The first meeting

“Just ask how I'm feeling, I want to say. Just ask and I may tell you. But no one does.” -Melina Marchetta

Five years ago…

Ever since I knew about the dreaded agreement between Williams and Knight, I had cried myself to bed every night. Seeing as Marc wasn't here to comfort and change my mood, I was left on my own. After I ate, I took a nice warm bath and retired to bed early.

Never had I ever imagined that for the rest of the week, after I agreed to meet Xavier, I would have to handle a lot of my schoolwork to complete it early. As Xavier Knight would arrive from New York to here in California on Monday, I also had to finish off my schoolwork for the next few weeks. Trying to smooth out everything by myself and by Friday night, I finally let out a breath I didn't know I was holding all week.

My weekend flew by so fast. I didn't even get the chance to relax my nerves. I had to divert my mind from him as I kept dreading Monday. Waking up a bit groggy from the lack of sleep I had.

Today, Xavier Knight will arrive!

During my last class, I got a call from Marc saying that he had arranged a meeting with Xavier, and I was supposed to join him in the small cafe near my school for lunch.

Once I was finished with my classes, part of me was really anxious but I had to get this over with. The drive to the cafe from my school took five minutes.

Looking in the back mirror, my strawberry blonde was straightened with perfection and the makeup was hiding all my imperfections. I was wearing my white summer dress which hugged my curves perfectly, all thanks to gym sessions that helped me to achieve such a nice body that I could flaunt.

After applying a second coat of my nude lipstick, I stepped out of my car and made my way into the cafe.

Entering the cafe, I saw everyone gathered in front of the stage as I heard the tune of the song 'All of Me' by John Legend being played on the guitar.

Making my way from the end to the front; I saw a lean figure, sitting on the bar stool with a pitch-black guitar in his hands, eyes closed as he then hit the first note of the song.

Opening his eyes slowly, he glanced at me. Singing the next line to which I blushed a little.

Then he sang the best part of the song, locking his gaze with mine as if he had sung the next stanza for me. Swear to God, this was never my favorite song, but after listening to his magical voice, I fell in love with this song. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as he made his way down the aisle with the guitar as my eyes captured the sight of him.

Peeling my eyes away from him, I looked around expecting a college graduate waiting for me but then the singer came towards me, his eyes fixed on me.

What was his obsession with the guitar? I thought. As I was looking at the instrument intently, the engraved letters 'X. B. K' on his guitar irked my conscience.

Wait… woah…. 'X. B. K' maybe stands for Xavier B for whatever Knight.

I gave him a quick glance from head to toe as he had messy dusty brown hair and sun-kissed skin. His eyes were, although very gorgeous, a shade of green or you could say the shade of forest green. But, man, he was very tall for a girl like me who was five feet seven inches tall. Well, he was dressed in a white T-shirt and denim jeans.

His dressing sense is not that bad.

"Hello, I'm Xavier Knight." He said as his eyes shone with warmth.

"Evelyn Williams," I said and shook his hand that he stretched for me, ignoring his eyes that were zoomed in on my face.

We made our way toward the table that was reserved for us. "So, you sing?" I asked as the silence was eating me alive.

"I do," He answered as a pinkish hue appeared on his cheeks.

Damn, did he just blush?

"So, how was I?" He asked in his deep voice. Now that I noticed, he wasn't bad looking. His features were nice, he was really tall, and most importantly, those perfect gorgeous eyes.

"That was...you were really great." I smiled genuinely and warmth reflected in his eyes at my comment.

God, this guy could really talk from his eyes.

"Why thank you, Evelyn." And he smiled which showed his hidden dimples.

Looking around to call the waiter, I ordered a salad and iced tea for myself and Xavier ordered a burger with extra cheese, which earned him a frown from me.

Way to ruin the mood, Knight. I huffed and rolled my eyes.

A question arose in my mind previously, so I thought to ask him, "Hey if you don't mind me asking, what does B stand for?"

Raising an eyebrow as amusement twinkled in his eyes, "I would have minded the question, but it's you so I'll be pleased to answer every question. And B stands for Blake, it's my middle name." He answered smoothly to which I made an 'o' face.

"Well, mine is Rose." And I said that out of the box which earned a chuckle from him.

"You seem to love your middle name very much?" He asked, leaning back in his seat.

"I do, it was my mother's name." Instantly my mood degraded, why does she have to leave me so early? And that question remained unanswered for years.

"You, okay?" Xavier asked, concerned about the topic.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. So, what are your plans for the future?" I asked him, changing the topic.

"I'd be taking over my family business." He answered to which I nodded.

"Well, I want to be a fashion designer. Business isn't my cup of tea." I smirked and he returned it with a smile.

"You have the potential and you're beautiful." He said, studying my outfit.

"Thank you." I smiled, but a question lingered in my mind. "Wait, you'll be taking over the business, how old are you?" I asked.

He chuckled, and said, "I'm turning twenty-four next week."

My eyes widened in shock; he was exactly the age of Marcus. But wait, Marc did say he was his friend.

"Oh, well, I turned eighteen last month."

"Rose, don't be awkward around me, you can ask me anything, and I'll be more than happy to answer you and yes I know you're eighteen. I wouldn't go out for lunch with a minor." He smiled.

"I'll get straight to the point here, Blake," I said and he nodded. "So, I know everything about the agreement, but my brother said it's up to me if I want to get married to you or not."

"Yes, it is." He agreed.

"Wait, why isn't it up to you?"

"Because I already agreed to the alliance." He replied.

Does this man live under a rock?

"Um… I don't know. But how could you agree without meeting me in person?"

"I didn't have to as your brother gave me all the required information."

"What information?" I inquired.

"Just usual, you're insanely into the fashion world, you love music, your grades are great, you're a fun-loving person, and love to travel very much."

Genuinely smiling, I asked, "These were Marcus' words, right?"

Returning my smile, he said, "Yes, exactly the same."

"Interesting." I said then turned the conversation toward the agreement, "Blake, you're a nice guy, but I really need time. You know, I can't make this decision just like that."

"So, I'm a nice guy?" He raised one of his eyebrows and smirked.

"And cocky," I commented, and we burst out laughing.

Then started an interesting conversation, and I learned so much about him. He was a football player back in his high-school, and well it was the result of his lean athletic body. Then went to business school, but he always had an obsession with music, and he composed a couple of songs, but never sang any of them in front of anyone.

The things I summed up from our conversation were he liked to talk about music, work, and politics while I was more interested in fashion, celebrities, and music. But we did have one thing in common, music.

Smiling at one of the stories he was narrating from his college life, I felt the touch of someone's hand on my left shoulder from behind. Without looking, I already knew who it would be.

"Hey, Angel."

His touch instantly comforted me as I looked up and smiled. Standing up from my place, I hugged him tightly as tears made their way into my eyes and I buried my face in his chest.

Returning the hug, he said, "Someone missed me, huh?"

Moving a little, I smacked his shoulder, saying, "You know I can't sleep at night without listening to your voice!"

Smacking his shoulder, again, I said, "How could you leave me Marc, for a whole week? A freaking week! You know how worried I was when you haven't returned any of my calls." And my voice cracked in the end as tears made their way from my eyes to my cheeks then my chin.

His amused face instantly turned serious as he held both of my arms, restraining me from wiping my tears, harshly.

Lifting my chin, he took his handkerchief out and wiped the tears very sweetly, and said, "I'm sorry, Angel. It won't happen again, I promise."

"Promise as in," and suddenly I was well aware of Xavier's presence with us, so I whispered, "Pinky promise?"

Marc chuckled and promised, "Yes, yes, pin-" He was about to repeat my words and embarrass me in front of his friend. So, I exclaimed, "Okay! Understood!" To which my dear brother laughed like a hyena and Xavier joined him.

After they did their bro-hug and Marc informed me that he came here to check on me as I wasn't answering his calls because my phone was on silent mode, all three of us called it a day. As Marc had an important meeting so he departed early, leaving us alone.

Walking towards my car, Blake asked, "You love him very much?" Seeing my furrowed eyebrows, he explained the question, "I'm talking about your brother."

"He's my life, Blake. After our mother died, he's everything to me and I can't even think of living a second without him." Guessing that I was really emotional right now, I answered him truthfully.

We reached the place where my car was parked, and we fell into an awkward silence, but Blake took charge and broke it, saying, "Well, it was nice meeting you, Rose. Thank you for such a lovely day." He smiled.

"Me too, Blake," I said, looking into his gorgeous eyes that were filled with warmth.

Leaning to my level, I thought he was going to kiss me, and learning that it would be my first, I kind of froze. His breath fanned my right ear as he said, "Relax, I won't do anything that you're uncomfortable with." And then he pecked my right cheek.

Just a little peck and a wave of shiver ran down my spine as my face turned crimson under his gaze. When I looked up, he had retrieved his previous position and was smiling at me genuinely.

"Will see you, Blake," I promised.

His eyes twinkled when he said, "See you soon, Rose." Whenever he addressed me by my middle name, something always stirred inside me.

And then we parted our ways but were connected with a string of hope that we would indeed meet again.