The Space Between

Chapter 6; The invitation

Xavier picked up the phone as it rang for the third time in a row. Sighing, he put the pen down and stopped the signing of the documents to attend to his friend.
"Hey man...what's up?" Ahmet greeted on the other end of the phone.
"Nothing much. You tell me how have you been?"
"You know how it is, extending the business has made my routine more hectic" Ahmet said with a visible tiredness in his voice and Xavier gave sincere advice.  "As long as you love what you do. It's all worth it" Xavier replied. "Haha true" "By the way, listen, are you free today after work? My mother would like to invite you for dinner"
"Oh man...I have missed Aunty's food. Will be there for sure."
"Aight...cool. you must be busy. Will call you later" Ahmet said cutting the call and Xavier bid him good bye.
He called his secretary through the intercom to confirm his schedule.
"Alan, what is my schedule for Today?"
"Sir you have 2 scheduled meetings and have to attend a conference out of town."
"Ok..which one is more important?"
"The meeting with Mr Hilton"
"Alright. Keep my meeting just one for today and the rest will be the paperwork"
Alan nodded as he walked out after noting everything down. Now that he had made time for himself, he had to look for some gifts to take with him for the family. He pulled out his phone to call his special contacts for last minute purchases.

"I'm off" Sarah said picking up her stuff from the table and Rana, her colleague stopped her. "You done?" She said and Sarah laughed nodding her head. "You want me to take you along. Don't you?" She asked teasing her friend and Rana made a pout but denied the kind offer. "Nah, I still got my design to complete ". "Alright then, I'll be out" Sarah said walking away and waving at her friend. She also waved back. As she was walking towards the elevator, she smiled at the job she had. She considered herself so lucky to be able to show her potential and skills at a place like this. It's been a week here and Sarah thought that even though, at times the workload was more than she expected. She knew that this company valued every employee's work. Too lost in her thought, she failed to notice at first the elevator door open or that she had entered the restricted elevator. But snapped back to reality when she heard someone clear their throat. Hurriedly with a sorry she entered. The person beside her asked. "Down?" And she said "yes". Looking up, the breath got stuck between her throat when she saw none other than Xavier Smith standing beside her in the elevator. "Do you want me to drop you off? I'm going in the same direction" he asked hesitantly.
Sarah initially surprised at his question mentally scolded herself when she remembered today was his dinner at their house. She was just about to deny thinking she didn't want to be seen with him or some unnecessary rumours to start when he spoke. "Don't worry. We'll go from the back. No one will see us" he spoke yet again in a respectful tone and Sarah agreed. The parking lot they were going on was on the end and was only reserved for Xavier. Another elevator that went starlight to this floor was located in his office. He had to put in the passcord on pressing the button for access. Which was only known to him and Alan for cases of emergency. They both made their way towards the empty parking lot and reached a wall like gate. Xavier punched in his thumb and the doors opened to reveal his slick car parked inside. Sarah open mouthed could not believe what she was seeing. She couldn't help but show from her expression that she was impressed. Xavier for the first time, felt like flexing his money only to impress her. "Damn, am I in a batman movie?" Sarah said in a haze to herself but didn't notice that she was loud and that he heard her. "No. But I have just as much money If not more." Xavier smirked and Sarah blushed looking away. Feeling kind of embarrassed. She wasn't able to speak through the whole ride. The car ride was short but filled with comfortable silence. Xavier was not someone who liked to chat unnecessarily. Sarah looked at his side and saw a serious man in him. Way too serious for his age that it was frightening, she thought.  But she didn't dare to voice out her observation. She just lay her head back and relaxed by closing her eyes. Xavier's eyes fell on her for a moment and his lips lifted into a half smile. I guess some things never change he thought to himself.
Sarah liked the ride and car so much that she felt disappointed when they reached her house. With a sigh she walked out of the car and waited after ringing the bell. They both walked in and everyone welcomed them with open arms. Freshening up, she helped her mom in the kitchen. Aimen didn't say anything as she had mixed feelings about how her daughter entered the house. "Nobody saw you two right?" Aimen asked with pursed lips and Sarah understood that her mother didn't fully approve. "No one saw us mom. And don't worry. It won't happen again" satisfied with her answer. Aimen nodded giving her plates to set the table. When everything was kept, the women called the men to sit and everyone sat down to eat. It didn't even take a moment for the table to fill with laughter and conversation. Xavier was humble as ever and Aimen was again impressed by his maturity and etiquettes.
"Your food is delicious as ever Aimen aunty" Xavier said in between his bites and Aimen smiled lovingly. In a motherly manner. She insisted. "I want you finish the whole dish then" she said and Xavier gave her a thumbs up. "Ma, that's not fair. You always give him all the food." Ahmet whined like a child and his father decided to tease him more. "Don't worry son. You can have the leftovers." Once again, the table had everyone roaring.

"Oh before I forget. I bought gifts" Xavier said keeping his tea on the table and hurrying outside to fetch the presents.
"Come on man, you really didn't have to" Ahmet insisted refusing to take gift from him.
"Please I insist. It's the least I could do for people who loved me as family. Besides, I came here after such a long time, it would have been rude to come empty handed" Xavier insisted and they accepted hesitantly. Putting them more at ease Xavier spoke again "This is not a favour. Just a small token of my love" . Xavier initially didn't know what to get them so he decided to buy an elegant scent for the father, a watch for Ahmet and turkish styled gold earings for Aimen. He also picked a gift for Sarah but didn't hand hers in front of everyone not knowing how the men would react. He didn't want to seem too forward and disrespectful so as she looked at him exceptionally, he communicated with his eyes that hers would come later and Sarah nodded.
The evening went smoothly and Xavier felt peace knowing that nothing had changed. After so many years, there was the same acceptance these people had towards him.
"Alright then man, will catch up with you later." Aimen said hugging him good bye and Xavier also said his good bye getting in the car and driving off.
Sarah watched the whole interaction from her bedroom window and smiled shyly. He was perfect and she was falling for him more. His actions and behaviour were hard to ignore. Maybe I don't want to anymore she thought and with a last pleasant thought she closed her eyes. Exhausted but in a good mood. She knew her day was well spend