Chapter 17 Xander’s POV
Chapter Seventeen
Xander's POV
“So, what was that about?”
I watched her crack hard at her memory as she tried to remember.
“I'm sorry, what was it again?” She looked up at me in confusing.
I leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You don't remember throwing me a wink across the room?”
She immediately turned scarlet. I gave a satisfied grin, I loved seeing the flushed look across her skin.
She reached out nervously for a bottle of water and took a sip of it. She waited a few seconds before replying, “I…I don't know what you mean.”
“You're lying Bella. Wanna know how I know? You can't stop blushing.”
Her cheeks heated up even more, she fanned her face with her fingers looked at everywhere in the room except me.
I don't know what it was about her bodily reactions, it made me to always want to tease her.
I felt very proud when she subtly threatened the investor with coffee. Good, it meant that she was learning fast.
“I'm proud of you Bella.” the words slipped out before I could stop them.
She turned her head slowly and looked at me like I had just grown six heads.
Oh shit, I just confessed that out loud. It was too late to take back the words so I continued.
“I'm proud of how far you've come. All your life you've been bullied, I'm happy to see you finally stand up for yourself.”
She smiled softly at me, the type of smile that melts down your hardened heart. “Thank you sir, your words mean so much to me.”
Does it really? Does it mean that much to you that I could ask you to out for dinner and you would say yes?
Instead, I swallowed down my words. “I'm really sorry about the whole suspension thing. I know you must have had plans but I reinstated you back into this tedious work.”
“It's okay Mr Knight. You wanna know a crazy fact?”
I sat up straight and leaned in, the scent of her perfume wafted up my nostrils. I almost closed my eyes to enjoy her scent when she started.
“Low-key, I was happy you called me back Mr Knight.”
My eyes almost popped out, “But why? I know I can be a lot plus the heavy workloads and deadlines. Why were you happy?”
She giggled softly, “That's my secret. Maybe one day you'll find out, or maybe you won't. You'll need to stay around a long time to find out.”
“Okay, fine. But just have it at the back of your mind that one day I'll know why.”
Her lips curled mischievously, “That's if I finally decided to tell you.”
I raised my hands up in defeat. “Sure. Just stay alert for now, make sure you check out of the office early, make sure you are always under the CCTV.”
“Why? What's wrong? Did you find anything?”
“Promise me you won't panic first.”
She slapped her face gently and cracked her knuckles. “I promise I won't panic. You can hit me with it.”
I rubbed my temples and sighed, “Someone tried to frame you. Your system was hacked, someone used you logins from another line. We are currently trying to trace it.”
She looked flustered but she tried to cover it up.
Her voice came out low, “How long will the investigation take?”
“I don't know yet, but be rest assured we're trying everything we can.”
She looked up at me with those glistening hazel eyes, they held something deep. It passed before I was able to read it.
She stood up and placed her hand over my shoulder. She met my grey eyes and said, “I trust you.”
Those three words almost became my undoing. I almost pulled her into my arms and wrap her in my embrace.
She was pulling me again. Like a rat to cheese, I was drawn to her.
I was a rat and she was my cheese. Thank goodness she couldn't hear my thoughts.
I almost broke my facade and cringed, what did I mean by rat and cheese?
“Just make sure your phone is always on. Dial my number anytime you feel unsafe, scared, anything.”
“Okay, I will.” She smiled softly at me.
My knees felt weak, It almost gave out.
“You can home now Ms Reyes. It's already getting late.”
“But sir, it's still one hour before the closing hour.”
“Take the off to boost and recharge, you can come back tomorrow. Remember, by 8 a.m sharp.”
“Thanks you Mr Knight.”
She walked past me, grinning ear to ear. I wanted to ask her to dinner but I let her go.
She deserves rest.
I brought out my phone and called Chandler.
“Good evening sir”
“How is the investigation going?”
“We're still working on it sir.”
“Any lead on who it is?”
“No sir.”
“Try harder. I must get this person. Understood?”
“Yes sir.”
I hung up and stared out the window. I needed to protect her.
She was learning how to defend herself already. I remembered the look on Me Duke’s face when she was pouring the coffee.
And the wink? Gosh. The wink did things to his mind. Why did a single wink pierce through my defenses like that? I almost forgot what to say before regaining composure.
Bella Reyes, my weakness. She was going to be my greatest undoing. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow but surely in the future.
I watched her from where I was. She stood at the curb, waving at passing taxis.
She waved frantically but no one stopped. Seemed like all the cabs were full.
She waited for 10 more minutes, still no luck. I contemplated on going to pick her up with my car.
I nursed the idea in my mind when a cab slowly pulled up. She smiled before she got in.
Finally, she got a taxi. I released a breath I did not know I was holding.
She was my secretary, I need to get her a car.