The Space Between

Chapter 13; Sorry not sorry

Xavier came back office beyond exhausted and closed his eyes laying on the couch. Before he could drift into sleep his peace was disturbed when his phone rang. "Xavier put on the news right now" Ahmet's voice sounded urgent on the other end and as soon as he put the TV on his ears heard the most dreadful news. His blood boiled seeing the video. The video was obviously not recorded correctly. What was even more infuriating that the whole tape was manipulated. There was only one line of shehry that was heard when he said. "Well well if it isn't the great Xavier Smith" the next clip showed Xavier punching him.
"CEO of the one of the leading construction companies, Smith's Raise, Xavier Smith seen assaulting a commoner."
Xavier told his friend that he had to go handle the situation. He slammed the phone down on the table as he stood up straight thinking on what to do. Any minute now his father would call him to clean his mess. His anger has once again put him into trouble. Just as predicted the phone rang and he had no choice but to answer it.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU UPTO NOW XAVIER." Ryder shouted on the other end. Before Xavier could give him any explanation he spoke again. "YOU BETTER CLEAN THIS MESS UP RIGHT NOW BOY. AND IF IT EFFECTS MY COMPANY'S REPUTATION IN ANY WAY YOU ARE DONE FOR" The call ended and Xavier sat down thinking on what to do next. He decided to do some damage control by ringing some of his contacts on the media. He could easily answer that by providing an explanation but he didn't want to drag Sarah's name in this mess. So the next best thing he could do was make every TV channel take the news down. His jaw clenched as he finally realised shehry had trapped him. He created a scene because he knew what would happen. He decided to deal with him later.

Francis grinned seeing the news on TV. He laughed as he thought of Ryder's reaction. He was excited to see what Xavier would do next. The planned had gone very well.  He picked up his phone and told his agent to book him an interview with the news channel as he would like to also talk about Xavier's Smith's disrespectful behaviour. His moment of happiness was short lived however when Zender Creek backed away from deal. "What?! You are backing away this early?" Francis could not believe his ears. Zender Creek nervously said "Yeah I am. I don't want to hurt him like that "
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND?! Look at the situation right now. It works in our favour. Land your blow now too when he just received one"  Francis spoke in a high pitched voice. The situation that he himself crafted.
"Bagering his reputation like that? Bringing up his dead brother? That's low for me " 
Francis could not believe the man in front of him. Zender Creek stood uncomfortably. Something about the man and the atmosphere he held made Zender extremely uneasy.  "Well then. If you won't take him down I guess I'll have to pull you under " . "What?" Zender asked suprised and Fracis's smile widened. "Oh you heard me. Prepare to see some real losses now Mr Zender Creek" Zender silent for a moment burst out laughing at that. "You would harm me? Boy I hold ten times more worth than you. All you have is a Smith's name to hold"
Francis angrily looked at Zender straight in the eyes as he spoke. "Are you sure about that? Because I sure as hell hold the secrets to bring you down". Zender still not believing him and thinking of it as his bluff said with a smirk "oh yeah? What secrets?" . Francis leaned in and whispered in his ear a name that wiped the smile right off Zender's face. "Veronica Neil" . Having the upper hand now, Francis lightly tapped Zender's shoulder as he spoke 
"Do you think anyone, let alone Xavier, who hates assaulters, support you when he finds out about that poor girl you assaulted and left for dead ". Francis's eyes sparkled even more and he laughed as all the color drained  from Zender Creek's face and he walked out without a word. He didn't need to say anything else because Francis now had him exactly where he wanted. He hated being underestimated when he held the real cards in his hands. "Fools" Fracis said bitterly as the smile turned into a poisonous expression.