The Space Between

Chapter 5; Her first day

"Why was I not informed of the issue before?" Xavier asked in a calm tone when internally he was seething with pure rage. The man on the other end apologised repeatedly, embarrassed on being caught red handed. His secretary stood seeing his boss in action and shook his head, thought of the poor soul that was  to experience hell. But he also knew how professional his boss was. Never once had Xavier ever shown inappropriate behaviour towards his employees and that was the reason everyone respected and feared him at the same time. Respected him because he was always appreciative of other's work and effort. He was a true leader and fearful because he was not someone to be messed with. He didn't want to be unnecessary disturbed. "Just work right" was his motto. Right now, the issue at hand was related to an occupationist group. The land on which they were supposed to build a mall actually belonged to an old man who saved it to build orphanage.At first, they were not aware of that and accepted the contract but when the man came to Xavier, told him the whole story, he got to know the truth. Apparently the man had heard from someone that Xavier always did clean business so he found his address and managed to enter his office. Xavier was furious seeing the original documents and decided to close down the project. It took some for him to grasp the reality that cases like these still existed in this day and age. He promised the old man that his company would make a flexible contract for him instead to make orphanage on the same place. Dealing with man, Xavier knew, that what he just did could make a major partner of his angry who had been a profit bank for his company but he also had to satisfy his conscience. He just could not sleep knowing someone was troubled because of him.
"This project is to be stopped right away without any delay. Do you understand?"
With the final word Xavier cut the call and slammed his phone down. He breathed out and closed his eyes to relax a bit. It was true that most often, if not, Xavier also used sly tactics for his business to justify his selfish motives but never once in his life did he ever dared to take advantage of someone, it was one of the many lessons his brother taught him. "Sorry to disturb your moment of peace Sir but we have to go down to the interior design department for briefing the new team" Alan, his secretary spoke and he nodded. Putting on his coat and checking himself in the mirror one last time to make sure he looked proper. He walked with his secretary meeting his steps. "Is the presentation ready?" He asked his secretary and Alan nodded.
"Also send that man a termination letter from the company. I don't want dishonest people polluting my work place" Xavier said. He may have talked to the man calmly on the phone but he needed to know there were consequences to these actions. "I already forwarded the case to the HR Sir" Alan said, he knew Xavier would ask him of this.  Walking in the meeting room, he felt all the air leave his lungs as he saw the woman sitting on the chair.

The woman beside Sarah put on the red lipstick and moved her fingers through her hair to check if she looked decent in the mirror. Turning towards her, her co worker, Amber spoke. "I look good right?" She said and Sarah smiled nodding in affirmative. Satisfied, she sat back as everyone waited for the CEO to enter the room. Sarah was nervous and she was trying best to hide it behind her cool facade but the butterflies in her stomach were not resting causing her leg to shake continuously. She had to grab her hands together tightly so she doesn't start chewing her nails. "Deep breaths" she said to herself and tried to calm her nerves down. She succeeded and looked ahead as the man in the coat entered the room with his secretary right behind him. She thought she was ready for this moment, she thought she could play it cool, but as their eyes met all the memories came flashing right in front of her eyes and she couldn't help but search for the same emotions. He seemed to be thinking too, she collected. But they were both snapped out from the trance when his secretary cleared his throat. Sarah took this as a sign to look away and Xavier broke the eye contact too. Composing himself, he proceeded with the presentation. Half way through the presentation, Xavier started to show his annoyance towards the woman as she couldn't simply get the hint. Neither did he want to do this nor did he have any energy for this but the flirtatious attitude was really getting on his nerves.
"Yes?" He asked politely but annoyed.
"So, do we report to you regarding our work?"
Amber asked leaning in and fluttering her lashes.
"No you report to your team manager. And Miss I would really appreciate it if you refrain from asking the same question that I have already explained...this is really time consuming" he said with a stiff tone and she sat back embarrassed. Sarah could not help but smile as she remembered the old Xavier and how impatient he used to be. She felt pride seeing him speak as a leader. She could see now why he was the perfect candidate for the seat of CEO. With a final word and a final nod towards the whole team, Xavier walked out.

As Xavier walked out from the office and towards the lift he could still feel his heart beating fast inside his chest. It almost seemed that it would jump out any moment now from his ribcage. Seeing her after so many years was a shock he did not expect to be met with. She was even more beautiful and graceful than before and it tested his self control a lot. All he wanted to do was run to her, tell her how much he had waited for this moment all his life and hold her in his arms but he couldn't as he was in a professional setting so he composed himself to carry on with the meeting. As they entered his office, he told his secretary to pour him some orange juice. "No drink today sir?" Alan asked amused and Xavier smiled a bit. "Not today, want something light"
"Ofcourse, that must have been heavy" Alan said trying not to smile as he handed him the drink. Xavier gave him a look of warning and Alan took this as his turn to leave. He moved to his office instead. Without a word he left and Xavier took the cool sip down his throat, closing his eyes, he savored the taste. "What now Alan?" He asked without opening his eyes and heard the voice of his friend. "Oh so my name is Alan now?" William said and Xavier laughed opening his eyes.
"If you want it to be" he turned his chair as William sat in the seat opposite from him. "Well no thank you" William said meanly . "Before we start talking let me order you something. Black coffee?" Xavier said and william nodded. "So basic" he mocked.
Calling Alan through the intercom he asked him for a black coffee and some pastries. "Oh and one more thing Alan" he called as the man was about to walk out. "Yes sir " he asked turning.
"Willaim doesn't think your name is worth keeping". William looked at Xavier shocked and sat speechless as he looked at Alan's red face. Not wanting to lose his job, Alan said nothing and walked out. "Why do you to this to him?" Willaim asked concerned, as he looked at Xavier's laughing face.
"You know he can't answer back because he fears you. Why do you do that then?" . "It's just so...funny" Xavier wheezed in between laughs. "His face turns red so easily it's concerning" Xavier said sobering up from his uncontrollable laughter. Wlilliam smiled shaking his head. He couldn't his moments of childishness. The friends talked on different topics catching up on all that has happened In their life. When Alan came reminding his boss about the meeting. He excused himself and William also took this as his cue to leave.

Sarah dropped her purse on the sofa and layed down on the sofa placing her head on her mother's lap. "How was the day?"
Aimen asked her daughter.
"It was good. Kind of tiring though"Sarah replied honestly.
"Well...it can be. It is a big company after all"
"True" Sarah seconded with closed eyes.
"By the way bec..." Aimen said again. "I heard something from Ahmet"
"Hmm" Sarah said giving her mother a sign to continue and let her know she was listening. "Xavier is the boss. Is that true?"
"Yeah mum he's the CEO. He just briefed our team's introductory session today. He was very impactful "
"I agree. He is such a good boy. It always amazes me to think how well he turned out seeing as how he wasn't raised by his parents and lost someone so dear to him"
After a pause, Aimen spoke again. "I was thinking...we should congratulate him by inviting him over for dinner."
Sarah nodded and thought of how remarkable he was as a whole person. His character, his personality was so well sculpted. He was perfect. Ofcourse, like every other person he had his moments of imperfection but all in all, he was a true gem. She acknowledged that.