"Good morning Mike!" Raine said as she walked out of her bedroom ready in a fresh pair of clothes. After last night's dinner with Xavier, Raine returned home late and exhausted. Unfortunately, she couldn't sleep in this morning and was forced to wake up early to go to work. They only had a couple of minutes left before their shift began and Raine was ready to go.
"Morning Raine." Mike said, letting out a yawn. Only then did Raine realize that he was still in his pajamas from the night before, laying on the couch amongst a pile of pillows and bundled up beneath a fluffy blanket.
"Mike, the cafe opens in 20 minutes and you're still sleeping?!" Raine said as she pushed him off the couch, letting him fall to the grown with a load thud.
"Ughhhh." Mike groaned as he rubbed his back, trying to stand back up. "Gosh women! What was that for?!"
"We're getting late Mike!" Raine whined as she looked up at the clock to see the second hand moving a little too fast for her liking.
"Calm down Raine! Didn't you get Daisy's text?" Mike asked as he hunted for his phone that was somewhere under a dozen of pillows, blankets, and leftover popcorn from the night before.
"What text?" Raine asked, frowning as she unlocked her phone to find a message from Daisy.
"The cafe is closed today. Daisy had to go out of town with Cathy to see some specialist doctor and the delivery guy didn't show up the day before anyways, so she just said that it's an off day."
"What?! So I woke up early and got ready for no reason?" Raine said, tossing her bag to the side and sitting on the sofa. "I could've been sleeping all this time."
"On the bright side, you're all ready to go!" Mike expressed, stretching his body that was sprawled out on the couch not to long ago.
"I guess." Raine said closing her eyes. "Oh I know! I have to get a couple of things for myself. I might as well go shopping!"
* * *
It had been nearly monthes since Raine had been shopping. Her work schedule had always been crazy, never giving her time off to go out and explore the city. And whenever she had free time, money was always the issue. Fortunately, Mike's sweet offer to stay as his place, allowed her to save up her salary instead of using it up on the rent of her previous apartment.
Just as Raine walked out of one of the stores, her phone began to vibrate in her pocket. Moving all of her bags to one side, Raine reached into the pocket of her jeans to pull out her phone, expecting it to be from Xavier.
Just the thought of hearing his voice had Raine excited. However, the excitement was quickly overtaken by confusion when she saw 'private number' displayed on her phone screen. Skeptical of whether to pick it up or not, Raine took the risk, swiping across the screen and answering the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Miss. Raine Woods?"
"Yeah?" Raine said, still confused on who the caller was.
"Hello Miss. Woods, I'm calling from Axel Industries to notify you that your application for the PA position has been accepted. Congratulations. You've got that job."
"I got the job?!" Raine said, excited that finally she heard something different then the usual 'I'm sorry maybe next time.'
"Yes Miss. Woods. I can help you set up an appointment at our headquarters and you can finalize your schedule with Mr. Axel himself. The salary will be a total of $3,500 a month also with a bonus for quality work ethic and of course, the many other benefits that come with the job will be discussed with Mr. Axel himself. When would you like to come over?"
The thought of such a high salary had Raine flying amongst the clouds in joy. However, her excitement dimmed down when Xavier's words from the night before came into her mind. "Um....I actually needed some time to think about it." Raine said, unsure of whether she should accept the job or not. "Could I call you back tomorrow with a final answer?"
"Sure Miss. Woods. But I'll have you know that there are many applicants waiting for this very position. With that being said, it would be best in your interest to inform me first thing tomorrow morning to secure your position."
"I will." Raine said, nodding to herself as she remained in deep thought about what her decision should be.
"Ok then. Have a great day!"
"Bye."
Her thoughts all scramble up. Although Xavier had said no to taking up any such position for Axel Industries, Raine had no idea that the pay would be this high. And to be honest, Raine was in desperate need of the money. It had always been a struggle for her to stand up on her two feet and the salary they were offering, could help make Raine's life much more easier.
But what was she to do?
* * *
It was a busy day for Xavier. Not only was he working on finalizing all of the contracts for his Toronto project but he was also going through the older properties that Thorn Inc owned, which were the backbone of the company.
He hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Raine after their amazing dinner last night. It felt like a dream for Xavier. Spending time with Raine was the best feeling that Xavier had felt in ages. He had been accustomed to the loneliness that he had surrounded himself with. However, knowing that he didn't have to be alone and that he could spend his time with the ray of sunshine that sparked up his world, made him want to change. For the first time in a while, he didn't want to be left alone. He wanted to be bothered.
Bothered by Raine.
Shaking himself out of such thoughts, Xavier concentrated on the paperwork in front of him. He hadn't had a shot of coffee since this morning and he had to skip lunch due to an important press conference. Although it was hard, he focused on the fine print laying in front his eyes until he was disrupted by the door opening unexpectedly.
A frown formed on his face when he realized that someone had just barged into his office without his permission. However, that frown vanished off his face within a millisecond as his eyes landed on the figure before him.
"Surprise! Surprise!" Raine said with a cheerful expression as she shut the door behind her, panting slightly.
"Raine?" His blue eyes brightening up with her presence. If there was any discomfort, exhaustion, or stress on his mind prior to Raine's arrival, it was long gone now.
"By the way, I might have distracted your security guards and snuck past them to get inside." Raine said with a guilty smile on her face as she shrugged her jacket off and set it on the couch in Xavier's office.
Too distracted with Raine's arrival, her words flew past his head as he stared at the beauty before him. "What?" He asked in confusion, once her realized at that he had been staring at her for too long.
"They were gunna ruin the surprise so I made a dash------" Before Raine could finish her sentence, the door of Xavier's office burst open with three security guards rushing  inside.
"Mr. Thorn!" One of the gaurds panted. "There is an intruder in the building!" The other spoke with urgency in his voice.
"Intruder?" Xavier asked in confusion as he stood up, out of his seat. However, just as Xavier was standing up, the guards' eyes fell on Raine who was standing with wide eyes in the corner of the room.
"You!!" The guard reacted. "How dare you trespass onto the property without an appointment or permission!? I have have you arrested for this!"Â Just then, the other guard looked back at Xavier with an apologetic face. "Mr. Thorn we apologize for the inconvenience. We'll have her out of here immediately."
Raine began to take steps back as the guards started walking towards her. However, before his men could get anywhere closer to Raine, Xavier was out of his seat and in front of her. "Don't you dare touch her." Xavier said, with the most intimidating voice Raine and his men had ever heard. Immediately, the men pulled back.
After a brief pause, Xavier let out a breath, taking one of Raine's hands and bringing her to his side. "Jeff, Mathew, Cole, meet Raine." All three of the men looked at Raine to find her with her eyes trained to the floor. "She is authorized to come into the building and my office whenever she wants to. No shall stop her from meeting me, I don't care if I'm in a god forsaken meeting. You are to never stop her. Is that clear?" Xavier spoke with a threatening voice.
"Yes Sir." All the men responded in uniform.
Placing a hand behind her back, Xavier gave Raine a slight push forward. "Raine, meeting Jeff, Mathew, and Cole. They're a part of my secrety team at the office."
"Hello." Raine said as she took a step forward and shook the hands of all three of the men. "I'm truly sorry for everything. I was trying to surprise Xavier and if you would have called him, my plan would have been ruined." Raine apologized.
"That's alright Miss." Cole said as the others nodded.
"And where on earth is Jordon?!" Xavier remarked as he noticed the lack of Jordon's presence. Jordon was in charge of the entire security team for both the office and his mansion. Also he was well aware of Xavier's soft spot for Raine.
"Jordon was clearing up some issues with the pilot." Mathew spoke. "I'll send him up as soon as he's done."
"Very well then. You guys are free to go."
The men left the office, leaving Raine and Xavier alone in each other's company. A smile formed on Xavier's face as he noticed Raine looking all around his office in awe. It was her first time over at Thorn Inc and if the rest of the building wasn't magnificent, Â Xavier's office was the biggest showstopper with the breathtaking views he had in it.
"Woah." Raine said placing her hands on the thick glass that made up an entire wall. "Is this really your office?" Raine asked with a sense of innocence in her voice.
"I believe so." Xavier said with amusement. He hadn't ever thought about his office as anything more than a workplace, but from Raine's reaction to his personal vault, he couldn't help but feel proud of his accomplishments since they were capable of bringing a smile to her face.
"This is amazing!" She said looking back and Xavier who was leaning on the edge of his desk, staring back at her. "You're so lucky you get to work at a place like this!"
"It can get a bit hectic sometimes." Xavier responded with honesty. "It's times like those when I wish I worked for a small cafe on the side of the street." He said, winking at Raine who blushed.
"Shut up!" Raine let out playfully. "You're living the dream Xavier! I mean being the CEO, this successful company, an amazing house! You've got it all."
"Yet nothing at all." Xavier whispered with a sad smile.
"Huh?" Raine asked, pushing off from the window and taking a seat in front of his desk.
"Nothing.......What brings you here Raine?" Xavier asked, diverting the topic. "And I must say, this is one of the best surprises I've ever gotten." He said with a genuine smile.
A blush crept on Raine's cheeks, painting them pink. "Why thank you." She said, grinning. "But on a serious note, I came here for something very important."
"And you've got my undivided attention Raine." Xavier said as he closed all the files that were scattered on his desk and shut his computer screen so that nothing could distract him.
Smiling at his sweet gesture, Raine took at deep breath and began to speak."So I got a call from Axel Industries today......I got the job."
The smile from Xavier's face was quick to disappear at the mention of Axel's name. There was nothing that angered him more, then the mere idea of Raine working for such a man. "Raine, I thought I already told you to reject it!"
"I know." Raine said, sensing Xavier's change of attitude. She knew that Xavier wasn't one to give in but she also needed to explain her reasoning too. "I get what you're trying to say......But....but I.....Xavier the salary is something I can't reject. The pay is well and it comes with a lot of benefits too. I feel like it will be a big boost for me if I work------"
"No!" Xavier interrupted, his voice booming through the four walls of his office. "I said no Raine. Why don't you get it?"Â He said, standing up and banging his fists on the table. "He's up to no good and there is no way that I can have you working for him!" The calm and coolness that his blue eyes once provided was long long. The only thing left was an icy blue pool, cold enough to send chills through Raine's spine.
"Ok, ok." Raine said, slightly confused by his reaction. She knew that Xavier disliked Axel but the amount of hatred radiating in the room was a whole other thing.
Seeing Raine's alarmed face caused the fury to flush out of Xavier's body. His muscles relaxed as he slowly descended back into his seat, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to....." Xavier said as he calmed himself down and looked at Raine with guilt.
"It's ok Xavier. Relax. I didn't even say yes to the position yet." Raine said as she reached out and placed her hand on Xavier's hand which was laying on his glass desk. "I told them I needed time to think about whether I still wanted the job or not."
"Ok," Xavier said after a pause. "I know you're eager to get another job Raine and I promise there will be much better opportunities out there for you. Just listen to me on this one time." Xavier said, his blue eyes shining brightly once more. "And I also passed the news around to some of my clients that work in this area for any open positions. I let you know if they have any job openings."
Just as Raine was about to thank him, there was a knock on the door followed but the sound of the door clicking open. Cindy, walked into the room with files in her hands and her reading glasses sitting at the tip of her nose as she peered up to meet Xavier's eyes. "Mr Thorn the conference hall is ready for-----"
"Postpone it. I'm busy at the moment." Xavier interjected, not even waiting for Cindy to complete her sentence.
"I'm sorry Mr. Thorn, but we have representatives from many companies waiting. I don't think it would be wise to postpone the conference." Cindy suggested cautiously.
"Didn't you hear what I -----" Xavier began with an annoyed voice, only to be cut off by Raine.
"It's ok Xavier." She said, smiling at him. "I think I should get going now. And I think you should take care of the conference as well."
"But Raine----"
"Go Xavier." She said with the most strict voice she could come up with. Although Xavier was the least bit intimidated by her cute little voice, Raine tried hard to hold up at tough front.
Xavier nodded before standing up. "I'll walk you out."
Raine giggled and rolled her eyes. "Xavier, I'm not five. I'm pretty sure I can find my way out of here the same way I found my way in." She said, grabbing her jacket and bag. "I'll see you around. Bye Xav."
"Bye Raine." Xavier said softly as he watched Raine's figure disappear behind the door.
* * *
As Raine opened the door, she was hit with the loud sound of race cars zooming by and the obnoxious noise of police sirens. Rolling her eyes, she threw her bag on the table and jumped onto the couch where she found Mike engaged in an intense game of Need for Speed. It didn't take long before Raine grabbed the remote that was laying under a pile of pillows and turned the TV off.
"What the heck Raine!? I was in first place!" Mike whined.
"Well sucks to suck!" Raine said as she stuck her tongue out at Mike who threw the controller onto the spare chair and fell back into the couch letting out a long sigh.
"You're such a meanie!" He said, rubbing his eyes that were strained on the television for practically the whole day.
"Let me guess. You've been playing since you woke up?" Raine said with a smirk on her face.
Mike charmed her with an embarrassed smile. "You know me well Rainy." He said as he opened the box of pizza that was sitting on the coffee table. "I ordered pizza for us. I was waiting till you got back to eat."
"Thanks!" Raine said, grabbing herself a plate. "I was starving!"
"So what have you been up to all day?" Mike asked while gobbling down the slice. Â "Wasn't this like your first day off in months?"
"First of all, I took like three days off like a week ago." Raine said taking a bite of her pizza. "And I actually went to Thorn Inc today. I had to talk to Xavier about something."
"You went to his office?" Mike said, grabbing two Cokes and tossing one to Raine. "And how was that?"
"It was cool. I needed some advice that's all."
"Advice?"
"Yeah." Raine said as she set her plate down. "I actually got the PA job at Axel Industries."
"What?!" Mike said with an expression of shock. "Oh my gosh Raine! And you're telling me now? We could have done something to celebrate!"
Raine laughed at his excitement and shock her head. "It's ok Mike. Nothing's better then a box of pizza and a best friend to laugh all night with."
"But still!" Mike whined. "Anyways, we can make up for it this weekend......What's the job like? Where is the company? What are they planing on paying you?" Mike asked, taking another slice of pizza from the box.
"The starting salary is $3,500. There's an additional bonus for good work and apparently the job comes with a lot of benefits."
"Wow Raine! That will be such a boost for you!" Mike stated, genuinely happy for Raine. After becoming friends with her and learning about the struggles and hardships she went through, he wanted nothing more than to see her happy and successful.
"I know."
"So when are you joining?"
"I'm not." Raine revealed causing a frown to form on Mike's face. "I'm going to reject the job."
"Are you out of your mind Raine?!" Mike questioned. "Who rejects such an amazing offer?!"
"Xavier told me that Axel isn't the best man to work around. Apparently he plays around with all his assistants and secretaries."
"Raine you do realize that most of these assistants and secretaries ask for it right?" Mike said, his childish attitude out of the way and a seriousness returning in his voice. "I mean I've heard of Axel's many affairs with his employees but that's only cause those girls are asking for it. And as far as the job is concerned, if you just pay attention on the work instead of Axel, I'm sure you'll be fine."
"But Xavier said that he couldn't be trusted. I was thinking the same thing too but Xavier was pretty concerned about me working there."
"And you do realize that John Axel and Xavier Thorn are the biggest competitors in this industry right?" Mike said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Axel Industries is actually Thorn Inc's biggest competition. Not only that but Axel and Xavier have a long history. Apparently they were friends when they were younger and they turned enemies when the both of them took over their parent's businesses."
Raine looked at Mike trying to figure out his words. She only found herself in a much complicated dilemma whenever she tried to take a shortcut.
"Look, I know that Xavier's only trying to protect you. But he does have a bias in this case and I don't think that it's fair to you to miss out on such a big opportunity. Especially when it's him with the problem."
"I know Xavier's only trying to look out for me but......I honestly really need the money."
"$3,500 is a lot of money."Â Mike remarked. "And trust me, if I had this offer I'd take it without thinking a second longer."
"I know! But he told me to reject it." She let out a big huff. "I don't know what to do. Obviously I need the money and any job for that matter but......"
Mike pushed the plates and pizza away as he scooted closer to her. "Raine I know the both of you are friends and all, but this isn't a small issue. $3,500 is a lot and I think you should give it a shot." Mike said, his voice holding honesty. "I'm obviously not going to force you with the decision but I also think that Xavier shouldn't either. You decide what you want to do. It's your choice of whether you want to work for Axel or not. Not my choice nor is it Xavier's."
And with these words in her mind, Raine made up her decision. Although there were a lot of 'what ifs' in her case, Raine was willing to take the risk.
______________________
Vote
Comment
Breathe