CHAPTER 1 The ex

“Good morning Mr Crest”. I greeted my arrogant boss and as usual, he strolled past me with a frown on his face not even acknowledging my existence. “Asshole,” I muttered under my breath. I continue to type away at my desk as I am very busy. It isn't like there’s ever a day that I am not busy or overworked, I thought to myself. I took this job, in hopes of working for just a few months to raise money to start a business and be self-employed but I find it hard to leave now because my boss constantly threatens to give us a bad review should we want to leave his company and go elsewhere and I haven't been able to raise enough capital for the business yet. 

I have lots of bills to pay and I have to strategize properly before starting so I wouldn't incur losses and debts. So for now I’m absolutely stuck in TechUp. 

“Sydney!” I suddenly heard my boss call out.

 “Yes sir!” I answered scurrying to put the files on my desk in order while also hurrying not to waste this evil man’s time as his temper is very short. 

“Have you booked my flight to Italy?” he asked as soon as I entered his office. 

“Yes, I have, sir,” I replied.

“Have you confirmed my 10 a.m. meeting with the investors?”

“Yes, sir. It’s on your calendar” 

“Have you drafted the announcement for the new feature launch?” he shot at me again

“Erm I’m actually still currently on it, I just need to add the template—” I was stuttering, intimidated by his queries.

“Can’t you see the time?” he snapped, cutting me off mid-sentence. 

“I see, I was very occupied with the new launch so I couldn’t com—”

“I don't have time for your excuses. Are you done with it or not?” he asked glaring at me

“I would be in say, hmm 30 minutes—”

“Finish it up in 10 minutes and get it across to me before I start my meeting with the new investors" he said dismissively, already setting up his desk for the day. I sensed that he was done with me, I was heading out when he said.

“Also get me my coffee, the usual—  and I mean right now” he said with a bored expression, without even looking at me.

I wonder how he expects me to meet up with the announcement now that he asked me to make his coffee, knowing it takes more time because of how specifically he likes his cup of coffee. I made the coffee hurriedly and came back to my desk to start working on the product launch in order to meet the 10-minute time frame he gave me. I was typing away when I suddenly heard a noise coming from the reception area of the office. 

I was about to go get a view of what was happening when I saw her. The boss’s girlfriend- more like the boss’s bitch, I thought to myself. Bianca strided past me, with a scowl on her face, obviously very furious. She hit my desk, almost knocking off my laptop. I looked up at her shocked but she had almost gotten to Xavier’s office by then and I could see her smirk from her side view. I went back to work, ignoring the rising anger within me. She was so rude and it's not like I was the reason behind her anger, I thought.

“How dare you end things with me?! And over text for that matter. What is the matter with you?!” I heard Bianca shrieking very loudly. I rolled my eyes— this situation has played out way too many times than I can count. They basically do this at least twice a month. 

Just then, the new receptionist, Jane, zoomed past me without having any knowledge of how Xavier’s and Bianca's relationship worked. Apparently, Xavier gave her a stern warning not to let Biancia into his office, he has always done this with the last receptionist as well but she got tired of Bianca's threats and stayed clear of her way whenever she came to throw her monthly tantrums.

Jane, oblivious to the situation at hand, barged into Xavier’s office trying to stop Bianca. I would have warned her not to go but she had already gotten herself into the mess. 

“Get out now!!!” Xavier and Bianca screamed simultaneously 

“Stupid bitch, out now!” Bianca added

Jane zoomed out just as she entered, cheeks red from embarrassment. I felt sorry for her, poor thing, she’d learn, just as the last girl learnt.

“How could you do this to me?! After what— three years! Wasting my time with you Xavier!” Bianca kept screaming at the top of her voice 

“I can’t do this anymore Bianca, I am done, I can't keep doing this with you” Xavier replied, his voice icily calm and composed, almost like he was used to her tantrums, therefore he wasn't moved at all. 

“How can you say that baby? after everything we've been through, how can you?” I heard Bianca say, sounding like a rejected child.

“Look, Bianca, listen and listen good, I am not interested in whatever this is anymore cos I’m darn sure it doesn't count as a relationship anymore. I'll send my driver to pick the rest of your things from my loft and get them across to you and I'd very much appreciate it if you keep me blocked permanently and I'll keep the same energy” Xavier said keeping his voice level-headed. Suddenly there was a loud splash. 

“Bianca! What the hell!” Xavier yelped 

“What is wrong with you? Can't you fathom the idea that we cannot be together anymore? This is exactly why I can't be with you, you're too toxic!” Xavier's voice thundered, finally giving in to anger. I was so curious to know what was happening so I sat up slightly while stretching my neck to see what was happening but in a few seconds, Xavier stormed out of the office. 

I sat back down immediately, pretending to be very engaged with work. Then I stole a glance at Xavier without lifting my head and I instantly understood what had happened. Bianca had spilled the coffee I spent my precious making all over Xavier’s blue suit and white inner shirt. I gasped, entertained and shocked at the same time, at how far Bianca went this time. 

Xavier stormed to the reception and I could see how everyone who gathered to witness the altercation disappeared instantly as Xavier gave them a death stare. He was pacing, clenching, and unclenching his fists, trying to control his anger. Then he stormed to my desk. 

“Order me a new suit and inner shirt now!” He roared at me 

“Erm s-sir, h-how do I-I pay” I stammered, cowering in fear. He then threw me his credit card after telling me the pin. I took it and ordered him new clothes, my hands shaking as I typed because he stood opposite me, drilling holes in my head. He asked to wait in my office until his clothes arrived. 

In about 30 minutes his clothes came in and he wordlessly collected them and went into his office. Almost as soon as he entered, Bianca resumed her confrontation but this time she was hysterical. She started crying loudly. 

“Baby I didn't mean to do that, I was just really upset. I'm so sorry” she cried 

“I was really hurt that you called me toxic, it's like calling me an animal, like someone that has no control but I just love you a lot hence my behavior. Please forgive me Xavier” she kept saying amidst tears, sobbing, and hiccupping. There was a pause from Xavier and Bianca's hiccups filled the air. Then he replied when he saw that she wouldn't stop crying. 

“You know you aren't sexy when you cry like this. It's okay hmm” Xavier said soothing her. Then they were silent for a few more minutes and this must be the making up part, I thought—having studied the dynamics of their relationship I knew this would happen and it played out exactly as I thought it would except I was shocked when I started hearing kissing sounds. 

Following the kissing sound, came groans and moans from Xavier and Bianca, taking their makeup session to another level. I listened dumbfounded as the two adults who were just in a heated fight minutes ago were now settling it in a moment of passion.

“Oh yeah, Xavier— yeahhh— deeper please! hmmmm” Bianca moaned. I was so disgusted that I had to plug in my earphones to drown out their lustful sounds. 

After several minutes I started to hear Bianca yelling at Xavier again, I unplugged my earphones to hear what was going on again. 

“So you mean to tell me that you still intend to break up even after what we just did! Why did you have sex with me if you don't want to make up with me?!” Bianca screamed shamelessly at Xavier. 

“Well you basically forced yourself on me, it's not like I can say no to all that” I heard Xavier say. 

“You're such an arrogant asshole that doesn't even deserve a good woman like me, fuck you, Xavier!” Bianca screamed while shoving Xavier aside as she stormed out. I could see her puffy, tear-stained eyes with mascara as she hastily rushed out. 

“What a pity” I exclaimed under my breath, shaking my head. I was tempted to feel pity for her but I suddenly remembered how bad-mannered she is and I remember why she deserves what she keeps subjecting herself to. 

“Sydney!” Xavier called out. I jumped up remembering the announcement I had hastily prepared during the whole scuffle. I entered his office and I can see his shirt unbuttoned while wiping a lipstick stain from his lips which I'm assuming is from Bianca. I couldn't help but stare at his chiseled chest, pumping rapidly and shiny from sweat. A full pack of six abs staring deliciously back at me. Without thinking, I licked my lips. 

“Erm h-here is t-t-the package— sorry I mean file” I stuttered, suddenly unable to concentrate. Xavier looked up and traced the direction of my eye to his chest, he looked down and upon seeing the reason for my discomfort, he looked directly at me and smirked. 

“You could perfectly draw me naked at this point because your eyes have stripped me bare” He said mockingly, smirking in amusement. I instantly flush, my cheeks reddening and hot in embarrassment. 

“Sorry sir” I quickly muttered, dropping the files on his desk dashing out of his office.

“What was that?” I asked myself when I got to my desk.