Before the next sun rose, Xavier and Raine had found themselves back in Xavier's mansion, tangled in between the blankets on Xavier's bed.
A part of Xavier felt defeated that he couldn't find anything more about the case. He had left to go to California in high hopes that when he returned, the threat that was currently looming on Raine's head, would be taken care of.
The more he tried to solve the case, the more he found himself lost.
Xavier and Raine had gone into this, hoping to simply find Malin so that they could turn him in and so that Raine would never have to live in fear and hiding.
But that wasn't the case.
Malin was just a small pawn amongst an entire army of people, ploying to ruin Raine's life.
Xavier didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't know if he'd ever be able to find Malin or even find out the truth behind her parents' death. But if there was one thing Xavier was sure of, it was that he couldn't imagine living a life without Raine.
"Morning." Raine yawned, rubbing her eyes as she rested herself against Xavier's chest.
"Good morning, Little Rose." Xavier smiled, pecking her cheeks. "Tried?"
"Always." Raine beamed, rolling off of Xavier as she pulled herself out of bed. "But that's no excuse because today, Mr. Thorn, is our first day back at work!" She enthusiastically exclaimed.
"Ugh..." Xavier groaned. "Please Raine, we just got back from California last night. I think we both deserve a week off work."
"No can do." Raine shook her head. "Come on Xavier, get out of bed."
Xavier ignored her, rolling onto his stomach as he sinked further into bed.
"Xavier come on!" Raine urged. "You have so many meeting pending and I haven't been at the office in forever!"
At the mention of Raine's absence, Xavier shot out of bed.
"Wait a minute!" He said, grinning mischievously. "You missy, aren't supposed to be working!"
"What do you mean, I'm not supposed to be working?" Raine asked. "I'm pretty sure the last time I checked, I was the personal assistant to the CEO of Thorn Inc."
"True." Xavier said, pushing the covers off his body as he took slow steps towards Raine. "But that was before everything happened."
"And how does that change anything?"
"I don't want you to be working, Raine." Xavier said.
"And why not?" She irritatedly asked.
"Because you're mine now." Xavier shrugged. "Everything that I own is yours."
Raine laughed. "Xavier, shut up. I have a job, and I make my own money." She said looking around. "All of this is yours, and although I moved in with you, I still have responsibilities of my own."
"But you should be resting." Xavier pouted.
"I've had enough resting for a lifetime Xavier." Raine rolled her eyes. "And plus, I love my job. I get to assist and help my favorite person in the world."
"Me too." Xavier smiled slowly. "I don't want to put you through anymore stress. I'm just worried, ok?"
"I know you are, Xavier. But trust me, I'm fine." Raine assured. "I really am and with you, I'm even better. I love what I do and I love doing it with you."
"Alright." Xavier nodded. "I'll rehire you."
"I was never fired." Raine frowned.
'Yeah, but I kinda put you on a leave and called Cindy back to manage everything while you were off." Xavier explained. "She's been looking after the company while we were in California too."
"That's nice to hear." Raine siad. "I don't want my problems to hurt the company."
"Our problems, Rose." Xavier corrected. "We're in this together."
"Ok." Raine nodded. "Now get in the shower! We're leaving in 20 minutes."
* * *
Xavier's appearance back in the company had everyone on a heel. The work that had been pending and the employees that had been taking it easy for the past couple of days were forced to get out of their "vacation mode" and get back to business.
Once Xavier was debriefed by Cindy, Raine look the reigns on her office once more. Xavier quickly shuffled away into his office, overloaded by piles of work, while Raine drowned herself in a pool of phone calls.
"Tired?" Raine asked, entering Xavier's office with a cup of piping hot coffee in her hands.
"More like exhausted." Xavier groaned, rubbing his hands over his face.
"Well, a hot cup of coffee should help." Raine smiled.
"I know of something else." Xavier smirked. "I think it will help a little more than the coffee."
"What?"
"Perhaps a kiss." He spoke innocently. "Or two."
Instantly, a deep red blush painted the tips of her cheeks and her eyes widened in embarrassment.
"Nope." She quickly shook her head. "We're at work Xavier."
"So?" Xavier shrugged. "I own the company, I get whatever I want right?"
"Not here." Raine refuted with a giggle, quickly rushing out of his office.
Xavier smiled, raising out of his seat to go after her when his cellphone began vibrating, disrupting all of his plans.
"Hello?" Xavier answered, sitting back down in his chair.
"Hello, is this Xavier Thorn?" A familiar voice spoke up.
"Yes this is."
"I don't know if you remember me, but you and a friend visited a couple days ago. I'm Dan Striker, the owner of that house in Pebble Beach."
"Mr. Striker!" Xavier exclaimed, recalling the gentleman that he had met a couple days ago. "I do remember you. Raine and I had come over to visit."
"Yes, yes." Dan agreed. "I was wanting to talk to you about something actually."
"What?" Xavier questioned immediately.
"My wife was out of town when you guys were over. But as soon as she came back, I talked to her about your visit and about Raine Woods, how she used to live in the house prior to us..." He explained. "When we moved into the house, my wife found a bunch of personal belongings that had been left behind. She had stored them in the attic and forgotten about them. But when I discussed you guys with her, she was determined to return Raine's belongings back to her."
"How much stuff is there?" Xavier asked.
"Quiet a bit actually. It's nothing valuable but I thought the young girl would want to have it."
"She definitely would." Xavier stated. "Can you arrange for that to be shipped here? I will pay all of the costs, but I'd like all of those items to be returned to Raine."
"I will have all of them shipped to you Mr. Thorn." Dan said. "If you could forward me an address, that would be great."
"Of course." Xavier said. "I'll message it to you right away." He notified before saying goodbye.
Xavier set his phone aside and pushed the computer out of his way, releasing a sign of content.
This was big and there was no denying that. Any information that linked back to Raine's parents was monumental at this point. Especially because there was only about a million different theories that they had about what had actually occurred.
Xavier knew that Raine's love for her parents ran deep. And if the outcome of this investigation did not go in the direction they were hoping for, Raine would be left shattered. Either by the betrayal of her parents or the sickening truth that their death, had indeed not been a result of an accident.
He was afraid himself to find out which way the case would lead them, but either way it went, Xavier would be their to support Raine through it all.
"Xavier..." Raine called out, poking her head into the room, causing him to look up at her. "The client is waiting in the conference room."
"Yeah." He muttered, running his hands over his face. "I'll be there in a minute."
"Is everything alright?" She asked, sensing his fowl mood.
"Yeah." He nodded, giving her a small smile as he followed her out the room and towards the conference hall. "Just exhausted, that's all."
"Lucky for you, this is your last meeting of the day." Raine tried cheering him up. "I know you're tired, but as soon as this is done, you can head home."
"And have you all to myself." Xavier whispered, pulling Raine by the elbow and into his side.
"Xavier!" She gasped, pulling herself away from him and looking around to make sure no one saw. "There's people watching!"
"So?" He shrugged. "The whole entire world should know that you're mine."
Raine rolled her eyes, shoving Xavier into the conference room.
* * *
"Ok Babe, you said one more meeting and we could go home." Xavier whined, entering Raine office and tugging her out of her chair.
The meeting had ended a couple minutes ago, but Raine was still lodged up in her office, busy as can be.
"I said you could go home." Raine corrected.
"Without you?" He asked. "Never."
"Xavier, I have so much to do. All of these meetings need to be rescheduled, the press needs to be addressed, our shareholders are demanding a status report."
"But you're coming home with me." He stated. "All of that can wait."
"No it can't." Raine shook her head. "You go home, I'll finish things up here and then meet you there."
"Do you really think you can get rid of me so easily?" Xavier smirked, leaning back against her desk.
"I'm not even trying to get rid of you." Raine said. "And you can't stay here either. You're tired and way too distracting. Please leave."
"Did you just kick me out of my own company?" He asked in amusement.
"Maybe." Raine shrugged. "You got to do, what you got to do."
"Little Rose, you've gotten quite feisty."
"Xavier..." Raine groaned. "Please."
"Alright, how about this, you finish up your work and I... I... Oh! I'll help you." He grinned, proud of his amazing idea.
"Horrible idea!" She glared. "I finish up my work and you leave me alone."
"Oh Raine," Xavier grinned, shaking his head. "Hurry Baby, I'll be waiting in the lobby for you." He announced as he slipped out of the room before Raine could refute.
* * *
The elevator dinging as it reached the ground floor. Xavier strode outside, passing through the halls and going into the lobby where most of the employees were retiring for the day.
"Good evening Mr. Thorn." A man from management greeted upon seeing Xavier pass by.
"Evening." Xavier nodded before walking towards the security rooms trying to get ahold of Jordon.
Just as Xavier was about to tug the door open, it opened on it's own, revealing the man himself.
"Mr. Thorn, I was just coming up to meet Raine andâ" Jordon hastily said before getting interrupted.
"What business do you have with Raine?" Xavier rudely cut off.
"None Sir, I was merelyâ"
"Exactly!" Xavier stated. "She is of no concern to you other then the fact that your primary job is to protect her from any and all dangers. Your job is solely her protection. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal." Jordon nodded, looking down at the floor.
"What were you going to Raine for?" Xavier asked with a straight face.
"NYPD just sent us a report regarding the vandalism at Cathy's Cakes & Coffee last month." He answered.
"And?" Xavier pressed. "What do they say?"
"Well, I think it would be proper to discuss this in the presence of Raine as well." Jordon suggested cautiously.
Xavier signed, reluctantly nodding. "She's working right now. I don't know if we should disturb her honestly."
"She's been under a lot of pressure lately." Jordon agreed.
"Exactly." Xavier nodded. "Give me whatever reports you have. I'll discuss then with her after dinner."
"Sure, I'll have a copy emailed to you right away." Jordon answered.
"Great." Xavier said. "You can go get the car ready, I'll be driving Raine."
And with that being said, Xavier walked away.
* * *
"Pink roses, candle light dinner, raspberry cheesecake." Raine listed, blushing. "What's going on Xavier?"
It had been an hour since they left Thorn Inc and instead of going back home, Xavier had taken a detour to a rooftop restaurant that was reserved only for them. Raine had taken the surprise quiet well and the blush on her cheeks wouldn't dare leave making Xavier the happiest man of the night.
"I just wanted to celebrate." Xavier smiled. "That's all."
"Celebrate what?" She asked, eating the last remaining crumbs of perhaps the besst raspberry cheesecake she had ever had.
"Us." Xavier smiled.
"Us?"
"Well, today's our first day back to normal life isn't it?" Xavier reminded. "And I thought we could celebrate that and..." He trailed off, a mischievous look sparkling in his cobalt eyes.
"And?" Raine anxiously waited.
"And... I thought we could celebrate you, Miss Raine Woods, moving in with me." Xavier said, getting down on one knee besides her, with a pair of keys in his palms. "I mean technically, you already live with me, but that was because of some other stuff. I thought I should make it official."
"Xavier this isâ"
"Please don't say too much Raine. I know you hate accepting things like this. And I understand, you're an independent girl and all but I really can't bare a night without you in my arms. You're strong, beautiful, brave and independent, and I love all of those things about you. But allow me to protect you. For my own sake." He pleaded.
"I was gunna say so sweet." Raine laughed.
"Ohh." He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"Seriously Xavier..." Raine began. "This is really, really sweet of you. And yeah, I do think it's too much. I don't think I deserve all of this. I really don't... You're just too good for me. But with that being said, I'll still say yes to you. Because while you can't bare a night without me in your arms, I can't bare a night without the sound of your heartbeat against my ears." She admitted. "You stole my nightmares away Xavier. And for that, I am forever grateful."
"So will you accept these keys?" He confirmed. "And officially move in with me?"
"Yes." Raine smiled. "I will."
* * *
"That was a lot of fun, Xavier. I had a great time." Raine said as their car rolled into their driveway. After a long day of work, and the sweetest date night, they had finally come home.
"I'm glad." Xavier smiled, opening the door for Raine to get out, but as soon as she set foot on the ground, Xavier's arms crept up behind her, scooping her up off the floor and into his arms.
"Xavier!" Raine gasped, but he simply ignored her, smirking as he walked up the steps and towards the door.
"Ready to go home, Little Rose?" He asked. "Our home."
Raine blushed, her eyes drowning in Xavier's midnight blue ones.
They entered the living room, and Xavier finally lowed Raine onto the couch, loosening up his tie and tugging his coat off and tossing it to the side.
"So I have to talk to you about something." Xavier nervously began, sitting next to Raine and weaving his fingers with her's.
"What happened Xavier?" She asked, sensing the tension in his voice.
"Love, the police reports from that night the cafe was vandalized just came in."
"Oh my gosh!" Raine gasped. "Did they find out who did it?! Does Daisy know?! What about Mike?!"
"Calm down, Raine." Xavier said, pressing his lips onto her forehead. "They got a copy of the report as well. And yes, they did find out who did it."
"Who was it?"
"A tourist by the name of Chadwick Knight."
"Chadwick Knight?!" Raine repeated, shooting out of her seat. "It can't be!"
"I know Babe, it's quiet shocking. None of us ever thought that the incident that happened at the cafe would ever be related to all of this, but clearly, we were mistaken." Xavier explained. "NYPD had a photo of the suspect from our surveillance footage, and although it wasn't clear enough to put a name on that person, the detectives were able to trace the figure back to a local hotel. Upon inquiring at the hotel, they discovered that the suspect was a guest staying there for the past couple of weeks by the name of Chadwick Knight."
"That means Malin was the one who torn down the cafe." Raine whispered, looking horrified "That means it was all my fault."
"No, Baby." Xavier shook his head. "That was not your fault. None of it was. Malin is the one to blame here."
"I can't believe it." Raine said out of breath. "He destroyed the cafe for me. And that reminder that was on the wall. Don't forget... That was all for me. He was telling me that he was back. That I shouldn't forget him. That he'd never let me live my life without his presence in it."
"Calm down Raine. You're stressing yourself out." Xavier consoled, unable to she Raine's pained state. "And as for everything you just said, Malin will never get anywhere near you as long as I am alive. You hear that?" He asked cupping her face in his large warm hands.
Raine reluctantly nodded, causing Xavier's hold on her to release. There was silence in the room and the only sounds that could be heard were that of both of their breaths.
"Xavier." Raine spoke after a while. "Is Malin still staying at the hotel?"
"No, Raine." Xavier shook his head. "He checked out the day after he assaulted you."
"So what's next?" Raine asked, exhausted by the news that she had just received.
She was tired of all of this. She wanted to be able to live for once, without being afraid that Malin would find her. She wanted to smile without being afraid that he'd steal it from her. She wanted to breathe without being afraid that Malin would kill her.
"Raine, you're tired, let's go to bed."
"No." She stubbornly shook her head. "I can't sleep with all of this. Tell me Xavier, what's next?"
"We wait." He signed.
"For what?"
"Do you trust me?" Xavier asked, holding her knuckles up to his lips as he pressed a kiss on them.
"More than myself." She instantly replied.
"Then believe me when I say this." He told her. "We need to wait. I have some stuff coming in tomorrow and it might give us some more insight on the matters at hand."
"What stuff is coming in? Where did you get it?" Raine asked curiously.
"Love, just wait till tomorrow ok?" He asked her gently. "I promise I'll answer all of your questions. But right now, you are in dire need of rest. We've been traveling and working and stressing about everything that has been going on. And I can't put you through that anymore tonight."
"Fine." Raine nodded. "I trust you Xavier."
Xavier passed her a small smile before scooping her back into his arm and taking her up to the grand marble staircase.
"Shall we go to our room?" He asked with a grin, causing Raine to blush and dig her face into hus chest.
* * *
The next day, Xavier and Raine found themselves back at Thorn Inc. And as much as Xavier would love to take the days off, spending them solely with his Little Rose, Raine wouldn't allow it. She was determined to work, and even more determined to have Xavier work.
Xavier was excited for today. Mainly because he had gotten a confirmation email from Dan Striker late last night saying that he had shipped Raine's belongs and that they would be arriving by the end of the day today. He was eager to see Raine's reaction.
She didn't have much from her parents apart, from her dad's wedding ring that she kept close to her heart. He wanted to see her eyes light up like fireworks when he gave her the things that were meant to be her's long ago.
And after all of that. After Raine's happiness, he wanted to find out more about her parents. Something that would perhaps make their investigation a little easier. Something that would give Raine the answers that she was searching for.
"Hi Raine!" Brooks said, popping his head into her office.
Raine had been shuffling through papers trying to find the contracts she was supposed to deliver to Xavier an hour ago. However, with her current crazy schedule, she had no idea where she had placed them.
"Brooks!" Raine smiled. "Hey, come on in!"
"Thanks." He said pulling out a seat. "It's good to see you back."
"It's good to be back." She smiled softly. Even though she hadn't been working at Thorn Inc for long, she was deeply attached to it and loved her job.
"I was afraid I wouldn't be seeing you again." Brooks joked. "Like more of the CEO's secretaries."
"Don't worry," Raine giggled. "I don't plan on leaving anytime soon."
"Anyways," Brooks cleared his throat. "I came here for a favor."
"What can I do for you?"
"It's my sister's wedding in two weeks and I wasn't able to get a leave from work because I used up all my sick days." Brooks began. "I would ask Mr. Thorn himself but he doesn't fancy me." He chuckled slightly. "So I was wondering if you would be able to put a word in for me. I only need one week off, that's it. And I know there's an important meeting and that I need to submit my reports, but I assure you, that I will get all the work finished before I leave." He rambled.
"Well first of all, tell you sister I said congratulations!" Raine smiled. "And second of all, I will definitely tell Xavier to approve your leave. Don't stress about a single thing, I'll make sure Xavier says yes and I'll help you complete the reports if you're running out of time."
"Thank you so much Raine. You really are amazing!" Brooks said, getting out of his seat to hug Raine. She laughed as she wrapped her arms around Brooks.
Just as they were about to pull out of the hug however, the sound of a throat clearing caused them to turn to the door.
"Xavier." Raine softly smile.
"Am I interrupting something?" He asked with annoyance in his voice as he glared at Brooks.
"No. I was just leaving." Brooks said, quickly shooting Raine a smile before hurrying out of her office. However, right as he was about to leave, Xavier's harsh voice stopped him mid-step.
"Let me remind you that Raine is MY personal assistant, and not yours." Xavier spoke. "And she is also MY girlfriend." He stated sternly, before slamming the door shut on Brooks and turning to Raine.
"Xavier Iâ"
"Raine." He cut her off. "Stay away from him."
"Xavier, no need to be jealous." She rolled her eyes. "He was just talking to me."
"Last time I checked, talking didn't involve wrapping arms around each other."
"Someone's a little peanut butter and jelly." Raine giggled.
Xavier shook his head as Raine laughed silently, enjoying his jealous state.
"Anyways, I was just here to tell you to clear my schedule for the next two hours." Xavier stated. "I'm doing some important things and I don't want to be disturbed."
"Got it." Raine nodded. "You don't have any meetings pending but I'll make sure no one enters or transfers calls to your office."
"Thanks Raine." Xavier said, leaning down and pressing his lips onto her's for a soft kiss before pulling away and walking out of her office, leaving her a blushing mess.
* * *
It had been several hours since Xavier had been in his office. It was weird to Raine that he'd disappear for so long, with no particular reason, but she knew better then to question him. The way that he had stated his requests, Raine could tell that whatever the matters were, they were seriously.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone began ringing and a smile appeared on her face at the sight of Mike's name on the screen.
"Hello Mikey!" Raine answered enthusiastically.
"Raine!" Mike said. "How are you?! I haven't talked to you in forever."
"I'm doing good." Raine replied. "And I know, I've been busy lately."
"So I've heard. Daisy told me you went back to California."
"I did." Raine nodded to herself. "Just working out some stuff."
"That's good to hear." Mike said. "Anyways, I just wanted to check up on you. I know you got the reports from NYPD too and I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"I'm fine honestly." Raine responded. "Shocked but fine. I want to talk to Daisy but I don't know what to say to her."
"You can't possibly be blaming yourself Raine." Mike said. "None of it was your fault."
"He destroyed the cafe to warn me, Mike. If I wasn't working there, the cafe would be fine."
"Shut up Raine." Mike scolded. "And if you think Daisy holds anything against you, she doesn't. If anything she was very sad that you were going through all of this. She's not mad, if fact she's happy she got a chance to redo the cafe."
"I know." Raine softly said. "I guess I'll talk to her soon. I just need some more time to sort some stuff out."
"You take all the time you need, Raine." Mike said. "Me and Daisy are always here for you. You can come to us with anything ok?"
"Ok." Raine nodded to herself. "Thanks for calling."
"No problem. Take care ok?"
"I will." Raine said. "Bye."
Raine signed, putting her photo away and checking the time. It has been close to four hours since Xavier has disappeared into his office and there has been no sign of him coming out.
Grabbing the files that Xavier had asked for a while ago, Raine got out of her office and head towards Xavier's. Pressing her ears against the door, she checked to make sure he wasn't busy on the photo or anyone else, and when she heard nothing but silence, she pushed the door opening in side, only to be taken by a wave of shock.
"What is all of this?!"
______________________
A/N: Hey guys! So I'm back with another part and I hope you guys enjoyed it! We are reaching the climax part of the story and then next couple of chapters will be filled with thrills! I hope you guys have been enjoying the story so far, there's about 10-15 parts left! Please show your support by voting! It really motivates me to write and perhaps make a sequel! Thank you!
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