“I look at you and see the rest of my life in front of my eyes.”
Every night my thoughts weighed heavily on my soul, but every morning I'd get up to fight another day, and every night I survived.
With no sense of my surroundings, I really couldn't decipher where I was. All I could feel was my numb body being carried by strong arms, especially by the person, who loathed the very existence of mine.
The muffled, grave voices did nothing to bring me out of my comatose state. Finally, aware of the claustrophobic atmosphere, I tried bringing myself out of the numbness. I could mentally witness each and every action. Starting from the point where he carried me somewhere, the next thing I registered was my back touching a very comfortable sofa.
There were a few things that I could not decipher. Firstly, why did he even care? As far as I remember, Xavier absolutely hated me. It was expected of him to just leave me lying on the cold floor than carry me in his arms. Not that I was grumbling about the whole ordeal, it was just that, this side of him was bringing back the memories of the past five years.
It felt like we were getting back to our old days when he used to care about me a lot. I could feel that unnerving déjà vu settling in. So deep in my own thoughts, I failed to notice the throbbing pain making its way around my head. When the headache wrapped up my brain, I blacked out as I let my mind stop functioning.
But not before listening to his melodic heartbeat. Feeling myself swim into an opium of bliss as his arms wrapped protectively around my waist.
.
.
.
"Get it done!"
I clamped a hand over my head when I heard someone shouting. The owner of that deep voice needed no formal introduction- Xavier.
Feeling the plush comfort of the sofa pulling me back into a world of deep slumber. I tried my best to get up. Trust me, I did want to oblige to the comforter but sensing the situation here, getting up was the right choice. Deciding that it was time to leave the comfort and witness the real world out there, I got up with great difficulty. The faint voices were getting more lucid.
"I'm busy right now, will talk to you later." He stated curtly to someone at the other end of the call. That was the same moment his eyes made contact with mine. Without a second thought, he advanced toward me. With every provocative step, I felt my heart thump wildly.
"Are you alright? You look pale?" He inquired without any sarcasm or vengeance but surprisingly, with pure concern.
"I'm fine," I replied, unable to meet his gaze. He crouched his head down, leaning to meet my gaze.
"Damn Evelyn, you should've at least told me. I could have granted you are off, considering…" His voice trailed off as I saw a number of emotions pass across his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but I was welcomed with disappointment when his lips pressed into a thin line, maintaining his stony face.
"Well, if you're fine, Miss Williams. Care to tell me what happened an hour ago?" He asked casually as if this really didn't matter to him.
"I... nothing...uh!" I groaned, stimulating a throbbing pain in my stomach. I leaned against the adjoining door for support, watching his eyes looking at my hand clutching my abdomen. His eyes slightly widened.
"Wait, is it your time of the month? Evelyn, you are well aware that you're hit by the worst cramps ever. How could you even think of coming to work? Damn you, impetuous woman!" He shot me an intimidating glare which was promptly returned by me.
How the hell does he dare to accuse me?
No, wait. He remembered my cramps.
But I didn't have an ounce of strength to react to his arrogance, my whole body was devoid of its energy.
"Yeah right! Now it's all my fault…." I clutched my stomach, stopping mid-sentence as another wave of pain hit me.
In a span of a few seconds, I was picked up by Xavier in bridal style as he carried me towards the couch in my office, where I had been laid the whole time. I was trying to get up, when Xavier pushed me back in it, saying, "Stay." I huffed and closed my eyes, facing away from him. I know it was a bit childish of me, but I was in no mood for creating World War III.
After fifteen minutes, I heard someone entering his office, but I stayed transfixed. I felt the couch weigh down and a faint shadow loom over me.
"Evelyn, just drink it. It can subside the pain you're feeling inside your stomach." He advised in a calm and composed tone.
"No way in hell I'm drinking that." My voice came out muffled because of my hand covering the lower part of my face. He sighed, muttering a few profanities under his breath.
"Oh yes, you're drinking this." He stated, seriously. With the dipping weight, I could feel him scooting closer toward me. A sudden gasp escaped my mouth when he pressed both of his arms against my body, completely pinning me to my position. I had no choice but to open my eyes and look at him.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm not in the mood for your stubbornness, Evelyn." His gaze was intimidating, never leaving mine. My heart fluttered ferociously as he inched closer, deducting the proximity between us.
"Xavier, I'm fine and you know that I will never, ever drink that. I hate it." I said and tried to wriggle out of his grasp. My efforts were in vain, he never budged.
"Try as much as you want but I ain't giving you the day off until you listen to me." He towered over me, his face just inches away from mine. My breathing escalated when his chest brushed against mine.
Groaning, I said, "Fine." To which a proud smirk etched his lips and moved away a bit, handing me the glass. Bringing the glass to my lips, I scrunch my nose in disgust.
"Yuck! Ugh! I just hate…I hate it."
"But it happens to be very effective, just drink it in one go and your pain will vanish." Listening to him, I once again brought the glass to my lips and drank the entire content in one go, pinching my nose.
"I need water. Ewe! Just give me water." His stony face cracked a little bit as I saw the side of his lips lift while passing me a glass of water that was ready at hand.
"Ginger tea is the key to every woman who is hit by the worst cramps." He replied, before getting up. "You'll be fine, now. You're free to take a leave tomorrow if you aren't feeling well." He replied in his baritone voice and exited my office.
After calling Kat for a ride, I leaned in my seat and closed my eyes shut, my mind clouding with various images of Xavier. A smile tugged on my lips as realization dawned on me. He did care, he did care about my well-being.
And with that warm realization, I sighed a breath of relief.