Chapter 14: Pretty Blondie

She looked at the screen for a while without the bravery to answer the call. It vibrated in her hands until it finally died down. Rachael huffed sharply, shutting her eyes. This was exhausting. She couldn't do this. The fright this man struck into her heart was sufficient to make her go limp. The way she couldn't even breathe when she saw his call explained a lot. What if she sees him in person?

"Is there a problem?" Chloe inquired from behind.

"No I'm fine" Rachael smiled at her, pushing the wheelchair whilst Chloe shrugged.

This was bad. If Magnus found out about all the atrocities she had been involved in with his name, she was as good as dead. Her lips trembled, and her body quivered at the thought of what he could do even though Xavier had assured her that Magnus wasn't going to do anything about it. This was crazy. She couldn't leave with the thought that even at her house, she wasn't safe from him. He could show up anytime and do what he wanted with her.

***********

"I can't do this" Rachael shouted the Moment she got inside his office. Xavier looked at her stunned, dropping his little sculpture back on the table.

"Do what?"

"Magnus called me yesterday. I think he found out about the article" she gritted her teeth in both fear and anger.

"Oh, he did?" Xavier sat up, showing more interest.

"This isn't a game sir. He can... He will end me"

"No, he won't. Well since he called you, I know he is back"

"What if he attacks me?"

"He wouldn't. Trust me" Xavier stood up from his seat and walked over to her. Rachael panicked a bit when he got very close to where she was. she felt very uncomfortable and nervous. All of a sudden the fear she had in her disappeared as self-consciousness took over. A fitted red dress and perfectly done makeup made her slightly confident about her look. Xavier could look up close for all he wanted.

"Quit getting scared. Don't you trust me?" He cupped her chin while she flushed underneath his touch. That skin contact felt like an electric shock that swept through her in just a second.

"I just ..."

"Shhhhh" he hushed, peering his eyes into her. Rachael gulped, her lips felt numb at that point. Her legs were wobbly too that she felt she was going to tip over at any point. Why did he have so much effect on her?

"Now get back to work" he snapped her back from her thoughts, stepping away from where she stood. Now she could finally breathe.

Rachael didn't know the game he was playing, but she hoped Magnus was kept far away from her. She couldn't him stand especially when he had that murderous look in his brown eyes. The thought already made her shriek.

Her lips were about to being forth words, but the knock on the door distracted her.

"Come in" Xavier mouthed. He was back in his seat already. The door was opened. It was the Blondie again. The color from Rachael's face drained as she watched the lady walk over to Xavier's desk and sat on it. The nerve this woman possessed . There was a smile on her face, but Xavier didn't smile back. He didn't have to be so stone cold especially when he was fucking her. Rachael thought inwardly, rolling her eyes physically. Thankfully Xavier didn't notice it

"Claudia" he called out, rolling his chair from side to side.

Claudia, that was her name. The lady who Rachael already hated her guts.

"Can I go now?" Rachael asked.

"Yes. Go to the 12th floor and help miss Cecelia out"

"Yes boss" while you fuck your pretty whore. She said inwardly. Now that was a bit judgemental, but she couldn't help it. The reasons for her anger were even unknown to her.

Rachael dragged her feet to the door, shutting it on her way out. Luckily the elevator was working today. She got on it and went to the 12th floor. The desks were empty with only a lady at hers. Rachael looked to her side and saw where all the employees gathered. Probably Cece was there.too. She moved to the table but soon regretted it.

"I heard she wrote about the boss being a child trafficker," said a blonde lady with sharp red lipstick.

"That's wrong. I read the article. Ain't no shit like that" Mrs. Claudette countered.

"The article was taken down from the internet in a day. How did you get your hands on that?" Blondie folded her hand, twisting her mouth in a saucy way.

"Stuff like that doesn't just disappear shouty lips" Claudette fired back.

"Oh, I also heard she threatened him, saying she was going to upload more stuff of ...."

"Now that's a lie" Rachael cut off a brunette lady with a Spanish accent. They all were stunned to see her and immediately dispersed.

"Cece" Rachael called out. A bunch of gossipers wasn't her concern. At least now she knew why they all always gave her that stare. "The boss said you wanted help"

"Oh yes, darling" Cece rummaged through the documents on her desk and emerged with a file. "I need this typed"

"Ok"

"That reminds me, did you get through your paper trouble?". Cece asked

"Uhm yeah"

"Lucky you. Anyway, there is a free system at the corner over there" Cece pointed to the table just beside Claudette.

Rachael without saying another word grabbed the paper and matched towards the desk. She dropped the file on the table and it was there the thought hit her. She didn't say anything to Xavier about lying to her about this job. He made it seem like she didn't have any options when in reality it was her mother that talked him into this. Now it all made sense, judging from the fact that she knew he didn't need her here anyway. The thought of going to his office to do some interrogation came to her mind, but she remembered that pretty Blondie was there and didn't want to walk in on the both of them having sex or even making out.

"You seem too lost dear. Drink more vodka. It lessens your worry" Claudette recommended beside her, distracting her from her thoughts.

"This is working hours"

"So?" Claudette shrugged.

"It's allowed?"

"As long as you don't act drunk and don't let the boss see you," she said and Rachael rolled her eyes playfully. "What you got there?"

"Cecelia's work. Xavier said I have to help her with it"

*************

Claudia grabbed his tie with a naughty grin on her face. She placed a kiss on his lips, but he didn't kiss her back and the initial stern look that she had thought would fade remained.

Her smile slowly faded as she stepped a feet away from him. "Alright what is it"

"How did you know about the importation?"

"What importation"

"Don't you dare play dumb with me" Xavier yelled at her, startling her. It wasn't something she expected. "You told Magnus about it didn't you?"

"I don't know what you are talking about"

"The only person that knew about the importation was me, you, and Lucas"

"Then ask Lucas about it" she shot at him. Xavier couldn't help but chuckle in disbelief.

"Claudia. Let me tell you something" he began within a whisper whilst she glared at him. Her expression wasn't given much, but Xavier knew she was just putting up an act. "No one ever betrays me"

"I didn't.... "

"Shut the fuck up! If you know what's best for you, you'll run for your dear life. Because if I think of you one more time I might be forced to snap your neck and take your pretty life away from you" he said and immediately the glare on her face changed into fear. She moved backward a bit.

"Xavier... I"

"Get out"

Claudia didn't try any longer. She grabbed her bag and left. Even though she worked alongside Magnus, that didn't take the feelings she had already developed for Xavier during the moments they shared.

Xavier waited until she was long gone before angrily throwing a glass of wine on the floor, smashing It in the process. He puffed out air sharply from his mouth, but that didn't take away the rage he felt. The anger that came from all his efforts going to waste was all thanks to Magnus. He sabotaged the ship his goods were supposed to come through. His goods, the time and money he put on those drugs were all tossed away.

If Magnus could come out of his hiding spot, Xavier would take him out immediately and this would be done with, but Magnus being the sly one wasn't going to give in that easily. He was scared of Xavier even Xavier knew that.

The door opened. It was Jerry. He walked through the smashed glass and spilled wine, confused. One look at Xavier and he kept his cool. No doubt, he was mad as hell with those red eyes and glare on his face. The broken bottle was enough to show he could go physical with someone.

"You sent for me?"

"Have you gotten the apartment?" Xavier asked calmer than he had expected.

"Yes, I have. And made sure it had a garden"

"That isn't a necessity Jerry'

"I know, but research said gardening helps with anxiety"

"Has the house been furnished?" Xavier asked ignoring Jerry little research presentation

"Almost done with every last bit of it. Should I tell her about it?"

"Not yet" Xavier walked back to his seat. This was something he rarely did_ Worry about someone else safety_It felt like he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to her and that was a strange feeling. He had that strong urge to protect her because he was the one who escalated the situation by asking her to write an article about Magnus. He risked her safety and he was doing the least he could do. That was to get her a new apartment. Staying at an apartment assigned to her by Magnus wasn't an option especially when she was his employee.