Chapter 8

People began to clean up and leave their respective cubicles because it was already noon or break time.

"Rachel, are you going to lunch now?" Nancy's head poked out behind her cubicle.

Rachel is still focused on the computer in front of her. She shook her head without looking at Nancy. "In a moment, my work is not finished."

"I'll go first then to find a seat for us," said Nancy as she took her wallet from the desk drawer.

The woman smiled as she gave her friend a thumbs up.

She stretched her arms as the work was finally done. Rachel leaned back in her work chair and took a deep breath before finally getting up from her work chair.

Rachel feels better prepared and better today. Although this morning her appearance was a bit chaotic. But at least she feels much better, opens her heart, and is sincere to let go of everything.

Memories and hopes.

These two things, she has tried to let go of.

The elevator doors barely closed as she got into the elevator. It seemed that someone reached out to hold the steel door as soon as they realized the woman's arrival.

Rachel felt her breath catch in her throat when she realized that someone was Xavier. She then chose to look the other way, then stood in the far corner to avoid interaction with the man. Luckily in the elevator, it wasn't only her and Xavier but there were several other employees as well.

The woman kept looking down at the floor while squeezing her fingers, hoping that the elevator that took them could reach the floor she was aiming for as soon as possible.

The elevator clinked and opened on the cafeteria floor.

Several employees who were standing in front of her started to scatter. For a moment Rachel breathed a sigh of relief because she was finally able to get away from the man she wanted to avoid the most.

But as soon as her feet were about to take a step, how surprised was Rachel when Xavier suddenly held her hand.

"I-Is there anything I can help you with, Sir?"

There was a quiver in her speech, but Rachel tried her best to remain calm and act naturally, considering that this was still an office environment and many employees were passing by around her.

However, Xavier seems to be getting more and more furious when he hears Aliara's formal language.

"Yes! Come to my room now."

Xavier sighed in exasperation, then pressed one of the number buttons for the elevator to his work office floor, while still not letting go of his grip on Rachel.

The woman started to panic. She seemed increasingly restless with her heart pounding as the elevator journey took her to the floor of Xavier's office.

Rachel's feelings are not well. Terrified of what would happen after this because she believed it had nothing to do with work. Moreover, Xavier's a young executive, while she is just an ordinary employee.

If there was a problem, of course, Xavier would be in touch with Mrs. Rika, the head of the division where she was assigned, and not with a subordinate like her.

It didn't take long to reach the destination floor. Xavier dragged her into the room, then supported Rachel while locking the door.

Rachel held her breath being this close to Xavier after so long. Inevitably her heart was struggling to give a loud thump of surprise and fear. Especially seeing Xavier's expression which is far from friendly and friendly.

"Sir …."

"Enough, Rachel!" Cut Xavier furiously. The tone was high enough to make her jump while closing her eyes in fear.

After ten years she finally found that dark glare full of anger. Mr. Alexandre, who was friendly and so proud of her co-workers is gone. All she saw now was a Xavier. The one he had known all along.

"Enough. Stop treating me like your boss." Xavier's tone sounded lower, but it sounded even scarier. "Stop treating me like a stranger."

"But you are my boss, my boss at—"

"Rachel!" he cut her words getting angry. "You don't have to act innocent. You know what I mean," he growled, pointing his index finger right at Rachel's face.

She took a deep breath and then exhaled, trying to stay calm and in control. More or less, Xavier was touched by the emotion of being treated like this.

"But in fact, you are my boss here, Sir."

Xavier is getting angry to hear that. He clenched the hand that was pointing at Rachel's face, then looked away with a frustrated expression.

Xavier looked back at her. She looked back at him bravely and didn't seem afraid, even though she was already afraid of his anger at him.

Xavier stared intently at the eyes, nose, lips, and cheeks without blinking. Unknowingly he grabbed the beautiful face with the palm of his hand, his expression full of great longing.

But she pushed the hand away from her face and turned to the side. She couldn't keep staring at Xavier, or the feelings she was trying to get rid of would take over her again.

"As a boss, you shouldn't treat your subordinates inappropriately like this," Rachel muttered. "Mr. Alexandre."

"Yes, Yes! I am your boss, and you are my subordinate!" Xavier with an angry face. "And you think I care?"

Rachel turned away as his face drew closer. She could feel Xavier's nose rubbing against her cheek.

"Please, Rachel, stop treating me like a stranger." Xavier's warm breath brushed against her cheek. "You know best how deep our relationship is," he whispered in Rachel's ear.

Rachel almost gets lost in her past love again, but soon she realizes that things are not the same anymore.

The woman pushed him away, slowly but firmly until the man took a step back. Looks surprised with furrowed brows do not seem to understand.

"I also ask, please treat me like an ordinary subordinate. I work in this office, with you as my boss."

Rachel tried to look tough while clarifying their status. The relationship she knew was no longer a couple, but nothing more than the relationship between a superior and his subordinates.

"What?!" Xavier laughed in exasperation. One hand on his waist, the other brushing his hair in frustration, barely believing what he was hearing from her mouth. "That I'm your Boss? Fuck!" he snapped.

"Sorry if my words offended you, Mr. Alexandre." she just closed her eyes, but still looked calm even though the loudness of the shouts had shrunk her guts.

"You used to call me X, baby, I'm your Xavier!" Xavier grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "I'm Xavier!" he said in frustration.

Rachel tried not to waver seeing him like this.

Xavier shouldn't have made this difficult. She has made Xavier's life easier by deciding to step back, instead of going back to that man but at the same time, there is another woman's heart that she will break.

Rachel doesn't have the heart to ruin another woman's happiness to maintain her feelings.

"Rachel, look at me." He pulled Rachel's hand even though the woman looked reluctant.

"It's me, X," he said as he brought Rachel's palm to his cheek. Xavier closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the palms spread to his heart and soften his emotions. "It's still the same Xavier."

Without being told many times she knew this man was Xavier. The same Xavier. Just look how sharp those dark eyes are staring at her.

"I'm still the same person," the man said quietly. "I am X, yours."