Chapter 19 XADEN
Chapter 19
XADEN
“Yes Jane, have the documents sent to my email. Send the other files to engineer Yavuc. I should be in turkiye for the seminar, so do let him know that we would have the details discussed in person.” I paused, taking a look at my wristwatch.
“Okay, boss. Is there anything else you’d like me to pass on to your secretary?” Jane asked. My lips curled into a smile because I knew why she was asking. It wasn't her job to relay messages to my secretary. Jane is a team manager not my PA.
Well, she is more of a friend.., a very good friend, one I wouldn’t trade no matter how much I am offered.
“Hmm, sounds fishy but since you are offering, then I don’t see why I shouldn’t let you relay the message to my secretary, team leader, Jane.” I dragged. I heard her giggle in the background.
I carried on with a few other work-related details, “Right, make our company available for the internship program this year. We need more hands…. Also, do ask her to send a sales report for the last two months. And I also need the document from the workshop project. And also, I need an appointment booked with the director of HR holdings. Also, please let her know that once again I would be attending this year's work even alone…”
“Ah… enough… my head hurts, my ear hurts, how can you keep rambling for minutes, does your mouth not hurt?” she cuts me off, panting. I was the one talking and she was the one panting.
“No, it doesn't and besides, you were the one who offered to help.” I shrugged, walking into the living room.
“Whatever and what you mean you wouod attention this year’s event alone, again? Dude, you’re going to be thirty in like three to four months. You have been celibate for five years maybe even longer, have you ever had sex before? All you do is work and work, do you not get tired? Aren’t you horny?”
Jane is a very blunt speaker, it took a while to get used to it but now it's just normal to hear her speak like this.
“Okay, I am not discussing my sex life with you.” I muffled.
“Why? Because you’re a virgin?” She dragged, giggling. She is having way too much fun with this.
I slammed my eyes shut, teeth gritted, “No! I am not.” I grunted.
“How many body count?”
“Jane?”
She laughed so hard, it rang out of my phone. I slammed my eyes shut, pressing my thumb and index finger against my eyes.
“Okay, is there someone I don’t know about? Someone you are saving yourself for?” She muffled, her voice with a lace of suspicion. She doesn't know about Sloane. I didn't tell her. If she knew about Sloane, she would tease me forever.
“Jane…”
“Oh, Xaden, you are a very sexy boy… a ridiculously handsome sexy boy and it hurts to see that despite the number of girls that gush over you, you’re not in the slightest attracted to swayed…, is there really someone you are waiting for?”
I am going to pretend I didn't hear her call me a very sexy boy and not a man. But more importantly, I didn't want to deny having Sloane in my life. I didn't want to pretend like Sloane is not the reason I have turned down every woman in the last five years. I don’t want to deny Sloane’s existence and the impact she has on my life.
“Oh my, he is not answering…” Jane teased with a light gasp.
“Jane, I…”
She sighed, frustration slipping through, “Xaden, I am saying this as a friend because I am worried about you. How many years has it been? Five years. Do you remember how many sleepless nights you’ve had in the last five years? The number of times you fainted behind your family’s back? The…” the tone of her voice was slowly rising, frustration and worry combined, filling her words.
Jane knew why I went through what I went through five years ago. One of the reasons she and I are close is that she moved on as I moved on. She forgot it when I chose to forget it. She has never reminded me of the things I buried in… until today.
“Jane…” I grumbled.
“All I am saying is, you’ve given enough! Xaden. I think it’s time for you to relax and be selfish, date women, get fucked, and do what you like… You deserve that much.., you deserve that much, after everything you’ve been through.” The frustration was obvious. It’s probably been pent up inside of her since forever.
I paused, steps frozen by the stairs. My mind is racing through everything that I went through in the last five years. The pain I buried in places I never want to visit again. My fist clenched around my bag.
Jane was right, I gave a lot. Blood. Sweat… too much… am I allowed to be selfish now? Can I pretend like those shits didn't happen and move on now? Can I really move on now?
Can I be selfish enough to go after her?
My lips parted to respond to Jane who was still on the other end of the call. But then I heard music coming from one of the rooms. A hip-hop song I am definitely sure Jasper would never listen to. Which means, Sloane is home.
“Jane, let’s talk at the office tomorrow.” I ended the call before she could respond. I tucked the phone inside my pocket and ran upstairs, I stood in front of her door, my heart racing.
Jane’s words played again in my head. It’s okay for me to be selfish now. It’s okay for me to go for her now. She won’t be in danger if I take her with me. No one would harm her to bring me down. I have the power to protect her now. I can be with Sloane now.
My lips curled into a wide smile, my hands trembling as I took a deep breath. My heart was racing, like a teenager, about to approach his crush.
Should I knock?
Wait. I have a better idea.
I ran to my room. Tossed my bag on the bed, took my jacket, reached for my window, and jumped out. I made my way to the window of Sloane's room.
As I approached the window, my eyes caught sight of this girl, dancing in her room, hair curled and loose. On her face were her dark shades. She had cargo pants on with a tank top and a jacket with a face cap, on her head. There she was, dancing with no care in the world. I grabbed out my phone and hit the record button.
Like a stalker, I stood by her window, grinning ear to ear as I watched her dance, whine, throw her ass back, and watch as it bounced. Watched as she twirled her hair, watched as she smiled and laughed like she had won a lottery.
What could have possibly made her so happy tonight? I got a clean shot. I had focused more on her face than her dance.
I surged towards her window with my fist clenched, and I dropped a gentle knock on her window.
“Oh God!” she squealed, jumping in fear, hands over her body, trying to protect herself. Her face was consumed with fear and worry but as soon as her eyes settled on me, she sighed. That fear on her face, the worry, collapsed, replaced with ease and assurance. She moved towards the window and opened it.
“Hey there, dancer.” My lips curled into a smile. My eyes are tracing her heaving chest. Giving me a clear view of her cupped boobs and the sweat dripping down her chest was a paid actor.
God, she looks so breathtaking. So beautiful. Flawless.
“Did you have to scare me like that?” she bobbed her hips to the side, revealing her curves.
Ah… Did she do that on purpose? Does she know how defined her waist is?
I tore my gaze away from her body reluctantly. “It wasn't my intention.”
“So, can I help you, Muffin?” She smirked.
There she goes again, swinging that weird ass nickname over my face, knowing I can’t do shit.
I sighed, “Are you sure you don’t want to stop calling me, Muffin, Peach?” I rasped.
“Hmm, let’s see…” she pretended to think and simply shook her head, “No… Muffin suits you.” She giggled. “Fluffy and wet.”
I am pretty sure she realised she had chosen the wrong choice of words when her lips parted and cheeks turned red on the spot
“Look at me, Sloane, do I look fluffy and wet to you?”