The Space Between

Chapter 31; Make a statement

Xavier annoyed asked Amelia looking up from the table of statistics displayed on his laptop screen.
"Do you HAVE to be with me all the time? Here to?"
Amelia put her cup down as she answered smiling brightly.
"Ofcourse honey. We are a pair aren't we? "
"But this is my work place so please can you not cross this line?"
"Uff fine." Amelia said getting up and kissing his cheek "bye honey" she waved. As soon as the door closed. Xavier wiped his face. Cringing at how she had started acting like a wife. They weren't even married yet. He really did wonder what had suddenly changed in her. This woman he was with was obsessed and clingy. He kind of missed the Amelia that was his friend. That he had fun with. Well..almost. who he missed the most was no doubt the woman he had hurt the most. His mind played him a flashback of his high school days

*Flashback starts *
Roaming the high school halls he could feel every female gaze on him but he payed it no heed. It was as if none of that glory could touch him. In his history class though, there was this one girl who asked him to tutor her. He said alright. He was good at that subject. He shrugged his shoulders deciding to help. Not thinking much of it. During their lessons which he felt safe to conduct in his study. Not his father's because he wouldn't want to die just yet. His study was smaller than his father's but was designed the same way. Like any classic way, it was with shelves on the wall filled with books, a small table with an office chair and a pair of sofas at the side. They sat down and during the whole reading, the girl kept looking at him. To which he annoyingly said "Are you even listening to me right now?"
"Yeah...totaalllyy" she said smiling and curling her hair between her fingers.
The girl stood up still keeping eye contact while Xavier sat back waiting to see what stunt she would pull next. She reached his side and turned the chair to face her at the desk where she was sat. Leaning in, she whispered
"You know there's another subject we could study and I would let you take the lead on that. What do you say?"
She opened her buttons to show her cleavage while she talked.
At that moment, Xavier knew this wasn't normal. While most guys would get excited by being subjected to such seduction. He felt nothing. He laughed and the girl pulled back a bit surprised 
"Those tricks don't work on me honey so why don't you go tell that to the guys who actually care?"
The girl embarrassed and frustrated didn't even continue with the rest of the tuition as she left making some excuse of an urgent meeting at home. He thought about it even when she was gone. Tried to see if he felt even a bit of effected by her touch but he didn't.  He knew then that he would never be able to touch let alone look at a woman in a way that he looked at Sarah
*Flashback ends*

The girl, Casey after that also started this weird rumour in the school that he was gay because telling everybody that her charms wouldn't work on him would have been too embarrassing. So he was untouchable. This was not the last though, but it was the last time he bought any girl home. Putting a holt to his thoughts, in came Alan. "Sir, Omar Salem is here to see you "
"Send him in" He said as he adjusted his posture. A smiling bearded Arabic man entered the office and Xavier also smiled a genuine smile seeing him. Getting up, he hugged him "Salam my brother. How are you?"
"Walaikumassalam. I'm good. How are you?" The greeting rolling off Xavier's tongue smoothly.
Omar sat down and so did Xavier at the sofa on his side. "I actually had work nearby so I thought I should pay you a visit"
Xavier smiled a smile of relief "Glad you did. I really needed a break"
Alan came in with their usual drink of kahwa and some pastries. Serving them, he headed out from his office.
"That much work?" Omar said sipping his drink. "The work is not that much rather the news I created "
Omar put his fork down and he shook his hand "Oh yeah. I totally forgot.  Congrats on the engagement.."
Xavier smiled hesitantly and Omar's black eyes read his expression "but you don't seem happy "
Xavier sighed. He could feel a headache forming just by thinking of it. "Yeah I'm not. It was father's choice. Not mine"
Omar did not know what else to do but pat his shoulder in sympathy. He knew Ryder was a stern man. He cared for business only . The men talked some more. Also talking on and about their business. Omar Salem was a major name in machinery development. His influence was stronger than Xavier's and people feared him because of his height and physique. But in money and power, Xavier had the upper hand. That's why whenever they worked together Xavier always enjoyed it. They together were an unbreakable power house. For his construction, he mostly used powershift machinery as they proved fit for them every time. Over time, their relationship as friends also strengthened. Omar liked how Xavier didn't shy away from his beard or race. Or fear him. It was as though they were already familiar with each other. Their conversation was cut short as Omar , unfortunately, had to go since his duty called and Xavier bid him goodbye.