The Space Between

Chapter 35; Settle in

Sarah moved the camera around the room as she spoke to her mother on video call. Aimen nodded at her daughter approvingly and Sarah grinned unable to contain her happiness. "When you are done resting. You know that you have to go meet your cousin right?" Her mother said giving Sarah a stern look and even though she wanted to shout a no. She said "Yes mama. I remember. Though I'm not going to promise anything. Our company is organising this event so we're going to be really busy"
The duo conversed for another hour or two before Sarah excused herself as she wanted to rest before she was ordered to head down for a briefing.

Xavier settled down on his luxury suit as he thought over Francis's words. He may behave in total lunacy but his words were a pure warning and even if Xavier didn't want to admit it, It did scare him a little to know what kind of tricks may be up his sleeve. If the hit was designed for him, he could take it. But if it was anywhere near Sarah, he would lose it. Xavier's jaw visibly tightened and his body went rigid. A fire burning in his eyes so fierce that it fought to be unleashed but he tried to calm himself down. There was no need for him to be worried about that. He had kept his distance from Sarah. There is no way he could have anything related to them on his hands.
He stood up deciding to go shower to cool himself down.

The team met at the conference room for the briefing. Sarah noted the important points down as Xavier explained the aim and the arrangements of the event. The companies attending and the audience interested. "Remember everyone. This is a chance not only for us to be a team but for all of you individually to make connections with people. So I suggest you go right ahead and indulge as long as it profits you and keeps my company out of trouble. Understood."
The whole team repeated after him the last word, and he dismissed them by the end of the presentation. Xavier gaze settled on Sarah as she stood up at last and made her way towards the door. Before she could step out, "Sarah," Xavier called her name, and Sarah closed her eyes. With much emotional strength. She turned around to look at him and froze at the look in his eyes. They were apologetic. Almost ashamed. But they went back to their cold state as soon as they flashed those emotions, and Xavier asked in a soft voice. "I just wanted to know how you liked your travel and stay,"
As much as Sarah wanted to shout at him and tell him never to talk to her again. She had to answer. Her jaw remained tight. She smiled forcefully. "Are you asking that question from everyone, sir?"
Xavier blinked and taken aback a bit. "No, I just-
"Then, pardon me for interrupting, but as long as it's not a general question, I would like to refrain from answering as specific questions are too personal, I believe,"
She waited for his reply, staring him dead in the eye with a newfound confidence she had no idea where it came from. She raised one eyebrow, silently prompting him to speak. Xavier couldn't, he gulped. Not seeing any sign of a reply from his side, Saray continued, "Now, if you don't have any further questions. Can I go, sir?"
Xavier said nothing but nodded. Too dumbfounded to speak. This was the first time Sarah had talked to him this way. He understood the underlying angry tone. He wasn't smiling about that rather than the fact that she spoke her mind. He was proud to see that. He also realised how this was the first time he had smiled since his engagement about a month ago. And the first time, he had let anyone speak with him like that. She really had him under her control. It scared him.
On the other side, Sarah also hit her head lightly with her hand as she tried to straighten her smile. What is wrong with me? Why am I smiling? I'm supposed to be angry at him. She couldn't understand how this was the occasion to smile about. She just talked back to him, showcasing her anger. But she felt light after doing so. True, if there was someone else other than Xavier as a boss, who she had known for years, she might just have been fired at the spot for talking to her superior the way she did but for the first time she stood strong rather than feeling weak and that, for her, was impressive. She shook her head, making her way towards her colleagues, whom she had come in pleasent conversations with.

"Perfect."
The man said, skimming through the pictures. They were enough to make a case out of everything.