutting, as if the entire room should stop and notice her.

Zara couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. This was just… too much.

The woman didn't even spare Zara a glance as she approached Xavier. "Xavier," she purred, her voice dripping with sweetness, "You know, I've been thinking about how we could really make your business flourish... together." She glanced at Zara dismissively, as if the other woman didn't even exist in the conversation. "If you marry me, you won't have any more problems. Your business will soar even higher with me by your side."

Zara could feel her brow furrow as she watched the woman, unable to believe what she was hearing. Did she seriously just say that? It was almost insulting—she didn't care if the woman was trying to get a leg up or play the game, but the audacity of it left her speechless.

Xavier, who had been growing visibly more irritated with every word the woman spoke, didn't even look at her as he replied in the iciest tone possible. "If you think a marriage to me will help your problems, then you're more delusional than you look. And if you're looking for an opportunity to climb the social ladder, try someone else."

The woman's face froze, and for a moment, she seemed to not even know how to respond. The bluntness of Xavier's words had hit her like a ton of bricks. The smug confidence that had previously radiated off her collapsed in an instant. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Her face flushed bright red, and as the silence stretched between them, the realization hit her.

With a quick glance at Xavier, she turned on her heel and walked away, the faintest trace of tears threatening to spill over, her pride too broken to salvage.

Zara, unable to control herself, burst out laughing. The sight of the woman's embarrassment was too perfect, too rich. It wasn't just the woman's awkward retreat—it was the sheer coldness Xavier had displayed that made it even better. Zara's laughter filled the room, drawing a few curious glances, but she didn't care.

Xavier shot her an icy look, his jaw tight as he stared at her. But Zara wasn't phased. If anything, it made her laugh harder.

"You…" She gasped for breath between fits of laughter, wiping her eyes. "You—that was savage."

Xavier didn't even crack a smile, but his gaze flickered, something flickering behind the cool exterior, though he wouldn't admit it. "She had it coming."

"Yeah, but she'll never show her face here again," Zara teased, her tone light. "You could've been a little nicer though."

"Nicer?" he shot back, his voice low and clipped, "She needed to be put in her place."

Zara grinned widely, feeling the tension between them ease, just a little. "I agree," she said, wiping the last of her laughter away, "But next time, maybe let me handle it. I've got a few choice words for women like her."

Xavier raised an eyebrow at her, but his gaze softened ever so slightly. "I'll keep that in mind."

And just like that, the brief moment of levity was gone, but Zara couldn't shake the sense of amusement that lingered. She knew she'd been the one to find humor in the situation, but something told her that Xavier had found it just as satisfying, even if he wouldn't admit it.

The night was still young, and with that conversation—or lack thereof—behind them, she couldn't help but wonder what might happen next.