Three days later, 9 a.m.
Serena quickly freshened up and got ready to head out.
She had plans to have lunch with Vega and also wanted to ask about her moving in.
That day, Xavier had mentioned he would find her a roommate-she had guessed he meant Vega.
She opened the door and was just about to step out when the scene in front of her made her stop in shock.
At the door, Xavier was leaning lazily against the hallway wall, arms crossed.
His eyes were closed, as if he was still half asleep.
Next to his leg was a medium-sized suitcase.
Upon hearing the sound, the man opened his eyes and looked at her, still groggy.
A smile slowly spread across his lips. "Serena, you're awake?"
Serena stared at him in disbelief. "You... why are you here?!"
"I was afraid you might still be sleeping and didn't want to disturb you, so I didn't call. But I was also worried you might head out early and I'd miss you. So, I came at six this morning and waited here."
Despite herself, her heart clenched, a strange emotion welling up inside her.
It was a bit sour-like... like she felt sorry for him?
She quickly lowered her head and looked at his suitcase. "And... what's this supposed to mean?!"
With a sheepish smile, the man scratched the back of his head. "Didn't I say a few days ago I'd find you a roommate?"
"Y-Yeah, you did! But... weren't you talking about Vega? I was just going to meet her and ask about moving in together!"
Xavier narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Good thing I came early. Otherwise that gossip queen Vega would've stolen my spot!"
"What did you say?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing!" he shook his head and smiled. "Serena, in my opinion, maybe don't let Vega move in."
"Why not?! She just moved out of her parents' place and is renting now. If she lives here, she'll save on rent, and I'll have someone to watch over me. Isn't that something you'd be happy about?"
"Uh... you're right. But co-ed living isn't really ideal."
"What?! Co-ed?!" Serena looked at him, confused. "Do you think I'm a guy, or that she is?!"
"Neither of you is. But I am."
"Huh?!"
Seeing her stunned expression, Xavier pointed at his suitcase. "Starting today, I'm your new roommate!"
"You?!" Serena nearly dropped her jaw. "Quit joking!"
"Who's joking? I even brought my luggage. Isn't that enough to prove my sincerity?"
"But... did Uncle Blaze approve of you moving out?!"
"Whether my dad agrees or not doesn't matter!"
"You're not afraid of him?"
"When have I ever been afraid?" he raised an eyebrow smugly. "I used to go along with him because he's my father and I respected him."
"For his sake, I did everything he asked. But when it comes to you, I won't compromise! I've thought it through-if he won't accept you, then I'll stop caring about what he thinks."
"But... Uncle Blaze is still your father-"
"If he's not afraid of his son dying alone, then why should I care about anything else?"
"Dying alone?!" Serena looked at him, exasperated. "With your looks-even without the Blaze family name-you'd still have girls chasing after you!"
Xavier turned serious and said earnestly, "Serena, how many times do I have to say it? In this life, I'll marry no one but you! If my dad won't let me marry you, then he's basically forcing me to die alone!"
He looked at her with burning eyes. "I've already burned my bridges for you. I can't go back to the Blaze family now-will you take me in?"
Serena hesitated. "You have so many properties. You could stay at any of them for a few days!"
"No way!" He shook his head like a pitiful stray dog. "None of those places have you! If you don't let me move in, I'll sleep at your doorstep every day!"
"But... what about Vega..."
"If you don't mind having a man walking around in front of her all day, then sure, let her move in too!"
Though his words sounded accommodating, his tone clearly said he didn't want her to come.
Serena blinked. With no other option, she let him in.
"You win. The mighty young master of the Blaze family, acting like a rascal blocking someone's door. Aren't you afraid of becoming the neighborhood joke?"
"Hehe!" Xavier grinned and followed her inside. "Winning over my future wife is more important-I don't care what others say!"
He confidently rolled his suitcase into the room across from Serena's bedroom.
After putting his things down, he returned to the living room.
Under Serena's questioning gaze, he smiled and said, "That room's nice. Close to yours. I'll stay there."
"You had this all planned, didn't you?!"
"Not exactly planned. Let's just say it was a sudden inspiration!"
Xavier scratched his head and shamelessly flopped onto the sofa.
He patted the seat beside him. "Come on, Serena, sit! Let's chat!"
Serena didn't move. She folded her arms and looked at him helplessly, but with a bit of amusement. "There's nothing for us to talk about!"
"How could there not be? I have so much I want to say to you!"
"Alright!" she said, crossing her arms. "Then talk."
He thought for a moment, then asked, "Has Celia come to apologize to you yet?"
"Huh? What?! Celia? Apologize to me?!"
"Yes!"
"But I don't even know her. Why would she apologize to me?!"
Xavier didn't answer right away, his expression darkening. "Looks like they really don't fear death-ignoring my words like that!"
"What are you even talking about?" The more he spoke, the more confused Serena got.
"For that photo incident-she owes you an apology, and I will get it for you!"
Serena looked puzzled. "A few days ago, Christan held a press conference to clarify the photo incident. He said the media had mistaken the people in the picture, and it wasn't the two of you at all."
"And what's it got to do with me? Why should she apologize to me?!"
Xavier stared at her intently. "That photo made you unhappy. And I won't allow anyone to upset you! No matter who it is-if they upset you, they're going against me!"
***