The Contract of Love - 9. Chapter 8: A Stranger in our Midst

Chapter 8

Xavier’s POV

I always thought that all the talk about people looking gentle and innocent in their sleep was a bunch of crap. Trust Louis to prove me wrong. He looks so sweet and guileless lying right next to me on my bed. He is beautiful, truly so.

I think I should call in sick today. That way I can spend the entire day with Louis. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea actually. I don’t want Louis to think that I am being clingy. Fine I will go and get ready for office. But seriously who wants to go to boring old work after such a fabulous night and waking up next to such a beauty. At least Louis can sleep in for a while; he can take the day off if he isn’t feeling up to it.

Maybe I went a bit overboard last night. After all we were doing it till the morning. Believe me I really tried to control myself but seeing Louis like that right in front of me was enough for any kind of control and sense to leave my body. If the condition in my lower region is anything to go by, I think the sense isn’t back yet. Although I have been able to salvage some control. I definitely need to go and take a cold shower immediately if I want to let Louis rest.

***

This morning was surely something. Louis was up by the time I was out of the shower and he gave me the most gorgeous smile. He wished me good morning in the sweetest voice ever. Yes I know I am grinning like an idiot. I can tell from the curious look Louis is giving me. Somehow this feels good, so relaxing?

“Sir you have a meeting with Mr. Davon Costa in an hour,” Louis reminds.

Shit! The meeting with Davon is today. It completely slipped my mind.

Louis’ POV

“Sir you have a meeting with Mr. Davon Costa in an hour,” I inform.

Xavier’s expression changes as soon as he hears me say the name. I think he just worded ‘Shit’. Who is this man? As far as Mr. Thompson informed me he is the CEO of a rival company named Capesco. As far as I have seen, Xavier is really confident and he knows how to deal with even the most arrogant of people. This man Davon must be someone of great stature for him to be able to make Xavier nervous.

“I have the files regarding the proposal ready. And I co-ordinated with the Secretarial Department to get the information on Capesco’s employees that you asked for,” I say.

“Huh? Yes show me,” Xavier says, clearly distracted.

I pick up the green file from the pile on my desk and hand it over to him. He nods curtly before focusing his attention to the file I gave him. I have to say that the work here is quite stressful but Xavier is always there to lighten up the mood. Seeing him looking this way is a tad bit strange for me to. I might as well get back to my work now.

****

“Sir it is almost time for your meeting. Should I go down and check if Mr. Costa is here?” I remind.

“You are not going anywhere,” Xavier states.

“Excuse me?” I question.

“There is no need for you to go and meet Davon. You work here. I will talk to you after the meeting.”

“Mr. Thompson said that Mr. Costa is a very important person in the business. So I should atleast introduce myself to him.”

“I said that there is no need for you to come. I don’t need you following me around everywhere,” Xavier stresses.

“I didn’t mean it that way…” I start.

“I don’t care which way you meant it. Don’t forget that you are my subordinate. You don’t have the authority to go against my word.”

“You are misunderstanding,” I try to reason.

“Am I? You really need to learn to keep your personal and professional life separate. Don’t go around with strange ideas because whatever you might have in mind is not going to work with me.”

“No! Please I wasn’t trying to challenge you.”

“Well you would better not. It will do you good to know your position.”

Before I can say another word Xavier has his hand up, gesturing that he doesn’t want to hear another word. Without sparing me another look Xavier walks out of the room.

I am an idiot. The biggest idiot there is. I let my tears flow freely knowing that they are the only way of releasing the ache that is engulfing my heart right now. He just implied that I slept with him in an effort to get favours at work. I don’t know why his words hurt me so much. How could he think that way? Does he really think that way about me?

Well why won’t he? He was clearly making fun of me this entire time. It was so clear. I don’t know how I never noticed it. It was right in front of my eyes! I am sure he must have really enjoyed himself seeing me looking that needy and willing last night. How could I have not seen it when it was so obvious?

I need to get back to work. I rub off the tears that keep rolling down my cheeks with the back of my hand only to have another stream of tears replace them. I feel angry, humiliated and really hurt. Well I guess I deserve this. After all it was my choice to sleep with my boss. He can think of me in whichever way he wants but I can’t let what he thinks affect me. I have to be strong.

Xavier’s POV

I am the idiot who can’t keep his personal life separate from his professional one. What was I doing back there? I am sure Louis hates me by now. Well I very well deserve it if he does, seeing the way I spoke. There is no way that I think of Louis as a gold digger. Let us not forget that I am the one pursuing him and not the other way round.

What I said back there was so rude, cruel actually. I don’t know what had gotten into me. I just didn’t want him to meet Davon. No way in hell am I ready for Louis to meet Davon! I feel a serious urge to punch the face of this brown haired man sitting right opposite to me. Just look at him smirking at me. Davon Costa is known to be a Casanova and his interest is said to lie in pretty boys. For him it is all like a game, a challenge to make them like him and then dump them afterwards. Everyone in the upper ranks of the businesses in town knows about Davon’s reputation. And if we are talking about pretty, there is no way that we can exclude Louis from the list. I don’t own him and I can’t make choices about who he wants to be friends with. And so once again the businessman in me has decided to take over and do whatever the hell he wants. I just want to make sure that he doesn’t even think of coming down for the meeting, that way he isn’t going to meet Davon and everybody gets to go home happy. Everybody meaning me of course.

“Mr. Costa here is your copy of the contract,” Ben’s words bring me out of my thoughts.

“Thank you Benjamin,” Davon flashes his well known business smile.

“Trying to poach our staff was a bad game Davon,” I speak up.

“Well I had to do something to get your attention,” Davon says in a matter of fact manner.

“So you like losing to me that much?” I smirk.

“Look at who is speaking. I am better at every single thing. You are lucky I am not into women or you would have a hard time finding someone who wouldn’t choose me over you,” Davon states nonchalantly.

Such a comment deserves nothing more than an eye roll. Davon Costa is my acquaintance from childhood and long time rival. Our fathers worked in the same field so naturally Davon and I met much more frequently at various events than I would have liked. We have been competing in terms of our professional life for ages now.

Davon came out with his sexual preference when he was 15 years old. From what I have heard he has had a string of affairs with pretty boys. I am not the type to intrude on someone’s personal life so I don’t know how much of the rumours floating around are true. Although given the attitude he sports it doesn’t really seem impossible.

***

I am glad Davon didn’t fuss too much about the contract. Now that the meeting is finally done I better go and apologize to Louis for my obnoxious behaviour. I didn’t think the meeting would take up such a long time but I should have expected it considering Davon keeps thinking that I will try and dupe him at every chance I can get.

The elevator to the top floor is undergoing maintenance right now so we are all downstairs. Dad and Ben were with me during the meeting so that leaves only Louis on the floor. We were notified about the maintenance work this morning so Louis must have come down. I wonder if he is working from the Secretarial Department now.

Ben is speaking with the young girl who is working as Davon’s secretary. Dad is speaking with an associate from Davon’s company. Davon is in the washroom to fix his hair or something. That guy seriously likes to fuss over his appearance at any given hour. Someone teach this man some manners, making his staff wait like this. From where all of us are standing, in front of Conference Room 3 I can get a clear view of the door to the washroom. I would like to see how his hairstyle changes after his styling session.

Finally Davon has decided to come out. His hair looks just the same just a little wet. I wonder what he was trying to establish. And no he didn’t use the washroom to answer nature’s call because once again he is super suspicious of me and everything here and in his own words he doesn’t want to catch some kind of disease from using washrooms here. I can vouch for the fact that our washrooms are cleaner than those at Capesco Headquarters. Now I am speaking utter rubbish. I can’t help but laugh at this sudden train of thought.

As I look up in front of me, my smile is ready to fade and a grimace is replacing it. What is Louis doing with Davon? And why is he talking to Davon so happily? Why is Louis talking to him even after I asked him not to do so? Shit I am going after them.

Before I can step forward I feel a hand on my shoulder. Looking back I see it is Ben.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to go after them right now,” Ben advises.

***

Louis’ POV

I hope they have managed to find a desk in the Secretarial Department that I can use for a few hours. I wish they had informed us about the maintenance work a little earlier. On top of that I got all depressed over Xavier’s words and forgot all about it till Mr. Thompson called me up to remind me. I am being so distracted lately, no wonder my boss shouted at me.

Yes that is right. I have made a decision. I am not going to let my personal life affect my professional life. Sure I slept with him twice. It is clear that he sees those two as isolated incidents not to be repeated again. To say the truth it hurts a lot to think that Xavier just wants to forget that he was ever with me. But I can’t forget that he is my boss and he is going to be my boss for atleast the coming 3 years. So I should take a lesson from this and move on. This is probably something he does to all his secretaries. Maybe that is why all of them quit so fast. But I won’t give up. I will not quit. Besides even if I did want to quit I know that I need this job.

Easier said than done. I feel like hell. I had no idea that I would be faced with this kind of a reality when I woke up this morning. Woke up on Xavier’s bed. I can put this behind me and concentrate on my work if I try. No other way out. I have to forget what happened!

The people in the Secretarial Department are friendly. They arranged to have a desk brought out from the storage closet for me to use. Now that I think about it I had joined thinking that I would be working here. That was before the COO of this company arbitrarily decided for me to work as his secretary. I guess he was just looking for some entertainment. Entertainment done now it is time for work. This sucks! If I had known that it would turn out like this I would have never gone to his house yesterday. Perhaps that is why he thinks I am easy. I never thought he would think about me in this way.

I guess I need to freshen up a bit and clear my mind. The cool water sure does feel good.

“Could you please pass me a tissue?” someone next to me requests.

There is an empty box of tissues beside the sink on my right. The cleaning staff should take care to restock on tissues. I take one out from the box beside the sink I was using and hand it over to the person. Looking up to see the owner of the voice I find a tall man standing next to me. His chestnut brown hair looks like it has taken a lot of time to set. His expensive suit and tie are surely designer ones and the expensive watch on his wrist goes on to add to his superior image. I feel a bit out of place standing next to him.

“They need to keep track of when the tissues run out,” I blabber nervously.

“Yes they sure do. Thank you for the tissue,” he says holding up the wet tissue in his hand.

I manage a smile unsure of what to say to him.

“I am Davon Costa,” he extends his right hand.

I look up at him for a second in utter confusion. Is this the man that Xavier was supposed to meet today? I reach for a tissue and wipe my hand dry before shaking his hand as I realize that I am being rude.

“Nice meeting you. I am Louis Brown, secretary of Mr. Xavier White,” I compose myself.

“Oh! I didn’t see you in the meeting though,” Mr. Costa gives me a doubtful look.

“Actually I was caught up in preparing some reference material for the project which is why I was unable to attend the meeting. I hope you were treated well Mr. Costa,” I make up an excuse.

“Certainly, I was well cared for. I haven’t seen you before. Are you new?”

“Yes sir. I joined last week,” I smile as I step out of the washroom along with Mr. Costa.

Xavier is standing outside the conference room with Mr. Thompson and the Company President. I know about my decision but one little glance won’t make a difference. Is he looking at me? He didn’t have to make such a face, I wasn’t planning to bother him. Turning his back on me is absolutely unnecessary too. I get the message Xavier so you don’t need to go all out to express yourself!

“It is too bad that you couldn’t make it to the meeting. I was hoping to discuss certain details regarding the requirements of the next meeting with Xavier’s secretary today,” Mr. Costa says glancing down at his watch, “It is almost lunch time and I am really hungry. Do you think you could join me for a lunch meeting today?”

“Oh sure sir. Will you be leaving for lunch right now?”

“I would like to head out now. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all sir. I will just go and get my iPad.”

I will show Xavier that I can do my job properly!

***

Xavier’s POV

This is not okay. Definitely not okay. Louis left my lunch on my desk and just left with Davon. I am going to kill Davon if he lays a single finger on Louis. This is all my fault! I should have been more careful. I upset Louis unnecessarily and now he is outside with that guy.

Ben obviously knows or atleast has some amount of idea regarding what is going on. If not for Ben stopping me I would have probably dragged Louis away from Davon. I just don’t get it. Why would Louis go out with Davon? There is no way that they know each other from before and Louis isn’t the type of person to go out with people he doesn’t know. Well he did go out with me, so… Now I am being plain obnoxious. Davon must have said something or done something to convince Louis to go.

The door cracks open and Louis peeks in. Slowly he opens the door and steps into the room. Without a word he comes to my desk and picks up the lunch box. I need to say something.

“Where were you?” I question.

“I was at lunch with Mr. Costa, sir,” Louis replies curtly.

His tone is cold and detached. The usual cheer is missing from his voice.

“And you didn’t feel the need to inform me? What did you talk to him about anyway?” I don’t mean to question Louis but I am really annoyed with him for going out alone with Davon.

“You were busy. I didn’t think it would be appropriate for me to disturb you. Mr. Costa requested a meeting with me which is why I accompanied him. I will give you a full report about the meeting by the end of the day. I will get back to work now, sir,” Louis smiles before walking back to his desk with the lunch box in his hand.

Louis’ voice is icy cold and his smile is not like the ones I am used to, it is a fake professional smile which I am accustomed to using. I should have known Davon was behind this. Wait, why am I blaming Davon? I am the idiot here. Trust me to ruin everything just when it is about to get good. Idiot, idiot, idiot!

I am incredibly embarrassed for my mistake! Thank you so much to all of you for pointing out my mistake. I have uploaded the proper chapter. Do give it a read. Sorry again! Please leave a review and tell me about what you think about this chapter.