Chapter 4 My secretary goes every where I go

The day had barely broken and I circled in my apartment and unlocked the door. I tiptoed and snuck outside quietly and carefully so as not to bang the door in case it'll wake everyone up.

"Hi there." I grimaced, my eyes were swollen as the pipes that were used to muffed air into the tubs. Mirabelle, she would have clicked her tongue disapprovingly had she been here.

Xander stood in front of me, his black jacket partially covering the navy blue t-shirt I saw him wear and his free hands In the pocket of his black shorts. "You're always late, Miss Leslie, You wait here." He threw his hands dramatically, shoved them into his pocket and gave a curt smile. He looks like a rich young man, of course, he's rich and has a porch. Could he have been any hotter than he is right now? I found a space on the field and rashed into the wing back chair, after the night and the rush to meet with Ian's schedule.

He appeared calm as if he hadn't humiliated me enough, that I'm almost praying for the ground to swallow me. It's the first time I have been this close to him, I mean after the incident in his office yesterday. I underestimate his height. He's a model and models high this intimidating height, his cold gaze only makes me more nervous. What I don't understand is working extra hours. I can't recall going into any agreement with him. Maybe I should confront him for a rise.

A faint sheen of sweat dampens the back of my neck and I squeeze my hands at my side. It's surreal to face him after watching him from a distance for so long. Even though I have pictured these moments a thousand times, I'm not ready. But in none of these scenarios I had imagined were we

"You scared me." Clutching my hands at my chest-beating and drumming from the rush of adrenaline, I said.

He didn't speak, he just stood there looking at me. Seconds pass by which seems like months before a devilish smirk unfolds his lips.

"Why are you startled?" He asked peeking through my eyes,

"Why? You scared the crap out of me." I said, averting his soul-piercing gaze, like a plague.

"I thought you were the famous Cleopatra." He turns his back and walks towards the tomb. Leaving me standing on my feet, after some seconds I called after him, I couldn't stand being left alone in this cemetery.

"Wait.", I shouted.

Xander came to the clearing and sat on the small headstone. Putting his umbrella aside. I stand there looking at him dumbfounded, not sure of what to do with myself. He motioned me to come closer to him. His eyes are on the necropolis sprawling around us. He takes a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, lit one out of it and started smoking. But he seems to be absorbed in his thoughts, smoke curling out from his mouth.

I never knew he had this habit. I was surprised but reading from his facial expressions he seemed disturbed. The long walk to the cemetery just to smoke. Although it makes sense he is trying to escape from the world.

"I know you're surprised I smoke." He took the thought out of my mind. "Are you gonna stand there all night?" He coldly said. Who wouldn't, his clean profile, was successful at a young age, but most rich people have dark secrets and his own was barely a shock.

I wondered how someone in his prime could have such a cold voice? I take a seat on the headstone beside him. Keep my distance. My mouth dries and I can feel my heart jump to my throat. I wasn't ready to interact with him or maybe it is because I'm nervous and scared of him. He looks at me as he exhales the smoke from his cigarettes. I don't know why I sat there, but there's no way I'd Walk through the night alone so I patiently waited for him.

"I'm just waiting for you so that I don't just go back alone," I explained.

"You don't have a choice, do you?" The light from the small orange lamps in the cemetery illuminates him.

"Leslie." He kept quiet and continued. "Have you ever had obsessives in your life?" Hearing him say my name sent a strong oscillating sensation through my body.

His tone and I realized he's a terrible conversation starter. "Yes. One of them is working at coastal." I replied to him not minding whatsoever.

Liar liar. I had the obsession of having at least one last dinner with my dad. I missed him so much.

Xander raises an eyebrow and a devious chuckle let his plump lips. "Oh yeah?"

I know there's no way I'm going to escape this right now. I'm beginning to think he knows more of me than I do. It all converges to the extent Ian drops his cigarettes and stamps them out. of "Of course, you decided to apply annually for the past four years. Why? Are you hitting on me?

"No way I needed the job, it's been-" my mouth opens in surprise but I quickly close it. I'm so embarrassed I try to back up myself.

"We both know you're lying." I'm sad.

I don't like where this conversation is going. I fiddle with my hands on my laps. "Of course not."

He stands to his feet and I feel helpless sitting so I stand up finally facing each other and my breathing becomes rapid and inconsistent.

I trailed behind him as every guilty person would do after being caught, but he wasn't entirely the main reason I applied there. I needed the work.

I wet my lips. " I have no idea what you're talking about."

Xander approaches me and I back away until my back hits a tomb behind me, butterflies gathered in my stomach, as I looked at his beautiful features. He presses his hands against the wall next to my head, making me nervous. "I don't have time for your games, answer me."He said.

My breathing is a mess. "I thought we could go back since we came ...here...together,'' I replied.

"Is that so?" Xander asked running his hands through the strand of hair that fell on my face.

He's too close for my poor heart health. "It's a free town and I can walk on my own."

Xander takes my chin in his hand and forces me to raise my head and look at him. His touch felt warm on my cold skin. His hair is articulating with his perfect face. His lips glistened. Having him this close is too much for me. "You think I don't know about your little obsession with me?" He asked again.

Embarrassment set my cheeks ablaze. I tried to shy away, his hands holding my cheeks in place.

He insisted I answer him, with determination. "Let me go," I demanded, removing his hands from my cheeks. He stays Infront of me not backing away and the intensity of his presence disarms me.

"You're not going anywhere until you answer me," Ian said.

"I don't know what you are talking about, I simply applied because I needed work, and your company seems to give the perfect... payment." I swallow.

His tone lowered, but not yet satisfied. "You're my secretary because..."

I broke in. "I think since you know I'm your secretary, I ought to have privileges too don't you think. Besides, I'm not supposed to be working extra hours." He was surprised at the way I vomited out my perception.

"My secretary goes everywhere I go. I believe you didn't forget the terms and conditions." He reminded me.

"He's cunning," I mumbled to myself.

"I can walk home by myself."

"Leslie Dawson I'm not interested in your tiny bit of a drama," Xander said.

Xander Blake, the man that my heart will skip a beat for, I didn't know I was deep in the tunnel until now.

"Mum, you can't take another loan! I choked up paying." I said when I saw loan documents from the bank. I shot her a knowing look, one tempered with little understanding.

"Where did you see that?" She asked her, grabbing the paper from my hand. Which only irritated me more. "Beth, give me that." She has no idea how she's making life a living hell for me.

"Are you gambling again? The last time you gambled we ended up losing half our capital. When are we going to pay for all this, isn't it too much? Stop staring at me and reply!" Beth yelled frustrated at her mum. My word brought her up short. I hoped this wasn't true. She wanted to tell me what the reason was. None of which has to do with gambling and my father-her husband.

"Leslie..." Diana Dawson said shakily, sweat dampening on her temples, tears rolling down her eyes. I became scared for her, she's never looked this vulnerable, even when we lost everything to her gamble, she was resilient in resolving the issue. This evening she has broken down, how come I didn't know she's put up a strong face for long.

"Mama, what's wrong?" I got closer to her. She wished she could tell me, I held onto her like a lover would do, and she collapsed into my arms. I tried waking her, She's battling between life and death. I was too clumsy to have noticed her plight, her facade. I couldn't believe my nerves. I picked up the phone to call the emergency service but my hands are already shaking.

"Please don't die on me," I whispered to her.

"Help! My mama fainted." I called out for the ambulance. I was stupid and now regret booting up in my heart, could I forgive myself?