''Well, not so much, like 24 countries, work takes me to these countries and other times, I go on holidays. ''
''It must be nice; '' Ari smiled; ''I've only been to two countries, well three now.'' She laughed; 'one of the goals I wanted to achieve in life is to travel to at least 20 countries before I die, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. '' she said with a sigh; freeweb(n)ovel.com
Xavier smiled; ''Well it can, you're still in your twenties. ''
''I doubt. My bills take most of my pay, at the end of the day, I barely have enough to save. And I don't have super-rich parents to fund my trips. ''
''Well, you can travel with me if you want, all-expense paid. ''
Ari narrowed her eyes at him; ''tsk, there is an old saying that goes, 'never take gifts from the devil, there is always a day of reckoning'.'' she said as she shook her head and Xavier burst into laughter;
''No really, I am not that petty you know. Besides, I do like your company, and I would genuinely like to travel with you. '' Xavier said and Ari smiled;
''Thank you, Boss, but I would pass on this one. '' Xavier smiled; as he stared at Ari. This woman was very stubborn but he didn't know why he found it cute.
As they ate, a waiter walked up to them with a smile;
''Bonjour! J'espere ue tu apprecies ton repas?'' the waiter asked with a smile; it was obvious they were foreigners and Ari wondered what made her think they would understand french,
''Oui, c'est super; '' Xavier replied with a smile back.
Ari's eyes turned to him, he could speak french too?
When Xavier saw the look on her face, he explained; ''she asked if we enjoyed the meal.''
Ari nodded and watched them both interact in awe. Xavier was fluent in the language like he grew up there. The more time she spent with him, the more things she found interesting about him.
If she exempted his frivolous lifestyle, he was an interesting person to be around.
Wait…
Ari shook her head, was she actually considering being around him now?
Ari picked the glass of wine and drank some, in shocking disbelief of her own thoughts.
''Ari, the waiter said that today is their anniversary and they are giving a gift to the best couple here, and we won. They asked if we would take pictures together; ''
Xavier's voice snapped Ari from her thoughts and she turned to him;
''But we're not a couple, let someone else have the gifts. '' Ari said with a chuckle; she was surprised he was actually considering it.
''O... okay. '' Xavier smiled and turned back to the waiter and said something in french, the waiter nodded and smiled at Ari before walking away.
''It wouldn't hurt to take pictures together you know, it's not like I bite. ''
Xavier said after the waiter left them, and Ari chuckled;
''But we're not a couple, why should we pretend to be? It's not like you need the gift is important or anything.''
Xavier smiled and did not say a word again. The ride back to the hotel was quiet. Ari tapped away on her phone, and only looked up when they arrived at the hotel.
''I'll be in my room, we're still going to the club right?''
She asked and Xavier nodded. Ari smiled and turned to go, but Xavier called her;
''Maria. ''
She stopped and turned around; wondering why he was calling her by her full name.
Xavier walked to where she stood, his hands in his pockets;
''I want you to be comfortable around me. I know I had asked you for something you did not want in the past, but that does not mean that I'm a pervert that would do anything to get into your pants.''
The crease on Ari's brows melted and she watched him quietly;
''I promise I would never ask you for anything not platonic ever again. Okay? So be calm, I actually like your personality and want to be friends, but it's fine if you don't want to be friends with me, but I don't want you to think whatever I'm doing is just to get in your pants;
He smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear;
''See you later.''
Ari stood dumbstruck, as his watched him walk away, the smell of his colongne the only thing left. Although that was what she had always wanted, why did she feel a little sad hearing him say it?
…
Ari's phone buzzed on the bed as she put on her red lipstick. She walked to the bed and picked it up;
''Where are you?'' Ari was surprised to see a message from Zac. He had barely spoken to her since after that day at Xavier's room. It was not like she owed him any explanation but things just seemed weird after that day. But seeing his text now, it seemed he had come around.
With a smile; she sent a text back;
''Hey! I'll be down in a second, is everyone down already?''
''Yeah, except you and Xavier, are you with him?''
Ari paused before replying; ''No, I'm not with him, but I'll be down in a sec. ''
She wanted to ask why he was asking her about him, but asking that would lead to further conversation about Xavier which she didn't want to entertain.
Ari took one last look at herself before walking to the door.
…
Zac was discussing with the two female staff when Ari came downstairs. They looked different in casual party dresses, not too revealing, but not covered up either.
Zac turned when he heard her footsteps appraching; and his words stopped on his tongue when he saw her.
Ari was wearing ripped bum shorts, high boots, and a crop top that showed her belly. She had a smoky makeup look and let her ginger hair fall down her back.. A sweet smile stretched her lips as she walked to where they stood.
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