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Xavier's grip on the phone tightened as he stared at the video in disbelief. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling within him. The sight of Anna with Michael, the way she seemed so distraught and vulnerable, hit him like a punch to the gut.

For a moment, Xavier couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen. Everything he had been thinking, everything he had planned—it all seemed to unravel in that instant. 

"You do know taking people's photos without permission is illegal, right?" Xavier asked Maureen's greatest surprise. Like, she expected something else!

"I was just trying to protect you." Maureen defended and Xavier smirked.

"Now for your information, I know she's divorced. I could care less! Get that into your fixed skull!" Xavier said and handed her phone back to her. Maureen made her hands to his collar and creased his tie.

"Then why keep holding on to her my love? She's clearly still in love with her ex-husband." She said, pouting her lips. Xavier flipped her hands off his tie. He stood up and faced her furiously.

"Stay out of this Maureen! I'm warning you…" He said and left her in the office.

"Xavier! Listen to me!" She shouted as tears rolled down her eyes.

****

That evening, after a long day of work, Xavier found himself driving aimlessly through the city, his mind consumed by the video Maureen had shown him earlier. He had defended Anna in front of her, brushing off Maureen's insinuations with a cool demeanor, but deep down, the images played over and over in his mind, gnawing at him.

Unable to shake the thoughts, he pulled into the parking lot of a nearby bar, the neon lights flickering in the dimming twilight. He needed to clear his head, to drown out the confusion and pain that had settled like a heavy weight in his chest. 

Xavier stepped inside the bar, the dim lighting and low murmur of conversations offering a temporary escape. He approached the counter and ordered a drink, his voice low and strained. The bartender handed him a glass of whiskey, and Xavier sat down at a secluded corner table, sipping the alcohol with a shaky breath.

The burn of the liquor down his throat did little to ease the turmoil inside him. "Why is she still seeing that fucking jerk?" he muttered to no one in particular, the question escaping his lips in a pained whisper. His mind replayed the video—Anna's face, the way she looked at Michael, the tension between them—it all made his blood boil with a mix of anger and hurt.

He ordered another glass, and when it arrived, he downed it in one go, the alcohol numbing the sharp edges of his emotions. But the pain lingered, an ache that wouldn't fade. His thoughts spiraled further into despair. "He doesn't deserve you, Anna," he mumbled, his voice cracking as he spoke the words that had been clawing at his heart.

As he stared blankly at the empty glass, the door of the bar creaked open, and Maureen walked in, her eyes immediately finding him in the dimly lit corner. She had followed him, a fact that might have irritated him if he weren't already too drunk to care. She approached him, her heels clicking softly on the floor, and leaned in close.

"I had to follow you all the way here to make sure you're okay," Maureen said, her voice dripping with feigned concern. She glanced at the empty glass on the table and then back at Xavier, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Let me take you home, Xavier."

Xavier, his senses dulled by the alcohol, looked up at her with bleary eyes. He was too far gone to question her motives, too hurt to push her away. "You're here… Take me home, please," he slurred, his voice thick with drunkenness.

Maureen's smile widened, wicked and mischievous as she watched him. She had him exactly where she wanted him. "Gladly," she purred, slipping her arm around his shoulders to help him up. As she guided him out of the bar, her mind buzzed with anticipation, the night unfolding just as she had hoped.

****

Anna glanced at the clock on the wall of her restaurant—6pm It was closing time. She sighed as she turned the sign on the door to "Closed" and began tidying up the space. Once everything was in order, she pulled out her phone, hoping to see a response from Xavier. She had messaged him at noon, but there was nothing.

As she scrolled through her messages, her heart sank when she saw a text from him: "I'm staying with Maureen tonight, sorry, I couldn't come home." Anna blinked in surprise. Xavier had never failed to respond to her messages before, and the idea of him staying out all night, especially with Maureen, was bizarre.

"This isn't like him," she muttered to herself, worrying creeping into her voice. She immediately tried to call him, but the call didn't go through. Instead, an automated voice informed her that his phone was currently switched off. Anna's concern deepened, and she stared at her phone, trying to figure out what to do next.

Just then, her phone beeped with a new message. She opened it to find a picture sent from Xavier's account. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the image: Xavier and Maureen lying in bed together, covered by a duvet. Xavier was asleep, completely unaware, while Maureen's sly grin hinted that she had taken the photo herself.

Anna's heart raced, but she quickly forced herself to stay calm. She knew something was off. Xavier wouldn't do this—not willingly. Determined to get to the bottom of it, she decided to take action.

The next morning, Anna made her way to the hotel where Xavier's message had indicated he was staying. As she approached the front desk, the receptionist's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh my goodness! Are you Munchkin? Chef Anna?" she asked, excitement evident in her voice.

Anna nodded with a polite smile. "Yes, that's me."

The receptionist beamed, clearly thrilled. "I'm a huge fan! I've been to your restaurant a few times. Your food is amazing! Can I come visit tomorrow? I'd love to try something new."

Anna's smile grew warmer. "Of course, just give me a call when you're coming, and I'll make sure to get you a reservation."

The receptionist practically bounced with excitement. "Thank you so much! Could we maybe take a picture together? And would you mind signing something for me?"

Anna agreed, posing for a few pictures and signing an autograph for the receptionist. Once the excitement died down, Anna leaned in a little closer. "Actually, I'm here to deliver some food to a guest. Could you tell me which room Maureen booked last night?"

The receptionist, still starstruck, didn't hesitate. "Sure thing, let me check for you." She turned to her computer, typing in a few details as Anna watched, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. This was just the beginning. She was determined to get to the truth.