chapter five: first day at work.

Chapter 5: first day at work.

Casey tossed and turned in bed thinking of everything. Somehow her life changed all because of one incident. Who would have thought that life would turn out this way for her because of that day. And then there's the incident of the robbery. It was really bothering to think of these things. Now with her being poisoned, she felt like she was only hanging by a thread held out by someone, seeing as he now had a way to control her. It didn't feel like she was living anymore, right now she felt like a puppet being controlled with strings for someone's amazement.

With a sigh, she stood up from bed, took her bath, got dressed, carried her bag, not forgetting to pack a coat for herself just in case the poison acts up again, after which she headed down.

She took her sit across him, after a brief greeting, she focused on her breakfast.

Spreading butter on a piece of toast, she ate quietly, occasionally taking sips from her coffee.

After breakfast, he offered to drop her off, but she refused. There was definitely no way she would let him do that, not after yesterday. He left only after assigning Jack as her personal driver. Although she wanted to reject his offer, he didn't seem to care about what she had to say. He left just after saying what he wanted, leaving no room for arguments.

Casey watched his retreating figure, watching him leave and only looked away when he was gone. She stared at the toast in her plate, she felt her appetite had flown out the window. With a berating smile, she left for work.

Standing in front of the company, she took in a deep breath, with a smile, she went in.

After being assigned to their respective teams, the various teams carried out their works as usual.

From various departments, the names of the interns rang out occasionally, assigning them some work. Although stressful, Casey was happy, at least like this she felt like life was back to normal and rather than having to spend her entire day alone in a house surrounded by unfamiliar people who work for someone that's definitely not hoping good for her, she felt the constant errands she was made to run, was definitely better than being at his home. Thinking this way, she didn't hesitate to agree when her team leader asked if she could work overtime.

She happily carried on typing as she saw the employees leave one by one.

Although it was a new company, the people, their organization and co-operation was top notch making people surprised.

Seeing that the time was only a few minutes to twelve, she saved her work, turned off her computer, picked her bag, and headed out , while also sending a message to Jack to come pick her up. Afterall no matter how much she disliked having anything to do with that person, she still valued her life. Taking a cab at such a late hour could be dangerous, so rather she decided to play it safe and have Jack pick her up from work.

Standing just in front of a window on the ground floor, she looked out, waiting for the driver to show up. While waiting, a car slowly came to a halt right outside the company, after confirming, she finally left the company.

After getting home, she ditched dinner, announcing that she was going to bed and didn't want to be disturbed.

She got into her room, locking the door, she breathed a sigh of relief. At least she didn't have to see him. With a smile, she repeated her usual routine, except this time, she didn't sleep with excessive blankets. With the lights out, the silvery moonlight invaded the room. She blinked silently, taking in the beauty of the starry night sky. Snuggling comfortably in her blanket, she closed her eyes and fell asleep with a content smile on her face. Finally, even though just for one night since she was poisoned, she got to sleep normally. Not having to be tortured by the piercing cold for an entire night. She felt happy.

In the study, Xavier sat behind his desk , wearing gold rimmed glasses. He had a serious expression as he read the document in his hand while listening to their report on Casey.

Jack gave a brief report on Casey's day and the butler informed that she had refused to eat after returning home.

After hearing this Xavier ordered to have a few dishes prepared for her and should be brought to him.

After his command both Jack and the butler left.

Xavier's gaze remained on the document in his hand and only looked up after they were gone. With a sigh, he stood up and headed to her bedroom where the butler was waiting with a tray of food in his hand.

Xavier took the tray from his hand and ordered him to leave. With a bow, the butler left.

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In the cafe, three friends sat together chatting with each other, giggling every once in a while.

Watching this scene, Casey felt the recent problems that confronted her was nothing but a dream.

Jason seem to be talking to her, but strangely, she couldn't hear him. The smile on her face froze. With a worried expression, she turned to look around the cafe, when all of a sudden, the scene before her shattered like glass.

Darkness seemed to surround her causing her to fall into an egg l endless darkness. Screaming, she waved her hands around her, searching for something she could hold onto.

Her futile trial continued for a while, until she felt herself crash on what felt like a heap of cotton.

Breathing heavily, she held onto her chest. She felt at any moment, her heart would jump out of her chest.

Standing up slowly, Casey turned to look around her, but jumped in fright, a gasp escaping her lips. This was because, he stood right behind her. Yes, Xavier.

She woke up with a low shout, only to find him standing some steps away.

With a sigh, she dug her hand in her hair. " Of course it's you. No wonder a beautiful dream turned to a nightmare." Casey grumbled beneath her breath.

Xavier stared at her for a while without saying anything.

Watching him stand silently before her, she suddenly felt annoyed.

She stared at him with slightly red eyes and an angry expression. Casey walked towards him as she spoke,. " Xavier, what is it that you want this time?" She asked, obviously annoyed about being woken up.

Without a word, Xavier raised the tray in his hands, shaking it slightly. Ignoring her question, he walked over to her bed, placing the tray on the table right next to her bed.

As he walked towards her, he replied to her question with a question. " Why do you think I'm here?" He smiled faintly, staring at her.

Taken aback, Casey was tongue-tied, as the smile on his face wasn't like before. It wasn't that evil smile that lingered on his lips, no, this time, he had an amused smile on his face.

Shaking her head slowly as she forced herself back to reality. ' No, this is the evil man who's after your dear life. Casey you should see things clearly.'

Standing about three steps away from her, Xavier replied, " I'm only sending you food. I heard you didn't eat the other night." He spoke this time in a somewhat flat tone, his hands in his pocket. His gaze remained on her, the smile on his face long gone.

Sigh....

Grinding her teeth in exasperation, she grabbed his hand, forcefully pulling him along. Standing before her wall clock, she pointed at it, " Xavier, look at this. What says the time? It's three o'clock in the morning, who's in interested in food at this time." Gasping for air, she felt like if this continued, she would die from excessive anger rather than poison.

For a second, she did wonder if that was his plan. "A normal person would be in bed at this time." She spoke through gritted teeth.

" Oh, you're not a normal person." She muttered grudgingly to herself, but he heard it.

She really felt annoyed. Since the day he poisoned her, she felt like each day of her life was about battling with the poison in her body. Each night felt like an eternity to her. Having to go through the cold pain filled nights, all of which were nothing but nightmares to her. Finally, a night when she wasn't attacked by the poison. How happy she was, going to bed, the feeling that even for a night, she could spend her night as she used to.

No excessive beddings, no room temperature increase. She got to sleep normally.

Before she could just fall asleep, but after being poisoned, she truly felt being able to sleep at night was a gift from God. For the first time, she had learned the value of this gift. Too bad, it came at a price. Her realization cost her her health.

Today she finally got to sleep normally, only to be woken up by him. She glared fiercely at him. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

He hadn't checked the time before coming here. It's no wonder the butler seemed to hesitate. Yes, he hadn't checked the time, but why should she have to know about that?

Clearing his throat, he spoke in a low threatening voice, "Casey, you're getting bolder. Perhaps too bold, don't you think?" Once again, he had that evil smile on his lips.

Seeing this, Casey swallowed her anger as she once again reminded herself of the identity of the man before her. This didn't mean she was happy with what he had done, she just couldn't vent. If she spoke too much, she didn't know what crazy things he might do. So, to play it safe, she had to live with it. Sigh... This was now her life.

He could see her inner worries in the depths of her eyes. It was as if he could see each thought and consideration she made before acting.

Turning his head to the side, he exhaled quietly, " if you aren't hungry, then you can go back to sleep. Goodnight." His voice unbelievably soft at this moment. She turned to him a bit surprised, only to find him looking out in a daze. Somehow, somewhere deep down, she was assured that his words and that tone of voice, none were directed at her.

Though it did make her wonder and feel curious about what or who he was thinking about at the moment.

Still looking out, he seemed to be considering something. The dazed expression vanished without a trace. " Good morning." He greeted in his usual cold voice before finally leaving.

Casey stared at her door for quite a while. She scrunched up her nose with only one thought in mind, " he's definitely crazy."

The drastic change in his tone was something so very obvious. Even a child could tell. As she stalked to her bed, her thoughts drifted. 'So he could actually talk that softly. Tsk tsk tsk. Never mind.' She fell asleep the moment she placed her head on the pillow.

....

A fuming Casey sat on the couch with a cup of cappuccino in her hand. Her gaze followed Hannah who was organizing the cloths at her store.

Her shoulder and chest heaved. Downing a mouthful of coffee, she continued. " Not only that, he actually came over at three o'clock in the morning. THREE O'CLOCK." She stressed, gesturing with her hand.

Putting aside her work, Hannah sat beside her friend, took a sip of her latte. A small smile played on her lips as she listened to Casey endless complaints. It had been a while since she'd seen her friend behave this way. And then with the recent events, she felt this way, her friend could let out those bothering feelings and emotions that she's been holding in. So, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Casey let out a deep breath as she continued, " let me tell you, he's doesn't want to poison me to death. I'm sure he's also planning on angering me as well."

Casey threw her head back, staring at the ceiling, she grumbled grudgingly. " One night, it was just one night, I got to feel normal again. Not bothering myself about the poison, but he just had to ruin it for me. How hateful."

Her head still facing up, she turned a bit, staring at Hannah who sat by her side from the corner of her eyes. With a pitiful expression, she asked, " what do I do now?"

With a sigh, she stared at her coffee. Tucking her hair behind her ear, yet another sigh escaped her lips. Casey placed her cup on the coffee table in front of her. With a faint smile, she fell on her side, placing her head on the couch arm. She stared at Hannah for a while, the smile on her face slowly faded away. Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes. " I'm tired." She whispered, but Hannah heard it clearly.

Not too long after, Casey fell asleep. Taking a blanket, Hannah covered her. Squatting in front of the sleeping Casey, Hannah patted her head softly. " If you're tired, then you should rest. Don't think too much about it and just have a nice nap."

She stood up, her gaze still on Casey's sleeping figure, she continued, " Casey, I can't tell you all will be fine when you wake up, but I do hope that even while going through these things, you can still be you, Casey. Whether it's now or in the future, I'll always have your back." Hannah spoke silently, making a promise to herself and to Casey at the same time.

After sleeping for a few hours, Casey finally woke up.

Hannah sat in front of the floor to ceiling glass window, staring out, when she heard movement from behind her. Turning around, she saw Casey walking towards her. With a smile, she poured out a cup of water, placing it before Casey, who took her seat from across her.

" Sigh... you're finally awake." Hannah breathed in relief, pouring herself a glass of water as well.

With a slight frown, Casey places her cup on the table, " why? What happened?" She asked, leaning forward on the table.

Giving Casey a glance, Hannah sipped her water slowly, " well, all I could hear through the morning, was your mumblings about Xavier." She replied admist sips, before gulping down all the water that was left. Placing her glass aside, she continued, " Casey, because of you, I can already tell more than fifty flaws and insults for Xavier."

With a puzzled expression, " i mean, what exactly did you dream about?" Hannah questioned.

Casey gave it a thought for a few seconds before shrugging carelessly, " I don't remember." She replied calmly.

" Anyway, I don't think it's anything important." Casey finished her statement, with a lax expression, she rested her back on her chair, drinking her water.

With a smile, Hannah spoke, her expression suddenly brightened. Holding onto Casey's hand that was resting on the table, she squealed happily. " Esther is back. She wants us to pick her up at the airport."

Casey's once lax expression, became one of surprise almost immediately. Leaning forward, she asked, " Esther is back??"

Nodding frantically, Hannah replied, " yes. Esther is back."

Without further ado, the two friends headed for the airport to pick up an old friend.

...

Xavier, it's just one night. Why wouldn't you let me be?

It feels like our little group is finally gathering together once again. How much has changed during our time apart? What surprises would our gathering bring us? Just like me, is there anyone with unexpected events?