Branch Twenty Five
They sat by the table and began to eat. To Xavier’s surprise, the meal that Jessica prepared was very good. It was good enough to be rated top tier. Maybe helping her set up a restaurant would be a good idea.
“You did a fine job,” Xavier said complimenting her.
Jessica felt a high degree of elation upon hearing that Xavier liked it and felt she did well. She knew it was a good sign that opening the restaurant would go in her favor.
She would normally not collect money from strangers. She considered Xavier no more than a stranger. Since she had known him she had barely had a mature and sincere conversation with him therefore she can’t consider him a friend. He was a stranger.
Why would this stranger consider opening a restaurant for her? She wanted to ask out loud so desperately but she kept her numerous questions to herself.
“I am glad it’s to your liking” Jessica answered instead.
If it came down to accepting the money and she felt uncomfortable she could ask him to act as an investor and then she repay once she starts getting profits from the business.
She knew that all she needed for her adverts was being Xavier’s wife. Everyone would want to know her and what she looks like and they would come for the food. In no time she would be repaying all she would owe.
They kept eating in silence. The silence did not make anyone uncomfortable. Jessica desperately wanted to break the silence because she was greatly interested in what he would have to say about the business. She has thought it over while cooking and she had no terms. She was just lucky to be the one who he married. She would leave with anything they offer after a year.
It was obvious that Xavier was barely interested in love and was not looking for it either. And for Jessica with the recent heartbreak, she suffered she was barely interested in finding any man who would go ahead in spinning lies as they go along.
Although to her Xavier did not look like someone who would do such a thing but the looks would barely matter when it comes to the way a man would treat a woman.
“I do not have any more terms to add to the contract. I would go along with everything you want” Jessica said using that opportunity to break the ice.
Xavier looked at her. To him, she looked innocent like she had never told a lie before. The way she spoke it was obvious that she was uninterested in his wealth.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
“Don’t you think that’s a bad idea? The contract might be in my favor and put you at a disadvantage and you get nothing in the end” Xavier said.
He did not want someone who would extort money from him but he wanted to properly compensate her for her services. That was all he saw in this marriage. Customer and the service provider.
“There is no need to get greedy, you already said you would help with my business I still have to talk to you about it. But asides from that what more do I need? When we go our separate ways after a year, I do not want others to say that I’m living my best life because of you”
Although Jessica was as cautious as she could be somehow the words she spoke pushed a spear right through the heart of Xavier. He was displeased with her and her choice oh f words and tone.
Xavier’s expression changed immediately. He was not happy with the way Jessica had put the statement but he did not want to make an issue out of it.
“So about the business” Jessica began.
She could see the displeasure and discontent on his face but she refused to allow herself to give up on her dreams because of a silly mistake.
“Go on,” Xavier said encouraging her.
He did not want to blame her for the way she spoke, if anything she was speaking only truths because they would go separate ways as soon as it is a year and she would be ostracised by society.
He should be more understanding even though her words were wrong she was still right. He would remain the eye candy in the eyes of the public.
“So I was thinking that would be a better idea if you invest in my business instead of giving me the money out rightly,” Jessica said.
Xavier pondered on her words. She was right. Although he was greatly uninterested in what the public said about him, he needs to be careful with what they said about her. She had no immunity or family to fight her battles since she was not from an influential wealthy home.
“That would be a great idea, that way no one would say you are freeloading on us or that you are a gold digger”
Both Xavier and Jessica knew that he could use better words to describe the situation but for some reason, Xavier felt using harsh words would somehow get her back for the words she used earlier.
Jessica cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Just so you know I did not approach you intentionally. I did not even know who you were until we got married and you saw me that day
I was dumped by my boyfriend of eighteen years. He decided on the morning of our wedding that he was now interested in my best friend. I felt ashamed and terrible that was what made me approach you” Jessica said in a bid to defend herself from the accusations of being a gold digger.
She was not comfortable with the title and she wondered why Xavier had used it too.
“I am sorry that you don’t feel comfortable that I used that word. I wasn’t trying to accuse you of being a gold digger, I was just trying to explain the situation on the ground” Xavier said.
Her expression made him feel bad immediately for his remark. He had seen her suffer that day but he was confused if she loved him because she seemed to move on with fast and easier for claiming to have loved him.
The man in question did not deserve love but from what Xavier knew of love it never fades away. The only true love he experienced was that of his parents and grandfather and he knew that that expression he understood them and they stayed in his heart.
“So we agree that you would be an investor and we sign the contract papers tomorrow?” Jessica asked.
She wanted to change the topic since she felt uncomfortable and she knew that he would appreciate her efforts to make them have a normal conversation for once since they met.
“Yes, I think it is the most plausible decision for our given situation”
“Are you done eating?” Jessica asked mentioning the abandoned plate in his front.
“I’m enjoying my meal” Xavier responded picking up his cutlery and taking a spoonful and putting it in his mouth.
The ride may have been bumpy to reach where they were now but there is no denying, Jessica was a great cook and he could trust her with his meals.
“I would be having breakfast now, you can prepare mine too,” Xavier said for some reason she could not pinpoint.
Did Jessica just create a breakthrough?