Chapter 171: Meeting Xavier & Gianna
Zeke didn’t pay attention to the stares, focused instead on Claire, gently reminding her not to move her game piece too far. Yet the staff couldn’t help but think the same thing: this man looked like he belonged next to their CEO.
It did not take long for Zeke to become the talk of Cy. Noire. While Cassidy was busy in the meeting, the staff outside kept whispering and sending messages, curious about the man who had arrived with their CEO and her daughter.
When the meeting finally ended, Cassidy gathered her notes and stood, ready to leave the room. Lucie, who had been checking her phone in between discussions, suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
"The group chat is going crazy. Everyone keeps saying your ex-husband is too handsome, and they cannot stop asking what your relationship with him."
Lucie held up her phone with a grin. "Because half the staff went to the break room on purpose just to see him. And then they wrote about it in the chat."
Cassidy sighed, half amused, half exasperated. "They gossip too much."
She then left the meeting room and went straight to the lounge. Zeke and Claire were on the floor, a board game spread between them. Claire laughed as she shook the dice, while Zeke leaned back against the sofa, watching her with calm patience.
Cassidy sat down beside them. "You must be bored waiting for me," she said softly.
"Not at all," Zeke replied. "Claire and I played snakes and ladders, monopoly, and a few other games here. This break room is a clever idea—it really helps people relax. Maybe I should create one like this at Salvador Group." His voice carried a thoughtful note, as if the idea had already taken root.
Cassidy smiled. "Yes, you should. Your employees would love it."
"I won against Daddy a few times, Mommy..." Claire announced proudly, her eyes shining. "I beat him in snakes and ladders and in monopoly."
Zeke gave a small shake of his head, pretending to be defeated. "Yeah, you’re very good, princess."
Cassidy only smiled. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a few staff members watching them, and Lucie’s words from earlier came back to her mind.
"Your presence caused quite a stir among my staff," Cassidy murmured to Zeke.
Zeke smirked. "So did yours."
"What do you mean?" Cassidy asked, puzzled.
"Do you remember the shareholder meeting at my company, when I walked you all the way down to the lobby?"
Cassidy nodded slowly.
"I’ve never done that for any other woman," Zeke said quietly. "So when my employees saw me do it for you, it caused a buzz."
Cassidy hadn’t known that. "So, I’m the first woman you ever walked to the lobby, huh? Really?" she teased.
"You could always come to my office again, bring me lunch, and ask my staff yourself," Zeke replied, half playful, half hoping.
Cassidy tilted her head, considering. "I’ll think about it."
Then she suggested they go out for lunch together. "Come on, let’s get something to eat. I’m sure you’re both hungry by now."
"Mommy, can we have pizza?"
"Pizza sounds good to me." Zeke looked at Cassidy with a small smile. "What do you think?"
Cassidy gave a soft laugh and nodded. "Alright then. Pizza it is."
They left the office together and headed to a cozy pizza place not far from Cy. Noire. It wasn’t fancy, but it was warm and full of the smell of baked dough and cheese. Claire pressed her face to the glass window as they walked in, her eyes sparkling at the sight of the big pizzas being pulled from the oven.
They chose a corner booth, and Claire eagerly climbed in first, patting the seat beside her. "Daddy, sit here!"
Zeke sat down next to her, and Cassidy slid into the opposite seat, watching the two of them with a soft expression.
When the waiter came, Claire insisted on ordering pepperoni pizza all by herself, making Zeke and Cassidy exchange a quick smile.
"You’ve got this, princess," Zeke encouraged, letting her handle the order.
The waiter chuckled at her confidence and wrote it down carefully before leaving.
Ten minutes later, their pizza arrived, hot and steaming, and the three of them ate with real appetite. Claire giggled every time the cheese stretched from her slice in a long string and both Zeke and Cassidy found themselves laughing with her.
When they finally stepped out of the restaurant, the afternoon air felt lighter. They were just crossing the parking lot when Claire suddenly froze, her eyes widening.
"Uncle Xavi!" she shouted, waving her little hands excitedly.
Cassidy turned her head and there, not far from them, stood Xavier and Gianna. Both of them looked stunned, as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Xavier’s gaze landed first on Claire, then on Cassidy, and finally on Zeke. The surprise on his face made it clear—he hadn’t expected to see them here in Switzerland rather than back in the States.
A moment later, they were already walking over, surprise written on their faces as they stopped in front of Cassidy, Zeke, and Claire.
"I didn’t expect to see you here," Gianna said, her voice bright with surprise but warm with happiness.
"Neither did I," Zeke replied evenly.
"Are you staying long?" Gianna asked, her eyes shifting to Cassidy.
"Just a few days," Cassidy answered. "What about you guys?"
"We’re heading back the day after tomorrow. How about we have lunch or dinner together before then?" Gianna suggested, clearly pleased by the chance meeting.
"That works," Zeke said. "Should I find the place, or do you want to?"
"How about we eat at my restaurant?" Xavier spoke for the first time, his smile calm, though his tone carried a certain eagerness.
"Fine, let’s make it dinner," Cassidy agreed.
Zeke noticed the change in Xavier’s face—it looked brighter now, so different from the last time he had seen him. And Xavier’s eyes stayed on Gianna whenever she spoke.
Zeke smirked and shot Gianna a look that said, ’Didn’t you want to move on? Then what’s this?’
Gianna caught the look, and with a little mischief, she answered him by winking.
***