Branch Forty Nine
“Do you like Jessica?” Brian asked staring at his friend. Xavier did not care for anyone and he did not try to care for them. Seeing he was willing to allow his wife to come for the event because it would be good for Jessica was a new level of discovery for Brian.
“Like? Jessica?” Xavier asked looking up at his friend. That was the weirdest thing he had heard all day.
“I do not,” He said but he was not convincing even himself. His voice was usually firm. When he spoke it was usually difficult to argue with him. ‘Only Jessica has successfully argued with me and gotten away with it’ Xavier thought.
“You do not?” Brian said and repeated the statement two more times. Xavier nodded his head like a child. Since his voice had come out shaky as he tried to defend himself he could not take any chances and speak.
“Then why do you care if my wife would make her comfortable?” Brian asked.
Xavier raised his head and blinked multiple times. He felt like he was deer caught in the headlights. He had no response to the question and no snarky comment either. He felt trapped.
“Don’t you have duties to attend to?” He asked deflecting the question.
“I do and I would attend to themselves as soon as possible,” Brian said a smile on his face.
Xavier might not like Jessica yet but it was obvious there was a soft spot there. He was interested in making her feel comfortable. It was an improvement from the narcissistic jerk he used to be.
Bria turned on his heels and left the room. He entered next door and sat on his couch. He brought out his phone and sent a text to his wife. She hated being disturbed when she was busy shopping. He had called her once today it would be foolish of him to call her again. He would leave a text and at home, they could talk over how to help push the two together.
Brian believed that Xavier deserved love. He had watched his friend over the years suppress pain and live in isolation. He had not for once cried on the remembrance ceremony of his parents. Always kept a straight face even when others rolled in tears.
Xavier stood up from his table and went to the glass wall behind him. He stared out into space as thoughts flooded his mind.
Why couldn’t he deny it when Brian accused him of liking Jessica? Was the idea of liking her not supposed to be repulsive to him? Does he like her?
“No, it’s impossible. I can not like anyone” he said out loud before pressing the intercom on his desk to alert Brian.
“Yes sir?” Brian asked answering it.
“Let Linda get me a coffee,” Xavier said before sitting back down.
He had no time to waste thinking about whether he liked Jessica or not. He was sure he did not like her. He had a lot of work to do. She was going to be gone from his life soon and he should try not to get attached.
He was sure he could do it after all since his parents left her and had tried not to get attached to any other person again. She would not be an exception. Never!
Xavier consumed himself with work while Jessica and Leslie spent a great deal of money. When Jessica finally sat down at a coffee shop to calculate and gather energy before going home she was amazed at how easily Leslie spent money without calculating. This was the day-to-day life of some people. Was she to live carelessly as such now?
“I am so exhausted,” Leslie said sighing. She unlocked her phone to see a message from her husband. He was making an assumption that Xavier was probably growing a soft spot for Jessica.
Leslie smiles broadly. She was going to do all in her power to match them up together and make them stay together. They look good together too. They would make the ultimate power couple.
“Are you going to show Xavier the dresses you got?” Leslie said dropping her phone to the table and taking a sip of her ice drink.
Jessica’s eyes got wide and she almost choked on the ice drink she was busy sipping.
“Obviously not,” she said in a long voice.Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
“You like him,” Leslie said.
“Like him? No, I do not” Jessica said almost screaming.
“You do,” Leslie said. although Leslie was not sure if Jessica liked him she figured she would get a reaction out of him.
“It’s not a crime to like your husband. It’s more common than you think” Leslie said.
“You know the situation with Xavier and I? It’s for convenience and whatever either of us can get out of it” Jessica said.
“Both of you are so frustrating. I can not even explain myself enough” Leslie said sighing.
“Well, it is not as if I hate it. He seems lonely like he needs a friend and it is very sad. I wish we could be friends”
‘The ray of light and hope I need’ Leslie thought inwardly. She had a small consideration and likeness for Xavier. She might not recognize it as something that would lead to love but it is obvious that if the right circumstances present themselves she would be in love with him. Jessica glanced at her watch before gasping and getting up.
“I promised Dawson I would make lunch for him. I’m so late” Jessica said standing up.
“Are they making you cook? I never thought Dawson would be that kind of person” Leslie said resting her back and crossing her arms over her chest.
“No, he’s not that kind of person. I want to cook for them. I like cooking for them” Jessica replied picking up her mini bag from the table and her phone.
‘Another glimmer of hope’ Leslie thought. Getting both of them together might even be easier than she thought. Just a little push and they would be head over heels for each other.
“Do you need a ride home? You can come with us” Jessica offered. Leslie had taken a cab there.
“Why not? Maybe we should visit the grocery store so you can get something to make an extra special dinner” Leslie said standing up and getting her things together.
“There are always groceries at home. We never run out” Jessica said in amusement.
“Cook something special then”
‘After all, they say you can capture a man’s heart through goof food’ Leslie thought.