Chapter 42

Chapter 42 - Title: Make You Feel Better

Chapter Theme Song: In The Name Of Love by Martin Garrix ft. Bebe Rexha

[Xavier’s POV]

An awkward silence filled the car as I waited quietly for her answer. Glancing over, I took in Iris’s expression. Her eyes were wide and mouth pressed firmly together as if she was making sure she didn’t say anything she would regret later. At the moment, she was at a complete and total loss at finding the right words to say. I realized that Iris always made sure to carefully pick her words. Maybe I should have done the same thing before asking such a stupid question. But, I was still feeling pretty shaken after what just happened. As the reporters hurled accusations and questions at me and I just stood there like an idiot. I couldn’t think. The building in front of me was blackened with scorch marks and I could hear the sobs of the people who had just lost their homes. Some lost even more than that and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do to change it.

When the woman started calling me a murderer, I could actually feel my blood draining from my face. No one had ever accused me of something so heinous and it wrecked me. I loved my people and I wanted to take care of them. That’s why I planned this expansion project in secret. The people here needed proper shelter and I wanted to help them. But, now it was all ruined. All because some rat bastard got it into their heads to trample on these innocent people’s lives just to thwart my campaign.

However, just as I was about to respond to the woman’s accusation, everyone started rushing towards me and I froze. But, Iris. Iris. She threw herself in front of me with steely determination in her eyes and handled the situation with grace and strength. She protected me from them and I was taken aback by the sense of relief that came over me. At least I had one person who would stand next to me, no matter the circumstance. I was extremely grateful for that because I was feeling so fucking vulnerable. It wasn’t because the project had failed. It was because innocent lives had been forfeited or altered because of these stupid political games. It was unforgivable. Whoever did this was going to pay. I heard Iris clear her throat and I instantly snapped my attention back to her.

“I was just doing my job, sir. No other reason,” she said politely.

What the? Really? That’s it! That is the best she could come up with? And why did that answer hurt so much? I looked at her and she lowered her eyes. Wow, Xavier. What were you expecting? A declaration of love? A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. I let go of her hand and moved back over to my side of the car. My pride was pricked and I knew that I was being petty. She was my secretary and I was her boss. I knew this. But, I wanted to know more of her. I wanted to be close to her. I clenched my fist in irritation and looked at Iris with a stone cold expression and she flinched. Why am I this way? Oh well, too late to stop now.

With a tone to match my expression, I said, “I am fortunate to have such a devoted employee. However, there is room for improvement, Miss Young. If you were just a few seconds late, those reporters would have trampled all over me.”

Her brows rose in shock and surprise at my response. Then with a snort of derision, she replied, “Yes, sir. I’ll work harder. But, as I’m sure you’ll remember, I am not your bodyguard and I am not in love with you. So please keep that in mind the next time you find yourself in a life threatening situation.”

I glared down at her. She didn’t have to remind me. I perfectly remembered how she had said that she wasn’t obligated to save my life. And, at the time, I agreed with her. But, now… I gritted my teeth and turned my head away from her. I wasn’t going to continue this discussion any further. We were both too upset by what had happened and we need to take a breather. Daniel, the man with impeccable timing, decided at that moment to get into the car.

“Any new information?”

He looked at me and my heart almost stopped. His eyes were filled with sadness and rage. Whatever he was about to say wasn’t good news.

“Xavier, the little boy—” He took a deep breath and then continued, “the boy who was in critical condition passed away. We just found out. The reporters outside are shifting the blame to you and the party for the incident.”

[IRIS'S POV]

“An ill advised project, sponsored by the Dragon Party, has caused the death of a ten year old boy. Citizens are worried for the future as they look to President Gray to rectify the situation. One can’t help but question the safety of the state as we move closer to Election Day.”

Headlines flashed one by one across the screen as I watched the morning news. The entire world was now aware of the accident. With the media’s continued jabs at the president and his party, everyone started to believe that his negligence was the cause of the boy’s death. It further certified my belief that one scandal was enough to destroy a person’s entire reputation. Since the incident involved the death of a child, it made the situation a hundred times worse. We were all to report to the state minister's office that morning. There were still no results from the ongoing investigation of the fire and I kept praying that this mess didn’t have anything to do with me. Once we returned to Silverstone City, I was going to give Wolf a call and he had better have some answers.

I heard booming-enraged voices coming towards the room I was in and I quickly switched off the TV.

“Mr. President, you should have shared your plan with us! Now look at this what happened. No matter how much compensation we give to the families for their losses, we will never be innocent in the eyes of the public. To them our hands are covered in that child’s blood! How the fuck was this news was leaked in the first place?” cried the oldest member.

Daniel, who I thought was doing an excellent job at keeping his voice calm, answered, “We did keep everything confidential. However, it seems like we missed something. What we do know is that our opponent has been keeping a close eye on every move that we make. It is a possibility that they just assumed that Mr. President was behind the project.”

Everyone just looked at him with a blank expression. Daniel sighed in exasperation as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Think about this way!” he continued. “Who else would have an interest in developing that area other than the president? It wouldn’t be hard for the opposition to put two and two together. All we need to do now is—”

“Nothing is that straight forward in politics, Daniel,” interrupted another member. “The bastard who was behind this is very calculating and meticulous. They have an end game to this little stunt. Our priority should be to find the person responsible and then deal with the situation from there.”

“No!” Daniel roared. His patience was evidently slipping. He took a deep breath and said, “First and foremost we have to deal with the public. The people in that community are mourning the loss of that child. If we just throw money at them it would look like we are just trying to cover up a mistake. Not only that, but it is disrespectful to the child and his parents.”

Daniel went over and flopped into a chair and rubbed his temples. Everyone looked exhausted and on edge. He took another moment and then looked back up at the members.

“We can commission a school to be built in his honor or maybe even a park. That will lessen the damage and regain a bit of trust we had with the people. What do you think, Xavier?”

I felt nauseous. Although I wasn’t sure if Wolf was behind this or not, I couldn’t deny the heaviness that I felt in my heart. I looked over to Xavier. His expression was drawn from fatigue and agitation.

“Do what you think is best, Daniel. However, I am personally going to oversee the investigation of the fire. I need to find the person responsible. Before you start on your plans, tell Axel to go to the traffic center and get me the footage from the site. Make sure he grabs all the footage dating back the last fifteen days.”

After a few more words of concern, the meeting came to a close. With a grim expression, I stayed to the side of the room and watched all of the members leave one by one. They were upset with the Xavier. They all knew that the damage was irreparable. Daniel, who was the last one to leave, stopped in front of me. I looked up at him and took in his haggard appearance.

His lips formed a small smile. “I am glad that you are here for him, Iris. I am going to try and sort this mess out as quickly as possible. Take care of him tonight, please. H-he doesn’t know how to properly handle emotional situations.”

I felt a tug on my heart as I looked into Daniel’s concerned face. Straightening, I did my best to give an assuring smile and replied, “Don’t worry about him, Daniel. I won’t leave him.”

I gave Daniel a comforting pat on the shoulder and sent him on his way.

I had looked at the clock again and I saw that an hour had passed since everyone had left. I was still in the minister’s office, waiting for Xavier to come back. But, he didn’t. I didn’t think too much about this at first because I thought he just needed space to process everything. But, when I looked at my watch and saw that it was nearing ten minutes to midnight, I started to get worried. My stomach growled and I got up from my chair. Walking out of the room, I made my way towards the small office kitchen to get a snack. When I got to the kitchen I decided to make Xavier some coffee as well. He had looked awful earlier and maybe this would help.

A few minutes later, I found myself outside of the room he was using and my body instinctively tensed as I noticed that the door was halfway open. Clearing my throat, I knocked lightly on the door to make my presence known. There was no response so I lightly stepped into the dimly lit room.

“Mr. President? It’s me. I—”

My words were cut off as the strong scent of alcohol hit my nose. I scanned the room and found him sitting at the desk with four empty bottles in front of him. His eyes were red with rage and it looked as if he had just mentally ripped someone apart. I swallowed. I shouldn’t be here. I knew that I shouldn’t be here, but it was too late now. I swore under my breath and walked towards him.

“I brought you some coffee, sir. I will help you feel better.”

He looked at the mug as if it had no business being there amongst the bottles of liquor.

“I don't need it. Take it away.”

Okay, that’s it! Knowing that he hadn’t eaten all day and then downing God knows how many drinks, my temper exploded. How dare he act like this? He was the fucking president! Not some drunkard on the side of the road. I reached out and firmly placed the coffee in front of him as I gave him a harsh look.

“So is this what are you planning to do, Mr. President? Starve and then drink yourself into a stupor? Just look at you! How the hell will you be able to handle this mess if you don’t have a clear head?”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I raised my hand, pointed my finger at him and continued, “And don’t you fucking argue with me! I am your secretary. I am paid, very well by the way, to keep your best interests at heart. If you want to act like an ass, then fine! But if that is what you want to do then step down from the president’s chair first.”

I was breathing hard and my hands were shaking with fury. He had yelled at me when I was trying to help. Not only that, but he was just sitting in here feeling sorry for himself when he had work to do. Xavier stood up and the reality of the situation slapped me in the face. Holy hell! I just yelled at my boss. Not to mention the fact that I had just cussed out the president of USK State. My eyes widened and I quickly turned to leave. But before I made it two steps away from the desk, I felt a pair of strong arms encircle around my waist. Suddenly, I was pulled back against Xavier’s chest.

He tightened his grip and when he brought his lips against my ear, he whispered harshly, “Why do you care, Iris? Why would you fucking care if I eat or not?”

I gulped and was finding it hard to breath. Crap. This wasn’t good. I could feel his heartbeat thundering against his chest as he pulled me closer. I fixed my eyes straight ahead and was determined not to sound blithering idiot.

“I just wanted to help you feel better, sir. Truly.”

He turned me around so that I could face him. Looking up at him, he brought his face closer to mine. The scent of his cologne mingled with the traces of whiskey on his warm breath. It was intoxicating.

With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he said, “I don't think that coffee will make me feel any better, Miss Young.”

My cheeks started to burn and my heart skipped a beat. This man was going to be my downfall. I just knew it.

“W-what will it take for you to feel better then?” I asked, cursing myself for how shaky my voice sounded.

I watched with fascination as his eyes fell down to my lips. Inhaling a sharp breath, I bit my lower lip. This was nerve wrecking! This domineering attitude was damned annoying but it was also quite alluring. I wanted him to take control and, as he kept staring at my mouth, I prayed that it wasn’t just the alcohol talking. I didn’t like being used as an outlet for someone else’s emotions, but he needed me. I was going to stay here with him, just like he had done for me.

He took my hand and gently placed it against his cheek. The warmth from that touch seeped into my very bones.

“Kiss me, Iris. Make me forget everything. Will you?”

From Author: Heya lovelies! Promotional Trailer of this book is available in my Instagram account: Anamika_author. Lol! My mind when I wrote this chapter today: Yeah, anytime Xavier… I can kiss you anytime. Absolutely! But let's see what Iris says in tomorrow's update. Hehehe!