Never Say Goodbye [Complete Story]

Chapter Twenty-six

Getting curious could take a better of you. I watched him intently as he came to sit beside me in the living room. I was alone with him now.

The grand entry almost made me drop my jaw but I won't!  I fixed my eyes on the TV and I slyly occasionally stole glances at him. I wanted to know how he behaves. He smiled at me and relaxed into the chair before pulling out his phone from his pocket. I tried to focus more on the TV but the shirtless guy beside me?  Oh God! Kate was right! I had to hold on to my decency. I cleared my throat and tried my best to stop shifting on the couch. I was too tired from the day work and I can't sleep yet because I had work,  so I came to watch the TV. I never expected he would come home so late half-naked and drunk that he puked on the floor. I had to clean the mess,  ugh!

Now,  back to the present situation, he was still shirtless and not even say a word.

"You? You're still here? "

I was caught off guard by the question that I dropped the remote I was holding and turned at him. What did he mean? But, I'm still yet to clear out if he's Kenneth or Xavier. Us he pretending to forget I came with Kate earlier?

"I mean, why are you here at my house? "

My lips formed a 'O' instantly. Pretend not to know me and then this. Seriously?

I kept on nodding not saying a word. He just gave his best irritated look and a bit of confused one. I finally summoned up courage to stop shaking my head like a lizard.

"I'm.... I thought Kate told you. I'm living here now. "

"Why? " he probed quirking his brows. I scoffed slightly annoyed.

"Why! — Oh well, I got a pass from the owner of the house and technically I got this  on rent. Even though, " I said through gritted teeth watching how his expression hardened alongside his jawline.

Wait, why do I think he's Xavier.

"She made it clear I paid for the house and technically the house belongs to me, I hope? " I answer with a gulp.

I slowly nodded. My mind out of ideas.

Anyway,  hoping he wouldn't ask me to pay for rent, I suspiciously eyed him as he rubbed his forehead and pulled his head back making me see through his bobbing adam's apple. I traced further down his evenly heaving chest, I shut my mouth and let out a muffled moan. My eyes travelled down his body and, his really sexy six packs and flat abdomen was—

"Alright" he brought back my attention to his face instantly. Pfft.

He slowly looked down at the table in front and nodded. I wonder what he's thinking.

"And I'm deciding you're paying."

"Um? " I had a second thought, 'did I hear that right? ' "I'm paying?" My lips twitched upwards into a pout; a method I seldom try when pleading didn't work.

I watch him stay motionless,  expressionless and speechless— unmoved.

Did I just think that I could blackmail him with my puppy face?

I shook the thought off the back of my head and took a better sitting position, now watching him closely.

" I meant that, Miss-"

"Claire. "

He nodded again and looked at me as if suspecting me. However,  he later changed his mind,  I think and forced a smile.

"It's Dutch. That's the final. And point of correction and don't go about giving that puppy face, I'm not interested in seeing it. " he stood up abruptly and walked to the kitchen. I saw him come back with a dish of mashed potatoes I had made  today but I made a lot that I ended up  excusing myself from it and put it in a dish for him thinking he might eat it.

There he was placing it on the table. I am not quite sure who he is. I was about to ask something when his phone rang and then he picked it.

"Oh shit! I'm so sorry. I'll just come, alright?" he said into the phone.

Next. He stood up and hurriedly went inside. He came back with a jacket and he put it on in a rush. I stood up curiously awaiting him to at least tell me where he's going.

"Shit. " that was all I heard. My lips twitched into a frown.

I saw him grab the key but I never attempted to stop him. Where could he be going? He certainly isn't going for business. I've not seen him do anything on a laptop or bring home some files.

It must be some emergency.

When I saw he was going, I knew then. Something wasn't right with him.

"What happened? "

He stayed at the door for a long time before glancing at me over his shoulder.

"Kate... She had an accident on her way home. "

Worried,  I stood up.

"You should've told me! I'm here friend for God's sake. I'll come along. "

He didn't reply. He just left without one more word.

He's ignoring me.

I go after him when he closed the door only to see him closing the door to the car.

"Wait! " I yelled and hurried in his convertible sports car. He wasn't even glancing at me.

He just looked ahead and started to drive.

It was quiet in the car and I hated it. I wanted to know who he was.

"So.... What exactly was said to be wrong with her. "

"She had been talking on the phone while driving and almost crashed into an oncoming car." he replied still focused on the road.

"Ah... " I nodded slowly. "She's always careless I agree."

"Yes. I hope she's okay. "

My head snapped back to him. He really cares for her. I don't know why my heart wept silently when I replayed that word in my head.

"You really care for her right?" I asked tilting my head to the side and stared at him.

"Yes? Obviously. " he says smirking and finally looking at my side.

I nod and look away quickly. "Um. Yeah. "

***
"Oh no! You guys got worried for no reason. " Kate laughed, her hand quickly going over to her head.

I was about to chastise her for laughing in this condition of hers and reach over when someone's hand came into view.

"Calm down there."

"Thanks hottie! " Kate said giggling at him again.

I forced a smile and tried to act normal but I kept swallowing lumps I suddenly felt at my throat.

"Um... I'll go get the drugs. " I said picking up the prescription and rushing out.

I sighed getting to the open space.

Okay,  I shouldn't be so annoyed at seeing them together. It's not like I'm sure he's Xavier.

***
Thanks for reading

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Hikmah