Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Facing Fear Directly
Translator: 549690339
Caleb Mamet nodded in satisfaction, his knit brows relaxed, speaking in a domineering tone, âSo how should you show that youâre happy?
Xaviera Evans: â
She looked puzzled, trying to test the waters, âThank you?â
Caleb furrowed his brows again.
Previously, Steve Price had told him that a woman usually expresses gratitude to her lover by a kiss. Mrs. Mamet would certainly offer an excited kiss, at which point he should be somewhat reserved.
Caleb: âHmm, and then?â
And then?
Xaviera thought for a moment, her voice slightly trembling, âThen, then I kiss you?â
ââSomething seems off with Caleb. Did Steve corrupt him? Whatâs he thinking?ââ
Hearing Xavieraâs inner thoughts, Calebâs brow furrowed instantly.
Immediately after, another thought came to herâ
ââWhat is he even thinking? He doesnât really expect me to kiss him, right?
When did my senior fellow become so flirty?ââ
Unable to help himself, Caleb coughed to cover up the blush spreading on his face, feigning calmness, âWhat do you think?â
Xaviera sneered in her heart:
âHa! Men, if you want a kiss, just say so. Stop beating around the bush.ââ
Caleb smiled slightly. Not bad, Mrs. Mamet was actually willing to kiss him; she just didnât react to it at first.
ââWait, what am I thanking him for?ââ
Suddenly, Xaviera stopped and scrunched up her little face.
ââIf it werenât for him, I wouldnât have been reported. Zara Woods did it for him, and Jake Lindsey did it for Zara, so this mess is all Calebâs fault!ââ ââItâs only right for him to avenge me!ââ
The smile on Calebâs face disappeared abruptly, leaving him feeling lost.
Subsequently, Xavieraâs feeling of gratitude vanished as if dissolved in thin air. Just before she was about to touch those soft lips, she stopped herself and hastily ran away.
âI suddenly want to go swimming. Iâm going to change my clothes! â
Steve, hiding in the corner: â
My goodness! I feel embarrassed on behalf of the president, âMr. President, go after her! Chase her down and kiss her passionately. Sheâll definitely succumb to your aggressive advances! Are you just going to stand here feeling awkward? ..Boss, where are you going? Thatâs the wrong way!â
Caleb walked upstairs.
He opened the walk-in closet and looked at the swimsuit heâd bought for Xaviera.
Steve rushed up, âMr. President, what are you doing? Why are youâŠâ
âShut up, or Iâll cut your salary.â Sean Price warned.
Steve: âIâm doing this for the presidentâs sake. Deducting some salary doesnât matter. Heâll understand my good intentions sooner or later.â
Sean Priceâą. â âŠâ Fine, I shouldnât have meddled.
At this moment, Caleb took out the swimsuit and examined the scanty fabric, his eyes deepening.
Xaviera was looking for her swimsuit when a male voice came from the door, âAre you sure you want to swim?â
Without turning her head, Xaviera replied, âWhatâs wrong?
There was an enormous swimming pool in the backyard of the Lowen Clubhouse, and she had always wanted to try it out, especially with the nice weather today.
Calebâs eyes darkened, âI remember you being afraid of water.â
Xavieraâs body stiffened abruptly.
Thatâs right, she was afraid of water due to Mag Evans once pushing her into a lake and almost drowning her. This fear had stayed with her since.
The suffocating feeling from that time had haunted her for years, often jolting her awake from nightmares.
Because of her fear of water, she couldnât stand strong water currents when showering and felt terrified near lakes or swimming pools.
When her grandfather and brothers asked her about it, she simply said she didnât want to learn how to swim. But she told her senior fellow about her childhood trauma.
Whenever she saw deep waters, she would recall sinking into the water, struggling in vain, while Mag stood on the shore laughing. So she despised swimming.
During their time in the countryside, it was her senior fellow who accompanied her and told her that the way to overcome fear was to face it head-on.
Since then, she tried to confront her fear. Even though her body trembled with terror, she forced herself to adapt, gradually learning to swim and even enjoying it.
Seeing her silent, Caleb reached out to pat her head.
Afterward, he handed Xaviera two exquisite bags, his ears faintly red, turning his face away so she wouldnât see his expression..