What is family?

“If two people are meant to be together, they will eventually find their way back into each other's arms…. No matter what!”

Our bodies were pressed against each other- fire to fire, heat to heat. I felt the heat surging from his body, rubbing against mine. My breathing hitched, yet I tried to push his built figure off me.

"You think I'll simply let go of anyone who dared to rebuke me? And how can a silly….no, not silly, how can a spoiled selfish brat like you even talk like that to me? You have no right to indulge in MY personal matters! You get that?!" He raised his voice and I nearly flinched as his authoritative tone echoed around the room. I was numb to even react. My body ached; the whole world was spinning around me yet I never seemed to drown. I could feel his heartbeat thumping against mine.

"Seems like your personal matter includes me and my family, so how about you tell me about Alexander?" I said and tried to look confident under his iron gaze.

Quite several emotions passed over his features, but at last, his forest greens glared at me...with pure hatred. Xavier's grip loosened as I took that opportunity and slowly wriggled out from his trap.

"Your family," he spat, "Which family you're talking about, huh?! The family you left behind years ago, or the family you didn't know anything about." The familiar condescending tone echoed around.

He was right…. I-I d-don't know anything about my family, not now.

When I met his gaze, he had that threatening look plastered on his face, his eyes never leaving mine. He looked really mad…. No, he was fuming right now.

"You… you don't have to remind me every time and they're still my family, no matter what." I managed to say.

Expecting a harsh comment from him, I tried not to flinch. But he started laughing…. or to make it clearer, he was laughing in a mocking way, bitterly.

"Still, your family." He said in between his chuckles, regaining his composure, "Then, tell me how's Marcus? Is he doing fine?" Asked Xavier.

"I... I"

"Yea, say it… how's he? Wait, let me call him and ask?"

I felt a weird sensation in my stomach, the moment Marcus' name slipped out from his lips. Why is he doing this to me? Why does he feel the need to torture me like this?

Because you deserve every bit of it, A nagging little voice in the back of my mind made a comment.

When I saw him taking out his phone, I exclaimed, "No! ... X-Xavier… You c-can't," unable to control my racing heart, I stuttered. It skids to a halt as soon as his smoldering eyes, which were evident with surprise, darkened in disgust and anger. He glared at me.

"Leave, and don't you dare show me your face until I ask you." He said, bitterly.

Glancing at Xavier for the last time before heading towards my adjoining office, and slamming the door shut.

The silence was deafening. It gave me the silence I needed to clear my head. I leaned against the door, squeezing my eyes shut. This wasn't how I dreamt my new life would be. Fate was definitely screwing me over. I wiped the tears that escaped from my eyes.

.

.

.

After a heated argument with Xavier, I engrossed myself in the work and finished it earlier today. It was still half an hour before Kat would pick me up so I decided to roam around our floor and meet with other colleagues.

At least, that would take my mind off of some things.

Xavier wasn't there in his office when I entered it to move out from our combined office. Sighing a breath of relief, I exited the office.

The hallway in front of the CEO's office ended in a lounge where many young people were working. Most of them looked like interns. Making my way through the crowded lounge, I went into the next hallway which ended in a small office where a man and woman were working at a joined desk.

"Do you need anything, Miss?" The girl asked as soon as she noticed me.

"No. I was just looking around, you know, newbie." I said and they both exchanged looks.

"Are you Mr. Walker's new secretary?" The man asked. He looked like he was in his early thirties. His skin tone was deep and warm, and his eyes were piercing black, giving him an extraordinary look. The woman on the other hand was blond and had pale skin and baby-blue eyes.

"No… I'm Mr. Knight's personal secretary. Evelyn Williams" I corrected him, before introducing myself.

"Hello, Evelyn! I'm Caleb, the one and only." He said, winking at me and I chuckled when the woman slapped his arm.

"Pervert alert!" She said to him and turned to me. "I'm Maya, it's nice to meet you."

They offered me to sit down, and they engaged in a conversation, more like bickering. It was nice to finally have someone in the office to talk to. They both didn't agree on a single topic and fought like siblings so when they told me they were engaged, I couldn't help but feel surprised.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yea… our story is somewhat cliché; he is my childhood best friend and trapped me with his proposal." Maya teased him as Caleb pouted in return.

"You were the one who had my eyes since our childhood, and you seduced me into proposing to you." He argued, earning a grunt from her.

"Yea, I seduced him in my brother's t-shirt and polka shorts." She rolled her eyes and all three of us laughed.

"You know, I love you." Said Caleb before placing a kiss on her cheek.

Blushing a little, Maya said, "Really… I love myself too." Maintaining her sarcasm as Caleb glared at her.

Aww…. They are so cute.

"What about you, Evelyn? Are you single?" Maya asked and the smile wiped off my face.

"Yeah."

"What? You're like twenty-two or something…"

"Twenty-three to be exact."

"Great. Well, you have freedom and age to flirt with anyone you want." She said, giving a side look to Caleb who was playfully glaring at her. "Isn't your boss Mr. Knight?"

"Yes."

"Isn't he an eye candy?" She winked at me and I blushed at the thought.

"No. We...Um… we aren't really on friendly terms." I said out loud and they both stared at me like they had seen a ghost.

"You're kidding, right? He is the nicest person. Even though he looks like a Greek God, he has zero attitudes. Plus, have you looked into his eyes? They are so warm and calm." She sighed dreamingly, receiving another glare from Caleb.

"You're engaged, sweetheart." He mocked but I couldn't laugh this time.

My thoughts converged on Xavier and his attitude toward me. I was so unfortunate to earn the hate of one person who never treated anyone with anything but respect.