Unhinged

Chapter Eighteen: A New Day

The morning started with a buzz; jolting Xavier awake as his alarm clock roused him from slumber. Reaching over to his nightstand, he quickly silenced the persistent chime and turned his attention to the still-sleeping form next to him. Sometime during the night, Starla had shifted positions, her body now curled against his own, arms wrapped tenderly around his waist. 

With a gentle shake, Xavier coaxed his drowsy companion into wakefulness, murmuring the words "It's time to go to work, start your day." Those simple words were like a jolt of electricity, instantly snapping Starla to attention as her eyes flew open in a panic.

"Oh my god, I overslept! I've never been late a day in my life!" she fretted, the familiar cadence of worry evident in her voice. Xavier couldn't help but burst into laughter at her reaction, amused by her sudden shift from peaceful slumber to frenzied motion. Within a half hour, Starla had showered, dressed, and was ready to face the day, Xavier dropping her off at the office before heading home to prepare himself.

On the drive, Xavier placed a call to his trusted associate, Covar, eager to receive an update on the situation surrounding Starla's troubled past. The details that emerged painted a disturbing picture - a man imprisoned for a brutal murder, with a history of violence and allegations of sexual abuse within his own family. As Covar relayed this information, Xavier listened intently, his determination to protect Starla from this "demon" of her past growing with each new revelation. 

He requested that Covar print out the file, including a photograph, so that he could familiarize himself with the face of the man who haunted Starla's memories. This was no longer just a professional matter - Starla had become his woman, and he was resolved to do whatever it took to shield her from the darkness that threatened to consume her.

Arriving at the office, Xavier's eyes immediately fell upon Starla, who greeted him with a cheerful offer of coffee and a sandwich. He couldn't resist a playful wink and a smirk in response, eliciting a bemused reaction from his assistant as she scurried off to fulfill his request. The morning passed in a blur of meetings and discussions, with Starla dutifully attending to her duties, until Damien, Xavier's alter ego, approached her desk with a surprising proposition - lunch together, just the two of them. 

As they strolled through the building, hand-in-hand, Starla couldn't help but feel a twinge of self-consciousness, aware of the envious gazes cast their way by both male and female coworkers. But Damien's firm grip and possessive whispers in her ear left no doubt in her mind - she belonged to him, and he would tolerate no others vying for her affection. 

The lunch outing was filled with easy conversation and laughter, the pair seemingly oblivious to the wistful eyes that followed their every move. By the time the workday drew to a close, Xavier was once again by Starla's side, insisting on walking her home under the beautiful night sky, their fingers intertwined as they savored the comfortable silence and the growing intimacy between them.