Xavier Kline
The day my life plummeted to the bottom, all I had in the end, unexpectedly, was my dad. My mom did her best to be accepted back as Mrs. Kline but we are not fools anymore. As much as it hurt dad to leave her, I made it clear to him, they selfish woman does not deserve him at all. I helped him move on by suggesting a few ladies but he didn't open his heart anymore. Just a broken man afraid to love again.
By weighed Mr down as my dad tried to tell me for the hundredth time, "It's not my fault."
He taught me everything he knew about business and his strategies to become successful and I was totally getting the hang of it. If there had been a subject all about business in my boring prep school, I'm confident getting a lot higher than A.
Though he may have a lot of enemies currently, I was trying to help him manage his companies. He made an important contract of alliance and there went my whole life upside down when he got me betrothed in a contract with Dr. Everhart to her daughter.
"She's adopted so she isn't her daughter biologically and she had no children." I stated in hopes he'd change his mind.
"Ms. Dawn is an outstanding girl Xavier and she knows a lot more in these crisis despite being 'adopted'. She'll be of good use, Xavier."
"So you're selling me out foot business."
"Some contract marriage often work out, son. Just try to see if she's suit for you and we'll see."
"Still doesn't change the fact that you sold me out without even my consent."
"Didn't you always complain why you never got a good girlfriend but your friends have so and asked me if I could look for a girl?"
That hit hard right through the gut.
I surrendered. Guess I'd just have to meet 'her' and see what I can do. But if this doesn't turn out good, I'll have a wedding ceremony and a divorce ceremony on the next day.
And the fates themselves are toying me everytime I thought I had the chance to meet her.
Dr. Everhart was full of excuses why my soon-to-be-wife can't attend to any of the business discussion. I told her I wanted to see her and I did... see a picture of her at the red carpet in Hollywood looking like a mafia. *Sigh*
Perhaps she didn't want to meet me and was just as unhappy as I was but had to sulk it. But that's not enough to make an excuse not to meet me right? Girls are overreacting these days. Or maybe she loves another guy and for Pete's sake I might end up like my dad.
Just, what the hell is she thinking?
Makes me kinda jealous of my friends who had girlfriends then break up at the end.
-
My big chance was my first day of school in the Institute of Fine Arts where she will be attending too after I had my father give Dr. Everhart a reason to stay here in France for a long time. I know she never wanted her only daughter to be 'out of her sight'.
I may not be able to meet her, but at least I can see her in person. I had one of my bodyguards help me spot her as we waited by the entrance of the school. Classes will start at 9 am and ends at 4pm so maybe I can still ask her out after class.
"Sir, there she is." The bodyguard pointed at the one girl entering the campus. "Dawn Everhart, your betrothed."
Different, indeed.
While most girls try to look good on the first day, I never expected her to dress plainly like it's midterms already.
Black ankle boots, black loose pants, white sleeveless and a knitted cardigan is what you would see on girls when they're tired to dress up for the day. But her confident posture and the way she walks with her black hush-cut hair bouncing on her pale shoulders made me stare at her, dazzled.
I would've fallen on to my knees if my bodyguard hadn't snapped me out of my senses.
"I know she's pretty, sir, and you don't have to worry about her being stolen away because she's bound to you. But it's now time for class, I'm afraid." He said.
"Yeah, I-I should get going." I snatched my bag from him, turning away because my cheeks felt hot with embarrassment.
The next few weeks, I got what dad meant by her being different. Not in a bad way, but something in between good and bad.
Not only that, she aces her studies everytime with a steady streak of A's that neither goes up or down. She is outstanding in performances in arts, acting, dancing, and excellent in music. Totally lives up being Dr. Everhart's only daughter.
Forget the fact that she's adopted, if this is love at first sight it's like I've found my soulmate. Or probably because I'm one of those lovesick boys who fell on every girl and ended up heartbroken. I do have a few crushes, but for girls, we are just toys they play on. And I am one of those fools who never learn.
I can see myself completely infatuated with her as I cannot stop thinking about her day and night. In school, it's like she's the only person I see, and wanted to see.
Classes ended at 2pm this friday since the teachers were taking a trip to Chicago for an awarding. I observed Dawn very well and if she's not in the library, then on the music room playing something to kill time probably.
I found her playing a Vivaldi's style of music on a piano but kinda messed up on some parts. I can hear her disappointment groan at every mistake.
"You still cool?" I asked, which probably was the dumbest thing to ask when someone keeps messing up. But my heart was beating like a horse running for miles.
"Y-yeah." She replied nervously tucking her hands to her pocket for a while and warming-up her fingers with a few notes.
I went closer and looked at the notes she was playing.
"Vivaldi's four seasons are quite hard to play, huh." I said.
"Indeed." She squeaked shyly.
"Here." I offered to help.
She tried to stop her hands from shivering as I took control of her hands and played a few notes the easiest way possible.
"You can play them like that. No mistakes." I said, proud at myself for saving the day.
"I know. I played them before, but thanks." She pursed her lips.
"Are you okay? You look pale." I asked, worried.
"I normally appear to be pale. I'm fine." She said flatly.
"And your hands are always shaking like that?"
"Probably because of the coffee. I'm palpitating a bit." She faltered.
She was trembling for a while now and I don't know any way to comfort her so I helplessly offered my water tumbler to her. She took it gratefully but I wanted to do more but I can't be too intimate just because we had a conversation. I doubtfully gave gentle pats on her back. My heart secretly banging hard on my ribcage with excitement, hopefully I'm not blushing.
"Better?" I asked.
"It helps." Her hazel eyes met mine. "Thanks, umm..."
"Xavier." I said.
"Xavier...?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Kline."
That made her cough up the water she drank. How does it feel to 'coincidentally' meet the one you've been avoiding? Well, I meant no harm of course.
She was silent. Too stunned to speak.
"A coincidence, right Dawn?" I smiled softly. Trying to be friendly so she doesn't get the wrong idea.
"Guess so." She closed my tumbler.
"You can keep that." I said.
"Uhh... sure. Thanks." She chuckled softly.
"So, shall we go?" I asked.
"Where?" She looked at me perplexed.
I beamed. "I told Dr. Everhart I'll walk you home so she shouldn't worry about what might happen to you."
She exhaled sharply and wears a smile saying, "How kind of you, Mr. Kline. But-"
"Oh, don't mind. Please do, I insist."
She stared at me, speechless of my presumptuous approach of her mother just so I could finally start to know her daughter well.
Of course. I'm not letting any excuses come your way. >.<