FOES TO FLAMES

planting a kiss on her mother's cheek. She had been working as a food delivery rider for the past

replied, her voice filled with concern as

busy city streets. She loved these moments of solitude, just her and the r

incoming order. It was a large order from one of their regular customers

sion and rang the doorbell. Moments later, a well-dressed

e sports car parked in the driveway. She had to

oice filled the air. "Hey, were you blind? How

sure. "I'm very sorry for damaging your car, sir, but m

sdain. "Valuable? You must be joking. My

o stay calm. "Well, I may not have a fancy car, but my bike

d to pay for the damages to this car, and if you don't w

elegant cardstock landing at her feet. Davina watch

Xavier Hayes, the owner of the country's largest conglomerate. S

vina's Hou

was wealthy, powerful, and clearly used to getting his way. How was she going to pay for

or opening. Mrs Wilson entered her room, wearing a s

omething to tell y

ll upset about the food I spi

nderstand it wasn't your fault. But how do we m

have to return to boxing, Mom. It's the only way I can

ve told you not to mention boxing, Davina. We'll find another

ng her mother's concerns. But deep dow

ase tell me what you wanted t

secrecy. "We'll have visitors tomorrow, and I'd like yo

ways flatter me, Mother,

more thing, Davina. Tomorrow, you mustn't

how is it related to me?" She coul

smiled and kissed her che

yes Mansi

of her second-hand bike. It was infuriating, and if she didn't pay for t

d the living room, where his mot

ve good news for you," His Mo

ree?" Xavier teased, knowing his mother had been taking cooking

ell, no, but something even m

uinely curious now. "Okay, sp

ay, Xavier, and we had an agreement from long ago that we lost con

l curious about the details. "That sounds in

ce filled with mystery. "Don't worry

_______

thoughts of Xavier Hayes and her looming debt. She knew she had a busy day ahead. Her mother had i

d then spent hours in the kitchen, preparing a feast of her most delicious

behavior when the visitors arrived. Davina obeyed, putting on a simple yet elegan

doorbell rang. Davina opened the door and found none other

y, their voices filled with surprise and disbe

avina's Mom asked, trying to

her eyes away from Xavier, who was wearing a c

nt, stood before him once again, but this time, she was in her home, dr

don't be rude," his mother scolded hi

is composure. "Right, sorry about that. We di

d for them to come inside. "No worries at all. Pl

atmosphere of the house. It was a stark contrast to his own lavish mansion. The wall

m to Davina. "By the way, meet my son,

ledging the introduction. "Nic

n the room was palpable. She still remembered their

sted, trying to ease the awkwardness. Xavier glan

ied, his tone indicating his l

s avoiding her food, perhaps still u

a's food since she prepared it all for us," Kayla insiste

n, Davina couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Why had Xavier and his mother come h

al Davina had prepared. Conversation was polite but strained,

elaxed atmosphere. She and Davina's mother, Evelyn, engaged in conversatio

etive about this visit. What was the connection between their f

sed the elephant in the room. "There's

na looked at her, th

, had a deep friendship. On their sickbeds, they made a promise

d look with her mother. W

g, "They promised that their children, Xa

o process what she had just heard. Marry Xavier? The man she had clashe

her own shock and disbelief

ir dying wish, Xavier. We owe it

new Xavier, and their interactions had been far from pleasant.

ef, protested, "But Mom,

xpected, but it was a promise between lifelo

trapped in a scenario she hadn't anticipated. She exchanged a helpless glance wit

eryone contemplated the unexpe