His Beautiful Addiction

He was a mess. A complete mess. He was a cheat and a liar. And the worst part was that he was manipulative. Sometimes, Ari felt she was going crazy. He messed with her head; her thinking. And even when she tried to leave him, he made it seem like she had no reason to leave.

Jon dealt with her in everywhere imaginable. That was why when she finally left him, she decided to take things slow and work on herself.

She had rushed into the relationship the moment he asked her out, simply because he was handsome, and he was one of the top guys in Uni at that time. Everyone wanted to date him. So she felt special when he asked her out, but she was not special at all. He just wanted her for her face.. He wanted someone who was as pretty and stood out. In Uni, she stood out, cause she was mixed race and with excellent grades, and beautiful too.

Ari shook her head, coming back from her thoughts; Jon was the last person she wanted to think about now.

…

The rest of the week ran smoothly. Ari was surprised that Xavier did not speak or asked to see her after that first encounter. She was surprised, but at the same time, happy. Happy that it was as Lu had said, there was nothing to it, it was just a one-night stand.

She had bumped into Melissa a few times, but she felt so guilty that she couldn't even look her in the eye. Melissa was pretty with a hot body. She wondered what could make Xavier cheat on someone so perfect. But you can never understand people who think with their di*cks can you? I mean, she was perfect for Jon, but he cheated more times than all the sex she had ever had in her entire life.

Work was great. She changed her alarm wake-up time to 5:30, so she could be at the company very early. She did not want to get on the bad side of her seniors. But then, just when everything was going smoothly, something happened.

Ari greeted her colleagues as she left the office. Walking to the parking lot, she beeped her car and walked to where she had parked it. Humming a song, she got in and drove out. Ari's phone rang as she drove out of the parking lot, and she tried to get the phone out of her bag. But in that moment of distraction, she did not see the oncoming car, and before she could avoid it, she had bashed into it.

Neera raised her head from the steering as she looked wide-eyed at the car she just hit.

A ferrari F8 Tributo!

Ari's mouth fell open. A scratch on this would cost her 5 months' salary! She had not seen the importance of insurance until that moment.

Stepping out of the car, she walked to the car;

''Oh, my!'' she exclaimed. Her car had scratched on the paint and it was a little deep;

The car door opened, and the owner of the car stepped out. Neera looked up to apologize, but in that instant she became tongue-tied.

Xavier walked to where she stood and looked at the damage;

''Mm… drunk driving?'' he asked, and Ari shook her head.

''I'm so sorry, I was not drunk driving. I was just distracted for a moment. I did not see your car just now. I'm deeply sorry about this. I'll let my insurance company know now.''

Ari took out her phone to call her insurance company.

''This would cost $12,000, the scratch is deep.''

Ari's lips fell open as her eyes widened at the same time;

''Twelve what?!''

Xavier put his hands into his pockets as he nodded casually; ''Mm, and I can't wait for your insurance company to arrive. I have somewhere important to be now.''

Ari blinked; was he saying… was he saying she should pay for it?! She could not believe her eyes. Where would she get $12,000 from!

''Your number. ''

Xavier took out his phone and gave it to her; ''Let me know when you've discussed it with the insurance company.'' Xavier tried hard to keep the aloof expression on his face. He had been looking for the perfect way to start up a conversation with her without it being awkward. Who would have thought she was going to bump into his car?

''Oh…'' Ari breathed out in relief. For a moment, she thought he wanted her to pay for it.

Typing her number, she gave him back the phone.

''I'm really sorry for ruining your day like this, '' Ari apologized sincerely.

''If you are indeed sorry, how about a date to make it up to me?'' Xavier asked; a smirk on his lips. Ari blinked. Was he serious now?

She waited a moment for him to say it was a joke, but a few seconds passed and he was not saying anything.

''Oh… I… ''

''Don't worry, it's not whatever you are thinking right now, it's completely platonic. I just want to get to know you, that's all.''

Ari wanted to refuse. Damn! She really wanted to. If he had asked her in a different circumstance, she would have said no, but she just bumped into his car. She was in no place to refuse.

Ari forced a smile; ''I would love to, but I do not want Melissa to get the wrong message. I hope you understand, Mr. Howells.''

Ari responded in the most official manner, and Xavier smiled.

''Don't worry, she would not get the wrong message, I assure you. So what do you say, dinner tomorrow, by 5?''

Ari shook her head; ''No, I have plans tomorrow.''

''Next? ''

''Mm… I have to visit my sick grandma... ''

Xavier smiled, and he walked calmly towards her, closing the gap between them. Ari withdrew backwards until her back was against her car;

Xavier leaned close to her, such that their faces were almost touching, then he whispered;

''It's just a date, nothing more. You don't have to avoid me like a plague,'' he said in the most charming whisper Ari had ever heard, and she forced herself to hold back a moan.