Chapter two: Xavier Blackwell

Chapter 2: Xavier Blackwell

She slumped down onto the bed. This was the first time she's ever felt so helpless in her life. As the recent events replayed in her head, tears coursed down her cheeks. She couldn't believe that something like this would happen to her. If only she'd stayed home that day. She never knew she's been out for two days and he didn't even bother to call her parents.

It was obvious that he wanted a way to threaten her.

How was she supposed to explain the fact that she was married now to some stranger? How would her family take this news? What would happen now to her peaceful life?

She knew that rich people like him were always beaten down with work and not to mention the fact that they had enemies lurking around in the dark.

Afterall, her friend Hannah and Jason were rich but not as rich as he was.

Just who was he?

Staring at the ring on her finger, she broke into tears again, Jason, how was she to face him again. How could she tell him that there was no hope left for them to be together anymore.

How could she face him and tell him she was married to another now.

All her dreams collapsed right before her eyes because of one person.

He ruined her entire life within minutes.

Everything felt hopeless. The more helpless she felt, the harder she cried.

After crying for a while, she finally fell asleep.

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In a very big office, he sat on his chair while Jerry sat on the sofa.

He spoke to Mick, " prepare everything." He ordered and Mick left to see to his orders immediately.

"You're really a married man now. I can't believe it. I thought I'd never see the day you get married." Jerry teased.

"Why are you still here? Don't you have things to do?"

"C'mon, you just got married. You should be happy and celebrate. You should really learn to speak more politely, if not, you'll end up pushing her far away from you."

"You know why I had to marry her."

"Yes, you should call up Brian and tell him you finally succeeded in letting a lady come close to you. She even held your arm."

"I know what to do."

"Wow, seems she's the only one who can make you stop your one word mode. You kept arguing with her non-stop. If I hadn't been with you throughout, I would have thought some imposter took your place."

" Don't compare me with her, it's diminishing."

" Still you married her. Don't you know it's a crime to speak ill of your wife?"

He glared at Jerry making him gulped down saliva in fear.

"I still have things to do, I'll leave now. Don't worry." Jerry escaped as soon as he could.

Mick came in and reported that he had taken care of everything. Casey's father was operated on by the best surgeon in the same hospital she was being nursed and the new house was ready for her family. After he was done giving updates on Casey and her family, he moved on to business.

"You are to have a business meeting with the new game company about the sponsorship. It is going to be a video conference as Mr Jason is out of town. After that you'll have a dinner meeting with Mr.Fred to conclude your deal."

Mick handed the contract for the gaming company.

"The teams have submitted their report for the contract."

He looked through the contract and the report from his team.

"Although our marketing and strategy team have said that the game is not going to last long and our analysis team have echoed their words, the negotiating team have proposed a plan to avoid any damages on our side." Mick explained.

"I've read the contract and obviously this person is smart but new to business. From the contract, any one would sign without any further thought but when the sales go down, it will be a great deal of damage to both sides."

He looked at the final file his negotiating team had made, it was good but why sign documents when you're fully aware of the future risks.

He turned on his computer to connect to the video call.

While the computer was being connected, he glanced through the gaming company contract. "He's a promising talent."

After it got connected, "Mr Jason, your contract was convincing but after careful consideration, I won't be working with your company." He said and hung up.

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Hannah finally came after Casey's dad was transferred to the hospital, she didn't know if this was pure coincidence.

When she came into the wardroom, she found her friend sleeping and there were tears stain on her face.

Casey made little movements before waking up, Hannah immediately ran to meet her. "Are you okay? Why did you do something that stupid? You scared me. What exactly happened?" Hannah questioned not even giving her a chance to reply.

Casey tried to sit up but couldn't, seeing her friend's difficulty, Hannah helped her up.

Casey held her hand and asked with a worried voice, "my dad, how about my dad? Is he alright?"

Hannah nodded, "uncle was very worried as we couldn't find you anywhere. We thought something had happened to you, uncle couldn't take it and had a stroke, worsening his condition." She paused and then continued, "I wanted to help but you know my dad froze my account, I couldn't do anything about it. While we all tried to gather some money, someone came and paid the bills and got your dad transferred to this hospital. The surgery was performed by Dr Adam. He then got moved to a VIP ward like yours. We couldn't get to find out who did it but at least you and your dad are safe. Also they handed a cheque of 5 million dollars to your mom. She rejected it but they told her it was hers and that she was entitled to it."

Casey was happy, at least he fulfilled his end of the bargain.

It was alright at least her father was out of danger and they won't have to owe any debts again.

Hannah scrutinized Casey, "what are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing." She lied with a straight face.

"I'm not a kid, I can tell you're hiding something from me. I know the one responsible for bringing you to the hospital is also the same who had taken care of your father. Still it doesn't make sense, you two being in the same hospital, in VIP wards and the cheque. Even a child can sense something's fishy."

"I'm sorry but I can't tell you anything right now, all that matters is that everything is fine and that's all. No need to dig deeper. When the time is right, things would come to light sooner or later."

He was right about one thing, she was a burden to her family, it's because of her that her father had to go through a tough time.

Hannah gave her medicine and went out to call the doctor.

Casey lay still. Was she really going to move in to live with a stranger? Would her family be safe like that? Things took a big turn in one night, everything was different now. What to do? There was no escaping as she had signed the papers already, she could only embrace this new reality.

Right now she was married, married to some glacier without any emotions, what does the future hold for her?

She hoped that she never needs to seek his help.

He was rich wasn't he? Why couldn't he just marry some other lady out there? Why did he have to pick her to be his wife? Why? Why her?

After the doctor checked up on her, he left only telling her to rest and not strain herself.

She went to visit her dad with Hannah's help.

Seeing her daughter in such a condition, Casey's mom broke down in tears, "you've suffered. It's all this mother's fault for not protecting you well. I've failed as a mother and a friend." Casey's mom cried, her head hung low.

Casey as well as Lina were also crying seeing their mom take all the blame.

"No mom, it's not your fault at all. You've been the best mom to Lina and I. I'm sure dad also thinks the same," she glanced at her dad briefly.

They all had a moment together.

Lina looked at her sister, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. Dad's condition suddenly worsened and I had no other choice. I got emotional and lashed out on you. I'm sorry." Apologized Lina, still crying.

Casey patted her sister's hair softly, "it's fine, I don't mind. All that matters now is that dad is going to be alright."

"Yes, your dad is going to be alright." Their mom said with a faint smile.

She couldn't tell them now that she had to get married to a stranger to save her dad. She couldn't bring herself to tell them that she'd be living in a stranger's home very soon, she certainly couldn't break their hearts like that.

She knew deep down that they'd find out one way or the other. Even if she doesn't tell them, being married to a big shot like him, there's no way the media and press won't get a whim of the news, right?

She had to at least tell Hannah so that she could cover for her for the time being.

After returning to her ward with Hannah, she told her everything that had happened.

Hannah was surprised, shocked and sad at the same time.

She felt sad that her friend had to go through so much.

She gave her a glass of water and also had some.

"So what do you plan on doing right now?"

"What esle can I do? I'll have to do as he says now. Now we're married already, there's no going back."

"How about Jason? Are you also going to tell him everything?"

"To be honest, I don't know what to do. I'm confused myself. As to what I should or shouldn't do, I can't fully understand. Sincerely, I only want to see my family happy for now, I don't want to think about anything else." She said in a sad tone.

"I understand but I really think you should tell him yourself and also explain to him. Hearing it from anyone else would only hurt him."

"Well I think that's for the best." She whispered in a tone audible enough for Hannah to hear.

"And that's for the best, he shouldn't be forced to wait for a relationship that might never work out. I hope he's able to move on and love someone else who would also love him as much. Someone who won't hurt him. I finally understand why aunt never wanted us to be together. She was right, we're not ment for each other." She added in a defeated tone.

Hannah tapped her softly on her back to console her.

"Were you able to find out his name?"

"Yes. His name was Xavier. Xavier Blackwell."

Hannah looked at her surprised. "Xa.... Xavier Blackwell?" She stuttered.

"Yes. I saw it on the papers. The name on the paper was Xavier Blackwell. Why? What's wrong?" Casey asked taken aback by her reaction.

"Xavier Blackwell is the richest business man in the business world."

"He's taken over his father's company from the moment he turned 18. And within a few years he turned the B.K group into a conglomerate. Establishing different groups internationally."

"It's very remarkable, everyone in the business world respects him and also, alot of people are interested in working with him. If you're to work in any of his company, no matter how low your position may be, you'll get paid nothing less than a million dollars annually."

"Everyone aims to get a job in his company."

Casey listened to her quietly as she ranted on and on about him. She even wondered if Hannah had a secret crush on him.

"Why do you keep singing his praises? Are you in love with him?"

"No. No no no no no no no. NO. I don't like him, neither do I have any sort of "secret crush" on him. What I'm saying is that I only admire him, I mean I don't have such thoughts. Don't think too much."

"You should have seen your face, when talking about him, there were stars in your eyes. How can you even admire someone like him. He's so rude and annoying. He's emotionless. I hope I don't have to see his face all the time."

"I only hope that you would be alright. If you ever need anything please tell me."

"I'm married to Xavier Blackwell. What else would I need?" She said sarcastically.

"C'mon you know that's not what I meant."

"I'm kidding. I didn't say that to make you sad."

Hannah smiled and Casey also smiled too.

'I'm happy to see you smile again Casey. I don't know what is waiting ahead but I do hope you'll be happy going forward. I'll always be here if you need me.' Hannah thought to herself while smiling with Casey.

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After he was done with his meetings, he went to meet his psychologist, Brian. He told him all that had happened with Casey.

Brian listened calmly and after he was done, he asked a few questions. Then went on to tell him that he must have felt a connection with her as her state of helplessness was similar to his past so his mind subconsciously let it's guard down.

There was no need trying to read further into this so he let it go.

On his way back to his Villa, he called her, "are you ready?"

"No. Not yet. I have to think of a way to tell my parents."

"You don't have to think too much, just tell them. It's not like you're going to give a speech so what's the need of thinking too much."

"You don't understand. You won't understand and you will never understand. That's because you don't know what it feels. It's useless trying to explain."

He was quite for a while, "since I met you, you've only judged me. Always searching for excuses to insult me. Why?"

"Yes, like am supposed to sit and talk happily with a man that didn't care when he threatened me using my dad, neither did he take into consideration that he spoke to a human being with a heart. With flesh and soul. Don't expect me to stay happily with you. You should be happy now and enjoy all that you want while you still can, cause I can't guarantee you that I won't try to get revenge for what you have done to me. I'm sorry I have to go, if I keep talking, you would make me pay again and I can't even start to think about it. I've sacrificed so much just by getting married to you. I can't afford to lose any more."

"I'll be waiting for your revenge then." He said with a cold smile and an indifferent tone and hung up the phone.

Casey laid on her back, staring at the ceiling. She was still at the hospital. When her phone rang again, she picked it up without looking at the caller's ID. "Hello," she answered absentmindedly.

"Cee are you okay?" The person asked.

After hearing the reply she froze for a while and then sat up. It was Jason, he was calling her.

"Oh I'm fine. Why did you call?"

" I just wanted to hear your voice."

Casey had a smile on her face that instantly faded away when she remembered that she has signed the papers with Xavier.

"Oh thanks. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing well but I wish I was there with you. I miss you."

Now she listened with misty eyes.

"I miss you too." She replied as her tears rolled down her cheeks.

She drew her knees to her chest, placing her left hand on her knees , this time ignoring the pain in her abdomen while holding the phone with her other hand.

"Cee are you crying?" Jason asked worriedly.

She cleaned her tears with the tip of her fingers, "no, I'm not. I'm fine. Don't worry."

"Are you sure? Don't hide anything from me okay?"

"What can I possibly hide from you? You must be busy, I don't want to hold you up. Bye."

"It's fine, I don't mind at all."

"No. You must be busy and I'm kind of tired right now so...."

"Okay. If you're tired you should rest. I'm sorry for not being considerate."

"No, it's my fault. You shouldn't apologize."

"Okay. I love you."

These words that once made her blush, now caused so much pain.

She didn't know if to reply or not. The person talking with her was her first love, the one she thought she'd spend forever with. He was her Jason. But now she was married to someone else, she felt a sudden surge of guilt come over her.

Even though she didn't want to get married to Xavier, she was his wife now, repeating those words made her feel like she was cheating, but not saying it felt wrong. What was she to do now?

"Cee are you still there?" Jason asked after a while of silence.

"Yes. I love you too. Goodnight. Bye." She spoke so fast, that one might not be able to hear her words.

She cried helplessly not being able to do anything. She was married to some stranger and had to live in his house.

She couldn't be with the man that she loved. Why? Why was life doing this to her? Why couldn't she choose whom to marry? Why couldn't she be with the one she loved?

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry Jason. For hurting you this way." She muttered through her tears.

The door opened, she looked up to see her mom.

Mrs Alison was surprised to see her daughter in tears. She sat down beside her patting her softly, "what's wrong Casey? Why are you crying?" She was worried.

Casey hugged her mom and cried harder, she didn't know what else she could do. One night. Just one night. In one night her life had taken a u-turn.

If she hadn't gone out that day, if she didn't try to run away, none of these events would have taken place. She wouldn't even be kept in the hospital. She only sees that night as a day when dark clouds hovered over her, leading to this pain she was feeling.

The feeling of helplessness was like poison slowly devouring her. Her once perfect life, at least that's what she thought, had slowly become a living nightmare.

She was probably living her worse nightmare.

Mrs Alison patted her daughter softly wondering what had suddenly happened. Seeing her daughter like this, she was worried.

"Mom." She cried.

"Tell me dear, what's wrong?"

Casey didn't say anything else. She cried herself to sleep.

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Female lead thought for the chapter:

Jason, I'm sorry. I've let you down. Perhaps this is where our journey together ends.