My apologises for the long wait! But, here is the next chapter...

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 As promised Liam took me to get something to eat after we left the school. I had opted for Jack in The Box because I was dying to try the new Java Cookie shake and I was not disappointed. I swear I died and went to heaven when I took the first sip. I had also gotten a large Bacon Ultimate Cheese Burger meal with curly fries which earned me a shocked look from Liam. I think I rendered him speechless when I had relayed my order. I shrugged it off, the look he had given me made me think that he had never seen a girl eat before. 

When we pulled up to Chase Inc. I was stunned. The building was at least twice the size of the one my father’s company was based out of. Why the heck would one such a huge building? I guess when you’re a billionaire the bigger the better. Cole had pulled up next to us not long after and waited with Liam as I continued to gawk at the building in front of me. When I was finally able to pry my eyes away from the building I got out of the car. Liam and Cole grabbed my school bag and food. I was too busy sipping away at my shake and munching on my fries to bother with carrying the bags. 

If I thought that the building was amazing on the outside I was in awe when we entered the oversized lobby. It was littered with people dressed in fancy business suits heading toward the elevators while other people were . . . well I don’t really know where they were going. There were two security guards sitting at the front desk and two more checking the ID’s of people wanting to go upstairs. 

“Hey Clarence,” Cole grinned at one of the older security guards checking ID’s.

“Mr. Evers, Mr. Sims, Miss . . . ”

“Mrs., Mrs. Chase.” Liam corrected making my roll my eyes. 

“Mrs. Chase?” Clarence questioned looking between me and the two idiots that I was with.

Clarence looked like one of those men who had been in his particular line of work for a while. 

“This the girl that Xav got married too over the weekend.” Cole said 

“Please, call me Mallory,” I smiled adjusting the things in my hands. Holding out a free hand Clarence took it and shook. “It’s very nice to meet you, Clarence.”

“It’s pleasure to meet you as well, Mallory.” He smiled 

“Okay then, let’s go on up. Xav should be out of his meeting soon.” Liam said 

I followed them into a crowded elevator and then we were off to the top floor. It took forever to get to the top since we had to stop at almost every other floor along the way. I made a mental note to never come back here unless it was absolutely necessary. When I did come, I was making sure that it wasn’t at the start of day or during lunch. 

“Finally,” I breathed when we reached the top floor. I was tempted to kiss the floor because I was so happy to be out of the elevator. 

“It wasn’t that bad,” Cole chuckled

“Maybe not for you but, I prefer not to be stuck in an elevator for that long.” I huffed “Can we just get to wherever we’re going?”

“This way ma’am,” Liam grinned with a little bow before leading the way. 

I rolled my eyes and followed him down the hall which opened into a little waiting area. There was a desk sitting beside a door which I assumed led to Xavier’s office. A very young, very attractive woman was sitting behind the desk. I briefly wondered if Xavier had any type of relation with her. I wouldn’t doubt it.  He isn’t nicknamed the Billionaire Heart Breaker for anything. 

“Hello, Mr. Evers, Mr. Sims,” she smiled at them, completely ignoring me. 

“Hey Lara,” Liam grinned “Have you met Mallory?”

Lara’s gaze swept over to me for a split second before returning to Liam. 

“I don’t believe I have.” She said 

“Well, Mallory this is Lara, Xavier’s secretary. Lara this is Mallory, Xavier’s wife.” Liam said. I could see the smirk playing on his lips. 

Lara’s headed whipped around toward me so fast I thought her head was going to snap of her shoulders. If I didn’t know any better, I was fairly certain that she was scowling at me. 

“His what?” she asked sweetly and even I could tell she was forcing it. 

“His wife, did you not get the invitation?” Liam asked 

“Of course she didn’t,” I smiled “Only important people were invited.”

If she wanted to give me that look and act like a fake bitch there was no way I was going pretend to like her. 

“Excuse me?” she sassed 

“Oh, I’m sorry, did you not hear me the first time?” I asked “I’m sure the medical coverage provided from the company is more than enough to cover a visit to an ear specialist. You should really get those ears checked.”

Her mouth opened and closed looking like a fish out of water. That’s right, don’t mess with Mallory Bla–Chase.

“I’ll just wait in my husbands office.” I smiled taking my things from the boys. “Nice meeting you Lara.”

I pushed open the doors to Xavier’s office and dumped my bag on the couch in the corner and placed my food on the table in front of it. Sighing I plopped down onto the softness of the leather couch. The morning had barely begun and I was already exhausted. Who knew dealing with crazy classmates and press could be so tiring? Liam and Cole came in shortly after I had sat down, neither of them said a word for a while and I was starting to worry. This had to be the longest they had gone without talking in each others presence. Though it had barely been a minute since they entered it was still weird. 

“So . . . ” Cole began, finally breaking the silence. “That was interesting.”

“What was?” I asked my brows dipping in confusion.

“The little display out there.” Liam smirk hooking his thumb toward the door.

“Oh, that,” I said rolling my eyes “She asked for it.” 

“We aren’t questioning it,” Cole said “I thought it was awesome, someone needed to put Lara in her place and who better then you; Xavier’s, Wife.”

“Did he sleep with her?” I blurted quickly covering my mouth after the question left my lips. 

I stared at their amused faces with wide eyes. I could not believe I just threw that question out there. What the heck was wrong with me? Could I sound any more like someone who’s jealous? I highly doubt it.

“Jealous are we?” Liam smirked

I was really starting to hate that smirk 

“N-no ” I half shouted “Of course not.”

Note to self: Work on nonchalance 

“Uh-huh, sure you’re not,” he said slowly “It’s okay if you are.”

“I’m not,” I hissed 

“Xavier never slept with her,” Cole sighed “Can’t say she hasn’t tried every trick in the book - since she started here - to get him into bed though.”

“That isn’t really something that a wife wants to hear.” I said dryly “But, since you mentioned it, why hasn’t he taken her up on the offer?”

“Um . . . let’s just say he had someone else in mind.” Liam answered

“That so does not make me feel better.” I said 

Cole blew out a breath “She started working here maybe a month and a half ago, after the whole incident with Xavier being seen with that girl at the club. At the time your nuptials were just a rumor and Lara thought that she would be able to get with Xavier.”

“I really don’t see where you’re going with this.” I said 

“She tried. She’s not you. Xavier turned her down. Plain and simple.” Liam huffed 

“My morning just keeps getting weirder.” I huffed 

“Just eat before the food gets cold.” Cole said

Taking the burger out of the bag I took a few bite before I could no longer eat. No matter how hungry I was just a little while ago, meeting Lara and the little conversation I had just had with the boys ruined my appetite. I handed the burger of the Cain and let him finish it as I sat back and sipped at my shake. The shake was just too good to pass off to someone else. I didn’t want to share it any way.

It felt like we had been waiting forever on Xavier. Geez, how long did a meeting with the board take? He had been in the meeting since I had been at school and was still in it now. I sighed and started walking in circles just to keep myself busy. I could only play with phone apps for so long before I lost interest so I hadn’t even attempted to do that. Usually Liam and Cole would keep me well entertained but, they were too busy. Doing what you ask, playing games on their freaking phone. Apparently the were challenging one another to a game of ‘Words With Friends’. 

Finally after what felt like an eternity the door opened and in walked Xavier with Lara trailing behind him. She better not even pull out her bag of tricks while I’m standing in his office. Instead of waiting to see why she followed him in I decided to make the first move.

“Why don’t you go make yourself useful and copy something,” I said waving her away.

Her eyes narrowed at me before they swept over to Xavier. I knew she was just waiting for him to say something. But judging by the shocked look he was giving me she wasn’t going to be getting anything out him right now. 

“While you’re at it make a call to an ear specialist because it’s obvious you didn’t hear me the first time.” I said 

“Lara call my father and have schedule a meeting with my lawyers.” Xavier said once he found his voice. 

“Yes, sir.” she nodded before stepping out of the room. I also didn’t miss the death glare she sent my way before closing the door. That girl has some issues. 

“I hope the meeting with your lawyers are about a way to get the press off my back at school.” I huffed crossing my arms over my chest. “I already have some of you crazy fan girls going to my school and they are more then I can deal with. Add the press into the mix and let call it a freaking party. If I have to deal with them for the rest of the year, I am going to lose it.”

“We’ll see what we can do.” he said “Though I’m almost positive that the only thing we will be able to do is keep them off campus. I can’t promise that they wont be waiting outside the school gate since the street is considered public property and they’ll be free to loiter there all they want.”

“I knew that marrying you was going to be crazy I just never thought it was going to be this bad. Something I was to know about though is how the heck did they get pictures of our wedding ceremony and reception?” I said 

“I have a theory on that one,” Cole said without looking up from his phone “It had to be one of the guest. We had the whole property guarded, there is no way that anyone who was not invited could have got anywhere close to take those pictures.”

“Why would one of the guest give pictures to magazines and tabloids?” I questioned. I wasn’t used to this life so I needed to ask questions.

“For money, what else?” Liam answered “Can you imagine how much money the magazines and tabloids would have offered for those picture? The one and only Xavier Chase - The Billionaire Heart Breaker - got married. Whoever sold those picture made a pretty penny.”

“This is just ridiculous,” I grumbled sitting on the arm of the couch. 

“Can you guys give us a moment?” Xavier asked looking toward Cole and Liam.

Both of them nodded and headed out of the room. Was this how my life was going to be from now on? Would I constantly have to be on the look out for those crazy people with cameras? Deal with all the insane questions? If so, hopefully I made through to graduation. Xavier walked over and leaned against the back of the couch. Neither of us said anything, I wasn’t even sure where to start. 

“They asked if I was pregnant with your love child,” I blurted 

“W-what?!” he sputtered looking over at me with wide eyes. 

“That was my reaction too,” I said laughing lightly 

This was so not the time to be laughing but, I just couldn’t help it. Either I laughed or I was going to start crying. I prefer the latter thank you very much. 

“Oh god, what am I going to do?” I groaned reigning in my laughter. 

“We’ll get through this, okay?” he said wrapping an arm around my shoulder. 

“That’s easier said then done Xavier. You aren’t the one who is going to have to deal with this everyday.” I said 

“We’ll figure something out.” he sighed 

“I have an idea,” Liam’s voice said sounding out through the room. 

I looked around confused wondering where the heck it had come from. Xavier walked over to his desk and pushed a button on his phone. 

“What idea and how did you know we needed one?” Xavier asked 

“I’m just good like that, now are you going to hear me out?” Liam asked 

“Lay it on me,” I said as Xavier pushed down on the button again.

“Why don’t you just do your schooling from home? There’s only a few more months left and your principle seemed pretty chill.” he suggested 

It sounded like a pretty good idea to me but, what the heck would I do all day? It would be so freaking boring! 

“It’s really up to you.” Xavier said 

“I know what you’re thinking Mallory and stop it.” Liam said walking back into the office with Cole “You can either be at home and bored or you go to school and deal with all the crazy people.”

“Ugh, I know it’s just. . .I don’t want to seem weak, like I can’t handle it.” I said 

“This has nothing to do with whether or not you can handle it. I’m just giving you the option to not deal with it everyday.” he said 

“I’m going to have to think about it.” I sighed rubbing my temples feeling the first effects of a headache coming on. “For now I don’t want to think about anything because I have a headache.”

“The two of you take her back home.” Xavier said “I’ll try and leave here early.”

The three of us nodded and left his office. A nap was definitely the first thing on my to-do list when I got back home. The morning had really exhausted me in only a matter of two hours that had to be a record. I walked past Lara and gave her a sweet smile which she returned with a scowl. I almost laughed out loud when I saw the look on her face. I may just have to come back here more often because I knew that she would be very entertaining to be around. 

Liam drove me back to the house while Cain went off somewhere saying he had things to do. If I didn’t know any better I’d say that those two did not have jobs. I never once heard them talking about working and yet they both drove pretty expensive cars. One day I would ask them about that. 

Walking into the house I dropped my bag near the front door and wandered off to my room. I collapsed on my bed with a groan, kicking off my shoes in the process. I buried myself into my blankets and switched on the TV. Since I had nothing else better to do I might as well watch something while I wait for the girls to come over or Xavier to come home. Maybe I’d end up falling asleep while I waited. I knew that no matter how tired I got I wouldn’t be able to force myself to go to sleep.

It was a little after one when I heard the front door open and close. I didn’t bother moving from my spot knowing that Xavier would come and find me. It didn’t take long before he was poking his head around my door. He smiled and nodded over his shoulder for me to follow him. With the blanket wrapped firmly around me I followed him down the hall. I knew where we were heading without having to ask, his art studio. 

I wondered what we were doing going to his art studio until I remembered what we had talked about last night. He was going to teach me how to paint and draw and all that good stuff every time he had a chance. This was going to be a very interesting art session. I really should put a stop to it now before I completely embarrass myself. 

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” I said looking around his studio.

Everything looked so. . .perfectly in place. I really did not to end up ruining something because he wanted to play teacher. 

“I think it’s a great idea.” Xavier grinned “I’d rather you make a mess in here, then burn down my kitchen.”

“My cooking skills aren’t that bad,” I said flatly. 

So I wasn’t all that great when it came to cooking but, that didn’t mean that I would burn down the kitchen. The man really had no faith in me, did he? Ugh, Men! 

“I never said they were,” he said 

“You implied it.” I pointed out 

“We aren’t here to talk about cooking. We are here to paint.” he said pulling a stool in front of a blank canvas. “Come and sit,”

Sighing I walked over to him and sat on the stool, making sure to keep the blanket around me.

“You should take the blanket off so it doesn’t get in the way.” he said pulling it off my shoulders. 

“I wouldn’t constantly need a blanket if you didn’t keep this place below freezing 24/7.” I grumbled.

Even though I had only stayed the night here twice, both times that house was freezing. I was surprised it wasn’t snowing inside with how cold it was. 

“It isn’t that bad,” he said rolling his eyes.

“Whatever you say,” I mumbled “Are we going to do this or what?”

“Well we’re going to try,” he chuckled 

Grabbing a pallet Xavier squeezed a few different colors onto it and set it on my right with different paint brushes. Shaking my head I moved the little table over to my left side. 

“Why are you moving it?” he asked 

“Because I’m left handed.” I answered picking out a paint brush.

“Ah, I see” he nodded stepping behind me. “Let’s start with something simple.” 

His version of simple ended up being a beach sunset over the water. Yeah, because that it just so easy. Xavier and I spent the next few hours he attempted to help me paint. I’m pretty sure that I got more paint on myself then I did on the canvas. I had to say though I did have a lot of fun even though my beach sunset was barely distinguishable. If Xavier hadn’t told me what we were going to be paint I wouldn’t have even known what I was looking at. My little sister would probably paint a better sunset then me. 

“This was hopeless,” I laughed looking at my sad excuse of a sunset.

“We both knew that it wasn’t going to be perfect. You are new to this.” he chuckled 

“I may not be all that great at paint but, I am the master when it comes to face painting.” I grinned slyly

“Face painting? Really?” he questioned 

“Yup,” I nodded “Would you like to see?”

Before he could answer me I dipped my paint brush into some paint and swiped it across his face. He was stunned into silence by what I had just done and all I could do is laugh. He had a pink line from temple to jaw and it suited it rather well. When the shock wore off he had a devilish look on his face and I knew I was in for it. He and I chased each other around the studio, each armed with a paint brush covered in paint. 

We were both laying on the floor of the studio covered in paint when the doorbell rang. Both of us raised from our spots still laughing and went out to see who had graced us with their presence. Xavier was telling me some lame joke that I didn’t even understand when he opened the door sending me into another round of laughter. 

“What the heck kind of kinky stuff have the two of you been up to?” 

I sobered up and looked to the open door and saw Corrie and Elena standing there. Corrie had a smirk on her face while Elena’s nose was scrunched up - she was never one who liked getting dirty. 

“Mallory, you naughty girl.” Corrie smirked stepping into the house. 

I was not looking forward to the conversation that the girls and I were bound to have tonight.