“Go ahead, Dad. You’ve been awfully quiet. Why don’t you share with Xavier the news I just found out?” I folded my arms across my chest.
“Xavier, baby, we can discuss this at another time. Not here. Not now,” Wanda began, turning to her son.
“Pssh,” I tutted. She didn’t have a problem talking about it there with my father when she thought they were alone.
“You know what, Wanda? You’re right,” I said. “I’m leaving.”
“Chanel,” my father called. “Look, this is complicated, and I’m sorry—”
“Sorry? Are you sorry? Why, because you got caught? Tell me, Dad. Was Wanda the woman you’d been out with the night before Mama died, or was that a different woman?” My anger was boiling over.
My father gave me a horrified look. Likely because of the fact that I’d thrown my mother’s death in his face. Yeah, he could live with that too.
“Don’t bother answering. I’m leaving.”
“You’re not going any damn where,” Xavier’s thunderous words bordered on a threat as he grabbed my wrist, preventing my escape.
“Xavier…” I sighed, just wanting to get out of the presence of these two people, especially my father.
“Nah, you’re not leaving. Mama, we’ll talk later,” he stated abruptly, turning and guiding me with him down the hall.
“Let go of me. I just want to go home,” I tried to keep from yelling as I attempted to break free of Xavier’s grasp.
“And I’ll take you home once the night is over.”
I looked at him like he had two heads.
“After the night...did you just hear what I heard in there?” I pointed to the door we’d just passed through. We were now standing in the stairwell.
He nodded calmly, which served to infuriate me. “I did, and like I said to my mother, we’ll talk about it later. Right now, I have to make a speech, and I want you here with me.” His eyes bored into mine, imploring me to grant his request.
I closed my eyes against the intensity of his gaze, feeling like I’d say or do anything to please him. But I didn’t want to do anything just to please another man. I didn’t feel like smiling for a bunch of people while I was bubbling with anger and hurt inside. I’d grown up seeing my mother smile on the outside to everyone else, only to yell and cry behind closed doors over her hurt. Hell, I’d even been my mother when I was with Ethan. Smiling when people commented how great he was, only to fear going home, because who knew what type of mood he’d be in…or to go to the bathroom to reapply another coat of makeup so the bruises didn’t show through.
Then I got angry with Xavier for even asking me to do this. Yes, I knew I was selfish, but shit, I was tired of smiling for men while feeling like I was breaking on the inside.
Yet, despite my resolve, once I opened my eyes, I knew I couldn’t leave Xavier hanging.
“Fine. But I want to go straight home afterward. And…” I paused when the door of the stairwell opened, and my father and Wanda passed through. “Keep them away from me,” I added, fleeing down the remainder of the steps.
The rest of the evening was a blur, as I made polite conversation with a few other guests Xavier introduced me to. I noticed my father leaving early with Marjorie, and not too long after, Wanda left. Tori gave me curious looks, obviously sensing something was off, but I couldn’t answer her. I prayed for the time to come for Xavier to give his speech so we could get the hell out of there.
When it finally came, he was riveting, of course. Charming the crowd and conveying the pain and grief he’d felt watching his grandmother die of ovarian cancer, and why he felt compelled to give to such a worthy cause. I applauded just as loudly as everyone else once he finished, a part of me glad I’d decided to stay. However, that didn’t quell my anger, and it made me even sadder for what I needed to do.
We gave our farewells to Tori and Jason, and headed home. Even though my original plans were to spend the night at Xavier’s, I couldn’t do it. Not then. It took some convincing, but he finally directed the driver to my condo. Each mile we passed, the weight on my chest grew heavier.
****
Xavier
I had no idea what the fuck had happened tonight. One minute, I’d been enjoying myself, looking forward to the end of the night when I could slide in between my favorite pair of thighs. And then, I was following Chanel as she hurried down the hall to her condo, obviously thinking she was going to shut me out. Not happening. My mother was a whole other issue I’d have to deal with, and I didn’t even want to think about that right then. I ran my hand down my face and sighed as Chanel unlocked her door.
“Thank you for tonight, but I just want to be alone now,” Chanel began.
I took one look at her and pushed the door behind her open, brushing past her. “Nah, fuck that.” I could feel her pulling away from me, and I didn’t like that at all.
“Xavier, I don’t have the energy for this tonight.”
“Too bad. Why do you have to ruin our evening over some shit that has nothing to do with us?” I folded my arms across my chest, stood with my legs apart.
