The Space Between

Chapter 22; Guilt

Xavier checked out from the hotel after recovering and sat on his car to drive back to his office. Now that he was back on his routine. He breathed a sigh of relief, the past days had been so crazy on him. He was grateful for some time to see some calm but he also dreaded this week to end. He really didn't want to attend the party his father had ordered him to attend the other day on the phone. At the office, thankfully, he was able to divert his attention on more important tasks when Alan came in to hand him documents for his approval.

Sarah sat staring at the screen. I thought it was you. The words still echoed in her head and no matter how much she wanted to, She couldn't get them out of her mind. Rana beside her cubicle, was just about to ask her friend of her well being when their manager came out smiling and clapped her hands. With a wide smile, she announced "Everyone can I please have your attention? Our team's progress has been very impressive in these last few months. The company's CEO is very happy with us. To appreciate your hardwork and dedication. I have decided to throw a small party tomorrow. I hope everyone comes and has a good time to release some steam"
Everyone cheered and clapped. Glad that they could finally have a break. Sarah also smiled a small curve as Rana looked at her excitedly talking about how fun it was going to be and Sarah nodded absentmindedly.

Xavier's whole body went to instant defense mode. His secretary flustered came in apologising. "Sir I'm sorry. I tried to tell him that you didn't want to see anyone but-" Xavier held up his hand stopping him mid way. "It's okay Alan you can go" He spoke keeping his eye still on Francis as the other stood with a proud smirk. While Xavier tried to glare him down as hard as he could. Alan not wasting even a second, ran out the door sensing the tension in the air. Once the door closed that is when Francis spoke. "Hello cuz. How are you?" walking casually all the way in, he sat on the sofa and Xavier rolled his eyes. Ofcourse he would make himself comfortable first. He detested. "Why are you here Francis?" Xavier said wanting to get straight to point. "No pleasant greetings? No how are yous?" Xavier raised his eyebrows giving him a don't bullshit me look as he sat across from him. 
"Ok fine I came because I heard you passed out in a hotel from exhaustiion. Needed to make sure you were still alive" Francis said casually.
"Well. I'm alive and well. Now that you have seen me. That is the door. I'm sure you can find your way out" Xavier said pointing towards the door. Great he thought in distaste. He just needed a minute to himself but he couldn't even get that. Francis's smile wavered. Him hating his tone but he didn't let it slip. He was here to have some fun.
"Oh don't be so gum. After all, I am the only one who cared to come."
Xavier's fist clenched involuntarily. He knew Francis was enjoying him get riled up. He knew exactly where to hit and where it would hurt.
"I'm guessing by the way you're acting. You lost the girl"
Francus leaned in whispering the last part. Xavier not being able to hold on any longer saw red. The single thought of her leaving filled him up with possessiveness. Francus didn't even blink when Xavier held him by the collar growling angrily. His smile only broadened. "Well" he started speaking standing up and shaking off his hold.
"If you'll excuse me. I have some matters to attend to" Francis walked off casually whistling on his way out. Xavier hated him more than anyone. If he had to make a list on people he hated. Francis would most definitely secure a second place. First being none other than his father and the third being his beloved mother. Xavier tried to calm down as he took deep breaths. He needed to calm down for now because he couldn't kill the guy and he didn't want to waste his time either.

After office hours, Sarah decided to go shopping for a nice dress. Which she decided to go with one of her old friend Lale Hafeez, the girl she was neighbours with when they were teenagers. They entered a shop and searched around. The colour Sarah had in mind was black since black held the elegance for these sort of occasions. She decided to look at one side while Lale shuffled though the other side of hanged dresses to find something. Sarah was flipping through a red dress when Lale called her out. "Sarah I found something ". Since Sarah's back was on her, she turned around and saw a very beautiful black full length dress being held up by Lale. It had some emrald gems on it that shown under the light and flow effect from waist down. She loved it. She made her way closer to the dress and held the material in her hands. The material was also very comfortable "I knew taking you along would benefit me" Sarah joked but she there was some fact in that sentence too since Lale did have a good eye when it came to fashion. Without wasting much time, she took the dress in the changing room to try it out and when she came out to show to her friend. Lale was in awe. "It looks gorgeous. And when you would get ready, you would be even more stunning" . Sarah blushed shyly at the compliment and twirled around with a small laugh. "It's final. We're taking this" Lale declared and Sarah went in to change back to her normal clothes. Lucky for them, the dress was in a reasonable price as well. Once they were done with that, Sarah suggested that they move towards the mall's food court to get something to eat. Finding a table, Sarah went to order while Lale occupied it. Sarah put the tray down of hot fried chicken meal and they started eating not long after. "Show me" Sarah said referring to her friend's engagement ring. She had seen it before but it was so beautiful, she felt like seeing it again. Lale showed her the hand smiling a bit forcefully. Sarah noticing that decided to say. "You don't look too happy" . "I'm not" Lale said withdrawing her hand and dipping the fries in the ketchup. "Just call if off then" Sarah suggested but Lale shook her head. "I can't do that. You know how hard it has been for us after our father's death to find someone that would accept us. With me out of the way, my mother won't have to worry anymore" she said solemnly. It almost sounded an automatic response as though she had said the same sentence many many times. "I know you don't want to hear it but Ahmet still loves you. You can always go back to him" Sarah said hesitantly. Lale looked up and her eyes filled halfway with tears "He's the one reminder I don't need of  a bad child I had been to my parents in the past. I mean how can I forgive myself for being careless when my father was fighting for his life " Sarah said nothing to that although she wanted to say so much. How it wasn't her fault. How she would be much happier being her brother's bride, how they were meant to end up together but she held all that back. She just moved to sit beside her friend to comfort her and encourage her that maybe this was for the best afterall.