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CHAPTER 4

Xavier was rudely awakened by the intrusive beep of his alarm, a cruel reminder of how little sleep he had received. With a groan, he reached out to silence the persistent noise.

Xavier's eyes fluttered open, squinting against the invading rays of morning sunlight that pierced through the bedroom curtains. As consciousness slowly seeped in, his gaze darted around the room, landing on the sight before him that sent a jolt of confusion through his hazy mind.

Two women lay entangled beside him, their forms partially covered by the tangled sheets.

A whirlwind of fragmented memories tugged at the edges of Xavier's recollection, teasing him with glimpses of laughter and swirling drinks. There was a tantalizing sense of freedom lingering within the hazy recesses of his mind, yet the details remained frustratingly elusive, lost in the thick fog of intoxication. He groaned, a headache pounding in his temples, as he desperately attempted to piece together the puzzle of his blurred evening.

His heart pounded, not solely from the remnants of alcohol coursing through his veins, but also from the realization that his father's voice boomed beyond the threshold of his bedroom. Xavier's gaze flickered through the slightly open door, where his father sat, with a magazine clutched in his hand, his face a mask of disappointment and disapproval.

"Xavier, get up now!" His father's voice thundered through the penthouse again, jolting Xavier instantly from his lazy state. The sheer volume of the command reverberated painfully in his throbbing hangover head, acting as a cruel alarm clock he wished he could ignore.

This early visit from his dad was highly unusual, sparking Xavier's curiosity. It had to be something significant to drag his father out at such an hour.

Carefully disentangling himself from the embrace of the two women, Xavier stealthily slipped into his pajamas, ensuring to close the door on the way out

Rubbing his temples, Xavier stumbled into the living room, his eyes locked with his father, who sat on the couch with a look of anger etched across his face.

Xavier's voice dropped to a murmur, laced with a hint of unease.

"Hmm. Looks like I'm in trouble for something"

Xavier scrutinized his father, his silence mirroring his curiosity regarding the unexpected early visit. As he attempted to unravel the reason for his father's presence, William maintained a steady gaze on Xavier before finally standing up.

"Good morning, son," William greeted, his voice laced with a heavy undercurrent of disappointment. "Or perhaps I should say, your night was probably better than good," William remarked in a composed tone.

Xavier's forehead creased with confusion, perplexed by his father's cryptic remarks, yet he maintained an air of indifference.

"What-What are you doing here, Dad?" Xavier stammered, attempting to maintain a semblance of composure.

He looked back at his bedroom door, making sure it was shut.

"How long will this continue?" William inquired, locking eyes with his son, his tone laced with a hint of annoyance. "I need to know, so I can pencil it into my calendar," he added with a mocking tone.

Xavier's brow furrowed as his father continued with these cryptic comments.

"Is this some kind of trick question, Dad? What are you referring to? I'm a bit lost here."

"I don't expect you to understand, and you never will. Anyways, I must say, your behavior last night was far from admirable,"

William stated, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. "This incessant partying and womanizing is beneath a Knight." He all but shouted throwing the magazine onto the coffee table where Xavier graced the cover.

Xavier's heart sank as he watched his father's eyes narrow, fixated on the scandalous snapshots within the open magazine pages. It was evident that his father had discovered Xavier's reckless escapades from the previous night. Xavier sighed and ran a hand over his face, acknowledging the impending lecture.

"Do you care to explain this, Xavier?" William's voice resonated with disappointment as he pointed at the incriminating evidence.

Xavier's mind raced, desperately searching for an excuse, a justification that could salvage even a shred of dignity. But deep down, he knew that there was no hiding from the truth. The evidence spoke volumes, painting a vivid picture of his indulgent lifestyle.

A few moments of silence passed as Xavier looked at the pictures and shrugged

"I can't help but wish they captured my better side, you know, the right one," he chuckled.

"Xavier!"

"Oh come on Dad. It's not like I've never done anything like this before, " Xavier finally admitted arrogantly,

"However, I didn't intend for things to become so public. I must admit though, Dad, it wasn't my finest moment, was it?" he snickered.

William sighed, his gaze filled with a mixture of disappointment and genuine concern. The weight of their family's reputation rested heavily on his shoulders, and Xavier's reckless behavior had pushed it to the edge. He looked deeply into his son's eyes, hoping to ignite a spark of understanding within him.

"Xavier, do you even care about our reputation?" William asked, his voice tinged with a touch of sadness. "The choices you make reflect not only on yourself but also on our business. This kind of behavior is reckless, and it's time for you to start considering the consequences of your actions."

"Dad," Xavier retorted, his voice tinged with a hint of defiance. "I'm a vibrant, passionate individual. I work diligently during the day, never mixing business with pleasure. Sure, I enjoy letting loose at night. But the intricacies of my personal life are mine alone to navigate. So, please, just take a moment to relax, Dad. I'll make an effort to be more discreet next time." He winked, attempting to defuse the tense atmosphere.

William's brows furrowed in frustration as he stared at Xavier, his disappointment evident in his eyes. He sighed heavily before responding, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and sternness.

"Xavier, I understand that you're young and full of energy, but you need to realize that your actions have consequences. Our family's reputation is at stake, and your reckless behavior reflects poorly on all of us. It's time for you to start taking responsibility for your choices and considering the impact they have on our name."

"Dad, please spare me the lecture," Xavier replied warily.

A stern expression settled on William's face.

"You misunderstand, Xavier. I haven't come here, to lecture you. I have made a decision that will shape your future."

Xavier arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

"And what decision is that?"

"A decision regarding Aurora," William stated authority.

Xavier responded with a raised eyebrow. "Aurora, Aurora? Have we met before?" he quipped. "Oh, wait, does my dad have a girlfriend?" Xavier added, teasingly.

William let out a sigh, unamused by his son's jest.

"Can you please be serious for a moment, Xavier? This is important."

"Fine. So....." he jestured for his dad to continue

"Xavier," William replied, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Aurora is not my girlfriend. She's the daughter of Marco, my late best friend. I've recently reconnected with her, and I believe she could have a significant impact on your life."

Xavier, made himself comfortable on the couch and leaned back, his playful demeanor giving way to curiosity. " A significant impact on my life" he asked pointing to himself.

"Yes Xavier. Your life"

Xavier, replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Oh, pray tell, what is it about Aurora that makes her so exceptionally special? What extraordinary qualities does she possess that will supposedly have this grand significance in my oh-so-eventful life?"

Undeterred by his son's sarcasm, William pressed on, determined to make his point clear, his expression earnest.

"Aurora possesses a rare combination of qualities. She has a genuine sweetness, innocence, and kindness that are hard to find in this world. I believe her presence could influence you positively, help you become more grounded and committed."

Xavier's eyebrow arched mockingly as he entertained his father's proposition.

"Oh, so you think she can magically tame the untamed beast within me, huh? Is she some kind of irresistible seductress? Oh wait! Is she sexy?" he asked, a hint of mocking humor lacing his words.

"Xavier, enough with the theatrics. I urge you to approach this with seriousness," William stated firmly, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "This goes beyond mere appearances. It's about discovering a person who can truly complement you and bring out the best version of yourself."

"The best version of myself. What's wrong with the current version?" He asked with annoyance in his voice.

"Xavier..."

Xavier's voice turned slightly bitter as he interjected,

"Oh, how could I forget? You're always concerned about my feelings, aren't you, Dad? Now I'm just dying to know, what version of myself am I now? The 'Badboy'? But hey, that's the coolest thing about me, right? You want me to shed that image and become a 'goodboy.' And let me guess, this girl, Aurora, is the One who will magically transform me into a charming prince?An epitome of greatness?

Well, color me intrigued, Father. Please, do go on."

He emphasized the last words with a hint of mocking sarcasm.

William's expression hardened, his patience wearing thin.

"Enough with the sarcasm, Xavier," he said sternly. "This is not about some fairytale transformation. It's about growth, maturity, and making responsible choices. I understand your resistance, but I ask you to consider the bigger picture. Aurora represents an opportunity for you to build a meaningful connection and discover a different side of yourself. Don't dismiss it so lightly."

"Who the hell is this Aurora anyway, and why are we even discussing her?" Xavier asked exasperated.

"Like I said, she's my late best friend's daughter, and..." William paused for a moment, trying to find the right words to explain.

"And what, Dad?"

"When Marco was on his deathbed, his final words to me were about Aurora becoming my responsibility and me taking care of her. I had overlooked that promise until recently."

Xavier leaned back, mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Oh thats what you meant by 'A meaningful connection, huh?' Well, Dad, since you've been carrying that stick in your back ever since Mom passed away, maybe it's time for a little romance intervention. How about I play matchmaker and set you up on a date with this Aurora? Who knows, sparks may fly, love may bloom, and before you know it, wedding bells might ring! It's the perfect solution: you fulfill your promise, and I get to relish in the satisfaction of witnessing you squirm. Trust me, it's a win-win situation, don't you think?" He flashed a sly grin, a delightful blend of cheekiness and defiance lacing his words.

William's gaze bore into Xavier, unyielding and resolute.

"You know, it's quite amusing that you brought up wedding bells, Xavier. Because that's precisely why I'm here today. There's a purpose behind my visit, and it revolves around the idea of you marrying Aurora Johnson, an arranged marriage" he declared firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Xavier stilled, momentarily stunned, and then a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Wait, hold on a second. Did you just say you've arranged a marriage for me?"

William simply nodded.

Xavier's eyes widened in disbelief, his pounding headache momentarily forgotten.

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