Chapter 7 Memories

Xavier's POV:

I close my eyes for a moment as each and every memory floods my mind after that. The drastic change in the school's staff. A lot of the staff disappeared without a trace which was odd and even the principal gave his resignation to the board. The board accepted it without any argument. To the point, Bloom's style changed altogether and she told me, finally after my almost borderline begging stance to her. I wanted to destroy the people responsible for the way she was scared but before I could someone already did and they came to us profoundly apologizing and begging for mercy.

Which shocked me to the core. Just who the hell has so much power that they could influence even government officials?

"That explains Mr. Sander's anger. I mean Alexander's anger. He is recognized retired marine's top-notch doctor and if he's acquainted with her. Then one thing is confirmed she is no ordinary person." Evelyn finally speaks breaking the silence we all had engulfed ourselves in.

"Not only that Alexander is a certified lawyer and has connections with the international investigation teams. However, I don't understand why he'd pursue the career of a doctor when he hated it the most." Sebastian adds.

"I'm guessing this would have something to do with that girl. However, I don't understand what exactly. As they are no siblings or related at all. His fiancé is the redhead woman who joined them a couple of minutes later." Sebastian says further.

"All I would say is that the boy is correct at his end that they don't really owe us anything considering the mess that you caused. By the way whose bright idea was it to pay for their lunch? Clearly, it looked as though she wanted nothing with us." Archer asks.

I deadpan towards his wife and when he catches on, he makes a complete, 180-degree U-turn, "I-I mean that was a brilliant idea. Whoever thought of it..."

"Nice catch dear husband of mine. But I get what you want to say. I wouldn't have suggested it if I'd known the situation. I thought Xavier was simply interested in her. Since he ignores women like the plague I thought she ought to be different... Now I understand better."

I sigh but remain silent. The situation got more stupid than it already was. Luckily, it's already close to the time before Bloom's last lesson, and making an excuse is the best way for me. However, I needed to get cleaned up before meeting her. I don't scare her. Archer helped me get cleaned up and his wife got me a new suit as it was no problem for her knowing that her best friend specializes in fashion.

After the incident that occurred, I made sure to pick her up myself, or a bodyguard with a lot of experience in reading people so even if Bloom tries to put up a façade, at least it'll easier to catch on. Parking opposite her school, I wait for Bloom and within 10 minutes she shows up. Looking at her now, it makes me a bit astonished when she first showed up at our door. A year ago, we didn't even know of her existence and wouldn't have if the child protection services didn't contact us to let us know that we are her guardians as her father or got arrested and he won't be coming out of jail for a very long time.

Mom was devastated to know that she wasn't enough of a victim, that another woman was taken advantage of. Not only that a lot happened that Bloom is still not willing to share. Unfortunately, I don't blame her. Mom and I have suffered from his hands as well. The only reason she put is that she wanted a father figure in my life.

"What's wrong, brother?" Bloom asks as she puts on her seat belt and that breaks my self-loathing.

"Nothing, just was wondering, how did you get acquainted with that girl?" I say trying to divert my dark thoughts.

"I didn't approach her. She was leaving when she saw me. Her attitude was different. She wasn't willing to take no for an answer. Once she knew that I wasn't willing to go doctor's office she didn't press for details but already assumed what going on and took me to her friend's clinic and stayed by my side till I got treated. Even though she needed immediate treatment and her friend saw through her braveness. If that makes sense. I thought they are siblings or in a relationship but when I asked, she laughed at the thought they'd ever be in a relationship. Her reasoning is that they are darkness and light. While he illuminates everyone with his presence, she creates the hell or darkness from which people would want to be dead rather than live." Bloom talks and then takes a break as though she's collecting her thoughts.

From all the things she just mentioned one sentence catches my notice more than anything, "What do you mean that you weren't willing to go to the doctor's office?"

I have a feeling that I am going to hate the reason when I find out and most probably want to murder him, so taking deep breaths, I calm myself, "Umm... H-He is a really weird guy... He made me really feel insecure and mostly sexually. I hated him a lot. I even tried to report him but no one believed me."

I roughly and barely park the car on a side road before, I crash it due to the anger I am feeling, "Bloom, mind explaining when you were going to share the details that you were being harassed? I am going back right now to kill that bastard. He doesn't deserve to breathe another second."

I am about to reverse the car when she suddenly hugs me, taking a bit of my anger down, "Brother, please! Don't do anything this rash. Besides he got what was coming for him. The next week that I resumed school, Celeste's brother came to find me since we both have different classes and told me never to worry about that man. I was scared to death that they may have killed him. When he clarified, that he's not that lucky to die that easily. However, he will never be able to cause anyone any sort of problem."

My body sinks into the seat and I side-hug her and kiss her on her head, "Were you ever planning to tell me? I know, that I never tried to get to know you or the hell you've been through. But you should've trusted a bit."

She leaves my embrace and sits back on her chair and her shoulders slump, "You and mother are already doing so much for me by taking me rather than giving me up to the orphanage... I didn't want you to be involved in my problems more than you guys already were."

I close my eyes for a couple of seconds and reopen them I turn my neck and face my sister that I may or may not have hurt her with my poker-faced attitude. That is when I see unshed tears that she's trying her utmost to hold back.

"Hey, hey... How about we spend a day together and get to know each other? I know I may be a very boring person but I'll try my best. What do you say?" Trying to change the topic.

She looks at me shocked, "I don't want to bother you. I know you're really busy..."

"Little sis, what's the point in me owning a multi-billionaire company if I can't even give my family time?

So, what do you say, on Friday are you in?" I ask hesitantly at the end. She nods immediately.

"So, umm, how was your day?" She looks at me weirdly and then starts giggling.

I really want to pout at this moment, she knows that I am making an effort in what seems like in forever, "Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. I never thought my big bro would actually be nervous when you're one of the most successful people I have ever known." She stops laughing but a smile is gracing her making me smile a bit unconsciously, "But yeah, it was normal, a bit boring. Since I am already ahead of my class."

I nod and start the car putting it in reverse gear and then change it to drive and got going, "Hmm, have you made any friends?"

She fiddles with her fingers a habit that I have noticed she does when nervous, "No need to be scared, I am just wondering."

"Umm... Not yet. It's like that I don't fit into any of their supposed cliques if that makes sense. Most of the time I spend breaks or free time at the library. Books give me a sense of calm." She answers.

I nod in understanding, "That's alright. If you remember my friend Archer." She immediately nods, "His wife was a bit of a loner as well but that didn't mean she was weird. Being different is a unique quality in itself and now look what she's accomplished. If you haven't made any friends that means they don't deserve your company." I truthfully respond.

She looks at me with so much emotion that it makes me a bit undone. I am not used to seeing people open up like that to me and considering the distance between me and my little sister now it makes sense. I made walls so high no one could ever breach them unless I didn't try to make it easy on them myself. Somehow, I had been treating her no different than I would any employee of mine. Which is the base of the problem.

"It's really hot today. Do you want to head over to the ice cream parlor?" I ask.

She nods her head and looks excited. I had forgotten at the end she is just a kid that has been through more sh*t than many adults. She didn't deserve it. Now, I am starting to understand why that girl felt on edge even when she brought her home. Today, was different albeit bad at the start but getting to know my sister is worth the mess that I may or may not have created for myself.

We sit in the car, enjoying ice cream. It feels a bit nostalgic when she suddenly asks, "Big bro, what happened to you? I wanted to ask but then you started asking me questions that made me happy that my bro is talking to me."

I rub the back of my neck, thinking about how to explain, "You could say that I got into a bit of a fight."

She squints her eyes, "Bro, it doesn't look like a bit of a fight. It looks like someone was really angry at you..."

Damn! She has good observational skills, which looks like it's a family trait, "You're right. But it's nothing you need to worry about. I deserved it."

"Bro, you're really tough, I don't understand how could you let someone beat you up like that," Bloom says looking worried about me and it makes me happy and the pain doesn't even matter anymore.

"Don't worry, little one, it won't happen again. It's a one-time thing only." I smile. Man, I don't remember the last time I smiled genuinely towards except Mom.

She looks like she wants to argue further but slumps back into her seat and takes her anger out on the cup of ice cream. I lightly chuckle at her actions.