His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 168

**Chapter 167: The Dreadful Game**

*Cecilia’s POV*

It had to be him—Xavier. The universe had a twisted sense of humor, and right now, it was laughing at my expense.

+25 Points/

I turned my head, refusing to look at that detestable face. It felt as if fate was playing a cruel trick on me, and I was the unwilling participant in this ridiculous game.

Was I being punished for some long-forgotten sin in a past life?

“What a coincidence,” Xavier drawled, his voice dripping with feigned charm as he realized I was ignoring him completely.

I treated him like he was nothing more than a ghost, pretending to be engrossed in my phone, my heart racing with unease. Had he actually seen me leaving my neighborhood this morning? It was possible if he had been lurking around.

But now? There was absolutely no way he would skip work just to stalk me outside Silver Peak’s offices all day.

A sudden chill ran down my spine. Had he installed a tracking device on my car?

Every time I thought I’d finally rid myself of him, he resurfaced like a bad penny, persistent and unwanted.

He was like a nightmarish version of a werewolf who couldn’t accept rejection—a creature that thrived on tormenting me.

Perhaps the only way I would ever find peace was if I could somehow make him disappear from my life entirely.

Just then, Dr. Han emerged from the back room, his eyes landing on Xavier.

“Sir, what seems to be troubling you today?” Dr. Han asked, his tone polite and professional.

“My heart,” Xavier replied dramatically, fixing his gaze on my icy expression as if I were the source of all his woes.

I slowly raised my head, my face a mask of indifference as I addressed Dr. Han. “Don’t rush on my account. It’s better to treat him first. If you wait too long, you might end up needing to call the morgue instead.”

Dr. Han froze for a moment, taken aback by my audacity.

Then, with a slight shake of his head, he sat down in front of me and instructed me to remove my shoe, placing my foot on a small leather stool.

He poured some medicinal alcohol into his palm, rubbing it together before he began massaging my ankle.

“This might hurt a bit,” he warned, his eyes focused on the task at hand.

1/4

“I’m fine, no problem,” I replied, attempting to sound brave.

But my bravado was quickly shattered.

Holy hell… it hurt like a thousand needles!

I gripped my phone tighter, my breath slowing as I fought to manage the pain that was radiating through my entire being.

+25 Points/

I had never been one to scream or shout when in pain—instead, I became quieter, my expression more composed the worse it got.

Dr. Han, misinterpreting my stoic demeanor as genuine tolerance, pressed down even harder, oblivious to the storm of agony brewing within me.

In reality, I was teetering on the edge of passing out.

“Gentler, please,” Xavier suddenly interrupted, reaching out to halt Dr. Han’s hands, his voice laced with concern.

I shot Xavier a withering glare. Who asked for his insincere sympathy? Hypocrite.

“Dr. Han, will my foot be completely healed by next week?” I asked, deliberately ignoring Xavier’s unwelcome intervention.

Dr. Han nodded, his brow furrowing in concentration. “If you minimize walking for a few days, it should be fine by next week. But you absolutely cannot twist it again. The area is already injured—another sprain could damage the bone. That would be serious trouble.”

I forced a polite smile. “I understand. I’ll be careful.”

Just then, the heart patient beside us chimed in, “Why not just quit your job? When you’re healed, come back to Blood Moon.”

“Does he even think before he speaks?” I muttered under my breath, exasperated.

Dr. Han noticed the tension crackling between us and wisely chose to remain neutral, avoiding any further involvement.

After a while, he applied a medicinal compress and wrapped my ankle with a bandage. “Come back tomorrow. Four consecutive treatments should do the trick.”

“Thank you, Dr. Han,” I expressed my gratitude, slipping my shoe back on and standing to pay.

Dr. Han had barely uttered the price when Xavier swooped in, paying so swiftly that it startled both of us.

I shot him a cold, incredulous stare.

I was betting on his concern for appearances, hoping he’d know when to back down.

3/4

“We can drive in, but in my car,” he countered, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone.

“Absolutely not,” I shook my head firmly, unwilling to budge.

+25 Points/

Xavier took a step back, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. “Then I’ll ride in your car. We’ll go in, take one lap, come back out, and you can drop me here. I promise, once we’re done, I’ll leave.”

“How about this—let’s invite someone else along. More people make it more fun,” I suggested, a glimmer of hope rising within me.

“I only want to be with you, just the two of us,” Xavier insisted, his gaze unwavering.

“Well, I prefer three people. Either we do it my way, or you can move aside,” I stated firmly, unwilling to compromise.

Xavier’s jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. “Rock-paper-scissors. Winner decides. If you still refuse after that, I’ll cover your mouth and carry you to my car. I guarantee you won’t get the chance to scream.”

I clenched my fist, my heart racing at his audacity.

After a few seconds of silence, I relented, knowing I had no other choice. “Fine. Winner decides.”

I threw scissors. Xavier showed paper. A triumphant smile spread across my face. “I win.”

Xavier’s expression darkened, his annoyance palpable. “…Who could you possibly invite here?”

I was about to suggest Dr. Han, figuring I could compensate him for his time.

“How about me?” a new voice chimed in.

I turned, startled.

There he was—Sebastian.

Standing fifteen feet away, half-shadowed beneath the glowing barbershop sign, those rotating red-white-blue stripes casting a soft light across his face.

His tall frame looked carved from moonlight and vengeance, and his icy stare could have frozen a volcano.

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