I promise
Maya exhaled even as she smiled, leaning on Xavier's body trying so desperately to sell the picture of two people passionately in love.
After humoring Ashley with her little video, they had discussed for a while with the trio acting like they had actually come to visit and when Xavier had suggested it was late and they should probably get going, she didn't know why but she had felt relieved.
Now, she just had to swallow her pride and stay under his roof until she gets a place of her own because some hours ago she just discovered she was officially homeless.
"Are you alright?" Xavier whispered, his eyes at his side of the window as he ended the silence they have sunk into throughout their ride back.
"I don't even know anymore," she mumbled truthfully, closing her eyes feeling so tired, "I don't know,"
He glanced at her, "You know you could have just told them you wanted to move back."
"And ask Ashley to go where? Do you think I have it in me to render her helpless with nowhere to go or worst make my friends have to choose?"
"I don't know honestly," he shook her head, "I just don't want you to have that lost, defeated look."
"Why did you come, Xavier?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did because you wanted to work with Tyler," his hands were clenched into fists, "It was irrational of me to ask you to change your decision just because of a beef I have with him that has nothing to do with you."
She opened her eyes, "Now I just feel guilty that I have taken the job even when I knew you never liked Tyler,"
He gave her a gentle reassuring smile, she noticed didn't quite reach his eyes, "You should never feel sorry about being happy, Maya. Besides you were right, who am I to tell you what to do and what not to?"
She looked away, "I do think you have every right to do that, Xavier. Because I won't be staying under your roof if you were just a random nobody that I didn't trust,"
"No." His hand reached for hers, "You are under my roof because of me. Out of the goodness of your heart, you did a big favor for your boss even though he was a modern-day jerkface. A favor that landed you kidnapped and now in a situation whereby you are forced to put up with me longer."
"I love living with you Xavier," she blurted out quickly, "I'm not putting up with you or merely tolerating your presence. I can't muster the courage to tell such a lie." She shook her head slightly, "And you and I know that you mean more to me than a man I did a favor for. So you did have every right to tell me what you think of my decision."
"I was wrong. Working with Tyler will be an excellent milestone in your career. I was blinded by my vendetta with him to remember how much he had done for himself in his career."
"You know you could still tell me what this vendetta of yours with Tyler is all about," she added quickly noticing the alarm in his face, "Or not. I promise not to judge though."
He gave her a little nod, "I don't want you getting disturbed for something as petty as what happened between me and Tyler years back."
"It isn't petty if it's the cause of the anger you both feel for each other till today."
"I'm not angry at Tyler," he had a little smile on his face, "How could I be? If anything, he is the one who feels strong resentment for me and has sworn to make my life miserable."
Maya looked at Xavier, utterly confused and fazed by the word that he uttered then remembering Tyler's word, she frowned.
"Xavier resents me and I can't forgive him,"
What had happened between the two? And most importantly what had Xavier done that was so unforgivable?
"Don't bother yourself with me and Tyler's past okay," she nodded at his words, "You'll go to that office of his and you'll kick ass because that's what you have been doing as my secretary. Only the best, Maya. Okay?"
She bit on her lower lip, looking at him tentatively, "You know I could turn down the job offer if you are really against it."
He shook his head, "What kind of a girl are you, when I wanted you to let go of the job, you left the house and now I want you to have it, you want to let go?"
"I just," she gave him a concerned look, "I want you to be fine."
"I'm fine." Then he added with a smug grin, "Like have you seen the guy?"
She shook her head, chuckling a little. "Promise me you'll tell me one day what had happened. Maybe at the right time."
He nodded, lying with a straight face because he knew that there will never be a time he will be brave enough to confess with his lips what had happened that night to Maya.
He couldn't stand the thought of recounting just how fucked up he had acted and watching the horror in her eyes grow.
The resentment too.
"So you are totally fine with me taking the job right?"
He nodded.
"Use words," she ordered irritatedly.
"Bossy much huh?"
She shrugged.
"Yes, Maya I'm so happy you are going to be working for my asshole of a stepbrother and I hope you make me regret this particular sentence I am making and feel your loss every time I stare at your cubicle and remember that you are with him by being the best as always."
"A yes or no would have done the job," she grinned, "But yes, this screamed your personality so much more."
He didn't reply. She frowned.
"Maya?" He called out a few minutes after.
"Can you promise to at least wait long enough to hear my side of the story if you ever hear something terrible I committed?"
She Chuckled, "What do you mean by that?" She asked lightly, Amused but sobered immediately she discovered his face was dead serious with not a hint of amusement on them.
"Promise me,"
"Do you have anything you want to tell me?"
"No," he curtly replied.
"Then what is up with the intense question and stares?"
"Just promise me." He coaxed further.
She shrugged, "I promise."