The Space Between

Chapter 8; An unexpected trip

Xavier entered his office to the most unpleasant surprise waiting for him. Pursing his lips and with the most tense shoulders. He made his way towards the cabinet to make a drink for two. Holding one glass to himself and giving the other to man standing staring down the window glass. He spoke. "Father, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He said in a tight tone and Ryder knew he was just being sarcastic. He didn't actually feel happy to see him. "There's a problem at our branch in London. I'm sure you are aware"
Xavier replied curtly "Yes I am"
"I need you to make a trip"
"Alright"
Xavier annoyed still couldn't understand the purpose of his father's visit. The most they talked was on the phone. And his visits were becoming more often. He still didn't trust him fully and waiting for him to fall. Xavier thought in his head. Xavier was not going to give him the satisfaction. Ryder thought of how ironic it was that Xavier sounded and looked like him even though he hated everything about him. A younger much serious version of him. His tensed shoulders, focused eyes and pursed lips. All were a reflection to him. He didn't dare say it out loud though.
Ryder seeing no point in staying any longer moved out putting his drink on the table and Xavier didn't turn around. A memory started to play in his head
*Flashback Starts*
Young Xavier was on his way down to the kitchen when he passed by his father's study. The door was half open so he could see that his father was conversing with another man. Sneakily, he moved a little closer to see the other person was none other than his Uncle Mason. He smiled and thought of saying hello to him but stopped. "I'm telling you Ryder my boy can perform much better than yours..." Mason sipped the drink as he spoke. "You are asking to betray my own blood here Mason" Ryder said with a slight shake in his voice. Not enough to be noticed still. "Oh come on Ryder. It's your company we are talking about here. Don't you know you should think strategically and not emotionally?"
Mason said with a slight smile and a pat on his shoulder. Xavier was suprised to see how tamed his father looked with his older brother present. He almost looked submissive instead of dominant. "Think about it. It can either be your son or your company" Mason said with the stride of exit. Young Xavier quickly moved aside to a better hiding spot as the man exited the room with his hands in his pocket. Not having a heart and immensely worried for his older brother. Xavier lost any appetite he might have had to eat and went back to his room. Deciding finally that he would talk to his brother in the morning about what he just saw
*Flashback Ends*

After a few moments, he moved to sit at his table and resume his work. Calling his secretary through the intercom, he told him to prepare his jet with his luggage already packed. He sat working on the laptop and looking at the problem. His jaw clenched as he thought of who might be behind it. Francis, his cousin. Though it might not be apparent but Xavier was well aware of how his mind worked. He never attacked from the front rather he always hid behind someone or something to give a blow. His team at London was falling apart and Francis was recruiting his best employes.
At this point, he was desperate to do anything and everything to disturb Xavier so that he would feel flustered and leave. Xavier was not someone to quit so easily and it made him feel bad for him because Francis even after a year just won't stop. He kept constantly making such fuss to get his and Ryder's attention. What really saddened Xavier greatly was seeing his potential go to waste. Francis was skilled and brilliant but due to his anger and resentful schemes his start up was not doing as good as it should be doing. He had the family name meaning he also had connections and obviously his own knowledge that he could utilize to his own benefit but he always choose to ignore that. Xavier's train of thoughts got interrupted as his secretary entered the room to inform him that the plane was ready to take off. Picking up his coat and the other necessities he walked out of the office.
On the other side, as Ryder sat back in his car and ordered the driver to start the engine. His mind played him Flashback of the night he regretted the most.
*Flashback Starts*
It was a usual habit of his to drink at night. Not enough to get him drunk. Just enough the satisfy the need for its taste. On one of such nights, his big brother Mason came to visit him in his study. Greeting him curtly and preparing him a drink. Both the men stood by the fireplace as they sipped their drinks and conversed on their personal life updates. "It is time for you to retire now Ryder, who would you be handing your company to?" Ryder knew that this discussion was inevitable and the real purpose of his brother's visit but it still left him uneasy. "My oldest ofcourse" He answered with pursed lips. His face set like a rock. Mason laughed and Ryder's eyes almost flashed the emotion of anger. "You're not serious. Are you?" Ryder raised one eyebrow silently questioning why. Not amused by Mason's reaction.  "Your son's a druggie. You know that?" Ryder grabbed Mason by the color and sneered "Watch your damn mouth around me " Mason shaking off his hold and unfazed spoke again "I'm telling you Ryder my boy can perform much better than yours..." Mason sipped the drink as he spoke. "You are asking to betray my own blood here Mason" Ryder said with a slight shake in his voice. Not enough to be noticed still. "Oh come on Ryder. It's your company we are talking about here. Don't you know you should think strategically and not emotionally?"
Mason said with a slight smile and a pat on his shoulder. Ryder gave no reaction to him. Not knowing what to say. "Think about it. It can either be your son or your company" Mason said putting his cup down and exiting the room. It's safe to say that it was a long night for Ryder where he didn't even sleep a wink
*Flashback Ends*
At that time, a stern man like Ryder didn't let anyone close. Not even the woman he had been married to for more than 30 years now but Klaus was slowly making way towards his heart. He just wished he would have known that sooner. The only regret he had in life.

Sarah blushed seeing the picture on her phone. It was a message from Xavier. Sat on the airplane in a suit, he looked so handsome. The caption said "on the way to London for business" to which Sarah decided to reply "Looking good. Have a safe flight". Xavier smiled at his phone and decided to go back towards his work. Sarah on the other side put the phone down but the smile dropped from her face as she realized what just happened. She felt a sudden fear grow and tried hard not to get up from the chair and run. She was still at work. She had opened the door for him unknowingly and now she was afraid what it would lead to.