Page 33 of The Loathing

I wait as he slips his key into the lock and lets himself in, holding the door with his foot as I drag my sorry ass through.

“Thanks,” I grumble and let my bags hit the floor by my feet as my eyes scan the inside of his house. The interior doesn’t match the exterior and it’s clear that his wife has decorated every inch of this home. She has taken it from a cold prison to a warm and inviting home.

“Follow me,” he grunts, letting the front door shut as he kicks his shoes off and I follow his lead, then march up behind him with my case and bags. I let out a huff as we reach the top of the staircase and look to the left, then to the right. There are hallways leading in both directions.

“This way,” he turns to the right down a narrow and dark corridor, portraits of men dressed in uniform filled the walls and it made me wonder if they were his ancestors. The hardwood, dark oak floorboards creak as we both walk across them until he stops outside a wooden door.

“This will be your room, you’ve got time if you want to freshen up. I also took the liberty in getting you a few suits so you had something presentable to wear when I introduce you to my family,” his eyes fall to my cases, “because no doubt everything you have in that case is screwed up.”

I nod, not even having the energy to come back with a response.

“I’ll be back in twenty,” his voice disinterested as he pops his sleeve up with his pinkie finger to look at the time before he disappears, closing the door behind him.

“What the fuck?” I groan, running my hand round the back of my neck, rubbing the ache that presents itself there. I let my backpack fall from my shoulder and onto the floor, a loud thud echoes round the large room.

It’s dated.

A deep cream paint wraps itself round the walls, a large, sashed window directly in front of me and I wonder what it looks out to. A queen-size four-poster-bed sits to my right, with white lace that hangs over the frame and is finished off with gold ribbon. It’s clean in here, and it doesn’t smell musty or damp. It just looks old. To my left is an ornate shabby chic dressing table with a large, gold mirror hanging on the wall above it. I see an open archway and my curiosity gets the better of me as I stroll slowly across to see a free-standing bath on gold legs, sitting under another large window. There looked to have been a shower recently installed over the other side of the bathroom which I was grateful for. I didn’t mind taking a bath, but I was more of a shower guy. Sighing, I spin back around and pad into my bedroom and opened the closets to see six suits all hanging up neatly.

How the hell did he know my size?

My fingers grabbed the sleeve of a black designer suit and I decided I would wear that one. Pulling my sticky clothes off my body, I made my way to the bathroom to rinse the day off me and hopefully it wakes me up slightly too.

I pull my phone out and drop a message to Arizona to let her know that I am here safely. I’ve had a message from Kaleb asking if all is okay, so I replied and asked if it was him who gave Xavier my suit size; not that it matters, I just find it a little strange.

Once dry, I dress in the suit that Xavier picked out and it fits like a glove. I walk over to the mirror that hangs above the dressing table and give myself the once over.

Inhaling deeply, nerves ripple through me and just as I turn on my heel, there is a knock on the door.

I stroll over, slipping my Hublot onto my wrist and place my phone inside my suit jacket pocket. Opening the bedroom door, I see Xavier standing there with a resting face, his brows pulled and furrowed making his soft wrinkles harsh.

I wonder if he smiles.

“You look good, I approve,” he gives me a nod, pushing his hand into his pocket as he stands up straight and begins walking towards the stairs. I close my bedroom door and follow him, taking long strides to catch up with him. I go to turn towards the stairs but he continues straight down a wider hallway, and I wonder why we’re going this way. I keep quiet and just follow before we come to another large staircase. He heads down and at the bottom turns right and continuing down a narrow corridor. This house does not flow, it doesn’t work, and I feel like this part of the house has been added on. He stills outside a room, looking over his shoulder at me then facing forward and pushing the handle down to reveal a stunning library. Floor to ceiling bookcases, ladders attached and so many books. I have to stop my jaw from opening, Arizona would love it here.

“Titus, take a seat,” he shows me to a large leather chesterfield couch. The room smells of leather and oak.

I sit, fidgeting slightly my knees dropping apart, my hands hanging between them as I wait.

Xavier nods, disappearing out of the room and within moments he is back with a beautiful, red-haired woman wearing a long sleeve crew top and black pants. Her eyes are crystal blue, seeking mine out and I see her eyes widen slightly, her lips pursing into a smile as Xavier closes the door behind her.

“Titus,” I stand, popping the button through my suit jacket and hold my hand out towards her.

Her eyes drop, her smile growing as her hand connects with mine. “This is my wife, Royal.”

“Royal,” I smile, my grip firm, “it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I clear my throat as I drop her hand.

“Ditto,” she smiles, and I frown, my brows furrowed as my eyes bounce back and forth between Xavier and his wife. She lets out a small laugh, “It means same,” she shrugs her shoulders up before turning to face Xavier. He looks down to her, his eyes softening and that’s when I see it. The smile.

We fall into light conversation when I hear the library door click open as two older boys walk through the door, one is the spitting image of Xavier, the other Royal.

“Xander, Ezekiel,” Xavier looks at his boys and I can see the pride radiate from him, “this is Titus, he will be looking after Amora.”

The boys exchange a look then give their father a nod before they step forward and shake my hand. Nice to see they have manners.

Unlike their father.

“Do you have children?” Royal asks, her question throwing me slightly and I nod.

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