His Beautiful Addiction

''Pft, what a very sad life you live. '' Charlotte said, giggling lightly. Xavier ruffled her hair;

''It's not, it's even more peaceful than most. ''

''Nah, I highly doubt. But I still wish you'll fall in love someday, even if not with Melissa, with someone who would love you just the same.''

Xavier laughed; ''Don't tell me you're already in another relationship, Charlotte. You just broke up two weeks ago! '' Xavier just guessed, but when he saw the smile on her chin, he knew he had suspected right;

''You don't say!'' He laughed;

''This one likes me a lot, Xavier, '' Xavier nodded; ''And so did the last one, ''

Charlotte rolled her eyes. ''Well, that one was a cheat. ''

Xavier was quiet for a moment, then he patted her hair; ''Just be careful, okay, you can take your time before getting into another relationship, you're still very young.''

Charlotte stood up; ''it's getting late, are you going home or you're sleeping over?''

Xavier smiled, seeing that she had smartly changed the topic. He just wanted her to be safe.

'" I'm going home; let me see mom first.'' He said, and they walked back into the house.

…

Ari rolled on her bed; it was Friday already, and in two days, she'll be having a date with Xavier. Well, not a date per se, but it was almost like it.

What if someone took a picture? Damn, she did not want to be involved in these celebrity gossips. The last thing she wanted right now was to be dragged online by Melissa's fans. They would literally tear her apart. she neither had money or fame, so she would be dragged to pieces. 

What would she do? Should she cancel?

Ari stared at Xavier's number on her phone for the longest time, then she sighed. Maybe it was for the best. She would use this opportunity to tell him that nothing of that sort would ever happen between them again, and he should not try to be close to her, that it makes her uncomfortable.

Running away from what happened would not solve anything. The only way to solve it was to embrace the fact that it had happened and finding a solution to it.

Ari sighed for the hundredth time in ten minutes. This was not what she wanted for herself at all.

Her phone rang in her hand and she raised her head abruptly; it was her mom.

''Mom, how are you?'' Ari asked, turning over on the bed so she was facing her ceiling.

''I'm good, Ari. How is your new workplace?''

Ari smiled; ''Great mom! My colleagues are wonderful, they make working easier for me. ''

''I'm glad you are enjoying it; '' she paused for a moment. ''I and your dad are finalizing the divorce tomorrow. ''

The smile on Ari's face died instantly. She knew it was going to happen soon, but now she heard her mom say it. She could not help but feel sad. Her dad was already with another woman, and her mom, well, she was single, but she was sure not for long.

Wealthy old men who came to the golf club where she worked always wanted to have something with her, and now she was finally done with her first marriage, nothing was stopping her.

''Are you coming?'' her mom asked, bringing Ari back to herself.

''No, I'll be quite busy tomorrow. Do it and get it over with, okay?''

''Alright, dear.'' her mom replied. She asked about a few other things before she ended the call.

Ari tossed her phone across the bed as she shut her eyes. Her parents' marriage was in shambles ever since she knew how to speak. They were always fighting and arguing. There was not a day that passed that they did not argue with themselves, and for a moment Ari wondered why they were still together.

No matter how much they fought, they did not want to let go of each other. They visited the therapist often, but just when it seemed like it was going to get better, it would turn out worse than it was before.

In the end, her father left them and went to live with another woman. And for the first time in her life, an entire week passed, and she didn't hear shoutings.

Even though a broken home was not the best, sometimes, when things had broken down irretrievably, it was best to separate. She just wished she had a better family, but there was nothing she could do to change that.

Sunday came faster than Ari had expected. She was preparing lunch by 12 when her phone rang on the kitchen counter. Picking it up, she breathed in when she saw the name on the screen…

GreenField's CEO...

She had saved his name in the most official way ever. Even though it wasn't going to change anything that happened between them, it felt like a reminder that he was someone she shouldn't play around with.

He had not called or communicated since that day in the parking lot. For a moment she had thought that he had forgotten. In fact, she prayed that he would forget about it. It was normal for playboys to forget the appointments they fixed because of the number of girls they were seeing at the same time, but surprisingly he had called.

''How are you, dear?'' Xavier asked as soon as the call connected.

Ari smiled; ''I'm doing great, sir. I hope you are too. ''

Xavier who was sitting on his couch, stood up, his hand in his pocket, as a smile brightened his face. The more she was trying to appear distant, the more she was piqing his interest.

''You can call me Xavier, Ari. This is not an official setting. ''

Ari was quiet for a moment, there was no need to be too uptight yet. She was going to tell him her mind over dinner.

''Aright, sir… Xavier.''

''That's more like it. '' Xavier chuckled. ''We're still going out tonight, right?''

''Yes… well, that's if you say so.'' Ari said, and Xavier laughed again;

''Yeah, I really want to. I'll come pick you up by 7 pm, is that okay with you?''

''Yes it is, please let it be a very private place, if you know what I mean, Xavier. ''

''Mm, yes, I understand. You don't have to worry, Ari. ''

''Thank you, I have to end the call now. I am quite busy at the moment. '' Ari said;

''Alright, see you by 7.''

''Mm,'' Ari said and ended the call.