"Why aren't you moving?" Xavier sat in the passenger seat, also not making a move.
Serena didn't dare to look at him. "I am moving, I'm not hesitating!"
Even though the words left her mouth, her body still hadn't budged.
"Serena, you're scared." His tone was certain.
"I'm not!" she snapped, then bit her lip, grabbed her purse, and immediately pushed open the car door.
Standing outside the driver's seat, she raised her eyebrows at the man still sitting inside. "Come on! You're the one not moving now!"
The man tilted his head, hands resting behind his head, his smile casual. "If you're having second thoughts, there's still time to back out."
"Second thoughts?" Serena sneered. "What would I regret? You make it sound like I'm actually afraid of you."
"No regrets?"
"Of course not!"
"Good then!" Xavier stretched his long legs and stepped out of the car.
With a loud bang, the door shut behind him just as Serena took the lead and strode toward the elevator.
Her hurried figure practically screamed 'retreat in defeat.'
Watching her from behind, Xavier's lips curled into a smile, his eyes forming a charming arc.
The elevator arrived quickly and was empty.
Serena entered first, and Xavier followed closely behind, standing next to her.
As they went from the basement up to the first floor, the doors opened and a short-haired, bespectacled middle-aged lady stepped in.
The woman was warm-hearted. Seeing the unfamiliar pair, she asked proactively, "Are you two new to the building?"
Serena nodded. "Yes, Auntie. I just moved in recently."
"Oh, I see!" She pointed at Xavier, who stood coolly next to her, and smiled, "Is he your boyfriend?"
"Uh..." Serena glanced at him, wanting to deny it.
Before she could speak, her palm suddenly warmed-he had grabbed her hand.
"Auntie, you've got a sharp eye. I'm her husband," he said with a grin.
Flattered by his compliment, the woman's smile grew even wider. "Oh my, such a handsome young man and so sweet-talking too! Young lady, you're really lucky!"
Serena's cheeks flushed; she didn't know what to say.
Xavier gave her hand a firm squeeze.
Then he turned to the woman and asked with a friendly smile, "Auntie, what floor do you live on?"
"I live on the 20th floor!"
"Oh, we're on the 15th!" He gave Serena a gentle look and continued, "Sometimes I'm away on business trips, and I worry about my wife being home alone. You seem like a kind and warm person-please feel free to visit our home any time!"
Beaming, the woman nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, sure! Don't worry! Next time I cook something good, I'll bring some over for you two!"
"Great, thank you so much, Auntie!"
Just then, ding-the elevator stopped at the 15th floor.
"Auntie, this is us. See you next time!"
"Bye now!" the woman said brightly.
With her smiling gaze on them, Xavier boldly held Serena's hand as they stepped out of the elevator.
Standing at the door to her apartment, Serena reached into her bag for the keys, only to realize her hand was still being held tightly.
She tugged slightly.
He looked down, his gaze full of mock accusation. "Hmm?"
Flustered-and for some reason feeling a bit guilty-she whispered, "I... I need to get the key."
He raised a brow and, after a beat, reluctantly let go.
Serena quickly reached into her bag to search.
While fumbling for the key, she muttered, "Xavier, when did you become such a social butterfly? You had that stranger auntie smiling from ear to ear in just a few lines. If you talked to her any longer, I bet she'd adopt you as her godson!"
"She'd have to ask me first! Not just anyone qualifies to be my godmother!"
Hands in his pockets, he wore a slight smile, his laid-back confidence carrying a roguish charm.
"Besides, I did all that for you."
"For me?" Serena looked at him in confusion.
"Mmhmm," he nodded seriously. "You're living here alone, and that worries me. As the saying goes, 'Distant relatives are not as helpful as close neighbors.' Building good relations with neighbors means someone's around if anything happens."
"You think too far ahead." Serena opened the door as she spoke. "I prefer being alone, not really used to too much interaction with strangers."
"Hmm..." He followed her inside. "If you really don't like talking to strangers... I have another idea."
"What idea?"
Xavier didn't answer right away. Instead, he wandered off-toward the bedrooms.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Without stopping, he casually replied, "Last time I was here, everything was so rushed. I didn't get a proper look at your place. You don't mind if I take a little tour, do you?"
Though his words sounded like he was asking permission, he didn't even glance back.
Serena looked helplessly at his tall, confident figure. "Whatever you want."
The apartment was about 150 square meters, a standard three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-living-room layout. What made it special was its prime location in the heart of Vernon's downtown, making it very valuable.
Still, compared to the Blaze family's mansion, this place was practically shabby.
Turning toward the kitchen, she poured two glasses of water, muttering, "Your taste really are unpredictable. Since when did small places like this catch your interest..."
After wandering around the bedrooms, Xavier finally stopped at the door opposite the master bedroom.
"Serena!"
Serena turned back. "What is it?"
He leaned one hand against the doorframe, a smile playing on his lips, ambiguous in meaning.
That smile made his already perfect features even more intoxicating.
But it also made Serena feel... uneasy.
"Didn't you say earlier you don't like being bothered by neighbors?"
"Yeah."
"But a girl living alone isn't safe."
"I'm fine, you know me. I've always been independent."
"No way!" His tone turned serious. "Even if you don't care about my worries, you should think about Uncle Bram and Aunt Nola. They must be worried too!"
Serena sighed. "Young master, what exactly are you trying to say? Just spit it out, no need to drag my parents into this."
His smile deepened as he raised a brow. "How about I give you a Plan B?"
"Plan B? What do you mean?"
"Well, why don't I just find someone to move in as your roommate?" Xavier teased, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his lips.
***