FOES TO FLAMES

"Goodbye, Mom. I need to go now, and I'm running late; our customers will be waiting," Davina said, planting a kiss on her mother's cheek. She had been working as a food delivery rider for the past year, and today was no different. The sun was setting, and the streetlights began to flicker to life.

"Don't come back late, Davina," Mrs Wilson replied, her voice filled with concern as she watched her daughter mount her bicycle.

Davina pedaled away, the warm breeze ruffling her hair as she navigated the busy city streets. She loved these moments of solitude, just her and the rhythmic hum of the tires on the road. The world felt simpler on two wheels.

As she approached her next delivery destination, her phone buzzed with an incoming order. It was a large order from one of their regular customers. Davina's heart raced with excitement; these big orders meant better tips.

She parked her bike in front of the customer's lavish mansion and rang the doorbell. Moments later, a well-dressed man answered, and his expression soured when he saw her.

Davina's heart sank as she noticed the expensive sports car parked in the driveway. She had to be careful; this was not the time for accidents.

Before she could say a word, the man's angry voice filled the air. "Hey, were you blind? How dare you hit my car with your worthless bike?"

Davina took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm very sorry for damaging your car, sir, but my bike is not worthless. In fact, it's quite valuable."

The man scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain. "Valuable? You must be joking. My car is worth more than your entire bike!"

Davina's cheeks flushed with anger, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Well, I may not have a fancy car, but my bike is quite expensive. Regardless, I apologize for the damage."

The man didn't seem satisfied with her apology. "You need to pay for the damages to this car, and if you don't within a week, I'll search for you and have you arrested."

With that, he tossed his business card at her, the elegant cardstock landing at her feet. Davina watched as he stormed back into car and slammed the door.

She picked up the business card and examined it. It bore the name Xavier Hayes, the owner of the country's largest conglomerate. Suddenly, the gravity of the situation hit her. She was in trouble.

________Davina's House________

Davina had been pondering her encounter with Xavier Hayes since she returned home. The man was wealthy, powerful, and clearly used to getting his way. How was she going to pay for the damages to his expensive car? Her earnings as a food delivery rider were meager at best.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Mrs Wilson entered her room, wearing a smile that seemed out of place given the circumstances.

"Sweetie, I have something to tell you," Her mom began.

"What is it, Mom? Are you still upset about the food I spilled?" Davina asked, concerned.

Her mom smiled sadly. "I'm not angry, dear. I understand it wasn't your fault. But how do we manage to pay for the damages to that man's car?"

Davina sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I suppose I'll have to return to boxing, Mom. It's the only way I can work hard enough to pay off the debt before next week."

Her mom's eyes widened with worry, and she shook her head. "I've told you not to mention boxing, Davina. We'll find another way to settle the debt without you having to go back to boxing."

Davina nodded reluctantly, understanding her mother's concerns. But deep down, she knew she might not have a choice.

"No problem, Mother. Now, please tell me what you wanted to share," she urged, curious.

Her mom's smile returned, though it still held a hint of secrecy. "We'll have visitors tomorrow, and I'd like you to clean the house and prepare your delicious dishes."

Davina chuckled. "You always flatter me, Mother, but I'll do as you ask."

Her mom's expression turned serious. "One more thing, Davina. Tomorrow, you mustn't leave the house; their visit concerns you."

Davina furrowed her brow. "Why, and how is it related to me?" She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

However, Mrs Wilson only smiled and kissed her cheek before leaving the room.

_______Hayes Mansion_______

Xavier couldn't believe that the rude girl had the audacity to be proud of her second-hand bike. It was infuriating, and if she didn't pay for the damages next week, he was determined to make her regret her arrogance.

He got out of his car and entered the living room, where his mother greeted him with a warm hug.

"Oh, my son is back, and I have good news for you," His Mom exclaimed, her eyes shining.

"Tell me the good news, Mom. Did you finally earn a cooking degree?" Xavier teased, knowing his mother had been taking cooking classes lately in preparation for a women's cooking competition.

His Mom frowned playfully. "Well, no, but something even more exciting happened today."

Xavier raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious now. "Okay, spill it. What's the good news?"

His mother's face lit up with excitement. "I met an old friend today, Xavier, and we had an agreement from long ago that we lost contact over. Now that I've found her, I want to fulfill that promise."

Xavier nodded, happy for his mother but still curious about the details. "That sounds interesting, Mom, but how does it concern me?"

His mother leaned in closer, her voice filled with mystery. "Don't worry, son. You'll find out soon enough."

______________________

Davina was awakened by the alarm the next morning, feeling tired after a restless night filled with thoughts of Xavier Hayes and her looming debt. She knew she had a busy day ahead. Her mother had instructed her to clean the house and prepare meals for the mysterious visitors who were coming later.

She helped her mother with the laundry, meticulously cleaned every room, and then spent hours in the kitchen, preparing a feast of her most delicious dishes. The day passed quickly, and before she knew it, evening had arrived.

Mom insisted that Davina wear her best clothes and advised her to be on her best behavior when the visitors arrived. Davina obeyed, putting on a simple yet elegant dress and trying to suppress the nervousness that had been building inside her.

As she was about to fetch some water from the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Davina opened the door and found none other than Xavier Hayes and his mother standing on their doorstep.

"YOU AGAIN," they both exclaimed simultaneously, their voices filled with surprise and disbelief. Their mothers looked at them in confusion.

"Have you two met before?" Davina's Mom asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Davina remained silent, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from Xavier, who was wearing a crisp suit that accentuated his sharp features.

Xavier couldn't believe his eyes. Davina, the girl from the bike incident, stood before him once again, but this time, she was in her home, dressed elegantly, and clearly caught off guard by their unexpected visit.

"Stop that, Xavier. We're guests here; don't be rude," his mother scolded him, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Xavier cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Right, sorry about that. We didn't expect to see each other again so soon."

Davina's mother, Kayla, smiled warmly and gestured for them to come inside. "No worries at all. Please, come in. We're delighted to have you here."

As they entered the cozy living room, Xavier couldn't help but notice the comfortable atmosphere of the house. It was a stark contrast to his own lavish mansion. The walls were adorned with family photos, and the scent of home-cooked meals filled the air.

Xavier's mother, Kayla, introduced them to Davina. "By the way, meet my son, Xavier. And, Xavier, this is Davina."

Xavier nodded politely, acknowledging the introduction. "Nice to formally meet you, Davina."

Davina managed a polite smile, though the tension in the room was palpable. She still remembered their last encounter and the ultimatum he had given her.

"Let's head to the dining table now," Kayla suggested, trying to ease the awkwardness. Xavier glanced around their home, still feeling out of place.

"I'm not hungry, Mom," he replied, his tone indicating his lack of enthusiasm for the visit.

Davina couldn't help but think he was avoiding her food, perhaps still upset about their previous encounter.

"Even if you're not hungry, you should at least try Davina's food since she prepared it all for us," Kayla insisted, gently nudging him in the direction of the dining room.

Xavier reluctantly agreed, following Davina and his mother to the table. As they sat down, Davina couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Why had Xavier and his mother come here? It couldn't just be a chance visit, especially after their heated exchange earlier.

Mystery hung in the air as they began to eat the delicious meal Davina had prepared. Conversation was polite but strained, with occasional glances exchanged between Xavier and Davina.

After breakfast, Kayla suggested they move to the living room for a more relaxed atmosphere. She and Davina's mother, Evelyn, engaged in conversation about their past and the friendship they shared with their late husbands.

Davina couldn't help but wonder why her mother had been so secretive about this visit. What was the connection between their families? And why had Xavier and his mother shown up unannounced?

Davina's mother, Evelyn, finally addressed the elephant in the room. "There's something important we need to discuss."

Both Xavier and Davina looked at her, their curiosity piqued.

Evelyn continued, "You see, your fathers may they rest in peace, had a deep friendship. On their sickbeds, they made a promise to each other, a promise that we've only recently rediscovered."

Davina exchanged a puzzled look with her mother. What could this promise be?

Evelyn took a deep breath before revealing, "They promised that their children, Xavier and Davina, would marry each other."

The room fell into stunned silence. Davina's heart raced as she tried to process what she had just heard. Marry Xavier? The man she had clashed with, the man who had threatened her with legal action just days ago?

Xavier's expression mirrored her own shock and disbelief. "You can't be serious, Mom."

Kayla nodded gravely. "It was their dying wish, Xavier. We owe it to them to fulfill this promise."

Davina's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. She barely knew Xavier, and their interactions had been far from pleasant. The idea of marrying someone she barely knew was overwhelming.

Xavier, still in disbelief, protested, "But Mom, I barely even know her!"

Kayla, added, "I understand that this is unexpected, but it was a promise between lifelong friends. We should at least consider it."

The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air. Davina couldn't help but feel trapped in a scenario she hadn't anticipated. She exchanged a helpless glance with Xavier, both of them caught in a promise made by their fathers on their deathbeds.

Suspense filled the room as everyone contemplated the unexpected turn their lives had taken.

"Mom, how do you expect me to marry someone that I don't even know?" Davina asked, her frustration clear in her voice. Her mother, however, smiled.

"Yes, how can I marry someone like him? He doesn't even look like my dream man," she chimed in, glaring at Xavier. He shot a retort back at her.

"I can't marry you either. You don't meet my standards, and your dream man is a farmer," he said, and his mom smacked his head.

"Stop saying nonsense, Xavier. You are both getting married next week, and that's final," His mom asserted.

"Yeah, that's true. Davina, you need to prepare for your marriage. I'm so excited that my only child is getting married soon," Davina's mother added.

"I can't be forced to marry this grumpy fellow," Davina muttered under her breath, but her mother heard.

"I'm very sorry for my daughter's bad attitude," Davina's mother apologized to Xavier's mother, who nodded understandingly. Xavier's mom smiled at her.

"I'm sorry, Kayla, but we need to go now," Xavier's mom said.

"No problem. Thanks for visiting us, and once again, I'm very sorry for Davina's rude behavior," Mrs. Wilson replied, hugging Xavier's mom. Xavier walked out of the house, and his mother followed her.

************************************************

Davina sat on her bed, deep in thought about her impending marriage to Xavier Hayes. She couldn't fathom marrying that arrogant and grumpy man. She wanted to marry someone who would love and care for her, but now she was being forced into a marriage with a complete stranger. Her mom entered her room, and she looked at her.

"Davina, dear, I know you must be surprised about marrying Xavier, and I want you to understand that you are free to reject this offer. But remember, it was your father's last wish, and if you truly love and cherish your father's memory, you will go through with it. Besides, if you don't marry him, I'll feel useless because I know your father would be disappointed that I couldn't fulfill his last wish. I'll leave you to think about it," Her mom said, starting to leave, but Davina held her hand.

"No, Mother, don't go. I'm ready to do this to make Father proud," she said, and Mom hugged her tightly. She wiped her mother's tears away and kissed her cheek.

******TWO DAYS LATER******

"I'm going to wear a skirt and a shirt for the wedding," Davina said, and Lucy laughed at her.

"Come on, Davina, you act crazy sometimes. No one wears that for their wedding," Lucy chided, and Davina looked at her in confusion.

"If I'm not allowed to wear that, I'll wear my boxing clothes. That seems suitable, right?" Davina asked, and she burst into laughter.

"If you don't wear something appropriate, your mother will have a fit. You'll have to get a wedding dress," Lucy said, ignoring Davina's protests. She frowned.

"I know I have to get a wedding dress, but we both know I won't be comfortable in one," Davina argued, but she brushed it off. Just then, her mom entered the room, and Lucy pretended to cry.

"Oh, Mom, Davina is bullying me as usual," Lucy said, feigning tears.

"Davina, you're getting married soon. Is this how you'll behave in your husband's house?" Her mom scolded her, and Lucy continued her dramatic performance.

"Anyways, you need to go to Mrs. Hayes's house. You and Xavier have some preparations to do," Her mom instructed, and Davina frowned.

"But, Mom, I don't want to go. Can't we do our own preparations here?" she complained, but her mom sighed.

"Davina, go and get dressed and leave. I've written the address on a sheet of paper, and it's on your bed," Her mom said, and Davina grumbled before heading to her room, with Lucy following her.

"Davina, stop this attitude and listen to your mother," Lucy pleaded.

"Davina, please, just listen to your mother and honor your father's last wish," she added.

"But I don't love this man, and he hates me so much," Davina argued.

"I trust you, and you'll cope. Who knows, you two might even fall in love," Lucy said, hugging her.

"But I can't stand him," Davina muttered.

"Just give it a chance, Davina," Lucy encouraged, and she sighed.

******HAYES MANSION******

"Mother, can't you just stop the wedding?" Xavier pleaded, but His mom only glared at him.

"Xavier, you're going out with Davina soon, so go and get ready," His mom commanded, and he walked out. He couldn't believe he was being forced into this marriage with that saucy girl. She was too rude for his liking.

After changing, he returned to the living room and found Davina discussing something with his mom.

"Oh, my soon-to-be-husband is here," Davina announced, hugging him tightly, much to his bewilderment.

"What are you doing, Davina?" he asked, taken aback, but she turned her attention to his mother instead.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Hayes, nothing will go wrong," she assured his mom, then dragged him out of the house. When they reached the yard, she released his hand and smirked.

"What was that for?" Xavier asked.

"I only did that to express my feelings for you," she replied, and he smirked back.

"You should have just told me you have feelings for me instead of pretending the other day when I was at your house," he teased, but she burst into laughter.

"I meant fake feelings, Xavier. I can't have feelings for you. I only did that because I want to make your mother happy. If you treat me unfairly, I'm going to report you to her," she warned.

"But..." he started to argue, but she interrupted him.

"Keep quiet and open the car door for her royal majesty," she quipped, and he glared at her.

"Stop glaring and do what I asked you to do, spoilt brat. Be thankful I didn't ask you to carry me," she said, and he reluctantly opened the car door for her.

******TERMAINE CLOTHING STORE******

They arrived at the biggest clothing shop in York Ville, and as Xavier approached the entrance, Davina looked at him through the car window and called him back.

"Hey, future husband, can't you be romantic for once? Or should I teach you everything? Come and open this car door for me and try to be a perfect gentleman," she taunted. Xavier glared at her and opened the car door for her. He cant believe that this is what he will be facing when he gets married to her.

******TERMAINE CLOTHING STORE******

"Grumpy man," Davina muttered, stepping out of the car. Xavier spotted paparazzi approaching them, and he immediately pulled her into a hug.

"Behave like a sensible lady; the paparazzi is here, and we need to pretend to be a cute couple. If you fail, I'll deal with you later," Xavier whispered to her, and she smirked.

"I won't do it, and you can't do anything to me because your mother will defend me. But I'll do it on one condition," she whispered back.

"What's the condition?" Xavier inquired.

"Beg me," Davina said with a mischievous smile.

"I'm not supposed to beg you, but because I value my reputation, I'll do it. Davina, please, do this for me," Xavier requested, and she chuckled.

"That's just what I needed," she replied, taking his hand. The paparazzi started bombarding them with questions, but with the assistance of Xavier's security team, they managed to escape their relentless pursuit.

Inside the clothing shop, the manager approached them.

"Welcome, Mr. Xavier. The VIP room is to the left," she informed them, leading the way.

In the VIP room, Davina's excitement couldn't be contained as she screamed and jumped up and down.

"What's wrong with you, Davina?" Xavier asked, bewildered by her sudden outburst.

"I've always dreamt of coming here, and now my dream is coming true," she explained, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"You're such a local," Xavier commented, earning a glare from her.

"Yeah, and you're too rude, bossy, grumpy, wicked, arrogant, and cute. I'm jealous of your cuteness," she said, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"Did I just say that out loud? I guess my afternoon headache has started again," she added, laughing.

"You're behaving stupid, Davina," Xavier remarked, but the manager's clearing throat reminded him of her presence.

"You two are so good together," the manager complimented, smiling.

"Oh, yeah, that's how we always play, right, Xavier?" Davina chimed in, winking at him.

"Yeah, it's true," Xavier played along.

"Mrs. Shirley, can you help her choose her wedding dress, please? Be quick about it, as I have an appointment with someone," Xavier requested, and Mrs. Shirley nodded, leading Davina into the inner room.

*************************

"Consider yourself lucky, Davina. Every lady dreams of marrying someone like Mr. Xavier," Mrs. Shirley remarked, her observant eyes not escaping Davina's notice.

"Thanks, but can you please choose the dress quickly?" Davina urged impatiently. She handed her a beautiful dress.

"This is so beautiful, and it looks expensive," Davina commented, and Mrs. Shirley chuckled.

"It's not expensive; it's just two million," she disclosed, leaving Davina in shock.

"Could you show me something less costly, please?" Davina asked, still dumbfounded. She chuckled again.

"That's the cheapest option here, ma'am. I only showed you that one so you could make an informed choice," she explained.

"But I don't have the money for this," Davina confessed, and she smiled.

"Mr. Xavier has already paid a significant amount for everything," she revealed, leaving Davina in stunned disbelief.

"Mrs. Shirley, I only have 30 minutes here," Xavier called out from outside.

"We need to hurry, Davina," Mrs. Shirley urged, and Davina hastily made her selection. She packed the chosen dress for her, and she rejoined Xavier outside.

After a long drive, they finally arrived at Xavier's house. Davina rushed inside and found her mom and Xavier's mother deep in conversation.

"How are you doing, Mother?" she inquired.

"I'm fine, my dear. We're going to stay here until the day you get married," her mom replied, her smile warm. Davina nodded in agreement.

"Davina, can you cook something for us, please? I'm hungry, and am interested in your food because it's delicious," Xavier's mother requested, prompting Davina to head to the kitchen.

***********************************

In the bustling kitchen, Davina focused on preparing a delicious batch of spaghetti when Xavier strolled in, his curiosity piqued.

"What are you cooking?" he asked. Rather than offering a verbal response, Davina opted to showcase her culinary creation by lifting the pot's lid.

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you just answer me? It looks like you're cooking nonsense," he remarked, provoking her annoyance.

"I'm a skilled cook, and this is going to be delicious. If I were cooking nonsense, it's none of your concern," Davina retorted, her patience wearing thin.

Xavier's response was a dismissive grumble. With a chuckle, Davina assured him that she will be done soon and suggested he could "eat the kitchen" if he wished.

After wrapping up the preparations and tidying the kitchen, Davina served the meal and proceeded to the dining table. Xavier refused to eat what Davina cooked and Xavier's mother, reminded him that the maid wasn't present, leaving him with no choice. Following dinner, Davina took charge of clearing the table and washing the dishes before settling on a couch in the sitting room.

Davina inquired about her sleeping arrangements from Xavier's mother, which led to a surprising suggestion. She proposed that Davina share a room with Xavier, despite their unmarried status.

Protesting briefly, Davina ultimately complied with her directive and made her way to Xavier's room. She barged in, waking him from his slumber.

Xavier woke up to an unexpected intrusion, finding Davina standing at his bedroom door. She promptly explained that his mother had instructed her to share the room with him, leaving him baffled.

"Must you behave so rudely? What are you doing in my room?" He snapped, his irritation clear.

Davina calmly reiterated her mother-in-law's directive, which only fueled his frustration. "I don't know what's wrong with my mom," He muttered as he returned to his slumber, eager to escape the situation.

As he drifted back into sleep, he couldn't help but notice that Davina had set up a makeshift bed on the floor using a mat and a spare duvet. The irony of the situation was not lost on him, but he chose to ignore it.

*************************************

The night passed, and Davina awoke feeling parched in the middle of the night. Determined to quench her thirst, she decided to venture to the kitchen for a glass of water. As she stood up from the mat, shea noticed that Xavier's bed was empty, prompting her to wonder where he had gone.

Navigating the darkened house, she reached the kitchen. After fumbling for the light switch, she illuminated the room, revealing a surprising sight – Xavier was eating the remaining spaghetti.