Chapter 4 Xavier Othello.

I despise it when men have no respect for women.

If a woman says stop, you fucking stop!

My fists were still itching and I wished I punched him but that's the last thing Jake needs in his club right now.

The power hungry men in this city always think that they're better than everyone else because they have money and status. They believe that gives them the green light to harass and make women feel uncomfortable.

Why would anyone get off on doing something disgusting like that?

Having a woman come onto you because you make them feel comfortable and desired in a healthy way must boost one's ego far more than forcing yourself on them. It has never made any sense in my head.

I'm furious for Stephanie. A club full of people witnessed that she was telling that bastard to stop and not a single person intervened. I hate the world we live in sometimes.

A woman like Stephanie would get eaten alive at a place like this, especially because she's here alone. I don't believe her bullshit crap of ‘waiting for friends’.

I'm still at the bar facing Stephanie. She keeps glancing over her shoulder and then laying those gorgeous eyes on mine.

Then she flashed me a fake smile.

I can't stand the thought of her being here alone and all by herself not after what just happened.

Athena adores Stephanie. I don't know what mightve made them drift apart but I know that they've had several fun nights together and I'm glad she at least had someone she could relate with because Athena had no friends asides me and her boyfriend.

My eyes flicked down to the glass she was holding between her hands, her nails painted a dark red. The first time I met her, I noticed the scars on her knuckles instantly. I tried not to make it obvious that I was staring but I just couldn't help myself. How on earth did she get that many scars that were like the sizes of grains of rice?

I wanted to ask Athena then but I didn't want her to think that I had any particular interest in her friend.

Stephanie swiped her long blond hair over her shoulder and sighed. I could tell something was wrong because she was becoming stiffer by the second. But considering this was only the second time I've met her, I knew she won't tell me shit.

“My friends probably aren't coming anymore.” She sighed.

Yeah right.

I nodded as I downed the last of my drink, playing along. “Do you want me to call you a cab?”

She shook her head, offering me another smile. “No need. I'll just wait for one outside.”

Even the thought of her standing alone at the corner of the street doesn't sit well with me at all.

“I'll wait with you.” I suggested, placing my glass down on the counter.

Her eyes widened as she shook her head in the process. “Honestly, you don't have to do that at all. Thank you for the drink and for intervening earlier. I really do appreciate it but I better start going.”

The edge of her champagne glass met her delicate pink lips as she took a small sip before placing it onto the bar. Her eyes found mine for a moment and I could tell she was trying so hard to fake a smile but they looked lifeless and dull.

She walked past me and I stepped out of her way, not wanting to be the absolute creep who follows her after she said she doesn't need me to wait with her. I beckoned the VIP security guard over, demanding that he make sure she got into a licensed cab safely. He nodded in my direction and followed Stephanie out of the building.

I watched the back of her hair as it swished from side to side, cascading down her back in stunning luscious curls. I kept watching her for a moment too long until she was out of view before taking a deep breath.

Something doesn't seem quite right with that girl and a part of me was dying to find out exactly what she was hiding. I know those small smiles and eye twinkles are fake as shit. I could easily see through that facade.

When the security guard got back and reported that she was in a cab safely, I headed over to my friend, Jake's office.

I knocked at Jake's door and I heard his voice demand I come inside. My hand pressed on the handle and I stepped into his office as his dark eyes flicked upwards to meet mine. I shut the door behind me and prowl over to his desk.

“Hey man.” I nodded in his direction.

“Xavier.” He nodded back, lowering his pen onto the paper and leaning back in his chair. “Take a seat. How are you?”

I undid my blazer as I sat down. “I'm good. How's business going?”

He grunted. “It's going.”

I scoffed. “Not putting too much pressure on yourself, are we?”

Jake's mouth slants to the side in a smirk. “Pressure on myself? Of course, Xavier. Do you even know me?”

I guess he was right. This man could be turned in half and he'd still show up to work the next day.

The guy is insane.

“I suppose.” I nodded.

Jake leaned over his desk, turned two glasses up and grabbed the decanter sitting on the edge. He poured us both a drink and then handed me one. I thanked him and then sipped on the amber liquid. Jake has always had great taste in whiskey. In fact, the best.

I nodded at my glass as we both got down to the business of why I was in the club in the first place.

“I have a few proposals for the club and as my business partner, I was wondering what you thought.” Jake said as he clicked on his laptop and started scrolling. “I want to transform this place into a club that people have never seen or experienced before, including making it exclusive to wealthy people of worth.”

I leaned forward in my chair, resting my elbows against my knees, drink still in hand. “Not if it makes this place snobby.” I grumbled, my fists still itching to punch that guy who was manhandling Stephanie earlier. A club full of them? I'll definitely be in prison with multiple convictions.

“Not snobby.” Jake said quickly. “But prestigious and classy.”

A hum fell from my lips. “As long as I don't have to kick anyone out.”

Jake quirked an eyebrow. “Did something happen?”

“Possibly.” I sighed, taking a big gulp of the spicy alcohol.

“Do I want to know?”

I shook my head. “But know that if he tries his little stunts again, I'm requesting he gets permanently removed from this club or else I'll have to silence him with my fists.”

Jake exhaled a long breath. “Noted.”

For the next hour, we got over plans that Jake had for the club. I'm happy to be working with him because not only was he a great friend, he was also a reliable business partner who knows what he's doing.

When I finally said goodbye to Jake and exited the club, I jumped in my car and turned on the engine. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a message from Athena on the screen.

I opened it to see a picture of Athena and her boyfriend Enzo on the beach. For a second, I scowled at the picture because focusing on the pair of them together in nothing but their swimwear, I was slightly horrified but after a few moments, I relaxed and pushed out a smile.

They're happy and I want my sister to be happy more than anything in this world.

I might not have agreed with the relationship at first but now I see that they're right for each other.

Enzo has been there for her, through every bump and every breakdown. He has never once failed her and I couldn't be more grateful for the way he treats her.

But if he ever did anything to hurt her, I might just have to kill him.