The Space Between

Chapter 37; A new start

Sarah couldn't wrap her head around what was happening. Something in the atmosphere shifted as soon as she entered back to the hall. But then she also thought it might have been her because she was determined as ever to stay away from Xavier. The event ended successfully and the team was heading back to their rooms when the man she was talking to earlier, Saif caught up with her in the hotel lobby. "I saw you disappeared so suddenly before. Are you feeling alright?" Sarah stopped to talk to him and replied with an easy smile. "Yeah I am fine. Sorry about that. I just needed some fresh air"
"Oh I see"
Seeing no other point of staying. Saif said his goodbye and pointed to his room saying he would be off to sleep. The team had their room across from each other on the same floor while the Xavier stayed on the VIP suite especially prepared for him.

The next morning instead of an alarm Sarah was woken up by the ring of her phone. She looked at the caller and sat up straight knowing that it might be professional. It wasn't everyday that Alan called Sarah from his business number.
"Hello"
"Hello is this Ms Sarah Shehroz speaking?"
Sarah silently rolled her eyes, didn't say anything but replied.
"Yes. How may I help you?"
"Due to some reasons Mr Xavier has to travel urgently back office and he requested that you supervise rest of the event on his place. Please let me know your convenience or if I should ask another member of the team"
Sarah thought for a second. Was she still bitter about Xavier from the last conversation they had? Yes. Did she want to know the reason behind this sudden change of plans? Yes but was she going to inquire? No. So she replied.
"Yes I would be happy to take this responsibility. Do let him know that I appreciate him entrusting me with the task"
"Alright. Great. Then I would send you all the material plans and shedule"
The call was cut not soon after and Sarah shook her head at how Alan sounded like a robot on the phone. But when about a minute later she received a mail from Alan with the schedule planning and agenda. She got in the mood for work. The material had everything stated and all planned out she just needed to see to it that the event ran smoothly and as planned. So she got to work. Nothing was different except that now she was leading the operation. The team still had to do what it did. Making sure everything ran smoothly and working together to make this a success. Thankfully when she came down to inform the team of the change. They were already aware and happy to work under her order. So Sarah started the briefing not long after. The rest of the day was pretty hectic for Sarah making sure everything was to go smoothly in the afternoon exhibition. So she sat with a sigh just before the event was to start and took her shoe off to gently message her feet. "Pretty busy day huh?" Said Saif coming to stand at the side of her and Sarah smiled and replied."Yeah but I don't hate it" Saif did notice how even though she might have looked a bit tired, she didn't seem to mind. "The event will start soon. You should go freshen up if you want. The event will stay in a an hour or so" listening to Saifs words Sarah's eyes widened she running around a lot so she totally forgot she had to get ready. "Oh yeah I should get ready" Sarah said hurriedly standing up. Saif stepped aside as she walked away smiling and shaking his head. The event went on smoothly and on the closing act, Sarah had to go up on stage and give a speech in the absence of Xavier. She moved to the podium as cameras clicked around her.

"What now?" Alan said as he looked back at Xavier sat on the sofa. Xavier seemed to be deep in thought. Coming out from the initial shock he was in, he thought about talking to his father. "Dial father's number ". Alan dialed Ryders number and surprisingly he picked up after the first ring. Alan passed Xavier the phone.
"Greetings father" Xavier spoke in a tight tone.
"What is it?" Ryder replied swiftly. It seemed as though he was busy.
"I just called to say Francis would be coming to you soon. He found a way to wiggle his way in my seat "
"I'm aware. In fact, he is sitting in front of me right now"
Xavier's jaw tightened. He could hear Francis snicker in the background.
"I told you to take care of him. Not lose to him" Ryder said. It seemed he had moved away to a quite place.
"I didn't think-"
"Hghh" Ryder roared in a low deep voice warning Xavier to not complete that sentence. Xavier gulped slightly but didn't say anything. Ryder continued. "I don't want this snake leading my company. God knows he'll have my head soon. I'll take care of things for now. lay low. Resurface with his company at the top and we'll put him away for good like we did with shehry"
The call ended right after and Xavier was much clearer now on what he had to do. He turned back to see Alan. "I want you to be Francis's secretary. Buy his trust. And be on the look out for Sarah. I don't want him anywhere near her"
Alan nodded bit questioned. "But...what will you do?"
"What I should've done long time ago" He said looking out the window glass. His eyes sharp and attentive.