Chapter 15 Bella's POV
Chapter Fifteen
Bella's POV
I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing against the nightstand. I reached for it, squinting my eyes as I peered over the screen. It was a message from Xander.
I sat up straight immediately, I rubbed my eyes till the sleep cleared from my eyes. My brain was a little foggy but I was still attentive.
My heart pounded in my ears as I opened the message.
Xander Knight: You have been cleared of all charges and reinstated in your former position. Remember, 8 a.m sharp.
I've been cleared? I kicked my feet up in the air and punched the air from joy.
Finally, my job is safe. I already started looking for vacancies in the newspaper just in case I did not get my job back.
Thank God I did. But why did I feel hollow inside?.
He did not apologize for accusing me, classic Xander. I expected his cold response yet why did it hurt all the same?
I returned my phone to the nightstand and sank into the bed. I had less than 7 hours before coming face to face with Xander.
My tummy twisted into knots, I missed him. This was probably the longest 24 hours I've spent apart from Xander.
We went apart for four years, yet the past 24 hours felt like a decade.
My feet refused to stay still, they kept shaking. The real question was, how was I going to face Xander in the office?
Do I walk up to him and wipe his smug smile with a slap or do I thank him for giving me my job back?. I sighed out loud and stared at the ceiling, hoping the universe might just give me an answer.
I decided to let tomorrow play out naturally. I am grateful for the job but he also needs to trust me.
“You're going to be okay Bella. You are strong and you're going to overcome like you always have.” I repeated my mantra out loud. It is what has kept me going for the past four years.
I shut my eyes and let the sleep claim me.
By 7:30 a.m, I walked briskly to the elevator of the Knight Corporation.
Today the elevator responded, that was a good sign. Maybe today won't be so bad after all.
The elevator door chimed open. I stood at the elevator, clutching my bag tightly.
I let a cool breath and took in a deep breath. I straightened my spine and walked out the elevator. I can do this.
“You're early today.”
I whipped my neck around so fast I almost broke it. It was Xander.
He was wearing a black suit with a light blue shirt. The first three buttons were open, his Adam apple bobbled deliciously at that region.
He was leaning on the wall at the entrance of the elevator, like he was waiting for me.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“Yes.” He looked at the confusion on my face, “It's you, silly.”
My brow shot up, “Me?,since when did you start welcoming me in?”
He scoffed, “Don't take it personal, it's only for today. It's the least I can do, you know after what we discussed last time.”
He was patronizing me and I was not going to play along like a puppet on strings. “You mean after you accused me wrongly, refused to believe me and suspended me?”
There was a slight pause from Xander's end. He shifted nervously from one feet to another.
“This way” he stretched out his hand and led the way.
I eyed him cautiously before moving. He suddenly reached out and caught my elbow, “Look, I'm sorry. I actually believed you Bella but I needed to follow protocol.”
I removed my hand from his grip, “Of course sir, I understand. You are the CEO of the Knight Corporation and business is first.”
His hands balled into visible fists and then fell to his sides. He escorted me in silence till I got to my desk.
“There is another meeting with the investors by 4p.m . Remember to come early and try not to spill anything.”
I nodded, “Okay sir.”
He stood at the door, looking at me for a few seconds more before twisting the doorknob and stepping out.
I waited till I heard his footsteps disappear through the hallway. I opened the door and peeled outside, the hallway was empty.
I closed the door slowly and suddenly broke out into a break dance. I was busy singing off key and dancing round my office, “I got my job back, I got my job back, I got my job back.”
“Sorry Ms Reyes, I forgo…”
I paused and blinked. He paused with his jaw dropped.
I was in the middle of a very weird chicken dance I had made up with Noah, my hands were already up in the air. What was he doing here?
“Sorry, it seemed I interrupted something.”
My cheeks burned as I brought my hand down slowly, “Of cour..of course not.”
“I'll just get….get the handkerchief and be on my way. Sorry.”
The door clicked shut once more.
I buried my face into my palms, that was so embarrassing. Why does he always catch me doing something embarrassing?
“Thanks a lot, Universe.” I made a mental note to study more in luck and how the stars aligned for luck.
My desk was still piled up with works that needed sorting and files that needed to be stamped.
I glanced at the wall clock, I needed to finish on time so that I won't make Xander reverse his decision about my suspension.
I sighed and sank back into my chair. Playtime was over, it was time to lock in.