I enter the apartment at half nine on the dot. Daphne is sleeping on the settee, surrounded by revision notes and textbooks. Nothing but guilt fills my heart, knowing she tried to stay awake, waiting for me to come home. I tidy up her school work, placing it on the coffee table and then got a blanket to cover her. Her phone was on the floor, so I pick it up, to find it unlocked. Should I read her messages? No! That is an invasion of privacy - I cannot read her messages. But I should check in, just to make sure she is okay... right?
I look at the contact's name, to see who it was she is talking to. Dan :) it says, the picture of a messy blonde haired boy, who had a cheeky smile on his face. He looks a little older than Daphne, but I am sure he is the same age. Daphne is not an idiot, to try and get attention from older guys. The conversation between them both was lighthearted and friendly, making me feel at ease that she has friends at this new school. I put her phone on charge for her, and make my way to bed.
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"And that is how I plan on making the budgeting reasonable for the Liverpool hotel." Scarlett smiles at the end of her presentation. There is an applause for her five year old PowerPoint presentation, before Xavier asks if there are any questions. My hand shoots up, as she shoots me a deadly glare.
"Miss Xu?" She says, pretending to be polite.
"You seemed to have missed out the budgeting for my department. Without the materials and furniture, there is practically no hotel. So with you not making a slide for my department must mean that I don't have a budget, and I can spend as much as I like, correct?" I question her, smiling sarcastically at her. There is a mumbling agreement it the room as others whisper between themselves. I catch Xavier smirking at me, making me smile a little more.
"Apologises Miss Xu, I will email you a budget for your department." She says, taking her seat.
"You are all dismissed, get back to work." Xavier tells us. I grab my things, getting ready to leave when Xavier pulls me back.
"Well done for today. No one really questions Scarlett when she presents." He says and I shrug my shoulders.
"Like I said, can't have a hotel without materials and furniture." I smile, causing him to smile too.
"I know she is giving you a hard time here Ziayn." He says, closing the door fully. "I came to your office again yesterday night to see if you were actually going to sleep in there, and overheard the conversation between the two of you."
"It was nothing. She must still be in love with you or something." I say, causing Xavier to chuckle.
"You could say that. But I guess once you get a bit of this, you always want more." He smirks. My heart races at his seductive tone of voice. I look away from him, but he gently pushes me against the door, his body close to mine. His piercing blue eyes hold my gaze, making me fall even deeper for him than before. I should push him away, shout at him for being so unprofessional. But all I want to do is kiss him - again!
"This is not a good idea Mr Bright." I smirk breathlessly. He smirks too, his right hand on my lower back, left hand holding mine.
"I know. But you know you want this just as much as I do." He deviously smiles. Is he a mind reader?
"That does not make it any better. I also have work to do." I say, taking my hand out of his. He leans up off me, allowing me to leave the conference room. In a hurry, I make my way to my office, quickly closing the door behind me so I can compose myself after that encounter.
Xavier knows exactly what he is doing, and he is enjoying every bit of it. He knows what to say and do to get me to drool over him. As stupid and cliche as it sounds, he has this spell over me that I cannot untangle myself out of, no matter how hard I try to avoid him. I may as well start packing my office up now, because there is no way I can stay away from Xavier, and Scarlett knows that. I take a seat at my desk, finishing the last design for the Manchester hotel. Sitting back in awe of my own work, I stare at my art, surprised at myself. These drawings are my best work by far. I gather all the designs I have created and take them to Xavier's office. This time, I am determined to not melt at his words, or touch. Just as I was about to knock on the door, I hear a familiar voice in his office.
"Oh come on Xavier! We are good together! You are making a massive mistake going for the pauper, and may I add, it would be a massive downgrade from me." Scarlett scoffs, as she insults me.
"Ziayn is not a pauper, or a downgrade from anyone, especially not you Scarlett. We ended things, because you are a cheat. And the only reason you are still working here, is because your contract doesn't run out until the end of this year." Xavier defends my name. Scarlett laughs harshly at Xavier's words.
"How many times do I have to apologise? I love you and only you! And I know you love me too. I know you want me on this desk right here, right now." Scarlett says. Xavier does not say anything, but a measly "Scarlett," and by than, I am already halfway down the corridor, and in the elevator. My heart thudding like thunder on a cold night. Why am I crying? I never had a chance with Xavier. Our lives are worlds apart, and far from compatible. He was never going to fall in love with me. I am just another one to cross off his list.
I tell Violet that I feel sick, and going to go home. She says she will pass the message onto Xavier. I thank her, grab my stuff, and head straight home. I don't care if I am crying. I don't care if everyone can see that I am crying. I don't care if people are confused as to why I am crying. I just want to go home, and sleep.
And that is exactly what I did.
YOU ARE READING
Don't Hurt Me
Romance"If this is just a game to you then leave!" "This is no game baby girl. This is the real deal." Ziayn Xu is a twenty two year old woman who has been looking after herself and her little sister ever since they were left outside an orphanage by their...
