2024-12-22 08:33:05
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The payback of Jeremy Xavier 18
18.Hope leaned in slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Start with Ethan. What exactly went down between you two?"Jeremy hesitated for a moment, the weight of the memory clearly making him uncomfortable. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled the events. "I was at the office. Just taking a break, trying to get some air. Then I saw Ethan... he was harrasing one of the younger girls in the company, some kid who probably just started. Jeremy's voice grew tight as he continued. "Ethan was practically cornering her, making her feel small, like she didn't belong. He was saying stuff about how she wasn’t cut out for the job, pushing her around like she was some kind of punching bag. I couldn’t stand it." His eyes darkened, the anger still fresh in his mind. "So, I stepped in."Hope leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on him, sensing the deeper layers to his actions. "What did you do?"Jeremy's jaw clenched. "I told him to back off, that the kid was just trying to do her job
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 19
Hope noticed the shift in Jeremy’s expression, the faint hint of a smile breaking through his brooding demeanor. She leaned her chin on her hand, watching him closely. “You know, Jeremy, for someone who claims to want space, you’re not exactly pushing me away right now.”Jeremy rolled his eyes, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “Maybe you’re just too stubborn to leave.”“Or maybe,” she countered, her tone light but her eyes serious, “you’re not as tough as you think. You let people in more than you realize—you just don’t want to admit it.”Jeremy shook his head, chuckling softly. “You’ve got me all figured out, huh?”“Not entirely,” Hope admitted, swirling her own drink. “But I know enough to see you’re not as closed off as you pretend to be. It’s okay to let someone help, you know.”Jeremy’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of vulnerability. He glanced down at his glass, his fingers tracing the rim. “It’s not that simple, Hope. People are bad. I don't want pe
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 20
Hope cleared her throat, shaking her head to dispel the sudden heat creeping up her neck. "Don’t flatter yourself," she shot back, though her tone lacked it's usual sharpness. Jeremy chuckled as she pushed her off the door and crossed the room toward the window. "Relax, Hope. You’re the one who said I should open up. I figured this would be a good start. Just us—no distractions, no interruptions. And maybe I might open something else-your legs” Hope's jaw dropped, and she stared at Jeremy, half-shocked and half-amused by his audacity. "Excuse me?" she managed, her voice a mix of incredulity and disbelief. Jeremy turned back to her, leaning casually against the window frame with a smirk that was equal parts teasing and infuriating. "What? Too bold? Thought you liked honesty, Hope." She narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms as she approached. "There's honesty, Jeremy, and then there's that. If this is your idea of opening up, you're seriously missing the mark." His smirk soft
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 21
Jeremy let out a frustrated breath, throwing himself back onto the bed, his hands resting behind his head. "Seems like it," he muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "Perfect timing, right?" Hope crossed her arms, pacing slightly in the small space, her thoughts running in circles. "Great. Just great," she muttered to herself, still trying to shake off the discomfort she’d felt from their earlier conversation. The unexpected turn of events—getting stuck in this room, alone with Jeremy—wasn't exactly how she’d envisioned this night going. "You know, I’m starting to think the universe is against us," Hope said, trying to lighten the mood but failing miserably. Jeremy chuckled, the sound low and almost resigned. "Yeah, well, when it rains, it pours.” Hope shot him a sideways glance, realizing that this situation was somehow bringing them closer. Whether she liked it or not, they were stuck together, and there was nowhere to hide from the rawness of their conversation or the t
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 22
Hope woke to the faint smell of coffee and the sound of shuffling papers. She blinked groggily, realizing the pillow barrier was still firmly in place between her and Jeremy, who was sitting cross-legged at the edge of the bed, engrossed in a folder. A steaming cup sat precariously on the nightstand beside him.“Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Jeremy said without looking up, a smirk already forming on his lips.“Morning,” she mumbled, sitting up and running a hand through her hair. Then her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Wait—where did you get the coffee?” She asked in surprise “What do you mean? Do I need your permission to get myself a coffee?” JEREMY said as he sipped more coffee from his cup.“Don’t play dumb with me, Jeremy. Have you got the hotel door sorted? I mean, it broke last night.Jeremy raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Relax, Sherlock. I called the front desk early this morning. Maintenance fixed it while you were busy snoring.”Hope's jaw dropped. "I do not snore!"Jer
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 23
The ride to the office was uneventful, though Jeremy's incessant humming filled the silence. Hope kept her gaze fixed on the passing cityscape, mentally bracing herself for whatever meetings ahead. When they arrived at the towering glass building, Jeremy held the door open for her, offering a mock bow sarcastically, "After you, my lady." Hope ignored his theatrics as she rolled her eyes, stepping inside and heading toward the elevators. The familiar hum of activity surrounded them—phones ringing, the chatter of coworkers, and the steady click of keyboards. The elevator ride to the upper floor was tense, neither of them speaking now. Hope was focused on calming her nerves while Jeremy leaned casually against the wall with his hands shoved into his pockets. The moment the elevator doors slid open, Hope froze. Ethan was standing just outside, his sharp suit freshly pressed and his smirk as infuriating as ever. "Well, well," Ethan drawled, his eyes flicked between Hope and Jeremy. "If
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 24
The office felt colder without Jeremy. Hope sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. Her mind was replaying the moment Jeremy was led away in handcuffs, his confident smirk masking what she knew had to be a simmering rage. Vivan, had cancelled all meetings to go attend to the pressing matter leaving her with important things at the office. Her phone buzzed on the desk, breaking her thoughts. She reached for it with a hesitant anticipation finger to see her dada's name falsh on it. “Dad?” she said, her voice tight. “Hope,” her father greeted, his voice calm but serious. “I just got off the phone with Miss Vivian.” Hope straightened in her chair. “You spoke to Vivian? What’s going on?” “We’ve made a decision,” he said firmly. “Jeremy is going to be released today. Vivian has pulled some strings, and I’ve assisted where I can.” Relief flooded through her. “He’s going to be released? That’s amazing news, Dad.” “It is,” he agreed, though his tone carried a weight that
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 25
Hope's mind raced as the weight of Vivian's words settled in. Her parents teaming up? It didn’t make sense—not in the way it usually did. Sure, her dad had always been a calculated man, but he rarely collaborated with anyone, let alone Vivian, who was more like a force of nature than a partner. “Believe?” Jeremy snapped, stopping in his tracks. “Vivian, I just walked out of a holding cell, and you’re asking me to have faith in some plan I don’t even know about?” “It’s not just a plan,” Vivian countered smoothly, her eyes narrowing. “It’s a solution. One that ensures Ethan doesn’t get to use his influence to destroy you.” Jeremy scoffed, crossing his arms. “Great. And what exactly does this ‘solution’ entail? A lecture? A slap on the wrist?” Vivian’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t answer. Instead, her gaze turned to Hope, who was watching the exchange in stunned silence. “Hope,” Vivian said quietly, “you’ll understand more tonight when your father explains ever
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"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
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"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
57
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
56
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
55
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
54
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
53
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
52
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
51
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
