Chapter 9: 8. Unfortunately

Çağatay Ulusoy as Xavier Williams I hope I made right choice there is a change in caste go through it

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Susan's P.O.V.

Yesterday was, unfortunately, unforgettable. I spent sometime with Adrian before leaving for airport, trying to understand the distance that had grown between us.

"Susan, you have to understand," Adrian sighed, rubbing his temples. "The company's owner is retiring, and his son—Xavier Williams—is taking over. The guy's a machine, a complete workaholic. He's raising salaries, but he expects complete dedication in return. There's no room for distractions."

I folded my arms, leaning against the kitchen counter. "And by distractions, you mean me, don't you?"

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "That's not what I'm saying. But this job... I can't afford to mess this up. If I slack off, I lose everything."

I let out a slow breath, feeling the familiar ache of disappointment settle in my chest. "And we both know what happens if you lose this job."

His expression darkened. "Your dad will use it as proof that I can't take care of you. That I was never good enough. And not just him—my own family is waiting for us to fail."

I hated that he was right. Our relationship had always been a battle against outside forces, both of us constantly proving we were strong enough to stay together. But lately, it felt like I was the only one still fighting.

"So what do we do?" I asked, my voice quieter now. "Just keep pretending everything is fine? Keep pretending like this—us—hasn't already changed?"

Adrian looked at me, and for the first time in a long time, he had no answer. "I don't know, Susan. But I can't risk losing this job. Things will change Susan for better, I'll try I promise."

And that was it. That was the moment I realized we had already lost so much more than just time together. Before I even walked away, a part of us had already unraveled.

Leaving Adrian felt like stepping into the unknown. The weight of our last conversation still lingered, replaying in my mind no matter how much I tried to push it away. I kept telling myself this trip was for me—to clear my head, to figure out what I truly wanted. But deep down, I knew I was also running from the reality of what my relationship had become.

Now, here I am, in Aspen, with Lisa practically bouncing with excitement beside me as we pull up to the luxurious ski resort.

The moment I mentioned the trip, my dad made all the arrangements. First-class flights, a luxury suite, everything planned out to perfection. He always does this whenever I travel without Adrian—a silent statement, a reminder that he never thought Adrian was good enough. It wasn't just about the money—he wanted me to see the life I could have if I let go of the things holding me back. And while I'd always resented that mindset, a small, unwelcome part of me wondered: was he right?

I exhale, pushing the thought away. No. That's not what this trip is about.

Lisa, of course, was thrilled at the idea of a snowy getaway. To her, this was another adventure, a chance to indulge and forget responsibilities. But for me, it was supposed to be more than just a vacation. It was an escape—from expectations, from disappointment, from the version of myself that kept making excuses for why things hadn't changed.

"Susan, look! We're here! This place is unreal!" Lisa practically squeals, pressing her hands to the car window.

I push my sunglasses up, taking in the stunning view. Snow blankets the ground in a perfect, untouched sheet. The towering evergreens dusted with white make the resort look like something out of a movie. Skiers move gracefully down the slopes in the distance, and the scent of pine and crisp mountain air fills my lungs.

"Yeah, it's breathtaking."

Lisa and I planned everything beforehand. First, we'd settle in, then spend the afternoon having some fun. We decided to try ice skating—Lisa's idea, of course—but that wasn't enough for her.

"We are in Aspen, Susan. You can't just do one activity and call it a day!" she had whined, dragging me toward the ice-skating rink while planning for our next adventure. It had been years since I'd skated, and let's just say it was not like riding a bike. Lisa glided effortlessly across the ice, while I spent more time flailing than actually moving.

At one point, I nearly crashed into a stranger—only to be steadied by firm hands. I barely caught a glimpse of dark eyes and a smirk before mumbling an embarrassed thank you and skating away.

We decided to try snow tubing next. The adrenaline rush of speeding down the icy slopes in nothing but an inflatable tube had us screaming with laughter. Lisa, being Lisa, insisted we race, and of course, she won, claiming victory with an exaggerated bow at the bottom of the hill. By the time we reached the lodge for drinks, our faces were still flushed from the cold and the thrill of the ride.

What I didn't know then was that we weren't the only ones enjoying the slopes. Somewhere in the distance, a man had been watching—his gaze flickering with quiet curiosity as Lisa and I tumbled into the snow, laughing breathlessly. He hadn't approached, merely observed, as if taking mental notes. Maybe it was just coincidence. Or maybe it wasn't.

Later, when we went back to our suite, I was once again lost in my thoughts. How was Adrian handling things? Did he even care that I left?

I shake my head. Focus on being here, Susan.

After some time, Lisa and I head to the spa, where she finally puts her phone away long enough to tease me. "Alright, spill. You're distracted. What's up?"

"Nothing," I lie, sipping my drink.

Lisa narrows her eyes. "Liar. Is this about Adrian?"

I sigh. "I don't know, Lisa. Maybe."

She leans back in her chair, stretching lazily. "You need to stop thinking about him for one second. You came here to reset. And the best way to do that? Let loose tonight. Enjoy yourself for once."

I manage a smile, knowing she's right. But deep down, I know letting go isn't as easy as she makes it sound.

Later that evening

The ski lodge's bar is lively, the scent of burning wood and fresh pine filling the space. A massive stone fireplace crackles in the corner, bathing the room in a warm glow. Lisa is already deep in conversation with a group of travelers, leaving me momentarily alone at the bar.

That's when I hear his voice.

"Whiskey, neat."

I glance up just as he takes the seat next to me. He's effortlessly confident, broad-shouldered, with tousled dark hair and piercing eyes. There's something about him—something commanding.

"Hey there," he says casually, glancing my way.

I arch a brow, swirling my drink lazily. "Is that your best opening line?"

He smirks. "You don't exactly blend into the background. Confidence like that tends to stand out."

I chuckle, tilting my head slightly. "And you? You look like someone who's exactly where he wants to be."

"I have my moments," he says, taking a slow sip of his drink. "But you... you don't strike me as someone who came here just for the scenery."

I tilt my head, considering him. "And what type do I seem like?"

"Someone who enjoys luxury but isn't here just for indulgence. Maybe searching for something—or trying to forget something."

I arch a brow, amused. "So what is it? Intuition? Or do you just assume every woman in a bar has a tragic backstory?"

He shrugs. "Call it experience. Or maybe you're just easy to read."

"Or you just like making assumptions," I counter, lifting my glass. "Not sure if that's confidence or just pure arrogance. But if we're talking about reading people, should I be flattered or concerned that I caught you staring at me multiple times today?"

He lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Caught me, did you?" His smirk deepens as he leans slightly closer. "In my defense, you're not exactly easy to ignore."

I tilt my head, feigning contemplation. "Hmm. Still sounds like something a stalker would say."

He laughs, the sound rich and unbothered. "Alright, then. How about this? We make it even. No real names—just whatever first comes to mind."

I pretend to consider it, then smirk. "Fine. You're Justin."

He raises an eyebrow, amused. "Justin? And why's that?"

I nod toward the bar speakers where Justin Bieber's song Company is playing softly in the background. "Because the universe clearly has a sense of humor."

His smirk widens. "And you're Rose."

"Why Rose?" I ask.

"The contrast suits you. Polished, poised, but I'd bet there's something unpredictable underneath. Like a rose—beautiful, but not without its thorns."

I shake my head, pretending to be unimpressed. "You practice this in the mirror, don't you?"

Lisa returns just in time, catching his gaze flicker toward me. "Who's this?" she asks, clearly intrigued.

"Justin," I say smoothly.

She smirks. "Well, Justin, are you planning to keep my best friend company tonight?"

He leans in slightly, a playful glint in his eye. "That depends. Does she want me to?"

I shake my head with a laugh, but before I can respond, Lisa nudges me. "You're on vacation, Susan. Loosen up. A little flirtation never hurt anyone."

I roll my eyes, taking another sip of my drink. "It's just conversation, Lisa."

Justin smirks, taking another sip. "Careful, Rose. Sometimes a simple conversation can change everything."

I open my mouth to respond, but my phone buzzes. Xavier's gaze flickers to the screen, noticing the shift in my expression. He doesn't comment, but there's something unreadable in his eyes—like he's cataloging the moment, filing it away for later.

A message from Adrian.

I hesitate. Do I check it? Or do I let myself enjoy this moment, free from complications?

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Any guess who is this hot guy now??

CORRECT MALE LEAD OF Billionaire's LOVE or OBSESSION PRESENTING YOU ALL XAVIER WILLIAMS

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