Chapter 22: Surrounded By Gorgeous People

‘it's only for a while. I'll be out as soon as he gets this sorted’ Rachael spoke inwardly.

It had barely even been up to a minute of her being in his house and she already felt nervous. Plus the mood of the house threw her off. It had endearing colors on the outside alright, but a dark aesthetic inside. Now, this was typical Xavier. Dark and cold. But it was the best dark theme she had ever seen_exclusive and no doubt exorbitant. A huge chandelier hung on the ceiling, eliciting light supported by the other light source hung calculatingly on the ceiling.

Her eyes wandered around as she trailed behind Xavier who went up the huge bifurcated stairs. No one said a word. The sound of their strides was the only thing that could be heard echoing in the tremendous house. After a while, He turned to look at Rachael for a while with a smirk on his face then he turned to continue walking.

"I didn't know you had it in you to keep shut for as long as this"

Oh was he kidding now?

"I'm getting used to the environment that's all. I'll be back to my normal self if you miss it so much" her voice held a lot of satire in a bid to piss Xavier off. He didn't say anything subsequently up until they got a door.

He opened the door, turning to wait for them to get closer. "Rachael you'll be sleeping here," he said, leaving the door ajar.

He beckoned on Chloe who pushed Mrs. Britney's wheelchair. "I'll show you to your room," he said.

Rachael's eyes darted in amusement around her room as soon as they left. A large room with a lilac regular pattern on the wall and a giant-sized bed situated in the middle of it. There was a giant tampered window just beside the bed, exhibiting the stunning view of San Diego. The bed cover had a flowery pattern. No way Xavier thought of this. Probably It was an interior designer's credit.

She sat on the bed and immediately loved how it bounced. So comforting. She smiled raptly while she looked around in great satisfaction. Who the hell said the money couldn't buy happiness?

After showing Chloe and Mrs. Britney the room the both of them would stay, he went back to the room he assigned Rachael.

He rested his back against the door with his hand folded as he watched Rachael scan the room in intense scrutiny. "How are you settling in?"

She turned to look at him. The smile faded off. "More than I thought"

"My men are bringing your stuff"

She nodded, resting her back on the huge bed as a sigh escaped from her lips. "thank you" she muttered under her breath.

"The bathroom is right there, get yourself prepared for work" he instructed firmly, taking Rachael by surprise

Oh great, just when she thought she could get the sleep she didn't get last night. The whole scenario made her forget that she had to go to work today. Why couldn't he just give her a day off as part of compensation? But apparently, Her staying here was the only thing he was willing to give.

"I'm off" he bent his wrist. "You have just 15 minutes to be at work"

"You are kidding right?"

"Does it look like I'm kidding"

He kept a straight face alright, but what he said was too ridiculous to be taken seriously

"Xavier there's no way I can get ready in 15 minutes. My stuff hasn't even arrived yet"

"That's not my problem. You staying at my house doesn't mean I'll give you any special treatments"

"Oh really" she cocked an eyebrow.

"All my employees are all equal to me"

"I don't think you have kissed any of them affectionately"

"excuse me"

Oh, she went far and she loved it.

"I'll be on my way as soon as my things get here," she shrugged, receiving a head shake from Xavier as he left the room.

She might as well just quit, but her mother was too keen on her keeping this job. According to her, "it was a sign of responsibility". If that wasn't the case, Rachael would have quit the job long ago and probably gone back to Blogging.



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She didn't bother running nor did she accelerate her footsteps. Her lateness wasn't her fault_ that was what she told herself as she made her way towards Xavier's office. What was the point of running and sweating just to please him when she was certain he was going to complain about her being late even by a minute? At least she had about 2 to feel herself before Xavier ruins her mood with his odd taste for perfection

Her Jewelry adorned hand knocked on the door consecutively. "Come in" she heard his deep voice from the other end and abruptly opened the door.

"I know I'm late, but....." She stopped when she realized it wasn't only Xavier that was in the office. Maybe she should have walked in fully before laying her pleas.

Situated opposite Xavier was an equally gorgeous man. He was sitting with his hand on the table and his body turned slightly towards the door where she stood. He was the exact definition of a real-life thirst trap. His messy curly hair stood out, giving him a younger look although he was in his thirties. Xavier sure had a thing for being surrounded by gorgeous people. First, Magnus and now the man seated in front of him. Does it ever end? In Xavier's case, it was the law of like attracts like.

"I can come back," she mumbled and turned to the door even before anyone could say anything.

"Oh no it's fine, I was just done with your boss," Lucas said, getting up from his seat, stretching his hand for a shake which Rachael moved closer to honor. His charms were almost irresistible. Rachael just smiled sharing the prolonged handshake as she stared at his blue eyes not too far from hers.

When Xavier couldn't take the intimacy anymore, he shunned it. "Lucas that's enough"

"I didn't realize you had a thing for her. My apologies" Lucas was too quick to point out. Rachael pressed her lips together, trying to hold her laughter. Xavier noticed it and frowned at her.

"I don't appreciate you flirting with my colleagues that's all"

"Again my apologies" Lucas said sarcastically." By the way, nice outfit" he commented, staring at her from up to down before letting go of her hand.

He turned to the door and Rachael immediately caught something inscribed on his neck. It was the same tattoo as Xavier_ VATOS LOCOS. She was stunned but didn't show instead she kept her smile until he left through the door. She had always known there was something big, but this just confirmed it was way bigger than she thought. Three people having the same tattoo wasn't random at all.

"Ok, your friend sure has the charms to woo any lady," she remarked when he left with a chuckle that made its way out of her lips subsequently. Xavier just stared at her, not saying anything. It wasn't a death stare, just a normal numb look.

"What?"

"This is a workplace. I can't tolerate such immerse unprofessionalism from you"

"I wasn't being unprofessional, I just complimented your friend," she said with furrowed confused eyebrows. He was being too uptight right now.

"You should focus more on your work miss Anderson"

"Yes boss," she said in sarcasm. Just when she thought he was going to rebuke her for coming late to work instead he scolded her for a whole different reason.

During the brief silence that occurred after the intense conversation, she spoke up again. "Should I go and get you coffee?"

"No, you could just stand there and make yourself comfortable"

"Right" Rachael smiled.

He looked up at her from his computer in disbelief. "I don't mean that literally"

"Oh. Sorry" she let out and immediately headed for the door. She was too carried away to realize Xavier was the kind of boss who played around with her head most of the time.