Fear of heights

“It was never my intention to cause you pain. Whether you feel strongly or very little, that does not excuse thoughtless behavior.” - Jacquelyn Frank

Everyone was already in the limo when Xavier and I reached there. As we went in Chris asked, "What were you doing so long?"

At that moment I felt a bit awful that I was also making everyone wait longer. And to rub salt in my wounds, Xavier laughed cruelly and replied, "She was being a woman, they always take time."

"Well, she cleans up nicely." Chris chuckled and commented.

"Thank you." I smiled.

I hadn't realized that Chris' secretary, Lucy, had also joined us until she complimented me, "You look lovely."

"Thank you, Lucy, you are too." I replied genuinely to which she smiled and started reading the file in her hand.

Suddenly the vehicle stopped at this large building, it was so different from any I've ever seen, its upper structure protrudes outwards, and it was magnificent. Everyone exited the limo, leaving me the last to step out as I was too busy to adore this amazing building in front of me.

Walking towards the elevator, I looked around taking in the beauty of this building. I guess Chris and Lucy went elsewhere, as Xavier and I were the only ones to step inside the elevator. It wasn't long until we reached the entrance of a large hall. Xavier had already walked in but as I was about to step in, I stopped abruptly.

"Oh God!" I said in alarm.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Williams?" Xavier asked in an annoyed voice.

"I-I can't go in there." I panicked a bit flustered as I looked at the floor.

"Why?"

"T-The floor. Look at it… oh God. I c-can't." I replied as I kept my eyes frightfully glued on the strange transparent glass floor. It reflected the people walking on the ground floor, city lights, in other words it felt like you were walking in air. Even though it might be safe and strong enough to hold a lot of weight. But what if it broke? What if something fell on it?

The fear of heights embarrassed me!

As if Xavier understood, he smirked, "Still sick of heights, huh?"

"Xavier, you know it. See I literally can't go in there, you can't just expect me to face it."

The thing I realized was that continually I was addressing him from his name, but he didn't correct me once.

Well, that's progress, right?

"I can't believe I'm doing this." He exasperatedly muttered under his breath, "Take my arm, I'll hold you."

Doing so, I stepped in the large hall when something tickled against my right ear, "Just so be clear, don't you dare cross the professional line between us, Miss Williams." Xavier warned me in his deep husky voice. Without looking at him, I nodded.

Well, here goes our progress all in vain.

We walked in as people stared at us and whispered. This day was turning out to be the disaster of my life. I wasn't able to walk properly as the fear of height was making my knees wobble, and whenever I looked at the floor, a shiver of fear ran down my spine every time.

"Don't look down, walk straight and you'll be fine." Xavier assured me softly.

"I'm trying, Mr. Knight. I'm trying."

"Well, then try harder. Your presence beside me has started to suffocate me." He scoffed as tears gathered in my eyes.

No, Evelyn. You aren't going to cry this time.

Swallowing my fear, I stated, "Mr. Knight, I'm fine now." Looking at me, he raised his left eyebrow as if asking me whether I was sure or not, "I'm sure."

Just don't look at the floor, walk straight, and you'll be fine. Yes, I can do it.

Letting go of my hand, he walked ahead of me as I followed. Abruptly, someone came in front of us, it was a man around his late fifties, he wore this white suit which made him look a bit pale. His appearance contrasted his personality, meek dried and plain with a hearty laugh. There was something off about this man as I felt his eyes assessing every inch of my body.

"Xavier!" The man exclaimed with a laugh, "How are you, my boy?"

"Amazing, how about you Mr. Smith?" Xavier replied.

"I haven't seen you since the charity event in California. The party was quite ecstatic, too bad you couldn't get the chance to stay a little longer."

"Well, I was on a tight schedule."

Almost as if he noticed my intense staring at them, Mr. Smith looked at me as I looked in his eyes straight, because I wasn't going to risk looking at the ground.

"So, who's this beautiful woman of yours tonight?" Mr. Smith asked as he absorbed my features.

"Evelyn Williams, Mr. Knight's secretary, Sir."

His eyes twinkled as he outstretched his hand, "Pleased to meet you, Miss Williams."

Smiling, I shook his hand and felt his hand feeling mine. This man was turning out to be very disgusting and I felt mentally sick just looking at him.

Taking the opportunity, my grip on his hand tightened as I glared at him, "How about you let go of my hand, Mr. Smith? I've got some work to do." My distasteful look intensified.

I managed to bruise his hand as his face looked a little constipated and he excused himself, going in the opposite direction away from us.

Observing everything Xavier then looked to me as satisfaction flashed in his eyes. This day was becoming so frightening. I mean, since when did he get satisfied with my actions?

As we were going to get to the table where Chris and Lucy were, a number of individuals approached us. Talking about business, about his new projects and constant blabbering about unimportant things.

Nothing could stop me from feeling miserable, I hated all of this. I hated the heels, this function, these man whores who only kept staring at me, I just detested this situation I was in. How badly I wished I was home sitting in front of the television in my pajamas with Kat watching her favorite criminal mysteries while eating ice cream.

Finally, we reached our table, and Lucy asked me if I was alright to which I smiled and assured her. But, inside I was freaking out. It was the most uncomfortable experience for me, having strangers constantly staring at you made me lose my appetite. Not too long after, everyone sat down as Chris, Xavier and Lucy drank their glass of champagne, while I mindlessly munched on the few appetizers, but with every bite I missed home. Suddenly I began coughing, when I realized what was in my hand.

Oh my God! No, no, no, no, no! This can't be happening. Not an almond, God this muffin had almonds in it. Evelyn this really isn't your fucking day.

"Damn it." I mumbled as I dropped it back on the plate.

Not knowing what to do. I’m fucking allergic to almonds and…. I freaking ate it. This really was the dumbest thing I've ever done, what am I supposed to do? I don't even have my medicine with me right now, I really need them, or the pain would start. Whenever I ate almonds, the allergic reactions I got were quite odd, I'd start becoming red minute by minute and would get this excruciating pain in my abdomen.

First, I need to calm down and wash my face then I'd call Kat, perfect. "Excuse me." I said as Xavier eyed me.

Although the restroom was right there, it felt like forever. The seconds felt hours to me as everything happened in slow motion. Finally, I had my hand on the door knob. The inside was quite spacious, and it was such a relief that the floor wasn't transparent here. What freak would put transparent flooring in the restroom anyway?

The itching in my skin started growing as I stood just looking at myself in the mirror for a moment. Breathing in and out in order to calm myself, I washed my face as it was getting hot and red. After wiping my face, I walked out of the restroom and saw Chris and Xavier nearby while Lucy was conversing with some guy at the bar area. As if she caught me looking at her, she waved her hand and motioned me to join her.

The itching on my neck intensified as I was rubbing it painfully. Tonight, is simply unlucky for me because within a minute my locket fell off my neck. On the floor, on the bloody damn transparent floor.

This day just keeps getting better!

I Needed to pick it up, but I wouldn't be able to look down nor stoop down for it, I just know I would fall. And this itching and pain is cherry on the cake. For a moment, I turned around to walk away, but I couldn't just leave the closest thing to my heart just like that. It was the last thing Marc gave it to me, my precious rose locket. I couldn't just walk away from it. I needed to face my fear and pick it back up.

Turning around, I bumped into someone, but he held me in his arms in balance.

Xavier Knight

"I have it, don't worry." His voice kissed my insides as he placed the locket back around my neck while grazing his elegant fingers tauntingly along my chain giving me a weird yet pleasurable tingling sensation.