As the sun rose brightly on a new sunny day, Raine found herself waking up to the stunning view from Xavier's master bedroom, that overlooked the garden.
Crawling out of bed gently, Raine pulled herself up with the support of the bed, taking small steps towards the balcony.
Although most of her exterior injuries had recovered significantly, she was still have trouble keeping balance, and the headaches tortured her quiet often throughout the day.
Just the night before, Raine had almost dug up her own grave when she tried walking down the stairs on her own, only to be overcome with dizziness midway. Had Xavier not been there, she'd find herself waking up once more in the same hospital bed she had gotten out of.
And since then, Xavier had been hot on his heel to make sure Raine didn't put herself in any such situations.
Pushing the tall glass doors open, Raine allowed to cool morning breeze to flow through the room. Taking a couple of steps forwards, she leaned onto the stone railing, resting her head atop her palms as she took in the beautiful view.
"Raine?"
The muffled voice coming from within the house was nonetheless Xavier's. Raine shook her head, smiling silently at Xavier's concern.
He was always looking out for her and although she found his protective side incredibly cute and sweet, she couldn't deny the fact that it was annoying at times.
Raine has spent a good chunk of her life independently and even though she loved the care and attention she received from Xavier, she also loved her independence.
"There you are." Xavier exclaimed from behind. "I was looking everywhere for you."
"Xavier..." Raine said, turning around. "I was just trying to get a breath of fresh air."
"You should've called me." Xavier suggested. "I could've taken you too."
"And shall I remind you for the billionth time, that I am very capable of using the two fine legs I currently possess?"
"And shall I remind you what happened the night prior?" Xavier remarked, talking slow steps towards her. "You've been told by the doctor to not put yourself in risky situations."
"A five second walk to the balcony is anything but risky." Raine refuted.
"But climbing down a marble staircase, unattended, in the middle of the night, most certainly is." Xavier shot back.
"Ok." Raine groaned. "My bad. I should've just called you for help."
"Damn right." Xavier said, resting his hand on her waist while pulling her close.
"Morning." Raine smiled, looking up into his crystal blue eyes that matched the morning sky perfectly.
"Morning Beautiful." Xavier said, pressing a kiss on her forehead before he scooped her into his arms, bringing her back inside, to the warmth of his room.
"How'd you sleep?" He asked, setting her back into the very bed she was longing to get out of.
"Alright." She said, only then noticing his formal attire. He was dressed in a navy blue suit, his hair gelled back to perfection and his dress shoes polished. "Are you going somewhere?"
"I'm going to the company to sign some important documents, ok?" Xavier notified. "I'll be back in an hour."
"Can I come?"
"Nope." Xavier said, shaking his head. "I just spoke with the doctor and you need to be kept warm and cozy in the comforts of my house at all times."
"Please?" She begged.
"As much as I hate saying no to you, I can't risk your health and safety."
"Ugh, fine." She groaned.
"Call me if you need anything, Raine." Xavier said seriously. "And I mean anything."
"I will." Raine nodded.
"And use the landline. It's a secure connection. I gave your phone to Jordon."
"Ok."
"Also, Jordon is going to be staying here so you don't have to worry about a thing."
"But then what about you?" Raine asked.
"I can drive myself to work, Raine." He assured. "But I cannot afford to leave you home alone."
* * *
"Mr. Thorn, it's good seeing you back at the company." Cindy greeted as Xavier entered the office in complete work mode.
It had been a little under a month of no work for Xavier, perhaps the longest he'd gone without working in his entire career.
"Same goes for you, Cindy." Xavier nodded, before speeding up to the elevator with Cindy following closely behind.
"Would you like for me to get you a coffee?"
"No, I don't have time for any of that." Xavier curtly reponded. "Just go get me whatever paperwork requires my attention and any or all meetings that I've been putting on hold. I need to get out of here as soon as possible."
"Will do, Mr. Thorn." Cindy quickly said. "I'll have the conference room set up for an urgent meeting you have aligned with the shareholders and there is a stack of files already waiting on your desk that need your authorization."
"Very well then, I'll take a look at those right away." Xavier stated before disappearing into his room.
* * *
It had been an hour since Xavier had left the house and Raine was bored out of her mind.
"Raine, would you like anything?" Jordon asked as he saw Raine taking baby steps down the stairs despite Xavier's stern refusal.
Her balancing abilities had hit a low point, thus, climbing down the stairs once more, didn't seem like a bright idea.
"No, no." Raine said, shaking her head. "I'm alright."
"Mr. Thorn will have my head if anything happens to you, Raine." Jordon remarked, walking up to Raine and securing her arm, helping her come down the stone stairs.
"That's a valid point." Raine laughed.
"Where would you like to go?"
"Outside of course." Raine shrugged. "I'm tired of being couped up in this house all day. "
"Alright then, I'll assist you." Jordon offered, gently guiding her to the garden.
The weather has warmed up slightly and the cool breeze felt splendid on her skin, as she walked through the lush green grass with Jordon's help.
The fine trees were blossoming with tiny white flowers, that blew off the branches, falling lightly on the ground with each gust of wind.
"Wanna join me?" Raine asked, bending down to sit under the shady tree.
"Sure." Jordon said, shrugging off his black blazer and setting it on the ground before taking a seat.
"So you've probably know Xavier for a long time, huh?" Raine asked, leaning back on the tree trunk.
"Indeed." Jordon nodded. "I used to work for his father. When he passed, it only made sense for me to continue my job."
"Oh..." Raine trialed off. "So has he always been like this?"
Jordon chuckled. "You mean to say, has he always been this possessive? Protective?"
"Yeah..."
"Possessive and protective are two emotions I hadn't ever seen him display. Not until a couple months ago, at least. I don't think he's ever cared about anything as much as he cares about you." Jordon replied honestly. "I don't think I ever recall seeing him so happy."
"He deserves to be happy." Raine commented, uncertain of why he'd deserve anything less then happiness.
"He does." Jordon agreed. "But he's never allowed himself to be, Raine. He's had a rough past and I think he forgot what it was like to live until he met you."
"What do you mean?" Raine asked curiously.
"Mr. Thorn's relations with his father weren't the best. Zander Thorn had always been a person that dedicated his life to his work. Thorn Inc was very important to him. Even more important then his son. I don't think he ever cared about Xaiver." Jordon explained. "And if he did, he didn't know how to show it. Xavier grew up alone, he lost his mother before he had a sense of the world and I guess you can say he lost his father too."
"But how could he abandon his child like that?" Raine asked. "If anything, the lose of his wife should have brought him closer to his son."
"I don't have an answer to that Raine." Jordon breathed out. "All I know is that Xavier was a little boy who only asked for attention and love. But to his misfortune, he never got any. "
"And the rest of his family?" Raine pondered. "His aunt, Ziva was it? I met her..."
"I'm afraid it's not my place to discuss his relations with his relatives, Raine." Jordon stated. "But Xavier trusts you enough to tell you one day."
"I hope so." Raine said. "All I want to do is understand him. Help him."
"He's transformed himself into a ruthless, heartless man that I know he most certainly is not." Jordon continued. "But thanks to you, the walls are falling Raine." He said, looking at Raine with hope. "You've been thawing his heart since the day to slipped your way into his life."
"You can't possibly give me that credit." Raine shook her head.
"I don't have to. It's quiet obvious, Raine. He's someone else entirely when he's with you. Not to say that he isn't himself. Basically, he's himself when he's with you. And when your not around, he's... Well, lets just say the tabloids that tell stories about his rather colorful personality," Jordon said sarcasticallly. "They aren't false."
Raine burst into a light hearted laugh, understanding Jordon words. He wasn't wrong about a thing and Raine understood that. But she wanted to know more. She wanted to know who he was. She had shared such a big part of her life with her. She had opened the doors to her heart for him. And he had helped her. And she wanted to do the same. She wanted him to open the doors to his heart. For her.
"Raine?"
Raine and Jordon turned around, finding Xavier striding towards them with a furious expression on his face.
"Raine!" Xavier shouted, the calmness of his blue eyes completely replaced by a stormy chill.
"Xavier Iâ"
"What on earth are you doing out here?!" Xavier shouted. "Do you have any idea how terrrified I was when I came home and you weren't there!? I looked everywhere Raine!! Everywhere and I couldn't find you!"
"I apologize Mrâ"
"Shut up Jordon!" Xavier shouted. "What the hell are you doing out here with Raine anyways?! Didn't I clearly tell you to keep Raine indoors and safe at all time?!"
"Xavier, it's not his fault." Raine interruped.
"Raine, this is between me and Jordon, stay out of it."
"I apologize." Jordon said silently.
"No." Raine said. "Why are you saying sorry Jordon? This isn't even your fault."
"Oh it damn well does." Xavier said. "I told you specifically to keep an eye on Raine. To keep her inside and make sure she is well rested. But what do I find when I get here? You're out here chatting the day away, instead of doing your duties."
"Stop it, Xavier!" Raine said, raising her voice, catching Xavier's attention. "Jordon didn't bring me out here, I came on my own. He helped me, made sure I was safe and sat by me because I said so. So stop blaming him, because if there is anyone to blame, then it is me."
Xavier looked at Jordon apologetically uttering a quick sorry, before walking towards Raine and taking her hand. "Raine, I'mâ"
"I don't want to hear a sorry." Raine cut off, pulling her hand out of his and grabbing Jordon's instead. "Let's go Jordan."
"I..." Jordon hesitated, looked at Xavier.
"Take her inside." Xavier slowly said when Raine's pretty brown eyes avoided his stormy blue ones.
* * *
It had been a couple of hours since a fuming Raine had left Xavier standing outside alone. Xavier was guilty but he couldn't alone him to wallow himself in misery when he was busy making plans to win her back.
Taking confident steps up to his room, Xavier walking inside to find Raine sitting on the bed, nestled in the covers.
"Xavier, what haâ" She began, quickly getting interrupted by Xavier's confession."
"I'm sorry." Xavier said, looking down at his feet before the only women who seemed to matter to him.
"You should be." Raine pouted.
"Forgive me?" He asked, hopefully.
"Depends..." Raine said, trying hard to high the excitement in her voice and put up a stern face.
"On what?" Xavier pleaded desperately. "I'll do anything."
"On how good the date is tonight." Raine smiled.
"You'll still go with me?" Xavier asked hopefully.
"How can I not?" Raine asked. "I do have an incredibly good looking date. Don't think I can risk not going." She giggled.
"Thank you!" Xavier said excitedly, running up to Raine and kissing her forehead.
Raine laughed as his stubble tickled her cheeks. "You're crazy." She giggled, only causing Xavier to tickle her even more.
* * *
There were about five minutes left till the time Xavier had promised to take Raine out.
She was dressed up in a white lace dress, a part of the collection of clothes Xavier had ordered for her when she returned from the hospital. It hugged her body perfectly at the waist and flowed towards the bottom, stopping mid-thigh. It's sweet heart neckline was complimented perfectly with a silver necklace that shined on her delicate neck.
Her hair was flowing behind her shoulders naturally, just the way Xavier liked it and her lips were coated in a pink lipstick, natural makeup covering her face.
Just as she was done glancing herself in the mirror, a subtle knock on her door caught her attention.
Raine pranced to the door quickly, her cheeks turning a rosy red color due to her nervousness and excitement.
"Raine..." Xavier whispered, almost breathless as his eyes fell upon her petite figure. He seemed to be in a trance as he took in her appearance and Raine couldn't be more thankful for that.
It gave her the perfect change to look at him from head to toe.
The white shirt contrasted his deep black tuxedo suavely and his dark hair that sat proudly on his head in the most perfectly messy way, was just breathtaking.
"You look stunning." He whispered, putting both of his hands on her waist and kissing her forehead.
"Thank you." She blushed. "You look quiet amazing yourself."
"Shall we?" He asked, sticking his elbow out for her to take.
"Where are we going?" Raine asked eagerly, wrapping her arm around his as they walked down the steps.
"Well, since you are on house arrest." Xavier chuckled. "I'm taking you to the finest part of my house."
"The garden!" Raine said almost immediately.
"How'd you know?"
"Because it's probably the prettiest place in all of New York." Raine said. "Nothing beats it!"
"Not as pretty as you, of course." Xavier winked, nudging Raine's side sweetly.
They walked out through the French doors that led to the back patio. A myriad of candles flickered on the grass, carving out a path for the couple to follow.
Raine gushed at the sight, smiling brightly at Xavier as he led her through the path.
A creek flowed on one side of the path, that quickly met up with the large pond that stretched out in the garden. A small bridge, also decorated with candles, led to a fine gazebo that floated atop the pond, decorated in thousands of fairy lights and lanterns.
"It's beautiful!" Raine cheered, taking in a view that she once thought only existed in her dreams.
"I'm glad you like it." Xavier said, satisfied that he'd done a good job so far.
"Correction." Raine sang. "I love it!"
"May I?" Xavier asked, pulling a chair out for her.
"Hmm." Raine blushed, sitting down and enjoying Xavier's extraordinary pampering treatment
"So, our first date..." Xavier let out, sitting across from Raine on the cute little table, adorned with lilies and white candles.
"Well, my first ever date." Raine shyly said.
"You've never been on a date before?" Xavier asked in disbelief. She was stunning. Always had been. Thus, it was quiet hard believing she'd never been on a date before.
"Nope. No one ever took interest in me really." Raine shrugged. "And the ones that did, I didn't quiet like."
"Ah, well those men must have been blind to miss out on such a beauty." Xavier admitted. "Not that I'm complaining, though."
"And you?" She blushed.
"Me?"
"How many dates has the playboy of New York been on?" Raine asked in amusement.
"More then I can count, yet none of them ever meaning what this one does."
"Interesting answer." Raine commented. "Why is that so?"
"I'd tell you if I had the slightest clue." Xavier confessed. "It's just... things are different with you. They've always been. You're...you're just all of the right things that I've needed, wanted. It's hard to put it in words I guess."
"I know how you feel." Raine said. "Feelings; they'reâ"
"Complicated." Xavier finished.
"Yeah." Raine nodded. "Though I've never found myself so lost before."
"So lost, yet so found." Xavier uttered. "All my life, I've been chasing success. Lost in that world. That big world that's beyond these gardens."
"But that's the real you, isn't it?"
"Quiet the contrary." Xavier said. "I always hated Thorn Inc as a child. Ironically, it's become my world. The one person I didn't want to be like was my father. But I failed in those ventures. I became him."
"You're nothing like the man you describe." Raine said, reaching over and resting her hand on his. "You're caring, compassionate, responsible."
"How can you say that?"
"I haven't known you for long, but I do know that you do have a big heart." Raine said, openheartedly. "That you're a kind person who cares. Maybe you don't know it yet, but you do. Unlike your father, you make time for the people you care about."
"Really? How so Raine?" Xavier questioned. "Can't you see, I don't have anyone. How can I care for someone when there's no one I have?"
"You did for me." Raine said. "Isn't that proof?"
"Yeah butâ"
"Exactly. So stop mopping around." She pouted.
"See! This is exactly why I hate talking about myself."
"Ok Mr. Thorn, you can give me a lecture about it over some food perhaps?" Raine giggled.
"Of course." Xavier said, shaking away any ill thoughts and brightening the mood with his pristine blue eyes that shined in the night sky. "May I treat you to some dinner?"
"You may." Raine blushed, watching as Xavier plated the delicious food onto plates for the both of them to devour.
"Freshly made by your's truly." Xavier said, a light pint tint coating his cheeks.
"You made all of this?!" Raine exclaimed.
"Well, yeah..." Xavier muttered. "I wanted to impress you and something told me that food from even the best restaurant in all of New York wouldn't cut it."
"Well, you thought right." Raine grinned. "I'm impressed."
"I had to get down and dirty for my girl." Xavier winked.
"Well, you clean up quiet well." Raine blushed.
Soon enough, the duo was engaged in light hearted conversations filled with giggles and laughs, while consuming the variety of dishes that Xavier had prepared for his girl.
"So cooking, huh?" Raine grinned.
"Cooking?" Xavier asked. "Was it bad? Damn it, I knew I should've ordered out. It's ok, I'll just call andâ"
"Calm down Mr. CEO." Raine laughed. "You're cooking was pretty amazing."
"Ohh..." He mumbled, taking a breath of relief.
"What I was saying, though, is that cooking's really your thing, isn't it?" Raine asked curiously.
"I...well, I do enjoy it." Xavier revealed. "Just never have time for it, I guess."
"Ah, yes." Raine nodded. "Always busy at the company, aren't you."
"I can't deny that." Xavier admitted. "But I'll have you know, I've been busy with something, or should I say someone lately." He winked.
"Oh really?" Raine giggled to which Xavier nodded. "Well, I'm glad."
"Ready for some dessert?"
"I'm always ready for dessert." Raine said, a huge grin plastered to her face. "Dessert equals happiness."
Xavier stood up, chuckling as he walked back towards to house to grab the desert that he had spent hours making.
Although it wasn't as fancy as the makings of a five star restaurant, Xavier was proud of his creations. Cooking was his thing, but baking most certainly wasn't.
"Ooo." Raine gushed as she watched Xavier walk back with a tray in his hands. "I'm excited!"
"Chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich?" Xavier announced nervously.
"Wow." Raine said. "That looks..."
"Horrible, I know."
"I was gunna say delicious." Raine corrected, whacking Xavier's shoulder playfully.
"There you go." He said, carefully plating the almost melting ice cream sandwich in her dish.
The ice cream was running all over the plate, soaking the cookies. Raine however, smiled at his efforts and dug in, devouring the frozen desert causing a smile to grow on Xavier's face.
"Is it good?" He asked, taking a bite of his own.
"The best." Raine smiled, leaning to kiss his cheeks with her cold lips.
The chills that went through Xavier's body were like none other. His heart skipped a beat at the touch of her icy lips on his warm skin.
To the city, the day had just ended. But for Xavier, life had just began.
There, under the fairy lights, Xavier could finally say that maybe, just maybe, life wasn't so bad after all.
______________________
A/N: Happy late 4th of July! I hope everyone's having an amazing time and to make it better (hopefully) I've got a romance filled update for you! Enjoy and please show some support by voting!
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