Xavier was stunned for a moment before reacting, looking aggrieved. "Serena! I wore this ridiculous thing just to come see you, and you're making fun of me..."
He clasped his hands in front of him, looking pitiful. He really did resemble a wronged little wife.
Serena couldn't hold it in anymore-she leaned over the hood of the car, laughing so hard she bent over.
Xavier tried to defend himself for a bit, but she kept laughing. In the end, he gave up, put his hands on his hips, and waited helplessly at the side.
Two minutes later, when her laughter finally subsided, he stepped forward and gently pinched her fair cheek. "You little rascal-always bullying me!"
Serena's big watery eyes were full of innocence. "Mr. Blaze, don't joke around! With your temper, who could possibly bully you?! Back in school, you were the little tyrant. And now with the title of the Blaze family's heir, no one in the entire country dares mess with you. Even if I borrowed someone else's courage, I wouldn't dare!"
The man looked at her with a doting gaze. "Sure, in all of Vernon, very few dare to cross me-but you, you're my one weakness."
As he spoke, he gently patted her on the head. "There's nothing I can do about you. No matter what you say or do, I just go along with it. I can't even bring myself to speak harshly to you. This lifetime, all of my glory and pride as the Blaze young master is fated to be lost at your hands, Serena."
Serena's heart started beating faster and faster, completely out of control. Her face turned red as she lowered her head, trying to hide in the shadows.
She quickly changed the topic in a small voice, "Let's go. We should find a place where you can change your clothes."
But Xavier wasn't in a rush.
He placed both hands on the car hood behind her, trapping her in front of him. With a slow, teasing tone, he said, "Didn't you just say I looked good like this? If you like it, I don't have to change."
"..."
As he spoke, his breath brushed against her cheek and ear like warm cotton, making her feel ticklish all over.
Serena quickly turned her face away. "If you're not afraid of being laughed at, then it's none of my business."
"I've told you before-other than you, I don't care what anyone else thinks."
"Well..." Serena thought for a moment. "Let's go to the mall."
"The mall? What for?"
"You said you have information on Gaius's suicide. We can go to a café there and sit down to talk."
Xavier chuckled and flicked her small, upturned nose. "You little trickster. Just want to see me make a fool of myself, huh?"
That lazy, magnetic voice, paired with his unintentional flirting and his stunningly handsome face...
Serena felt her whole body go from itchy to burning hot-like she was about to catch fire.
She stammered, trying to explain, "Wh-who wants to see you make a fool of yourself?! I just... I just want a place to talk."
"Oh? If that's all, then... how about we go to your place?"
"My... place?"
Serena looked up in surprise, locking eyes with his deep, ocean-like gaze.
"Mhm. Don't you live alone? Isn't that the most private and convenient place to talk about... personal matters?"
Personal matters...
Even though she knew he was talking about Gaius' case, Serena's thoughts couldn't help but go elsewhere.
"What? Scared?"
When she didn't respond, the man asked leisurely.
"Scared? What... what do I have to be scared of?"
Xavier took a step forward, one leg moving between hers. "Scared I'll turn into a big bad wolf and eat you up?"
Serena felt like she could barely breathe. She quickly pushed against his chest to stop him from coming closer. "How funny, comparing yourself to a hungry wolf, Sir?"
He nodded sincerely and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I've been locked up in that exclusive clinic for days, missing you like crazy. Now that I'm out, of course I'm like a starving wolf!"
Her heart skipped a beat, and she was too nervous to know how to respond.
In the end, she just muttered, "D-don't joke around!"
"I'm not joking." The man said seriously. "Come on, just admit it. Are you scared? If you say you're scared, I won't go to your place."
Serena couldn't stand being challenged.
Especially now, after being reborn, determined to live boldly and be true to herself!
"Scared?!" She raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Fine! Let's go! I don't believe you really can eat me!"
Xavier nodded. "Let's go!"
With that, he strode toward the passenger seat of the MINI Cooper.
Serena turned around. "Hey! If you're riding in my car, what about that BMW from the foreign doctor?"
"Who cares?! I'll tell him to come pick it up later."
"Isn't that a bit rude? I mean, he did help you, and even lent you the car..."
"I don't care! I finally got to see you-of course I want to spend every second with you. I have to be in the same car as you."
Without waiting for a reply, his long, elegant fingers pulled open the passenger door, and he plopped down inside.
Serena shook her head helplessly and got into the car as well.
Dozens of minutes later, the MINI Cooper reached the entrance of her apartment complex.
Serena was about to drive into the underground parking garage when suddenly, a figure darted out in front of the entrance.
She slammed on the brakes.
The car stopped just in time, inches from hitting the person.
Still startled, Serena clutched her chest to calm her nerves.
Before she could fully react, Xavier's anxious voice came from beside her. "Serena, are you okay?!"
"I... I'm fine." She looked up at the figure in front of the car and cautiously asked, "Did I... hit someone?!"
Seeing she was unharmed, Xavier relaxed a little. "Probably not! If you had, the front of the car would've been dented. Besides, that guy ran out of nowhere-if anything, it's not your fault!"
"Should we... get out and check?"
"You stay in the car. I'll go."
With that, Xavier patted her arm, opened the door, and stepped out.
He walked around to the front of the car and saw a man in a pullover tracksuit sitting on the ground.
"Hey?! Are you okay?"
The man on the ground turned his head at the sound. When he saw Xavier's face, he asked in surprise, "Are you... are you Xavier's relative?!"
***