Chapter 9 Xander’s POV
Chapter Nine
Xander’s POV
Her lashes fluttered open, and for a brief second, our eyes met.
I withdrew my hand and fell back from the shock.
She blinked, confused at first, then her gaze darted to me on the floor.
She straightened immediately, tucking her hair behind her ear, her face flushing in embarrassment.
“Sir… I—” she started, but her voice broke, unsure what to say.
I stood up, clearing my throat. “You fell asleep on the job,” I said quietly.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to…”
“You didn’t mean to what? Show up late, misplace a file, or fall asleep at work?” I interrupted sharply.
Her eyes dropped to her shoes. “I’ve been… tired.”
I wanted to ask why. I wanted to reach out and tell her everything was going to be okay. But I didn’t. I just stood there, watching her shoulders.
“Being tired isn’t an excuse,” I said instead. “Life doesn’t wait for anyone.”
Her lips parted, but she said nothing. The silence between us thickened, almost suffocating.
I turned away, heading toward my desk, “Go home,” I muttered.
Her head went up. “What?”
“You’ve done enough for today. Just… go home, Bella.”
“But the paperwork..”
“Just go Bella. I'll take care of it.”
For a long moment, she didn’t move. Then she stood up slowly, gathering her things. Her movements were slow, as if she was afraid I would change my mind.
“Thank you, sir,” she murmured before heading for the door.
“Bella”
Her hand froze on the doorknob
“Don't be late tomorrow.”
“Okay sir, thank you sir.”
I didn’t look up until the sound of her heels faded down the hallway.
Only then did I let out the breath I’d been holding.
The office felt colder, emptier again. The same way it always did when she left.
I sat down, rubbed my temples, and stared at the desk where she had just been. A faint trace of her perfume still lingered in the air, the same scent I got for her when we were married.
Why does she still have this effect on me?
I picked up the pen she had left behind and rolled it between my fingers. The same pen I’d pulled from her hair.
My chest tightened. I wanted to hate her for lying, for leaving, for making me feel so helpless. But the truth was, I didn’t.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, and whispered under my breath,
“What are you doing to me, Bella?”
She was driving me crazy. I pinched my brows and looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight.
This scenario was giving me flashbacks of the time we just got divorced. I spent almost every night in the office.
I pulled out a blanket from under the desk. I walked over to the chair and laid down. My tall frame couldn't fit in the chair so my feet dangled out of the chair.
I closed my eyes and allowed myself embrace the darkness that welcomed me.
“Mr Knight” i heard Bella’s voice faintly in the background.
“Mr Knight,” she said much louder.
My eyes popped open and I saw her looking down at me with worry in her eyes.
“Wh..” My throat tightened.
I stood up and rubbed my hand across my eyes, what time was it?
I peered at the clock on the wall, it was still early.
I cleared my throat, “Why are you here so early?” I voiced out gruffly.
“Remember sir, you told me not to be late.”
Oh, I did. I stood up and decided to go home to freshen up.