The Space Between

Chapter 9; To be or not to be?

Xavier was currently sat at the office talking with the operation manager of his company regarding the problem they were facing and he was trying hard not to pull all his hair out due to frustration. "Sir, they even gave in their resignations"
"This is a problem indeed. We could just hire other people but they are a good asset to us and have experience. We can't loose them. I'll go talk to them myself"
"But sir, we have already tried"
"Maybe you didn't try hard enough"
With one last look at him, Xavier walked out and both his secretary and the manager soon followed silently with fear.
"Ah! Xavier what a surprise to see you here"  Fracis greeted loudly coming from the front and Xavier thought of just how much he hated to see that sickly sweet smile of his but replied back curtly. "Suprised to see me at my own company?" both the gentlemen shook hands. Francis forcing out a fake laugh. They both kept tightening their hold and Alan decided to break the tension by reminding his boss of the task at hand. "A pleasure Francis. Untill next time" Xavier said leaving his hold and nodding his head.  Francis watched his back retreat with the most poisonous smile he could muster and kept walking forward to where he was going.  "Let me know what he is up to now" Xavier told his secretary as he entered the meeting room. Before going in, he gave his last command. "Also, convey to him that I would like to meet him in my office ". The door finally shut as Alan tapped on his device to make the required arrangements. After a brief session with the employees on the issue of unsettling nerves.  On entering his office, Xavier didn't need to look to notice another presence in the room. Francis all but glowed from absolute eternal happiness at being spotted at his chair.  "My secretary said you wanted to see me. "
He spoke first. Sitting down across from him. Xavier answered. "Yeah I did. But first let's get something to drink shall we? What will you have?". Seeing as how both were so close to ripping each other's throat. It was suprising to see how civilised they were acting. A perfect example of calm before the storm. As they waited for the drinks to arrive, Xavier spoke first. "I want you to stop messing with me like this "
"And do what. Sit back silently like an obedient child?" Francis said in a mocking tone. Laughing at the mere idea.
"Alright let's do this like true businessmen. What do you want from me?" Xavier said. He really wanted to punch the day lights out of the man in front but he wanted to play this out for as long as he could. "You know what I want Xavi. Step down " Francis said assessing his cousin's cold stone face and leaning in. Xavier looked right back in his eyes with un shakable confidence and a relaxed posture.
"You know I can't do that. Not yet"
"Then why did you call me here for?"
Francis said standing up from the chair.
"To serve you, this" Xavier said standing up and making a call to his lawyer from his phone to come in. The man in question entered the room while Francis tried to understand what was going on. Xavier kept his hawk eyes fastened on his cousin noticing the sudden slight shifting of his feet. He smiled darkly liking the sudden nervousness . Handing him the document, Xavier waited for Francis's reaction. Francis laughed throwing the paper on the table "Bullshit. You have no grounds for this". A retraining order, Francis couldn't believe it. The lawyer answered. "This isn't from us but our clients, just simply on the ground that you keep approaching them and making offers to make them uncomfortable "
Xavier held up one of his finger as he added "Also we have the recorded confession of the board members on tape admitting that you held meetings with them regarding our company's internal affairs. Just imagine if I take that one to court, I can easily put you away for wrongful interference. I can do far worse than that too". That was true, for Xavier and the influence he held it wasn't hard for him to make up a case and put him away for good. The evidence was just cherry on the top. Just how he had gotten his hands on a retraining order on such short notice.
Francis still didn't lose his confidence.  "You wouldn't do that, you would loose your best employees" He smiled as he spoke while Xavier's expression turned cold and his eyes rageful. "Do I look like a joke to you?" . Francis didn't say anything but just took one look into his eyes and knew he wasn't messing with him, not today. He was Ryder's son afterall. "This isn't over" Francis spoke with a tight jaw as he exited the scene. "Make sure to never come back here" Xavier spoke after him having the last word.

By the time Xavier came back at the hotel he was exhausted. Today was especially hard on him because even though he didn't show it he was unsure going into the room and talking to the team but he kept his composure. The team were obviously under the strong influence of Francis's promises but once Xavier started talking benefits they grew quite. So it was yet another failed attempt from Fracis's side that Xavier dodged expertly and easily.
Grabbing his phone he decided to text Sarah and ask her if he could call her but she had not yet seen his message. "Maybe she's busy" he thought and decided to go take a shower. The water trickled down his body as his mind played him a flashback
*flashback starts*
After the night Xavier witnessing his father's and uncle's conversation, the first thing he did in the morning was knock on Klaus's door. Not hearing any reply from him but only hearing hushed whispers. He knocked again, this time more urgently. Klaus opened the door in a hurry and with no shirt on. Caught in act, his eyes darted here and there while Xavier tried to figure out what was the problem. With furrowed eyebrows he asked "Did I disturb you brother?" Klaus not wanting his brother to know spoke relaxing his facial expressions.
"Nothing Xavi...I was just working on my projec-" before he could complete his sentence the girl behind called his name. Coming towards the door she leaned in asking who Klaus was talking to. Xavier shocked and confused by the stranger said "Who is she brother?"
"Just a friend of mine"
"Is that what you do with all of your 'friends' brother?"
Klaus looked at his little brother angrily. And Xavier's eyes also formed in slits. Meanwhile the girl, sensing the fight took this as a sign to leave.
"How dare you speak to me like that" Klaus spoke angrily. His brother had never spoken to him like that before.
"And how dare you cheat on Anna like that brother" Xavier was genuinely hurt seeing his brother's actions. Klaus was never like that he thought so what changed? He couldn't comprehend. Anna was Klaus's girlfriend for 5 years now and a very gentle soul. She had also met the family. Hell, she  even managed to befriend a cruel women like katherine. Xavier had also started to notice how, for the past few weeks. Klaus was not being himself. He wasn't the same strong willed big brother Xavier looked upto. Now he was always disconnected, staying in his room, barely speaking and most off all being irritated and angry all the time. Klaus's eyes flamed with anger as he towered over his brother. "Drop it Xavier" There was not much difference between their height but klaus still had to look down to talk. Klaus's words held a tone of warning which Xavier intentionally ignored. He didn't care if they were having problem in their relationship or not. His brother was clearly at the wrong here. "I won't....and you better go tell Anna about this or I will" He said standing just as tall. Klaus seeing red and not being able to control his anger punched Xavier on the face. Holding him by the collar, he repeated again in a dangerously low tone. "I said...just fucking drop it brother" leaving his collar. He walked backed in his room shutting the door loudly. Xavier shocked by his brother's outburst took a moment to come back to his senses. Klaus had never spoken to his little brother so angrily before let alone punch him. Shaking his head and angry at his brother, he decided to go tend to his bruised lip first.
*flashback ends*

Sarah looked at the phone with tears streaming down her face. She didn't want to look at the message. She didn't want to open it or reply to it like she had been doing so for a week. Talking to Xavier and getting to know him had been so incredible for her. She had loved every second of it. Every second of HIM. But she didn't want to fall in love with someone who was not written for her. She was not sure if they would even succeed. Sometimes it seemed to her that Xavier also looked at her the same way but she didn't know what was the use for that. For now, she was only praying to her Lord for strength to endure this and get through this.