๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ / 35
owner of paradise point
resort & spa
were you a wolf in sheep's clothing or were you just a wolf? did i misjudge you like all the important things in my life?
i thought you knew โ doesn't that count for anything?
if you'd asked me for a hand, i would've given you an entire limb. if you'd asked for a prayer, i would've brought down god.
Welcome to Briar Ridge โฆ [ XAVIER KHALED ZAKARIA ]! Who is known as [ X, XAVI, KHAL, ZAK ] and was recently seen leaving their home in [ BRIAR RIDGE HILLS ]. he is currently [ 35 ] years old. he resembles [ ZEEKO ZAKI ] and is the [ OWNER ] of [ PARADISE POINT RESORT & SPA ]. Theyโre best known for [ deceptive smiles ] and also, [ doing whatever it takes to outsmart and outplay the kingpin ]. What is really important to know about them is [ along with buying the resort he is also buying up vacant land around Briar Ridge ].
ยปยป โธปย DIGGING A LITTLE DEEPER
Trigger warnings:ย drug dealing and sales
It all started out so simple. Xavier Zakaria was born in Charleston, South Carolina following an older brother, his parents having moved south from Baltimore, Maryland when his father ended up with a job in the area. While his father worked as a part of a drilling crew, his mother took a job as an elementary school teacher. The family lived humbly in a quiet family neighborhood and did their best to get by when it came to providing for two growing boys.ย
Xavierโs older brother was rowdy and with them being close enough in age they were something of a walled front against the world. They were best friends and always had each otherโs backs even though trouble wasnโt something that was usual in their area. Restlessness and hedonistic tendencies seemed to make trouble a magnet for Xavierโs older brother, and while they got wrapped up in temptations and wayward things Xavierโs quiet observation would help and come into play years down the road.
One day Xavier walked up onto his brother doing a deal. Omar had gotten roped into the gig through another kid from school, the known druggie and โweed guyโ, and was actually a bit deeper in than anyone really knew, with the only motivations being how much green he saw.ย
Coming from a struggling working class family, the boys wanted to help out and they were drawn in by the nicer things that everyone else seemed to be able to afford. It got tiring showing up day after day with the bargain kicks and secondhand clothes, but they hadnโt wanted to hurt their motherโs feelings no matter how much it hurt their pride when it came to the other kids at school and fitting in.ย
Being one of the cool kids was alluring. At least to Xavierโs older brother. He, on the other hand, couldnโt care any less what anyone else thought.
For a while they kept the money they were making to themselves, knowing their parents wouldnโt approve and wanting to spare their motherโs feelings. They kept the new things they splurged on themselves away from her eyes but eventually business grew to a point where they were becoming something of an operation.ย
Instead of having a block, they moved up the food chain and became middlemen in a smaller outfit. Instead of slinging dime bags they had graduated to the harder, more expensive drugs. The things that ruined peopleโs lives. The things that cops didnโt forgive or look the other way on. Xavier, at the time, liked to think that he and his brother only dug in deeper because of the money, because they were on the verge of buying their parents a house.ย
The fact that they could afford nice cars and all the cool people gave them a nod or tossed them a hello. It didnโt hurt making it to the front of the club line or getting VIP treatment.
Still, the operation grew. Xavier and his brother outgrew their smaller outfit and became their own organization, getting their product directly from suppliers and pushing it through their dealers. It took years but they were on top.ย
At one point or another they had each served some time in prison for dealing or possession or even assault. Mostly, the law enforcement couldnโt seem to pin a real hard charge on them. Those years back when Xavier was quiet and observational? He learned a lot. Where his brother, Omar, was more the aggressor, Xavier was calculated and always thinking of ways to keep turning the business upward.
That was when Xavier began to make his biggest play yet. The powerful and dangerous man that ran the Charleston port? One of the largest ports on the east coast? Xavier had found his target and his way in had been through the manโs daughter.ย
It was a different game, a complete change in tactics, and once heโd earned her love and devotion she became his wife and Xavier found himself at her fatherโs side. He continued to make chess moves and slowly, in an incredibly calculated drive, piece by piece was stolen out from under his wifeโs father.ย
Not only had Xavier taken control of the port and his father-in-lawโs import/export business, heโd also taken all of the manโs coin.ย
Two years ago Xavier arrived in Briar Ridge, some of the money heโd earned had been invested in the resort, while other large sums have been thrown towards purchasing land. Clean investments and business fronts had been decided on to both hide and protect his money.ย
The brothers are divided as Omar stays in Charleston, as a force in the port, while Xavier works on turning them into kings.ย
He left his ex-wife behind, the divorce dropped on her lap amidst the takeover, penniless and betrayed. However, unsure of what game heโs playing at now, heโs sent her a postcard from Paradise Point saying: I wish you were here.
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location: paradise point resort and spa
with: xavier zakaria ( @xavierzakaria )
Aurelia had been in town for a little over two weeks and it wasn't a surprise that she hadn't seen her ex husband yet. Before she arrived, she made sure to do her research on what he had been doing, with who and his daily routine. She needed to be ready for when she wanted him to know that she was in town. It wasn't an easy decision to come here and exact whatever kind of revenge she could, especially given the fact that she hadn't healed from what he had done. They say time heals all wounds but for Aurelia it was different. She went through all of the stages of grief and has now landed on anger. If it wasn't for his taunting postcard, she wouldn't be here but two can play the game.
Dressed in one of Xavier's favorite dresses, she headed to his work where she knew he couldn't avoid her. When she arrived, she headed to the front desk and asked to be directed to the owner's office. Her heart was in the pit of her stomach as she walked the long corridor until his office came into view and Xavier sitting in his chair. Mustering up as much courage as she could, she pushed the door open with a cunning smirk on her face.
"You said you wished I were here. Well, here I am."
ย ย ย When the door opened, especially without a knock first, Xavier was ready to fire the employee on the spot. It'd been made clear that he wasn't to be disturbed unless it were an emergency, even then, he expected that his staff knew how to use the phone system. However, the stern expression that lifted away from the documents in front of him dissipated as the vision of Aurelia came into view.
Dark, devious eyes moved down and then back up the length of her figure. X's gaze lingered at the fit of that dress, the one that had always commanded him a little weak in the knees, and he openly ate her up visually. Nothing had really changed in two years, his ex-wife was still as beautiful as ever, though he did detect the effects of emotional distress and grief. โย โธป Good girl, โ he praised, his cold stare finally meeting hers. โ You didn't disappoint taking my invitation to heart. โ
Even more now, as the moments post entry had passed, Xavier's expression softened. His immediate thoughts traveled to her father and a possible gameplan the bested man might have. โ Come here, โ X motioned Aurelia forward, he wanted a closer look at her, and gestured to an empty chair opposite his desk, โ have a seat. I'm guessing you're not just passing through town. โ A clear statement, rather than an inquiry.
โ Did you book a room? โ Or, had she been thinking that she would be going home with him? Amusement kept toying at his lips, it definitely shone from his gaze as he couldn't peel away. โ Smart moveโwith that dress. You're beautiful. โ The worrying aspect of Aurelia was that she might have been the one weak spot in his life. There was a risk enemies could get to him through her, or even the chance that she could impose some will on him. It'd been two years, though, and he'd done the deed.
Lucas offered the other an appreciative smile as he set down a new piece that he had brought out, a small set of coasters with sea turtles on them. It was a popular pick. "It is mostly just me," and the man was right. He did not get a lot of time off, but it was not something that bothered him. "I will bring in some help if a project demands it. I work with a few local contractors in the area." His smile grew, "I feel like it keeps the work honest and personal and the time off doesn't happen all that often, but this place is half therapy." For Lucas, it gave him an escape and a way to clear his mind when he was overrun by demanding thoughts. "A custom desk? Definitely up my alley." His voice carried an air of confidence, "What did you have in mind? What kind of space is it going into, style, wood preference? Do you need a lot of storage?" Those were just the basics. @xavierzakaria
ย ย ย With a nod of his head Xavier found himself in agreement with the woodworker. Physical labor and moulding something with your hands had to be cathartic. โ โธปย Therapy aside that's an incredible work ethic, โ X commended, genuinely. It was rare authentic praise made it's way past his lips, as someone that rolled up his sleeves and put his own hands to hard work he appreciated the type more. โ How long have you been doing this? โ The question followed a brief scan of his eyes around the shop, more of the other's craft taken in.
Pleased, Xavier started considering the questions that had come in quick succession. โ I love walnut and cherry, but I know they're not the strongest. Oak, I suppose, maybe with a dark stain and finish. โ A step closer, the large man ran a finger lightly over a piece he stood beside. โ A good amount of storage. Something big and formidable. It'll go in a large office at the resort and it should be something that makes a statement when someone walks into the room. โ
Elsie hadn't anticipated to hear her name, especially not from a man that stood above most of the patrons within the cafe. It took a moment to recognize him, a few more to put together two names that could fit him. He'd told her, she remembered, but couldn't exactly pinpoint whether it was Zachary or Xavier. Both seemed like strong and imposing names that were plausible enough to fit a man of his stature. "Hello." She offered a kind smile, shooting one last look at the counter to ensure her coffee wasn't sitting there unattended. "She's been selected for a new trial that looks promising. She started a few weeks ago and is in the throws of it now so she hasn't left the house much." As for herself, she'd been either working or by her side so she hadn't made time for massages or relaxation.
"She keeps talking about the day we had and the great lunch. Once everything is done and it's less imposing on her body then I'm sure we'll find time to return." She understood he was a business man who wanted to ensure that people returned to his spa but she chose to believe that there was also genuine care there. No one was demented enough to take advantage of a woman with a terminal diagnosis. Another peer over her shoulder when reminded of her order, she then nodded with a slight hint of a grimace. She would never be one to loudly whine about the wait time for a coffee knowing the baristas were overworked and doing their best, but silently, she screamed of impatience. "I try to avoid starbucks to support smaller businesses but they do have a great system with the mobile order. Half the time I eye the drinks that are waiting on the counter and wonder if I should just chance it and steal someone else's." Her gaze flicked over him. "What did you order? You seem like a black coffee type of guy."
ย ย ย The fact that she couldn't remember his name was a good thing. It meant he'd done enough and hadn't been memorable. For someone like himself who often had law enforcement trailing him it was good that a face and name couldn't easily be tossed together. โย โธป I'm glad to hear that. Well, mostlyโseems like it's both blessing and curse. โ Perhaps her mother's new treatments and it's aggressiveness would be beneficial and worth the trouble in the end.
Then, in a move that felt like the natural route to take, Xavier made it a little more personal to the petite blonde. โ And who's taking care of you in all of this? โ It sounded like he was trying to drum up some business, and he was working on favor, just not necessarily for her cash. โ I know too well how easily thing could fall apart when worn too thin. I'll leave your name at the spa, it's on me, come have some of that self care and when your mother is better bring her again. โ
It wasn't that X genuinely cared about her situation or her mother, there was some acceptance that he'd want someone to treat his own mother in the same way. That was a bit of the driving force there. Elsie was also an event planner and he owned the local resort, so it felt like a good contact to keep on the positive. Playing these things up wasn't something foreign to him.
โ You should do it, โ he teased and encouraged of her stealing someone's coffee. X would always be the devil on someone's shoulder rather than the angel. โ You've got me right. All those wild concoctions are just a vehicle to put more sugar in your body. โ And to feed caffeine addictions. โ I hate the big stores like Starbucks and Peets. Their coffee is shit. โ Since they were inside Everything Goes he felt comfortable in stating that and was willing to risk the tirade of a Karen. โ There's some corner cafes that have stations where you can walk up and refill or fill up your own coffee if that's all you want is something simple and classic. โ It wasn't about rushing any baristas. โ I suppose I should just make my coffee at home, huh? โ
Sonny neglects to look up at him right away. Too busy mentally plotting her father's demise and her next big move, freedom wise. She does, however, smirk and scoff as the familiar voiceโas smooth as the bourbon in her glass and just as dangerous after a few sipsโstirs something awake, inside of her. Her fingers trace the rim of her glass, the condensation catching the low golden light like dew on a blade. Meanwhile, the corner of her mouth tugs into not quite a smile, but close enough to pass for one if someone were to be watching.
"Still bourbon," she says, finally glancing over at his profile. Her eyesโsharp and unreadableโcut through the soft ambiance of the bar like headlights through fog. "I guess you could say, some things never change. Even while others quite obviously do."
Her gaze then drops to his hand on the bar beside her, before traveling up to his face, taking him in more fully now. Heโs older. Broader. Still sexy. Still dressed in that same way, that says 'I could own this whole damn place and everyone in it if I wanted to' even if he doesnโt. Although knowing him? maybe he does. She wouldnโt put it past him.
"But I could ask you the same thing," she adds, voice low, smoother. "You donโt strike me as the type to loiter unless youโre hunting for something." Thereโs something electric in the air between themโsimilar history, a few unspoken truths involving the other's identity, the kind of weight that can tilt the balance of a whole fucking room. Sonny leans back just slightly, letting her profile hit the light just right as she takes a slow sip of her drink, ignoring it all.
"I'm not here on business," she informs him, gaze fixed forward now, the mirror behind the bar offering a muted reflection of them bothโequally alluring and mutually deadly. "Not officially, anyway."
There's a pause, before she continues... "But Iโd be lying if I said I didnโt have a score to settle." She finally turns to look at him more directly, her green eyes narrowed just enough to make it clear she knows exactly how dangerous that kind of talk can be in a place like this. But she also knows someone like him is probably listening and can relate. Maybe more than anyone else realizes. After all, despite how attractive he looks on the outside... Xavier's a man who reeks of sin. He's the kind of person, her father spent years molding her to be. Which is exactly why running into him may as well be a blessing in disguise.
"What about you, X?" she asks, her voice lower, quieter, curious but not too pushy. "Still pretending to be the charming investor who just wants to build swimming pools and sun decksโฆ or are you in deeper than that now? You look it. What with the suit and the cologne. Can't say neither suit you." Thereโs no heat behind her questions. But, the layers of implication remain there all the same.
ย ย ย It may not appear so, yet it absolutely is, that Xavier is catching every word, spoken or unspoken, people said so much with their body language as well, offered by Sonny. Not only can the big and broad man see her reflected in the mirror behind the bar, only somewhat shielded by bottles, she's also in his periphery. Each movement and each syllable is processed through the complex wheels of his brain; deciphered and stored.ย
Since he'd been a teenager X had crafted a persona, had worked dilligently on the mask he slipped on his face every single time he wasn't alone. Not even his own brother knew the real him. Xavier's disguise, the one that hid the devil in the smoke, could put any Oscar winner to shame. That was the reason for the slight smile he'd offered appearing as genuine as it didโbecause it was impossible to see a camouflaged snake under the leaves until it was too late. Sonny had heard of the movements, of his ascension.
โย โธป A rogue lion walks into a bar, โ X jested, then stole a glance of her. It was unmistakable, she too wasn't just there, Sonny was also a predator lying in wait. Of what, well, discovering what her pray was had yet to be determined. The undercurrent of something dark and deadly was akin to honey to a bearโirresistible, and X couldn't just smell it in the air, he could feel it. Whatever it was had been radiating off of her.
As the dusk glowed against her profile, his gaze traveled south and took in her figure as she leaned back. X saw the tension. To anyone witnessing, he was nothing more than a man appraising a beautiful and sexy woman. His eyes might've lingered on her legs, but only for a fleeting moment. โ A personal vendetta, โ he commented, eyes returned forward to nod at the bartender as his fingers wrapped around the vodka that no one heard or witnessed him order. โ Here, on hallowed ground? โ
Yes, he had learned already that Sonny had a history in this little town. โ Don't do business in your bed. People you care about will get hurt. โ Some gentle advice to settle her score elsewhere, not a warning nor a threat. Xavier didn't want her father and his associations in this town, or in the general area. It was difficult enough to share his throne with his brother, and X wasn't keen on her father's continued attempts to shake hands.
Their casual atmosphere had been the reason that portion of the conversation was easy to let drift away, as something to be picked up later. His mood moved to mild amusement, and once his tumbler held no more traces of the fire down your throat proof, X turned to Sonny and rested his side against the bar. โ Who's pretending? Land and real estate development relaxes me. โ The smile he produced nearly gave a glimpse of his teeth and his large hand smoothed down his tie. โ Ivory towers are boring anyway, I prefer to be in the action. โ Omar held down the fort personally at the Charleston port, but her question was answered in his own way.
Small towns were known for nosy people and he wasn't looking to have a body washing up ashore. โ And hey, don't knock the cologne, โ he teased, again, in his own way, while giving her more pertinent information, โ it's nice to have first dibs. โ
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ย ย ย The recommendation to stop into the woodworking shop had come by way of en employee at the resort, and even though it was now a few weeks later, Xavier was finally browsing and having a look around while the owner was busy speaking with someone else. There was a definite urge to push the other out of the way and demand his needs be met first, he thought that highly of himself now, the only thing that held him back was the kind of reputation that would set for him and he was all about keeping up a clean appearance. His fingers were smoothing along a nearly finished piece of furniture, impressed by the craftsmanship, when the man he'd come to see was finally free.
โย โธป It's good stuff you have in here, โ Xavier offered the compliment smoothly, this particular time it was sincere. Someone good at their craft was something he could appreciate. โ Is it just you or do you have a whole team? You must never really get any time off, โ he said casually, conversationally with an amiable expression. โ Anyway, I promise I'm not here to just chat and take up what I imagine is precious time. I wanted to see about getting a custom piece done. โ The pause was purposeful, it was never good practice to just rush to anything. โ I'd like to have a custom desk made for my office. Would that be up your alley? โ
ย ย ย As a looming, out of place figure among the blooms of the flower shop, Xavier browsed both pre-arrangedย bouquets and the selection of in seasaon, as well as some out of season, flowers to put together for a sort of build-your-own assortment. Even in his sleep he somehow seemed to be plotting and planning something, often times when waking writing down things he could remember because they struck him as a good idea to store for later, and that was the reason for his presence between the florals. Despite his achievements, Xavier was still playing the long game.
โย โธป Not to interrupt your shopping too long, but I was wondering if you'd lend me your opinion, โ X spoke casually to the petite brunette with wavy hair. In his gaze was a curiosity, an interest. Not just in the incoming answer to his question. Something more, something that reminded him, just a little, of someone he knew. She had similar eyes. โ What's a good arrangement for a 'thinking of you' to your former mother-in-law? โ Not only had he taken everything from that family, he continued to taunt. Subtly. โ Just because her daughter and I didn't work doesn't mean I don't appreciate her inviting me in, you know? โ The smile he displayed was open and friendly, well meaning and intentioned.
ย ย ย It truly was a small world after all. Xavier had slowed his long stride to keep in pace with Vanna as they walked along the main corridor of the resort. There was something on the wall that he had to show her, and he glanced down at her as they moved along. Curiosity piqued, X wanted to toss a few pennies for her thoughts as they passed more than a few pieces of art he'd collected over the years. One of his favorites had been the Egyptian sculpture just before they'd entered the hallway. They'd passed an abstract that had a famous name on the front right bottom corner and had come with a hefty price tag, and he glanced at her again to see if it'd caught her.
The painting after that one had been the reason he'd brought Vanna down this way, though. Just a little further and Xavier slowed to a stop and turned to face the wall where a Vanna Huang was hanging proudly. His hands slipped into his pockets and he waited patiently. โย โธป What do you think? โ The man admired her talent and hoped she'd keep to her word from the last time they'd crossed paths and would let him know when she had new pieces. โ I have that smaller one I bought from you in my office. I wouldn't mind having a piece in my home, โ Xavier not so subtly hinted.
ย ย ย โย โธป Hey, you want to do me a favor? โ Before X could get to what it was his hand was already waving her backward, toward him. โ Can you step back from those rocks? Looks a little dangerous and I don't want to have to get into this cold water after you. โ It wasn't that the tiny woman's life actually mattered to him, it was the simple fact that people knew he was out around this location at this time, and if her body was foundโwell, those were complications he didn't need. So, he played along as a concerned good samaritan. Xavier watched her carefully, with a little interest, though it appeared she wasn't in some emotional downward spiral and was simply exploring.
When the woman didn't come away from the edge of the jagged rocks, X took a single step forward and stretched out his long arm for her to take his hand. โ Come on, please, โ he manufactured a light pleading tone and added on a sincere smile to hopefully sway her in the way of safety. โ It's going to hurt real badโthose rocks and the tide banging you against them. โ It was something he'd seen before, Xavier couldn't speak of those experiences now, though. โ I hope you're not out here risking life and limb for the perfect Instagram shot. โ The last thing X wanted was to play hero.
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ย ย ย Something that had always served Xavier well had been his inability to forget a face. If he'd seen someone once their image was catalogued away somewhere in his brain and the cerebral man had the mental dexterity to recall that information at will at moments needed most. With the petite blonde just off to the side, likely awaiting whatever she'd ordered, there was even more improbability for Xavier to not have recognition ringing away in his head. She was beautiful, of course, yet the reason she was seared into memory wasn't because of that โ they'd spoken, he'd paid for lunch for her and her mother to enjoy following her mother's spa treatment at the resort. There was no way she and the details she'd shared with him would slip the steel trap of his mind.
โย โธป Elsie, hello, โ X greeted after his imposing 6'5'' stature moved through the eagerly waiting patrons to stand near her. โ How's your mother? โ The friendly smile that curved his lips reached up to his eyes. Portraying genuineness, the need to be believable, couldn't be skin deep or something that could be picked up on by something as silly as dead eyes. Many people, especially women, could spot fakeness a mile away. โ I haven't seen either of you at Paradise Point in a while so I hope I'm assuming correctly and she's doing much better. โ His hand smoothed down his tie as X looked as though he were awaiting good news. Once the familiarity had been addressed he casually moved on. โ Still waiting on your order? โ Another, much softer smile, appeared as his hand made an easy movement to gesture toward the pickup area. โ I swear they need an express lane for those just picking up a quick cup of coffee. โ
ย ย ย Dusk had just begun to settle into the horizon and Xavier supposed that was the reason this particular bar was as busy as it was. The view it's prime location offered was named for this very moment. With his suit jacket hanging back behind his hands tucked into his pockets X stood out as a rather large man just off to the side of the bar, his broad shoulders and back to everyone as he took in the scene. It was familiar, it reminded him of home โ a place not too far away. He'd just come Ballenger Realty where he'd had a long meeting with the broker as they went over land vacancies as well as commercial properties X might have an interest in investing in. The deep pockets Xavier had rode into town with a couple of years ago were beginning to make a dent. Some people were excited about him as an investor and others, well, were suspicious.
The moment someone brushed his arm, a dishy brunette with crimson lips, was when X broke away from the colors that painted an untouchable distance. She was left standing there with a look of shock at the dismissal. It likely wasn't something that happened to her, and if he'd had a heart he might have cared. In the interest of garnering favor wherever he could to float his reputation X might've indulged her games; one where they both pretended she hadn't clocked the price tag of his suit. His memory bank seemed bottomless with the amount he could store away, and most people were completely oblivious to those that noticed them when they weren't noticing others. Those long, slender legs given a few extra inches in those designer heels had been around the resort. She had a type.
Another face he could never forget sat at the far end of the bar, tucked away not really wanting to be noticed yet actively scanning the crowd โ Xavier was surprised to see her and his brow lifted in interest as he took a few strides in her direction. โย โธป With a face like that it's difficult to blend in, Sonny. โ Next to her, his hand rested against the edge of the bar and X looked forward rather than a direct address. โ You haven't been sent here on business, have you? โ They'd crossed paths quite a few times before with how they moved in similar circles and associated with major players. Xavier wondered if Sonny had heard the rumblings from a few years ago. That there had been a takeover. Was that why she was here? โ What are you drinking tonight? It's on me. โ
