There was a silence looming in the room as Raine and Xavier stood in the middle of the office. The tall panoramic windows displayed the hustle of the busy city, but it was nothing compared to the hustle in Raine's heart as she searched for an answer.
"Raine, trust me." Xavier insisted softly, encasing her small hands into his own. "Say yes."
His voice was dominating but not ever forceful. Not for once, did he impose his decision nor his power over her. It was merely a gentle request. As if he were asking a child politely for it's favorite toy, in return for an even better one.
"And if I'm not good enough?" Raine finally let out, her eyes searching Xavier's azure ones.
"You already are." He stated.
Maybe it was the confidence in his voice or sparkle in his eyes or even the soft smile lingering on his lips; but Raine felt her heartbeat fasten.
"And if I make a mistake?"
A chuckle escaped his mouth as he set both of his hands on her shoulders. "Raine, you're not a robot. I don't except you to be perfect. Hell, I'm not perfect myself! Do you really think I've never made a mistake? I make tons of them every day." Xavier stopped talking for a second, his eyes getting darker and his gaze on Raine, even more intense. "But one thing's for sure. Meeting you, was my favorite mistake."
A blush erupted on her cheeks as Raine took in each of Xavier's words. "I'll say yes but..."
"But?"
"I have a condition."
"Whatever it is, I accept." Xavier said immediately.
"Xavier, has anyone taught you how to be patient?! Calm down." Raine said, playful scolding him. "At least hear me out."
"Ok fine." Xavier groaned childishly. "What's your condition Miss. Woods?"
"I want you to treat me like an employee and not your friend.....If there's anything I've learned, it's that relationships and business should always be kept separately."
There was a sadness in her eyes as she stared into oblivion. And like always, it didn't go unnoticed by Xavier, who always has an eye for every emotion concerning Raine. But to her luck, he didn't question her.
"Ok fine. I can do that."
"And I don't want any priories or anything. I know you want to help me, but I'll only take this job if you keep things fair and square." Raine demanded, trying hard to look intimidating as possible, to which Xavier smiled at.
"I can do that too." He said, the smile on his face growing wider by the second.
"Great."
"So it's a yes?" He asked impatiently. His childish behavior almost made Raine laugh out loud. Never had she imagined the one, the only, Xavier Thorn, a man most feared, to be as down to earth and genuine.
A huge smile crawled onto Raine's face. "Yes."
"Yes!!" Xavier said with excitement. He couldn't help but express his happiness in her decision. It was everything he'd been waiting for.
To keep her near him.
A giggle escaped Raine's mouth as she stared at Xavier in amusement. Obviously she knew that Xavier cared for her, but to know that he cared to this extent made a warm feeling bubble up within her.
Hearing her sweet voice was nothing but music to his ears. His happiness could not be contained as he moved closer to Raine, causing her heart to beat wildly in her chest. Within a fraction of a second, Raine was lifted off the ground and twirled around in Xavier's arms.
Her squeals were heard throughout the office as Xavier set her back onto her two feet. Their eyes met and like always, they seemed to connect with each other like two magnets.
Unfortunately, the soul to soul connection was broken apart quickly, when a knocking noise resounded in the room.
Raine's eyes instantly widened and Xavier's figures left the warmth of Raine's body, as he took a step back.
"Come in!" Xavier spoke, walking back to his chair as Raine followed, taking a seat in front of him.
"Cindy!" Xavier exclaimed as she walked into the office with files in her hands. "You came in at just the right time." Xavier eyed Raine, who was blushing profoundly, but nonetheless trying hard to hide it and act normal.
"Hello Mr. Thorn." Cindy smiled, noting Raine's presence in the room.
"I suppose you've meet Raine before?"
"Oh yes, of course. Hello Raine." Cindy said, shaking her hand.
"Hello Cindy. How are you?" Raine replied in her classic manor, her smile bright as ever, making anyone fall for her charming personality.
"Doing quiet well, all thanks to Mr. Thorn of course." She replied cheerfully.
"Ah yes." Xavier nodded. "I was quiet worried when you called late last night. But of course, your confirmation was all I needed." Xavier responded, a bright smile on his face that was also reflected in his mystifying blue orbs.
"Confirmation?" Raine asked, confused.
"I'm being prompted!" Cindy cheered, her voice ecstatic. "I'm taking over Thorn Inc's Toronto property as their new Managing Director! Exciting isn't it?"
"Oh yes! Xavier just told me about it!" Raine said smiling. "Congratulations Cindy! You totally deserved it." Standing up, Raine gave Cindy a genuine warm hug.
"Thank you Raine!"
"So ladies, now that the news is spreading, shall we discuss some important things?" Xavier spoke.
Cindy straighten her posture, nodding and taking a seat besides Raine. "Yes, of course Mr. Thorn. Cole notified me that you needed to share confidential information with me?"
"Yes I do, in fact." Xavier said. "Due to your promotion, the PA position was vacant, which I've decided to fill with Raine. I think she's perfect for the job." Raine blushed as he complimented her effortlessly.
"Raine as personal assistant?" Cindy questioned. "I think she'd be perfect."
"Since you're experienced in this job, I'd like you to explain the basic aspects of the job to Raine."
"No worries Mr. Thorn. I can explain each component of the job clearly to Raine before my departure." Cindy said, passing a smile to Raine.
"Great." Xavier said, content with the turnout of events. "And speaking of departures, your transition will take a week to process. I've already notified the accounting department and they have began all of the necessary procedures to move and promote you."
"Thank you Mr. Thorn. I'll have all of my belongings packed and ready by then."
"Great. Your living arrangements will be made soon. As soon as we've gotten everything taken care of, we can complete the paperwork and then your good to go."
"Great!"
"Speaking of living arrangements, Raine, you can also get your belonging together." Xavier said as he shuffled through the papers on his desk.
"Me?" Raine questioned confused, causing Xavier to look up from his files.
"Yes. Every employee at Thorn Inc is entitled to living arrangements as well as transportation." He replied, setting his paperwork aside. "Our company will provide you with an apartment."
"That won't be necessary Xavier." She said shaking her head.
"Nonsense Raine." Xavier refuted. "I am aware that you currently have no place of your own?"
A hesitant smile formed on her lips as she looked at Xavier. "But....Xavier, you promised you'd treat me as an employee."
"And that is exactly what I am doing. Your job includes the following services as well as the salary and yearly bonus."
"But...."
"If you believe that I'm making an exception for you, ask Cindy." He suggested, nodding his head slowly.
"Raine, Mr. Thorn is right. In fact, when I got the job, they offered me an apartment too. But I was living with my parents so I didn't take it."
"See?" Xavier said, feeling a little let down that Raine didn't believe him.
"And now that I'm moving to Toronto, the company is giving me an apartment along with a car!" Cindy continued.
"Oh....t-that's great." Raine said, embarrassment flushing all over her face.
"Now that you believe me, I'll have your living arrangements sorted out soon." Xavier said, continuing to flip through his files.
"Thank you. You don't have to do it right away if you don't want to. I'm perfectly fine staying with Mike."
A content and satisfied look emotion passed through his eyes at her approval. "It may take a week max. Don't worry about it."
"Xavier...." Raine started, staring at him with gratitude. "Seriously, thank you."
A soft smile appeared on his lips yet the intensity in his eyes was still blazing. Slipping from behind his desk, he stood before Raine, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You deserve every bit of this Raine. I do not pity you nor am I doing you a favor." His clear blue eyes appeared the color of a summer sea, bright and vibrant, as they remained focused on Raine's. "You are worthy of this job and that is the reason I gave you this position."
Cindy eyed the Xavier as he stood in front of Raine, so focused on her. Although she hadn't worked with him as long as the other members of Thorn Inc, she knew very well that the Xavier Thorn she worked for, was nothing like the man in front of her. He had changed and it was a good change. She smiled to herself, passing a wink to Raine who blushed, causing Xavier to take a step back and turn to Cindy.
"So now that the matters have been set," Xavier said after clearing his throat. "Cindy, would you like to give Raine a tour of the company? I have a couple of contracts to go through before the Wellington meeting."
"Of course Mr. Thorn." She nodded, shyly smiling.
"Just show her around the company. The different departments, staff room, security members, and the other sectors we have here. I'll explain the rest of the things to Raine a little later."
"Gladly." Cindy said rising from her seat. "Raine, shall I give you the tour?"
"Yeah, I'd love that." She said, following Cindy out the door. Â "Anything else?" Raine asked, her head poking out from behind the door.
"Yes." Xavier said standing up.
He shut the laptop on his desk and pushed the papers aside as he rose from his seat, taking long strides to the door. His Caribbean blue eyes shined under the bright lights decorated in his cabin until they stopped on Raine. A smile graced his lips as stood before the petite newcomer.
"Welcome to Thorn Inc."
* * *
It had been a couple hours since Raine had left with Cindy to get a tour of the company. Although Xavier was eager to give her the tour on his own, he was bound by other responsibilities. Meetings were piled up and so were the files stacked on his desk.
However, despite having all of the work before him, Xavier was growning restless, knowing that Raine was so close to him, yet out of his sight. As if someone had heard his silent pleas, the door to his office burst open, and in walked a very exhausted looking Raine.
"You're back." He said, stating the obvious.
Raine simply smiled at him as she walked up to the desk and sat down on one of the chairs. "Yeah."
"How'd you like it?"
"Well it's kinda like running Cathy's Cakes & Coffee. Only like, you know, a million times more complicated."Â She laughed, earning a chuckle from Xavier as well.
"I'm sure it was a bit overwhelming." Xavier said, opening another file. "Don't worry about it Raine. You'll get the hang of it in no time."
Raine nodded, watching intently as Xavier worked through each file. Although it had been a couple weeks since they had met, this was one of the first times she was seeing him work. And seeing him work like the way he was, made her realize how fake and untruthful the media and tabloids really were, printing utter lies about the hardworking and dedicated man in front of her. Despite his good attitude and excellent work ethic, Raine couldn't seem to understand why the media printed such harsh words towards him.
He was labeled many things, playboy and ruthless only being a fraction of the insults spat towards him. Many claimed him to be unworthy of the billions he had inherited from his father after his death, saying he was merely a spoiled child who had spent his life bathing in dollars while his father had spent his life working hard to build the Thorn empire.
It was almost as if the press of the world had made it their responsibly to ruin his reputation. However, on the other hand, Raine was confused as to why he never made a statement to clear any of this up. He was one of the most powerful men in not only New York, but all of America. Girl were crazy for him, willingly falling to his feet with a snap of his fingers and men were lined up, having high hopes to be his friends. Anywhere he went, Xavier attracted people. Whether it was for his money, good looks, power, or fame.
Then why was the Xavier Thorn in front of Raine, so different from what the world perceived him as? Why was he so anxious to be friends with her when he could get anyone in the world with a snap of the finger?
"It's quiet rude to stare." Xavier said, his head still buried in his paperwork, yet a smirk on his face. Raine's eyes widened before she quickly removed them from his well built body and onto the small antiques that were on display on his bookshelves. Don't worry, I get it. People just can't take their eyes off of me. I guess I'm just irresistible." He continued, a smear of cockiness in his voice.
Raine's eyes shot back to Xavier whose eyes were still casted on the documents in front of him, shocked at his playful attitude. A smile grew on her rosy pink lips as she noticed Xavier smirking to himself and enjoying the situation.
"Keep dreaming." She said, shaking her head. Another period of silence surrounded the two, the only noise being Xavier's pen scribbling away.
"Soooo.....I....I guess you're not bad after all." She finally said, trying to avoid the silence between them.
"You had doubts?" Xavier asked with amusement as he lifted his eyes off the papers, and planted them onto her.
A blush made it's way on Raine's face. "Nooo...." She started, looking away from his intense gaze. "But everyone just....I guess everyone I've met, they've all said bad things about you. And.....well Google didn't beg to differ either." She laughed.
"Google huh?" Xavier chuckled, however, he was quickly shut off when he saw Raine's bright doe brown eyes staring back at him with a smile. "Raine, I......"
"What?" She asked, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Nothing." He said shaking his head yet still mesmerized by her chocolate brown eyes. "Your eye...."
"My eyes?" She frowned.
"They.....they're beautiful." He whispered.
Her heart began to thump loudly in her chest at the sweet compliment. "They're just plain old brown. The ordinary." She shrugged, trying to keep her emotions in the bay.
"They may be ordinary, but you Raine. You're extraordinary." He stated. There was so much truth in his voice and it was only reenforced with the blue storm forming his own eyes.
Raine remained frozen by his touching words and his fiery gaze. But just as Xavier was about to continue, the phone of his desk began to vibrate, disrupting the ambience recreated in the room.
Shutting his eyes tightly, Xavier let out a frustrated breath before picking up the vibrating object. "Hello?" Xavier answered. "Yes Cole.....Great, tell him that I need a place that in our area.....On seventh street?..No......Keep looking then...inform me when you're done."
"Sorry about that." Xavier said, setting his phone down.
"It's ok." Raine shrugged. "That was Cole right? He's really sweet."
"As my top security guard for the building, sweet is the last thing he should be." Xavier said sternly.
"That is a good point." Raine laughed. "To be honest, he scared the crap out of me the first time I came here! I don't think I've ever ran that fast in my life."
"Oh yeah?" Xavier said, his mood shifting back into a playful one. "You, Miss. Woods, are a very pretty intruder, I must say." He smirked, recalling the time Raine had breeched the building in hopes to surprise Xavier.
Raine blushed at his comment before looking down at her fingers which were tangled together.
"You know, the offer's still open." He eyes trained on Raine.
"Offer?" Raine asked in confusion.
"Axel's offer. You know, since you are going to be my Personal Assistant, staying at my place wouldn't be a bad idea." He said with a smirk.
Just as the words left his mouth, Raine's face paled. "Wait, are you serious?"
"Hey." Xavier said sensing her discomfort by here reaction. "I was just joking."
Getting up from his chair, Xavier walked to Raine, holding a hand out for her. Just as Raine slipped her delicate fingers into his hand, Xavier pulled her up, leading her to the couch that was placed in a corner of his office.
"You have to the freedom to stay wherever you want. If it's with me, at my house, then you're more than welcome. As I mentioned before, my house will always be open to you. But if you don't feel comfortable, my company will accommodate you with the best and safest apartment, to met all of your needs." Xavier responded in a gently, caring voice.
Touched. That's exactly how Raine felt at the tenderness of Xavier's voice. It had been so long since someone have given her an option. And option to do something she wanted in her life. And Xavier was that person. To understand her, to want her comfortable, to want her happy, but most of all, to want her safe.
Safe.
The word seemed so unfamiliar to her. It had beenâ
"Raine?" Xavier's voice broke her out of her trance. "Are you with me?" He asked, his eyebrows draw together in concern.
"S-sorry...I-I...."
"Raine." He cupped her face. "Are you alright?"Â He asked as worry flowed through his body. "Am I forcing this on you? Is this job something you don't want to do?'"
"Shit." He said getting up and pacing around the office. "You don't want to do this right?" He said running his fingers through his hair. "Gosh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have put so much pressure on you."
Raine's eyes grew wide at his reaction. Shaking her head, she stood up, reaching out for a pacing Xavier. Grabbing his arm, she stopped him so that he was looking at her. "Xavier. You're getting it all wrong." She said softly. "I want to do this. You never forced nor put pressure on me. I really, really want this job."
His eyes searched her face for any signs of lies, but all he found was utter truth. "You promise?"
"I do."
Relief emerged in Xavier's body as he allowed Raine's words to sink in. Of course he wanted her to work for him, but never would he dare to force her into something like this, for his own selfish needs. But now that he knew that she was willingly taking upon this job, a content feeling bubbled within his chest.
"I'm glad." He whispered softly.
A yawn escaped Raine's mouth as she blushed in embarrassment.
"Tired?" Xavier asked, a grin playing on his lips.
"More like exhausted." Raine said laughing.
"Give me two minutes." Xavier said, heading towards his desk. "I'll just wrap this up and then we can head out." Xavier winked.
* * *
"God is it cold here!" Raine said, stepping into the brightly lit parking lot that was scatter with snow. The ground was slippery and her leather boots were barely keeping her from kissing the ground.
"California girl ay?" Xavier said amused, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean it's not myâ" Raine was cut off when the ground behind her feet slipped, causing her head to be thrown back. Her eyes shut tightly as her body prepared itself for the impact of the icy asphalt.
In the blink of an eye, Raine found herself frozen in mid air. She waiting for the ground to make contact with her fragile back, but it never happened. Instead, the only impact on her petite body was that of two strong arms, wrapped perfectly around her tiny waist.
Her heart beat frantically from the sudden rush of emotions, so much that she could practically hear it beating out of her chest. The delicate lids of her eyes remain shut tight, surrounding her in a sea of darkness, and the eerie silent of the quiet winter night seemingly enveloped them.
"I've got you." Xavier whispers, barely audible to Raine. His velvety voice, so soothingly calmed each muscle in Raine's body as she melted into his arms just like chocolate. Likewise, her big doe brown eyes open up softly, only to be hypnotized by the gleaming sapphire jewels staring back at her.
"I've got you." Xavier repeated again, his voice even more softer.
Raine remained frozen in her thoughts as the effects of his iridescent eyes held her gaze. Her mind flashed back to the first time those eyes had stolen her breath, a smile forming on her lips when she realizes that the situation wasn't any less different.
"Like always." Raine whispered, regaining her posture and allowing her feet to plant firmly on the ground.
Xavier's lips hosted a soft smile as he wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her securely to his side as they walk back to the car, cautiously. Although the night was icy cold, their hearts were on fire.
______________________
Happy New Years!! It's 2018!
Question of the day: What's your New Year's resolution and why?
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Breathe