The Space Between

Chapter 20; Avoiding you

Alan waited hoping any moment that she would walk through the door but to no vain. Even his constant prayer weren't doing any magic. Xavier watched his secretary and spoke. "She won't come" He said looking down on his phone going back to read the article he was focused on. Alan opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. He sat back admitting defeat. There was no use. There was a sudden knock at the door and a call ring on Xavier's phone at the same time. Alan went to get the door and Xavier attended the call. "Hello? Xavier Smith speaking "
"Xavier it's me Jack Pane" Xavier replied with a smile
"Hello old man"
The man laughed on the other side. "Oh I'm not that old."
Xavier chuckled. Jack spoke again "I heard you are at my hotel right now. Don't worry. I have told them all to take very good care of you. "
"That is great but what about our meeting?"
"Well. I had informed Alan beforehand. Due to some urgent matters, I had to travel and would reschedule "
"Oh I see. Well, as long as you don't run away from a deal. You know, how it goes it in business." Xavier joked.
"I know young man. Aren't I the one who taught you that?"
They both laughed at that and Xavier said "Not really but if you wanna take credit for it. Sure go ahead"
"Now I have to go but we will meet soon"
The old man said and Xavier affirmed "we sure will" as he cut the call. The smile immediately fell from his face and Alan came in with a giant bouquet of flowers. Xavier read the card and it said "Get well soon" He scoffed at that. Alan spoke "Sir they were asking if we would like to take the VVIP suite"
Xavier waved him off "Tell them we are good. Just facilitie us well here that would be fine " Alan nodded and went to deliver the message. When Alan  entered the room again, Xavier put his phone aside and looked at him. "You lured me here on purpose didn't you? because apparently the meeting had already been postponed."  Xavier asked. He wasn't mad at Alan for leading him here. He must have already seen that Xavier was pushing himself way pass his limit. He was actually impressed.
"I don't know what you are talking about sir" Alan replied but smiled syly. Jake Pane must have told Xavier the whole story. He thought. Xavier said nothing but shook his head with a smile. That was a good strategy specially when Alan knew how strong headed Xavier can be. As soon as the call had been cut distaste for the previous man on the call was visible on his face. He just had to play nice with him because he was good for business. Ah! the things this company makes him do.

Sarah's mind seemed to have locked the lady's words. She couldn't help but want to try and reach out to him again. Even though, till now, he had not seen any signs of affection. She bit her lip. Deep in thought. She would totally be doing this by going against her mother's instructions but she felt sympathetic. Today was weekend meaning she didn't have work today. Should I go meet him? Is he ok? Has he recovered?. She questioned herself.  Sarah shook her head. She really had lost her mind to be thinking this. She sat up from her bed and decided. She just has to make sure that he got well and up on his feet. As she decided to be the bigger person, she decided to head over to his hotel. She wanted to move past the anger and give him benefit of the doubt. Moving her body to the kitchen, she decided to prepare for him a healthy soup. Her mind still didn't agree with her reminding how her mother had told her to stay away but she couldn't be cold if he was in need of some warmth.

Alan stood up as he saw who had entered the room. Amelia looked around not seeing Xavier in sight. She asked his secretary. "Where is Xavier?"
Alan was about to answer when Xavier made an appearance coming out from the bathroom. "Amelia, what are doing here?" He said as he moved to sit at the sofa. Without looking at her and taking the book stationed on the table. Amelia gulped and moved to sit opposite from him. Alan sensing that the conversation might be personal moved out. Amelia spoke "I just came by to make sure you were well and also apologise for that day"
Xavier looked at her and her hands fidgeted on her lap. "You took advantage of me. How could you do that?" He said feeling betrayed. He considered her to be an important friend of hers yet he was disappointed by her act that day. Amelia tried once again. "I know and you have no idea how truly sorry I am" she said with sincerely looking at him. Xavier observed her but decided to ease the situation. He knew that she wasn't necessarily a bad person but she sometimes acted a slave to her emotions. She couldn't help it.
"Alright." Xavier said smiling and shrugging his shoulders. Amelia's eyes also light up and she was thankful that the incident didn't effect their relationship. They were laughing and talking in no time.

Sarah felt the same feeling she always felt when approaching him. The same feeling that she had felt that day making her way towards his office. She knocked and took a deep breath as she waited for someone to open the door. Xavier opened the door and looked at Sarah surprised. He didn't know she would be coming back. He didn't expect her to.
"Sarah, what -" Before he could finish his sentence, Sarah spoke. "I came by to see how you were doing. Also to drop this for you" Xavier couldn't keep her waiting so he told her to come in and thanked her for the food. Taking it from her hands and keeping it on the shelf of the adjacent open kitchen. Sarah moved in and Xavier moved his hand through his hair. He hoped he looked okay. Sarah also noticed how it was her first time seeing him in shirt and trousers. "You should stay for dinner" Xavier said and Sarah looked at him. "Ok" she agreed in a small voice. Xavier's mind couldn't stop being excited at seeing her. He didn't show though. His lips straight and posture straight. The air around them buzzed with attraction when Amelia's voice sounded. "You must be Sarah" she said coming forward and Sarah took her hand to shake it. Who was she and what was she doing here? Were her very first non verbal questions. She felt a new sense of possessiveness wash over her. She spoke. Wanting to know about this woman. "I'm sorry. We haven't met before. And you are...?"
"Amelia Ross. Xavier's best friend"
Sarah's mouth fell as she realised but she politely nodded still. Though the women didn't show it on their faces but the tension could be sensed between them from a mile away. They had marked each other as a danger for the other. "You ladies should sit while I order something for us" Xavier spoke.  They sat at the sofa in the living room opposite from each other and held each other's stairs. Xavier complemented on whether it was a good idea to make Sarah stay but he couldn't tell her to go away. That would have seemed rude. Amelia held Sarah's stare. She didn't understand still why Xavier was mad about her. She didn't have anything outstanding about her. Her dressing was simple. She looked mediocre besides her grey eyes and a mole that made her look attractive. There was nothing significantly different about her yet Xavier couldn't get her out of his head. Amelia smiled. Feeling confident to know she was better in every way as compared to her.
Xavier sat with Amelia almost unknowingly as it became his habit but he stopped briefly as he looked at Sarah's hurt expression. Amelia decided to speak first. "So Sarah. You work at his company right? Which department are you in?"
"Interior design department.."
"Oh I see"
Turning to Xavier she purposely tried to bring up a memory. "Xavier do you remember the first time we met...oh my god you were so annoyed" She said laughing and Xavier smiled a bit at the memory. Amelia then proceeded to tell her all about the incident that bought them closer. Making her feel like a third wheel. Sarah looked down trying to stop her tears. Her heart burned under the fire of jealousy seeing Xavier smile with her. The food arrived and they started to eat. Sarah lost all her appetite but not wanting to seem rude. She ate silently as Amelia spoke of their friendship and their closeness. Xavier had his eyes on Sarah the whole time but didn't say anything. "And can you believe it? We even kissed one time but nothing changed.."
Sarah's spoon dropped from her hands. She had enough now. She couldn't hear anymore. This was too much for her. She wanted to go out. Xavier's head also snapped towards Amelia. He wasn't stupid. He knew why she did that. His jaw clenched and he watched as Sarah stood up. "I think I should get going now. The food was lovely thank you. Nice meeting you Amelia." Amelia also smiled a sickly sweet smile back and Xavier stood up. "Wait...let me drop you home" He said. He needed to talk to her about this.
"It's okay. I can find my way back-" Sarah shook her head but Xavier insisted saying "Please let me"