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7. Forgive But Never Forget
Once I've finished my shower, I make my way downstairs. I'm once again lost. Why couldn’t he have drawn me a map? I can hear some noise coming from one of the rooms to my right. I open the door, to see an immaculate kitchen. Xavier is in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
“I didn’t know you can cook.” I say as I lean against the counter.
“There seems to be a lot you don’t know about me.” My eyes drop in disappointment for not recognizing Xavier earlier.
“I’m sorry about earlier. It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen you. You’ve changed a lot since then.” I bite my lip in embarrassment.
He looks up at me as I follow his gaze to my mouth. I see what looks like arousal, before he quickly adjusts himself, and his normal look of seriousness reappears.
“Anyways, I wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me. I know I don’t deserve any of it, but just k
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Rising From the Ashes 8. Ghosts From the Past
After a short while, I walk into the room Xavier told me, and sit across from him on the couch. The room is lit by a giant fireplace across from us. I grab the blanket sitting at the top of the couch, and wrap it around myself. Pulling my feet close against me. I stare into the flames. It reminds me of that night.I continue to look at the fire, hypnotized by the flames. I no longer fear it, like I used to as a kid. But that doesn't mean I'll ever forget."Do you remember the fire?" I ask. Not really intending it to be a question, but more of a statement. Not allowing him to respond, I carry on."My parents were trapped, unable to escape their imminent deaths. That night took everything away from me. That night changed my life. My parents were trapped in that building where they burned to death. Then when I was taken into foster care, I was placed in so many horrible homes that I found my freedom by running. It was only once I was out of the homes that I felt sa
Rising From the Ashes 9. The Lost Lovers
"Well for starters, I own my own company now."My eyes bulge from his confession."What's your company?"Xavier looks a bit nervous before he says "Davenport Industries".I sit up alert, and stare at him."Wait.. What? As in 'The Davenport Industries? The multimillion dollar tech firm?""Billion." Xavier coughs out.My eyes go wide as I continue. "The same firm that has everyone from the around the world watching to see what will be designed next. The same Davenport Industries that has a private contract with the government?"This time Xavier cuts me off, before I can continue rambling. Xavier brushes hair from my face slowly, meeting my gaze."Yes, the one and only."I pause for a second, letting what he said register in my brain."Wait a second, how are you the CEO?" Xavier smirks once again. I don't know what it is, but I love the way he smiles. I love seein
Rising From the Ashes 10. Xavier's Army
...Xavier POV...I wake up during the middle of the night, to screams of terror. I jump out of bed, trying to figure out what's going on. I can hear Lexi screaming. Without thinking, I immediately run from my room, running through the hall, until I reach her room. I look around, trying to figure out what is happening. Only to see her asleep.She must be having a nightmare. I hear her call out for her parents. I immediately feel a tang of pain knowing that they're gone.“Please! Anybody? Help!” She screams.I come close to her, and gently try to wake her from her night terror.“No! It can’t be you!” She screams.Tears are beginning to run down her cheeks. I lie down next to her, and try to comfort her. “No! Please! Leave me alone! Why won’t you just leave me alone!” I pull her close to me, running my hand through her hair, and placing gentle kisses along the si
Rising From the Ashes 11. The Mall
Later in the afternoon, Xavier took me to the mall to go shopping. Together we spend hours going in and out of stores. I’ve never been to any of them before, because I never had money. Xavier could tell that I was uneasy being at the mall, so instead Xavier would find things for me to try on, while he would wait outside the changing rooms. It was almost like an exclusive fashion show just for Xavier. I was uneasy about letting Xavier buy everything for me, but then I realized that I would just pay him back once I started working for him.As we are enjoying going around the mall together, the hair on the back of my neck raises. Giving me the feeling that someone is watching me. I look all over, trying to find the person watching me. Only to come up short every time. I begin to think that I'm just paranoid, and instead try and focus on having fun with Xavier. Xavier however, notices my apprehension."Everything ok?""Hmm? Oh.. uh.. yes. Everythin
Rising From the Ashes 12. Xavier's POV
Lexi was very tense when we entered the mall. I knew she would be safe here, as I owned this mall. Nothing happened without my knowledge. I had arranged for a security team to keep their eyes on us. I trusted myself to be able to keep her safe, but I just wanted to make sure there weren't any surprises.Lexi has been through a lot. I just wanted her to feel like a regular girl, and enjoy the day. There was no cost, everything she wanted, she would have. I would make sure of that. What I hadn't expected was that she wouldn't even attempt to look for things for herself. I could see the unease the more we travelled through the mall. I started realizing that it was from the cost. I don't know why I thought she would immediately get used to this new life. She's come from nothing. If she wanted something, she had to fight for it. She was a bloody waitress at a strip club for fuck's sake.I feel like an idiot. Even though the Lexi standing before me today is extremely d
Rising From the Ashes 13. Xavier's POV Continued
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Rising From the Ashes 14. Off To Work We Go
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Rising From the Ashes 15. Can I Help?
Xavier looks down at me, as I continue to be bewildered."I hope that means you like it.""Xavier, I love it.""Good, now follow me."Xavier leads me back into my office, and spends the next hour going over the computer with me. He shows me how to access my mail, send messages, check his schedule, book appointments, schedule meetings, and find reports he may need.Everything is extremely user friendly. I thought for sure that I wouldn't be able to help him in any way shape or form. But the more he continues to go over the computer system with me, the more my unease begins to wear off.After Xavier has finished showing me the computer system, I spend the next while going over everything. I take time to learn everything I can about this computer. I want to make Xavier proud of me. I don't want him to second guess hiring me.Xavier sent a message to my computer shortly after. Xavier set up an encrypted messaging system for hi
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