Xia's POV:

"But that guy was so rude!" I defended myself. "I've met a lot of pricks in my life but that guy ? That guy was a fricking cactus."

"So you burnt his birthday cake on purpose and covered it with frosting ?" Ricardo asked me, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, yes I did." I said, smiling at the memory. He and I had been talking to each other for the last half an hour or so and turns out, he isn't bad company.

After spending some time with Ricardo, I've noticed a few things about him.

He seems to listen more than speak up in a conversation. It's like he carefully chooses the right words to express himself when he talks. It could be that he doesn't want to say something that he doesn't mean but I can't help but shake the feeling that it's just that.

He is intriguing and has hidden depths, making me want to solve the mystery that his eyes hold behind that guarded demeanor. I want to solve him. I wanted him to be comfortable around me but I guess only time will uncover it.

"Well, I'll have to leave now." I said, sitting up from my seat on the couch. "Tell Nicolas that his favorite cookies are in the kitchen."

"Don't worry, I will." He smiled.

I picked up my purse from the table that I had kept it on when I entered and as I was going to put my shoes on, Ricardo spoke up.

"How are you going back home ?"

I turned to him and replied, "I'll take the bus."

He shook his head. "Na-uh. No, you're not."

Heh? What does he mean by 'no'? It's not like I have a choice. I don't have my car right now and since Nicolas is still sleeping, I can't ask Ricardo to drop me off.

"I'll call my driver. He'll reach you." He stated, dialing a number into his phone.

"No, Ricardo." I denied. "I'll be fine. Don't trouble that poor guy. Let him enjoy his evening."

"It's his job, Xia." He huffed called the driver, telling him to come by.

Not even a minute later, the honk of a car was heard. That fast ? I looked at Ricardo in surprise.

"He was around."

I thanked Ricardo and wore my shoes. When I opened the door, I saw a black SUV standing in front and got in. I waved to Ricardo from inside the car and turned to the man driving the car.

He was dressed in a black suit and looked like he was in his early forties; his neat pompadour hairstyle, giving it away.

"Hello Miss. I'm Carlos. Ricardo's driver." He curtly said.

"Hi Carlos." I chirped. "I'm Xia."

"So, where to Miss. Xia ?" He asked.

"Just Xia." I corrected and told him the location of my apartment.

"Alright, Miss Just Xia." He teased. "Let's go."

I chuckled and shook my head. "Okay, then."

Minutes later, I was outside the door of my apartment searching for the keys in my purse. When I felt the cold metal graze on my fingertips, I fished it out and opened the door.

I entered the house and closed the door behind me. Taking off my shoes, I walked further into the apartment while simultaneously removing the necklace that hung around my neck as well the bracelets that were around my fingers.

When I reached my room, I turned the light on and noticed that the pillows of my bed were shifted from their place and he sheets looked a little crumpled. That's strange.

You're probably wondering how I noticed. Well, it's because I'm a perfectionist; more than I'd like to admit and make my bed everyday. Maybe I forgot to make it because I was late to work in the morning.

Eh, it's probably just my cat. I shrugged. Hold up. I don't even HAVE a cat.

Panic arose within me as I jumped to conclusions. I shook my head and dismissed all the scenes that my mind started imagining. Why does it do that ?

Seriously though, if it is a burglar who threatens me by asking for money, I am going to laugh and search along with him.

I don't have much money on me; yes, I own a bakery but I use most of it for the maintenance of the place.

Besides that, I have to pay rent and buy necessities. If there's more money left, I donate it to charity. On very rare occasions, I spoil myself by going on shopping sprees and fancy dinners with Adrian.

I placed my necklace and rings back in the leaf-shaped ceramic jewelry plate that was kept on my vanity.

After keeping my purse on the foot of the bed, I hopped into the shower and let my hair loose from the bun that it was in all day long.

Around fifteen minutes later, I was in my closet choosing an outfit to wear for the night. My eyes scanned every nook and cranny of the closet in search of clothing until they finally settled on a black tee with gray sweatpants. Perfect.

I wore them on after slipping on my underwear. I walked back to the bed where I had tossed my towel and started wiping the dripping strands of my waist length hair.

As I was doing so, I strolled to the kitchen and brought a bag of chips to snack on. I neatly placed the wet towel on the chair for my vanity and sat on the bed to watch some Netflix.

Yes, I have two TVs. One in my room and one in the living room. When I moved in, they were already mounted on the wall because the previous owners hadn't removed them. Good for me, I guess.

"I'll just watch one episode." I told myself.

Yeah right, 'cause we know how that always goes.

Five episodes later, I found myself dosing off on under the blankets. Sighing, I turned the TV off and washed my hands in the bathroom. When I was comfy under the quilt, I switched the lights off.

I cuddled with Buttercup; the hedgehog soft toy in my arms. As I child, and even now, I can't sleep without cuddling or hugging something.

On the few days that I had gone to meet my parents and Damon who had come along with Ava and Olivia last year, I had forgotten to take it. But everything was alright because I ended up cuddling with Livia.

I closed my eyes and snuggled further into the bed sheets, falling into a dreamless sleep.

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