My Dominance Begins With Investing In Beauties!

Chapter 7

~Isabella

I blinked repeatedly at the figure standing in front of me, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.

Was that really Xavier? Looking this handsome after just one haircut?

The designer clothes, the cool, confident smile—everything about him suddenly looked far more attractive than I could even process.

Xavier had never been this handsome while we were still dating. What had suddenly happened? How could he glow up this much in just one day of separation?

I was still turning the thought over in my mind when Marie’s voice rang out.

“Oh my God, Xavier. You look pretty hot! I’ve never seen a guy as handsome as you before!”

When she said that, Carl immediately adjusted his own hair.

Xavier gave Carl and me a dismissive look before turning to Marie with a light scoff.

“Yeah, thank you for the compliment. You look even hotter than earlier. Such beauty… I have to admit it.”

The words nagged at my chest.

Why was Xavier complimenting her like that—as if she were some kind of goddess? In all the years we were together, he had never once praised me that way. And now he was singing another woman’s praises right in front of me?

“Anyway, Marie,” Xavier continued, “since you’ve already gotten your facials, I’d like to take you to the last place we can still go today. The Royal’s Kitchen just opened. I want to treat you to dinner there.”

Marie instantly shook her head.

“Royal’s Kitchen? Oh no, Xavier! That restaurant is so expensive!” She brushed her hair back softly. “If I’m not mistaken, a single meal costs around eight thousand dollars!”

Eight thousand dollars?!

My lips parted at the figure.

“Since you already paid for my facials,” Marie offered, “I’ll gladly pay for our dinner.”

Xavier shut the idea down at once.

“No, Marie. I insist on taking you. Like I said, you’ve already done more than enough for me. This is just me repaying the kindness. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“Alright then, Xavier. Since you insist, I won’t oppose it. Let’s get going before it gets too late.”

With that, she took Xavier’s hand in a quiet, almost romantic way and gave him a soft smile.

My hands clenched tightly at my sides as I watched them walk out together.

This was the first time I had ever seen Xavier hold and openly admire another woman besides me.

I was certain he was doing all of this just to make me jealous. Fine. I would show him that I already had a boyfriend who could spend far more than he could ever imagine.

I took Carl’s hand and pressed myself closer to him until my breasts brushed against his chest. I locked my voice into an exaggerated, teary tone.

“Carl, my dear… I also want to have dinner at the Royal’s Kitchen. Please, can you take me there—”

He pushed me away at once.

“Do you even know how much a dinner at Royal’s Kitchen costs?”

The smile vanished from my face.

“How much does it cost? No matter the price, I’m sure you can afford it. If Xavier can, why can’t you?”

Carl went quiet for a moment.

He was rich—far richer than Xavier. His father was the Dean. With the money his father gave him and the income the family earned, a table at Royal’s Kitchen should have been nothing.

He quickly took my hand again.

“Bella, my love, I have a better idea instead!”

I froze, waiting to hear it.

“How about the two of us go to the Exotics cinema? We can watch some adult movies and get in the mood. That would be much better than the Royal’s—”

“Eek!”

I couldn’t hide the disappointment on my face.

The Exotic cinema was the place that only screened adult films. The last time we went there, he didn't spend anytime before sleeping with me.

Going again tonight would mean the exact same thing.

I pulled my hand free, my expression tightening.

“I’m sorry, Carl, but I don’t think I can go to the Exotic tonight. If you can’t afford the Royal’s Kitchen, I guess I’ll just head back to campus.”

“What do you mean you can’t go to the Exotic?” Carl snapped almost immediately. “I’ve already spent a lot of money on you today, and you’re just going to walk home like that?”

I was taken aback.

“What are you saying, Carl? Did you spend all that money on me just so you could sleep with me?”

He answered almost immediately.

“And what does it look like to you?”

He stopped short, then looked away.

“Fine!” He raked a hand through his hair in frustration. “If you’re not coming to the Exotic, then go back to school. But don’t expect me to drive you home!”

He walked off without looking back.

I stood there and watched him disappear.

I had dated Xavier for five full years. In all that time he had done everything I asked without ever demanding my body in return.

I had to admit that Carl had never matched Xavier in appearance. Xavier’s only real shortcoming had been being poor. Now that he was spending serious money on Marie, that shortcoming was gone.

Maybe it was time to fix things with him.

I was sure he wouldn’t even think twice before taking me back.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Xavier's name.

I dialed the number. When the call connected, I said:

“Hello, Xavier. Can we meet up? I have something I want to tell you.”