Raine and Xavier touched down in New York late last night, exhausted from their travels. Although the flight back home still intimidated Raine, Xavier made sure to make her experience as smooth as possible, doing every little thing to distract her from thinking about the plane and instead, diverting her attention to card games and classic movies.
It was a bright sunny morning but the weather did not compare to that of Paris. Raine woke up eager to start her day at work. Things with Xavier had been going great and she couldn't help but blush at the thought of their adventures from Paris.
And to brighten up her day even more, Raine had just discovered that Cathy's Cakes & Coffee was back in business.
After taking a shower and getting ready in a light purple dress paired with a white blazer, Raine headed straight to the cafe, excited to meet Daisy.
"Look who we have here!" Daisy shouted as Raine entered the cafe. It had been a while since Raine had gone there and the newly done repairs and renovations gave the cafe a whole new look.
"Raine! Oh my gosh! I missed you so much!" Daisy said, engulfing Raine it the biggest of hugs.
"Me too, Daisy!" Raine replied brightly. "It looks amazing in here."
"Thanks to Mr. CEO down the street." Daisy winked, causing Raine to put up a confused expression.
"Mr. CEO?"
"Yup." Daisy said, popping the p. "Actually, I had the worst battle with the insurance company. They refused to get me my money until the case was solved. But thanks to our local CEO, Xavier Thorn, who loaned money for the cafe, we're open and ready for business."
"Xavier gave you money?"
"Well technically. He sent his guy..." Daisy paused to think. "What's his name?"
"Jordon?" Raine confirmed.
"Ah, he sent Jordon over here to offer a small loan to refurbish the cafe."
"Ohh." Raine mumbled a little shocked that she knew nothing about this. "Well, that's really nice. I'm glad you guys opened. I was missing this place!"
"Well, this place was missing you too Raine!" Daisy said. "And so was Mikey. He gone for some family lunch today though. "
"I haven't talked to him in forever."
"Oh I've heard alright." Daisy said. "He was going on and on about how you forgot about him ever since you got your new job."
"Have not." Raine refuted."I've just been busy. I was in Paris actually, for a couple of days."
"So I've heard." Daisy said with a smirk. "How are things working out with Mr. Handsome Hunk and you?"
"Oh please!" Raine said rolling her eyes.
"Oh, don't you 'oh please' me! Come on Raine! I've seen the way he looks at you!"
"No way! It's nothing! He looks at everyone that way." Raine said, trying to find an excuse.
"Really? But does he take everyone on long drives to the beach?" Daisy asked, knowing that the answer would be negative. "I don't thinks so!"
"No he doesn't take everyone on long drive to the--- wait a minute." Raine paused. "How do you know Xavier took me on a long drive to the beach?"
"Hun, all of New York knows!" Daisy cheered."Biggest business tycoon of New York's romantic long drive with mystery girl!" She read, sounding like a news reporter. "Raine it's all over the tabloids!"
"WHAT?!" Raine said with shock. "Tell me you're joking!" She demanded, not a bit of excitement in her voice.
"Nope! I just saw it on Daily Mail today! They even had pictures!" Daisy said enthusiastically.
At the mention of pictures, Raine's body froze up. "Picture?!" She asked, hoping it would be a lie. "No. No. No. This is all going wrong! This cannot be happening!"
"What can't be happening Raine? I don't get why you're reacting like this?" Daisy asked in confused as she saw Raine take steps back in horror.
"Then how am I supposed to react?!" Raine demanded. "Daisy you don't understand! I can't be in the media! Not now, not ever!" She shook her head, all of the worst scenarios running through her mind.
"Calm down Raine." Daisy said, walking up to Raine and seating her down. "Hanging out with Xavier is going to put you in the center of attention. There's no way out of it, he's kinda a celebrity in a way." She explained. "But if you're still worried, don't be. There weren't any pictures of your face in the news, only back shots."
"Thank god." Raine breathed out, sounding relieved.
"That doesn't mean they won't find you though Raine." Daisy warned. "It's the media we're talking about."
"I can't let them."
"I don't get why you're so afraid Raine. What's bothering you?" Daisy asked curiously.
"I just... I don't want to be publicized. I like my privacy, that's all." Raise tried to explain without going into too many details.
"Well, Xavier is the heartthrob of New York, everyone's after him. I don't think you should worry about it though. And plus, these stories die out in no time." She reasoned.
"I hope you're right."
"I'm always right." Daisy replied, lightening up the mood. "By the way missy, what are you getting for Master Thorn?"
"Your crazy." Raine laughed. "Mr. Thorn would like anything that's new on the menu."
"Got it." Daisy saluted, giving Raine the receipt before running to the back to whip up the order.
"I've got a seasonal new arrival." Daisy said proudly, entering the room a couple of minutes later. "It's my new experimental drink for the spring."
"You're making the most powerful CEO in New York into a guinea pig for your Spring Seasonal Menu?" Raine questioned unsurely.
"Well, if he likes it, then everyone will." Daisy reasoned cheerfully.
"Whatever you say." Raine said, shaking her head. "I'll see you later, I guess."
"Text me!" Daisy shouted, before Raine walked out of the cafe, heading to Thorn Inc.
* * *
Raine entered Xavier's cabin engrossed in her thoughts. The media finding out about Raine wasn't a good idea. She didn't want to be in the limelight. She couldn't be in the limelight. Not now. Not when everything was finally good. When she had finally taken her life in the right direction. When she had finally gotten a good job, an apartment, but most importantly, when she had gotten so close to Xavier.
"Good morning Raine." Xavier greeted her, breaking her out of her thoughts. "What took you so long."
"Morning." Raine replied, her voice missing the usual happiness that Xavier had gotten used to. "Sorry, umm.. the cafe reopened so I had gone to get something for you and also meet Daisy."
"Oh, it opened already? That's good to hear." Xavier said. "How's Daisy doing?"
"Alright, I guess." Raine uttered lowly, causing a frown to form on Xavier's face.
"Raine, are you alright?" Xavier asked with concern.
"Yeah." She confirmed, not meeting his eyes. "I'm fine."
"Raine, look at me." Xavier demanded softly, but Raine didn't follow. She couldn't look at Xavier for she had no words to say.
"Raine."
Xavier stood up from his seat, walking over to her. His hand brushed against her shoulders as his figures lifted her chin up so that he could see the eyes that he'd been longing to see ever since he had dropped Raine off the day before.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." She said, looking away.
"You know, Raine, you're really bad at lying." Xavier said.
"I said, I'm not lying." She refuted.
"You are." Xavier corrected. "Now tell me what's wrong Raine."
"I just..." She said, frustrated with herself for being in the current situation she was in. She found tears welling up in her eyes which she controlled painfully, preventing them from falling out. But just the sight of tears in her eyes made Xavier's heart painfully pitch.
"Did someone try to hurt you?" Xavier asked with rising anger. "Tell me who it is Raine, and I swear to god I'llâ"
"No one tried to hurt me Xavier." Raine interrupted, calming Xavier down before he was too furious to be tamed. "I just... Daisy told me that there were picture of us from Paris in the news and I ... I can't live that life Xavier. I can't put myself out there for the world to see. It's just not my thing and I..."
"Shit." Xavier muttered, running his fingers through his hair. "I should've known. These freaking people just can't ever leave me alone. Damn it, this is all my fault."
"Xavier, it's not you're fault." Raine said softly. "I just... I don't want to be in the media. It took me years to escape my past and I can't risk someone... I don't want the world to know who I am."
"I assure to you, Raine, that whoever printed the pictures will regret doing so. And I will be taking precautions next time. I won't let a single media person or paparazzi come anywhere close to you."
"Thank you Xavier. I don't mean to be a burden or anything butâ"
"Don't ever call yourself a burden Raine." Xavier said, silencing her with his soft fingers pressed against her rosy lips. "You are anything but that."
Raine found herself frozen at their proximity. He was so close. His eyes were so blue. And his lips. His lips soâ
"Please don't thank me Raine." Xavier said, breaking her out of her wild thoughts. "It's the least I can do. I know I come with a lot of baggage but just know that this...This friendship that we have, it means the world to me. You mean the world to me and I will do anything to protect it and you."
"I..." Raine started, but found herself speechless. What was she to say when he had said something that made her heart go wild. What was she to do? The determination that was in his eyes, she found herself falling in love with it.
Her feeling were becoming uncontainable. She wanted to fall. Fall completely within the oceans that lived in his eyes. But falling came with a price. A price she wasn't sure she could afford.
"Now won't you tell me what you got for me?" Xavier questioned, pulling Raine out of her thoughts.
"Try it for yourself."
He brought the warm cup up to his face, smelling the floral fragrance. "Mmm.. it's a lavenderâ"
"âlatte." Raine finished, blushing slightly.
"I like your choices." Xavier winked causing Raine's blush to deepen.
"Anyways, is there anything you'd like for me to do today?" She asked, changing the topic.
Xavier finished taking a sip before he was back in business mode. "Yeah, I need you to go check on Julie. She's the new lawyer I hired for our legal department. Make sure she's all settled into the company and notify her that we'll have a formal meeting later this week, to discuss some legal matters in regards to the company."
"I'll do that right away."
* * *
Soon after Raine left to do her work, Xavier made it his mission to find out what tabloids had printed pictures of Raine and the types of stories that were looming in the news.
His teeth clenched with anger when he saw the headline "Playboy CEO's new flavor of the month." Yes, it was true that Xavier had a many relationships with women in the past, but none of them were ever serious. And the other women that he had been with in his past life, they were nothing compared to Raine.
What angered Xavier the most of all, was the fact that these reporters were calling Raine one of Xavier's many girls. But the truth was, she wasn't even close to the others. She was different. She was Raine.
"Hey Jordon, can I have you up here for a moment?" Xavier said, calling up his trusty employee.
After a brief period of time, there was a knock on the door before Jordon entered the office singularly.
"Mr. Thorn, is there anything I can assist you with?" He asked politely.
Xavier pushed his seat back, walking forward. "I know you warned me in Paris, and this is a result of me not listening to you." Xavier said, pacing around the room.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get you." Jordon expressed, still perplexed in confusion.
"The press leaked pictures of me and Raine at the beach." Xavier said, killing the suspense.
"Mr. Thorn, this isn't anything we haven't seem before." Jordon reasoned, surprised that Xavier even cared about what the newspapers were saying. "The media always manages to get the latest scoop on your life no matter how much you try to keep it private."
"I am well aware of that Jordon and I don't give a damn about what they write about me." Xavier pressed. "However, I will not allow Raine to go through the same torture. You see, Raine is very cautious about letting her face get out in the public's eye." He revealed.
"I am sure she is Mr. Thorn." Jordon spoke. "Fame and publicity is your thing. You've been accustomed to ignoring it. But Raine obviously is new at the whole situation."
"Exactly. So I need you to be on your A game and make sure Raine's image does not slip out. I cannot watch her in such an uncomfortable position, and it is your duty to ensure this never happens again." Xavier ordered, tossing the newspaper into the trashcan.
"I will try my absolute best to protect Raine's identity but the press is a powerful thing Sir, there is only so much I can do."
"In that case, you know what to do. Pay whatever price they ask for. As long as it ensures Raine's safety and comfort, I can pay any price." Xavier stated, the least bit hesitant.
With those thoughts in mind, Jordon headed out of Xavier's office, only to run into Raine who was walking out of her office.
"Hello Raine." Jordon greeted with a soft smile.
"Hey Jordon." Raine replied back. "What's up? Hopefully Xavier didn't attack you or anything, right?" She joked.
"That wouldn't be surprising." Jordon laughed. "But don't worry, just sorting some security issues that's all."
"That's good to hear. Did you guys find out anything more about the hacker?" Raine asked curiously. She knew Xavier had been worried about it for a while now and she couldn't help but be concerned as well.
"Not quiet but we're working on it." Jordon assured. "I actually had to tell you something though."
"Me?" Raine asked confused. "Yeah, what's up?"
"There's been quiet a bit of phone calls for you lately. I just wanted to let you know in case you were expecting someone."
"Phone calls for me?" Rained asked in confusion. There weren't many people in the city that knew her and those that did, had her cell phone number already.
"Yes. The front desk reported about seven phone calls that were supposed to be for you. However just as we confirm that you are available at the company, they hang up the phone." He notified.
"I don't understand... I don't really know anyone in this area. I'm not sure who'd call for me. Are you sure that they wanted to talk to me?" She asked to confirm.
"They asked for Raine." Jordon specified. "Hey, didn't say you last name though, so I cannot guarantee that it is you specifically."
"I'm sure it's for another Raine. It's a common name, isn't it?" She reasoned.
"I suppose. Anyways, I'll let you get back to work." Jordon said.
"Alright, I'll see you later."
With that being said, Jordon took his leave and Raine returned back into Xavier's cabin, only to find him busy on the phone with someone else. She set the file on his desk, walking up to the large panoramic windows that overlooked the entire city. A smile made it's way to her face when she noticed an airplane flying across the sky.
Despite her phobia of flying, she had to admit that being amongst the clouds was something simply amazing. But what was even more better then that, was being up there with Xavier.
"That was fast."
Xavier's voice broke Raine out of her thoughts, causing her to turn around, finding Xavier standing right behind her.
Raine smiled, looking up into his Mediterranean blue eyes that matched the color of the bright blue sky.
"I notified Julie and she sent me some paperwork to give to you." Raine said. "Oh! She said she's ready to have a meeting whenever you're available."
"Great. Put her on my schedule." Xavier stated, to which Raine nodded. "And also, I spoke to Jordon about the photographs and he said he'd handle the matters."
"I appreciate that." Raine smiled softly. "And by the way, thanks for helping Daisy out. It was really sweet of you."
A hint of confusion passed through his eyes at Raine's words before he understood what she was referring to. "She told you?"
"Yeah." Raine nodded. "This morning."
"It was the least I could do. Plus, I really missed the lattes. Especially the Pistachio Rose one." Xavier said, winking.
Raine giggled, a baby pink blush covering her cheeks. "Well, you just proved that you are nice. So this mean, angry facade you put up for the world, it's fake."
"Maybe."
"Then why do it?" Raine asked boldly. "Why show the world you're a horrible person when you're anything but that?"
"Nice people get used and abused." Xavier said dryly. "You think I've never been nice before Raine? That I've never tried to be polite? I have. And it resulted in me being in a relationship with a girl who only wanted be because I was next in line to be CEO of Thorn Inc. It resulted in me getting betrayed by my best friend who was with me just so he could live off my credit card." He pain in his voice didn't get unnoticed by Raine. "Being nice gets you nothing but pain, betrayal and heartbreak."
Raine was quiet for a couple of seconds. She was standing in front of a guy. A guy who probably had his heart torn out of his chest in the past. A guy who was infused with pain. And Raine could relate to that. She knew how it felt. Xavier's story was the same as her parents' story. But there was one thing that she didn't understand.
"Then why are you so nice to me?"
"You're different." Xavier said, without thinking for even a second.
"How so?"
"I don't know." Xavier whispered. "You just are."
* * *
It was was well past midnight when a phone call interrupted Xavier's sleep. He had come back from work after dropping Raine at her apartment and dived into bed. The jet lag from Paris and his busy day had him exhausted but nonetheless, he grabbed his phone.
Yawning as he opened his eyes, he glanced at his phone screen to find Jordon's number flashing brightly.
"Jordon?" Xavier said in a sleepy voice. "What the hell is wrong with you? It's midnight!"
"I am extremely sorry Mr. Thorn but this is urgent."Jordon replied in a serious, yet worried tone.
"What's going on?" Xavier said, alert as he slipped out of bed quickly.
"My cyber team found some more information on the security breech that we had last week. More specifically on the exact employee information that was accessed."
"What did you find?"
"It's Raine."
"WHAT?!" Xavier shouted, unsure that he had heard the right name. "Do you have any idea what you are saying Jordan!? How dare you accuse her!"
"Mr. Thorn, Raine's not the suspect. Raine is the victim." Jordon clarified.
"What do you mean?" He asked, calming his anger down a notch.
"In the employee records that were accessed by this hacker, Raine's file was the only one opened without authorization."
"Raine? But who would want her information. I mean there's nothing in those files anyways."
"Those files contain her address, phone number, and other personal information in regards to her position at the company." Jordon briefed.
"Damnit." Xavier muttered. "Why would anyone want Raine's information?"
"I have no clue Mr. Thorn. However, there is one thing that I find quiet suspicious."
"What?!" Xavier demanded, losing his patience at each passing second.
"There's been someone that's been calling the company for the past two weeks asking for Raine. But just as I confirm Raine is in the building, the person hangs up." He explained. "I told Raine about it today but she disregarded it."
"And you didn't think it was important to tell me that?!"
"I didn't think it concerned to you Mr. Thorn." Jordon quietly confessed.
"Anything regarding Raine, concerns me! Is that clear?" Xavier said with irritation. "Moreover, that is my company! So anything suspicious going on anywhere, is my damn business."
"I assure you that next time, I get the message to you."
"There better not be a next time!" Xavier stated sternly. "What else do you know?"
"Well, things get even more interesting." Jordon began. "The number, the one that's been calling the company, we traced it. The same number has been calling on Raine's cell phone for the past couple of weeks. That means the hacker knows Raine."
"Wait a minute, that's the number that Raine was talking about." Xavier muttered, connecting all of the pieces.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand." Jordon said confused.
"Just a yesterday, Raine mentioned an unknown number that had been bothering her."
"So the unknown number is the hacker." Jordon concluded. "Has Raine made contact with him or her?"
"Not that I know of." Xavier said, thinking back to their conversation. "She said the caller hung up before she could answer."
"Well if that's the case, then I'm not so sure about Raine's security at the moment. Whoever's behind all of this, it seems like they want Raine."
"Shit." Xavier cursed, running his fingers through his hair. "Get to Raine's apartment right this instant. I'm on my way."
______________________
A/N: Hey guys! I'm back again with another chapter! I hope you guys liked this one! Not only is the media after Raine, but someone else is too! What do you think Xavier's gunna do? And who do you think this hacker is?! Anyways, I have a midterm on Monday, wish me luck!
Question of the day: What's the most beautiful place you've ever been to?
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