Alone!!

"Grandpa, speak," he said in his deep husky voice, his brows knitting in slight annoyance at what exactly the old man wanted from him. "You this insolent brat. When will you ever refer to me affectionately," a scruffy yet commanding tone sounded on the other side of the phone. "I call you grandpa. I think that's more than the bare minimum," his nonchalance was so evident, as if telling the old man he was even lucky to be addressed in that manner by him. The person on the other side harrumphed, conveying his displeasure at his grandson's blatant un interest in his own grandfather's affairs. "Why exactly did you call me?" He asked in a tired almost bored tone, wanting to get the conversation done and over with to return to his work. "Can't I call my grandson to check up on him?" "No," his answer made it clear as day that he would rather be engaged in anything else at the moment apart from talking to his grandfather and it made the old man sigh in defeat wondering when his grandson would ever know how to care for someone and actually show it. When it came to emotions, he was a block of ice barely functioning. All he knew was work, work, work and more work nothing else. That's all he had ever done since his parents death and even though the old man wasn't happy about how he was living his life in absolute boredom, he was glad the kid was holding up the way he was even if all he ever allowed himself to see were baseless papers stacked like mountains on his desk. "I'm inviting you over to dinner on Friday. I have something urgent to discuss with you," his grandfather informed, seriousness coloring his voice. "Is that all," he sounded ready to end the call if that was all the old man had to say. Infact it was taking everything in him to not end the call after hearing about the supposed dinner and at the main mansion too. He clenched his teeth. "And Xavier?" he didn't reply but the old man knew he was listening. "Make sure a repeat of what happened the last time doesn't happen again," he said with stern, concern lacing his voice in a commanding yet caring way. "Tell that to that dog of yours," and with that the call ended without any goodbyes. The old man stared at his phone, leaning against the sofa he was sitting in and letting his walking stick lie right next to his leg. This grandson of his was going to give him a heart attack one day and the boy wouldn't even care to attend his funeral. It was as if he was incapable of anything remotely related to showing emotions. The only emotion he had seen him display over the years was being expressionless, a scowl most days and controlled anger. He knew the death of his parents had been a mighty effect to his present behavior and that was why he was hoping whatever he had planned to do wasn't going to come crashing with a desperate thud on the floor.

Xavier had resumed his work after the conversation with his grandpa. The old man was such a sly fox and he knew whatever it is he wanted to tell him was one of his antics at getting him to 'live' as if he wasn't already living. What else constituted living apart from working, eating, sleeping and existing. He didn't understand why the old fox was trying so hard. Going back to that house was what annoyed him beyond measure. It wasn't the house itself but the stray dog who had attached himself shamelessly to his grandpa and was holding on desperately for dear life that infuriated him the most. It was evident there was no way out of it and he wasn't trying to look for a way either. Ignoring silly thoughts he focused his attention on something much more important and continued with his work, burying himself in it and drowning the rest of the world out of his mind's eye. A knock interrupted after a while and he beckoned the person inside. He raised his head, his blue eyes settling on the receptionist at the lobby. His eyes narrowed wondering why she had gotten up from her post to his office directly. She didn't report to him, even if she had something to say the intercom was readily available. Xavier's expression told everything he wanted to say not bothering to open his mouth and the receptionist needn't be told twice she had been allowed to speak. "Sorry for disturbing you sir," the receptionist apologized with a slight bow. "Clearly," he raised a brow. "There's a woman who wants to meet you sir. I tried to reach you through the intercom but it wasn't working," the receptionist, Helen said with a little tremor in her voice not knowing if it was the right thing she was doing. Her words made a frown marr his face in confusion, not knowing who this woman who wanted to meet him was. For the receptionist to have come herself to personally inform him, knowing clearly what the dire consequences were it meant something big. "B...but sir, she doesn't have any appointment. But she insisted that I let her meet you and she wasn't willing to go either that's why I came to inform you," she stutterd, her eyes cast on the floor as she fidgeted nervously. Xavier wondered who this girl was that had the audacity to barge into his company, demand to see the CEO without so much as an invite and then make her receptionist put her job on the line to come to his office without permission. Bold but also very stupid of her. He was curious. Him curious. Xavier Castillo was never a curious person. Nothing fazed him but infact something in him had gotten very interested in this girl who had trespassed into the lion's den with so much bravery. He wanted to see how brave she actually was. "Send her in," he said in a calculating tone, making Helena's eyes widen at his words. She thought he would deny the girl access but then again nobody ever could predict whatever went on in Xavier Castillo's mind. He was as unmovable as a block of ice. Bowing slowly, she left the office, a blush coating her cheeks as she replayed the conversation she just had with her boss over and over again. Giggling like a fool in love she went to inform the girl about his order.