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
"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
...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
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
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
After we arrive home, Lexi heads to her room. She tries to act ok, but I can tell she's not. No one would be after what happened. I try to help her, but she shakes her head."I just want to be alone for awhile."Her request kills me inside, but I don't let her see. Instead I nod my head, and let her walk to her room by herself. Instead I walk to my office, images of Lexi in that change room continue to haunt my thoughts.I'm unnerved after what happened today. I continue to replay the day's events in my head.'How did he get past me? Past my team? Why did I let my guard down? Why did I think he wouldn’t try to find her? I should've known something was wrong. Even she could sense it. Why didn't I act sooner? Why didn't I just try to get her out of there, immediately after she told me something was wrong? Why was I membery enough to believe he wouldn't find a way to get to her.' All these questions are swimming in my head. So many 'why's' but ne
Monday came along faster than I expected it to. On my first day at work, Xavier introduced me to Jax, my new bodyguard. I was hesitant to meet him at first, and a bit nervous. It didn't help that when we first met I was extremely intimidated by him. He towered over Xavier's 6ft 6in frame. He was extremely well built. It looked like he could kill someone just by looking at them wrong. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt, and ripped black jeans. Arms crossed along his muscled body. From the visible skin showing, he had two full sleeve tattoos, interlaced with random scars. Just one look at him made me feel so much smaller. Predicting my discomfort, Xavier led us to a private conference room outside his office. He had some work to do, but wanted us to get to know each other, so I could feel more comfortable with him. Over the next two hours, I was lost in conversation with Jax. After I began to lower my walls, he turned out to be a really fun guy. I've never had a friend before, but J
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
"Lexi! Open this door!" I hear someone yell out.Thoughts of Craig and Gary fill my thoughts. As they would pound on my door in hopes of getting in.When I had first moved in with Craig, I had done something that made him upset with me. My instincts had taken over, and I ran in fear to my room, and locked the door. Hoping that he wouldn't be able to hurt me. I could hear him pound on the door. He continued to scream and threaten me, until I unlocked the door.The more he would pound his fist and yell at me, the last thing I wanted was to give the monster entry to my room. So instead I tried to hide. My room was basic. Only a bed, and a closet. Immediately, I ran to the closet to take cover. I pulled my legs to my body in a protective manner. I tried to make myself appear as small as possible. Hoping that if he did get in, he wouldn't find me.I remember feeling my tears hit my skin, as I continued to cower in my closet. I had hoped and prayed that h