Her heart was thumping against her ribcage as she walked to the large glass doors of Axel Industries. After a long debate with herself last night, Raine had made up her mind.
How long was she just going to survive on this planet? She wanted to live for once. And the only way of getting past the point of surviving and to the point of living, was if she had enough money to allow her to fulfill her dreams. And if not her own dreams, then at least her parents' dreams, who once had so much faith in her success.
She had gotten her paper work together and called the office early in the morning to notify them that she would arrive for her first day of work. Though Xavier had told her not to, she was going against his word.
Xavier.
His name was enough to calm Raine's nervous heart. No matter what situation she would find herself in, she always felt safe with Xavier's presence. She was still unsure of how Xavier would react when he found out that she had gone against him for the job at Axel Industries. Anger would for sure be an understatement to describe his reaction. Though it caused her pain to put stress on their newly formed friendship, Raine knew the importance of this job.
A friend like Xavier was what her heart needed, but the money the company was offering her was nonetheless important for her survival. With this tornado of thoughts in her mind, Raine pushed the heavy glass doors and made her way into Axel Industries.
* * *
"Hello. I'm here for my interview with Mr. Axel." Raine said to the lady behind the desk, her name tag reading Natalia Pierce. She looked nothing less then a model. Her tanned skin glowing under the bright lights around the room. Her blond hair flowed down her shoulders and was curled at the ends. Makeup caked her face and her tightly fitted blouse allowed her figure to be traced easily.
"Raine Woods?" She asked, eyeing Raine from head to toe. Raine was dressed in her most formal clothing, a white lace top paired with a black midi shirk. However, compared to the lady in front of her, her outfit looked anything but formal.
"Fifteenth floor, knock before you walk in." She said seeming uninterested.
Raine shrugged before smiling at her and walking towards the elevators. It wasn't long before the dinging noise ran through her ears and she stepped into the tiny room that would carry her to her new identity: John Axel's personal assistant.
Once the elevator stopped on the fifteenth floor, Raine stepped out, her hands beginning to get sweaty. She approached the large wooden door with Axel's name engraving in the wood. Lifting her petite hands, Raine made contact with the cool surface of the door, knocking it politely and waiting for approval to go inside.
"Come in!" Said a male voice from the other side of the door. This was it.
Pushing any thoughts asides, Raine put up a confident smiles as she turned the handle on the door, walking inside the cabin of her future boss.
As soon she entered the room, her eyes landed directly on the male sitting behind a large mahogany desk. His Caribbean blue eyes were the first thing that caught her attention. They were bright and hard to not notice, but Raine didn't feel the same emotions she did when looking in Xavier's ocean eyes. The tingles, the magic, the mysteriousness was nowhere to be found.
Apart from his blue eyes, Axel looked nothing like Xavier. He had tanned skin and short, blond hair that was gelled up at the top of his head. His muscles bulged through the tight dress shirt he was wearing and Raine noticed a black overcoat hanging from behind his chair.
"Oh my...." Axel said as he stood up from his seat, his eyes traveling all over Raine's body making her tense. "Miss. Woods, you look absolutely breathtaking." He stated as he walked around his desk and approached her, getting a little too close for Raine's liking.
Raine look a subtle step back, looking around the office and away from him. She couldn't help but compare his office to that of Xavier's. Although Axel's office was modern, simple, yet elegant, it didn't have the same feel that Xavier's did. Xavier's was unique, just like him.
"Mr. Axel I-----" Raine began, only to be cut off by Axel.
"Call me John." He interrupted, smiling mischievously at Raine.
"I don't think that's a wise idea considering the fact that I will be working under you." Raine said, clearly uncomfortable by their proximity. Her heart was beating so loudly that she was afraid Axel would here it.
"Under me for sure." Axel said with a smirk gracing his face. It was all clicking in her mind now. Why Xavier didn't want her to work for him.
"Umm....I was told we could discuss a few things about the job." Raine muttered softly after a while. His presence was bothering her. And not it in the good was that Xavier's would. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest but instead of feeling good, like she did with Xavier, she was feeling uneasy. Unlike Xavier's promixinty where she felt safe, Axel's proximity made her feel anxious.
"Ah yes." Axel said as he stepped away from Raine and walked back towards his desk. "Please take a seat and we can dicuss some more information regarding the job."
"Thanks." Raine said in a voice barely audible as she walked over slowing and took a seat away from him. Her figures crumpled the pieces of paper in her hands, as she sat across from Axel who's eyes were focused all over Raine's body. Her foot shook nervously under the table and her eyes roamed the room, hunting for an escape.
"You've spoken with my secretary up front, I believe?"
"Yes Mr. Axel."
"Great. Natalia must have told you a couple of things but we can go more in depth with the position and your responsibilities together......So you must know that you've been selected for the personal assistant position of the CEO which it me. The job comes with many benefits including car service, a company credit card, health insurance and a bonus for exceptional work. The salary is $3,500 a month which I'm assuming would be enough for you." Raine nodded to all of the things that Axel brought up. With all of the help she would get from this job, Raine could surely afford a better apartment and make a better life for herself.
Raine was broken out of her thoughts when Axel stood up from his chair and walked around the desk, towards her. He pushed the empty seat besides her out of the way at sat down at the edge of the desk, crossing his legs just inches away from Raine.
"Now these are all of the things that you will be getting from this job." He said, making Raine shift uncomfortably in her seat. "Now let's talk about my benefits."
Raine gulped before nodding slightly.
"Personal assistant means that you will be fulfilling all of my personal needs. I need you here at the office when I arrive to the point when I leave. I need you to handle all of my calls, emails, letters, and events. Scheduling and managing my flights and also hosting any clients."
Raine listened intently as Axel continued to explain her role in the office. It seemed a bit too much but it wasn't anything Raine couldn't handle.
"Apart from that, I will also require your presence after work hours."
"After work hours?" Raine questioned with confusion. As far as she knew, a personal assisant's job ended when their boss left the office.
"Yes. I'll need you with me at all times. And for that to be possible, you will be living with me."
As soon as the words hit Raine in the face, a gasp escaped her mouth. "What?!" Raine said in shock and surprise. "I can't live with you. I-I mean you're my boss...."
"I'm sure you know what the term personal means Miss. Woods." Axel said as looked down at Raine. It wasn't hard to tell that she was nervous. "And in order for you to fulfill your duty with perfection and also make your life easier, you'll be staying with me. All of your living arrangements will be provided. Is that clear Miss. Woods?"
"I...um....."
"Very well then. Here is a three year contract stating that you are obliged to stick with our company for the full three year period. If you breach this contract, attempt to quit, or become responsible for any actions that violate the code of our company, you will be fined a total of one million dollars."
Before Raine could understand what was going on, Axel shoved a contract in front of her face leaving Raine speechless. She stared at the contract, gulping when she read through the terms and conditions. If she signed the contract today, her life would basically be sold off to this company for the next three years and she wasn't so sure she wanted that. Unfortunately, even though she was giving away her freedom, she knew that the salary was something she couldn't turn down.
Axel passed Raine a pen and watched as she twirled it around with her figure, reading each line of the contract. Finally Raine lifted the pen meeting it with the fine printed paper that sat on the desk. Just as Axel saw the pen make contact with the paper, he took the opportunity to do what he had been wanting to do the moment Raine had entered the office. In one swift motion, Axel pulled the clip out of Raine's hair, letting it fall over her shoulder. Raine was taken by surprise as she felt her hair trickle down her back, causing her to push the pen away and stand up.
Raine was taken by alarm when Axel took a hold of her hand, pulling her onto his chest. However, before she could do a single thing, a powerful voice boomed through the room.
"Let go of her." Xavier growled, standing the the doorway of Axel's office. Raine's eyes landed on him, immediately comforting her.
Axel let go of his grip on Raine and took a step forward. "Look who we have here. If it isn't for the one and only, Xavier Thorn."Â He spat out, a smirk playing on his lips. "My, my....I never thought I'd ever see you again in my office. How long has it been huh Xavier? Four years?"
"Drop it John." Xavier gritted out, his voice dripping with venom. "I'm here to take Raine so move out of my way."
"Taking Raine?"Â He repeated. "I don't think she's going anywhere with you. You see, Miss. Woods is my personal assistant therefore she follows me around, not you."
"I said get out of my way!" By now, there was a raging fire burning in Xavier's eyes. Something about it reminded Raine of that night at the cafe when she was attacked. Xavier had had that same fire burning within him as he beat up that man.
"And I said that this is my office. Don't forget that you're standing in Axel Industries, Xavier! This isn't your petty little Thorn Inc! I make the rules here so it would be best if you would get out of here before I have to call security. Your image is too precious and I can easily have it destroyed when the media sees my men carrying you out of my company."
"I have absolutely no interest being in this dump you call a company. Like I said earlier, I'm here to take Raine." Xavier repeating, his eyes briefly meeting Raine's.
"Miss. Woods, can you please tell your little friend here that you are on office hours." Axel said, giving Raine a stern eye. "Wouldn't want your fellow friend to ruin your chances of getting the weekly bonus would we?" He mocked, taking full advantage of Raine's weakness.
"Let's go Raine." Xavier said once more, ignoring the glares that Axel was throwing in his direction.
"You really think she's gunna listen to you Xavier?" Axel said smirked. Xavier's hands were now fisted in his pockets and he just was seconds from pulled them out and landing them on Axel's face. "Miss. Woods works for me now. She will follow my orders. In fact, she will even live with me from now on. Right Miss. Woods?"
"Live with you?!"
"Yes. She is my personal assistant after all." Axel remarked, enjoying the attention. "Which means she will have to fulfill all of my personal needs."
Although his anger was at peak, he calmed himself slightly before looking back at Raine. "Raine what the hell is this? Come with me right now!"
"You really think she'll follow your orders?" Axel mocked.
"I....I can't. I won't." Raine said after a moment of silents. Just as these words left her mouth, Xavier's heart dropped and he showed no hesitation of showing that on his face. Seeing the confused and pained expression covering Xavier's face was surely a show for Axel who was smirking at Xavier.
"See, I told you Xavier."
"Raine?" Xavier asked, his voice sounding vulnerable. He ignored everything in the room except for the girl standing in front of him.
"I can't take this job. I won't take this job. And I certainly won't live with you." Raine said, lifting her head and looking straight into Axel's eyes.
"You can't do that Raine. You just signed the contract! You are stuck with me for the next three years of your life. Your only escape is one million dollars and as far as I know you, you don't even have a thousand dollars to give me, let alone a million." Axel said as if he had planned the entire situation out.
"Suck it up John!" Xavier said. "If it's a million dollars that you want then I can throw it at your face this instant." Xavier tucked his hands in the insides of his suit, pulling out a checkbook and leaning across Axel's desk, grabbing his pen. "One million dollars you said?" Xavier asked as he scribbled down on the once blank check. "Take it! And stay the fuck away from her!"
Xavier ripped the check out of the checkbook, pushing it in front of Axel's face. But before Axel could take it out of his hands, Raine snatched it away, ripping it in half.
"I don't owe you anything." Raine said as she crumpled the torn up check, tossing it in the trashcan. Axel was taken aback but Raine's outburst and so was Xavier.
"You singed the contract!" Axel shouted, his anger taking it's peak.
"You mean this one?" Raine asked, shoving the unsigned contract into his face. "I never signed it."
"But you...you were just about to."
"No! I was just about to reject the job when Xavier came in." Raine said, briefly looking at Xavier who was staring at her. "It's true I need the money, but I'm not willing to sell myself to get it."
"This is ridiculous!" Axel raged. "Sign the contract now Raine! Sign it or else...." Axel started as he began taking steps towards Raine.
"Or else?" Xavier asked, his voice dangerously low and threatening as he stood in front of Raine, blocking his way.
"Get out of here Xavier! This is between me and Raine. It's none of your business!"
"Anything concerning Raine is my business!"
"How so?! What are you to her anyways?!"
Xavier paused for a minute and looked behind towards Raine. "Friend. I'm her friend and I won't allow anyone forcing her. Is that clear John? So like I said before, stay the fuck away from her."
Axel remain silent for a moment as he threw daggers at Xavier with his eyes. His shifted his gaze behind him to Raine who was standing silently, looking down nervously.
"Get out." He spat out after a while. "Both of you. Get out!" Xavier threw one last glare at him before he turned around and took Raine's hand into his own. Raine looked up at him with embarrassed eyes as Xavier pulled her hand, walking out his Axel's office.
Before the two could disappear behind the door, Axel's voice caused them to pause. "Raine, I won't spare you for this. Let me see how you get a job anywhere else in this area!" He threaten. But before he could continue any further, Xavier yanked Raine hand, pulled her out of the office and towards the elevator.
The ride down the elevator was a silent one. Raine's eyes remained glued to the ground and Xavier's hands remained fisted on his sides as they descended to the ground floor. Just as the door opened, freeing the two out of the small space, Xavier held onto Raine's arm once more as they walked out the building, receiving stares from everyone around them. Just as they got out, Raine noticed Jordon standing against the side of Xavier's black car. Seeing Xavier walking towards them, Jordon rushed to open the door.
Not a word was exchanged between the two as they drove through he city. The only sound that Xavier had made was when he uttered the word 'home' in a harsh manor to Jordon when he asked where they wanted to go.
Raine stared out at the city as it passed by. Through the reflection in the window, she glanced at Xavier who was sitting at the end of the seat, his face hard and his eyes cold. She couldn't help but feel responsible for everything. She should have listened to him when he warned her.
It wasn't long before the car pulled into the grand driveway of Xavier's mansion. His mansion was a sight to see but Raine's mind was preoccupied with other thoughts for her to see the grandeur of his house.
Jordon parked the car in front of the marble staircase that lead up to his front door. Immediately, the men standing at the entrance rushed to open the passenger doors, allowing both Raine and Xavier to step out of the car.
Without waiting a second long, Xavier strode up the stairs, opening the colossal doors engraved with carving is the dark wood. Raine followed silently behind him, her head held low. She knew that Xavier was furious and it saddened her to know that she was the cause. She should have listened to him but she didn't and that is why they were in the current situation.
Xavier walked into the living home, gesturing all of the men who were present to leave. He crept his arms out of his coat and threw it on the couch before staring at Raine. They remained quiet, either one of them not uttering a single word.
"I'm so stupid." Raine said, finally breaking the silence between the two. Xavier's head shot up as he looked at Raine's tear filled eyes. "I'm so freaking stupid to go there after your warning."
Xavier ran his fingers through his hair which was a hot mess by now. Taking a deep breath, he moved closer to Raine. "The only thing that's making you stupid is the fact that your actually calling yourself stupid, so please stop." Xavier said, standing in front of her. Although he was mad, he couldn't bare to see Raine cursing herself.
"Im sorry." Raine mumble, her guilt not allowing her to met eyes with the man who had always tried to protect her all along.
Xavier so strongly wanted to engulf her into his arms and tell her it wasn't her fault. But he didn't. He couldn't. Because at the end of the day, he knew that she had made a mistake. "I thought I made it pretty damn clear why you shouldn't work for Axel?" Xavier let out, a little too harsh then he wanted to. "Did you not believe me Raine?" He asked, truly awaiting her answer.
"I did but...." She trailed off, not knowing how to justify her actions.
"Sure looks like you did." He said rolling his eyes and loosening the tie on his shirt."You told me that you would reject the job and then accepted it without even informing me! If it wasn't for Daisy who told me this morning when I came to meet you at the cafe, I'd never know."
"Sorry." Raine whisper, a tear trailing down her cheek which she quickly wiped away, not wanting Xavier's to see it.
"Sorry?" Xavier repeated. His voice softened when he saw Raine's red eyes. "Raine I thought you trusted me. There was a reason I didn't want you to work there and I made crystal clear why."
"I know but I went back home and Mike told me that you and Axel don't get a along and that's probably why you didn't want me to work for him." Raine pleaded. "I know you don't like him Xavier. It isn't hard for me to tell! I can see it in the way your eyes become cold when I bring his name comes up or how your body becomes stiff. But I can't let that get in my way! I needed the money Xavier! I'm living pay check to pay check! I don't even have a place to live! If it wasn't for Mike then I would be out on the streets!"
"I was trying to protect you for god sakes!" Xavier stated before calming himself down. Â "I know I'm a selfish man, but Raine, you're the one person I've actual come to care about. I would never see my benefits over you!"Â The honesty in his eyes was something that Raine couldn't get past. "And as far as Axel is concern, yes me and him do not get along. But that has nothing to do with why I didn't want you working there."
"And since we're on the topic, I'll tell you right now Raine. I don't get along with half the people in this city. All these companies, they're all competition to me. But I put all of that aside when I requested for open positions around the area. I put it all aside so that I could make sure that you had a job that was not only well paying but safe."
"I'm sorry." Raine said as she looked down at her feet with guilt. How had she not realized it? He had done nothing but help her since the moment they had met. How could such a guy ever get in the way of her success? Raine knew that she had made a grave mistake and one that Xavier probably wouldn't forgive her for. He had warned her yet she didn't listen.
Xavier remained silent.
"Why save me?" Raine asked, looking into Xavier's blazing blue eyes. "Why did you save me when I went against everything you said to me?"
"Because you were in trouble Raine." Xavier said, his voice strained. "And I wasn't going to let anyone harm you. I can't." Xavier said, looking away from her and out to the window.
"Why?" She whispering, walking closer to Xavier. Her eyes searched his but he wouldn't allow his emotions to be seen. He kept his gaze away from her, afraid that he would melt. Afraid that he would break down those walls that were surrounding his vulnerable heart.
Raine's fingers brushed against his cheeks. The tiny hairs of his slight subtle grazed against her fingers, tickling her. Xavier's eyes shot up to her coffee brown one's as her touch sent tingles through his body.
"Like I said before, I'll always be there for you Raine." Xavier said, his arms circling her waist as he brought her close to himself, engulfing her in a hug.
Raine felt her heart thump against her chest, but unlike before, it wasn't out of fear. She melted into his embrace as she recalled his words from the night she had been attacked. He had promised that he'd always be there for her and he was.
He was there today.
He saved her.
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