Xavier treated Hannah’s words as an indication of ignorance and brushed it aside since he had labeled Fabian as a snake. He assumed that she was defending him because she did not know better.
“That’s enough. I know you two are close, but I’m just stating the facts. He has a nickname, you know? They call him the Star Collector! He might be the only one who would do ‘multi-timing’ with different female celebrities at the same time.”
Xavier knew what he said would upset Hannah, but he decided it was best for Hannah to find out earlier. Even though Xavier had selfish motives, he told her everything that happened honestly.
Star Collector? Although their marriage was just for show, Hannah actually knew Fabian quite well. She knew that Fabian was not the type of guy that people make him out to be. She even paid special attention to confirm it herself, noting that Fabian had zero scandals a year ago.
Did this all happen after Vivian? Is Fabian trying to numb himself with the actresses because he lost all faith in love?
With that in mind, Hannah was confident that she was right as a sense of pity for Fabian welled up from within. Who would’ve thought that he’d be such a devoted lover?
It took her a while to compose herself before she finally spoke again. “I think I understand. There must have been some misunderstanding. Fabian… “
“Let’s just talk about something else,” Xavier did not let Hannah finish. “No use for us to keep dwelling on the past.”
Nevertheless, Hannah did not back down because it involved Fabian.
“Wait, Mr. Jackson. Let me finish.”
“Here, have some meat,” Xavier said as he picked up a piece of beef and passed it to her in one swift motion. His expression had reverted to the friendly look he always wore.
Seeing how Xavier acted, Hannah was at a loss for words. So, she had no choice but to comply. “Em, Mr. Jackson, don’t worry about me. You should just enjoy your food.”
“Okay,” Xavier replied, but the meat still ended up on Hannah’s plate.
In response, Hannah smiled awkwardly while she fiddled with her food, looking troubled.
The atmosphere of the meal had soured ever since Fabian was brought up, but Hannah was not concerned. However, Xavier’s opinion of Fabian got even worse.
With Hannah’s dejected look in front of him, Xavier secretly decided to bring her somewhere relaxing and have some fun.
That day afternoon, Xavier brought Hannah to an amusement park where he eventually convinced her to face her fear of the roller coaster.
At night, Xavier invited Hannah to dinner, but she turned it down. Hanna wanted to head home and have dinner with Fabian, even though he had not contacted her even once that whole day.
Xavier knew better than to insist, so he dropped Hannah off somewhere near her house. At first, Hannah wanted to refuse, but she had already rejected Xavier’s ride once. She had no heart to do it a second time, so Hannah gave Xavier directions to a place near her house.
“Alright, you take care then,” Xavier bid Hannah farewell.
“Don’t worry. I will,” Hannah replied as she opened the door and got out before she waved him goodbye.
Hannah walked away, turning around only after hearing the roar of the engine fade into the distance as she breathed out a sigh of relief.
What’s Fabian doing right now?
Her shadow, stretched by the warm yellow streetlight as she threaded forward on the empty sidewalk.
Leaves rustled in the wind that played with her hair, falling off as though they wanted to join their brethren on the ground, escaping their isolation with the aid of the breeze.
