CHAPTER 4 - CRAZY!
1710 Words
Freya’s POV
“Ugh, I wanna quit, I wanna quit,” I yell at the top of my lungs, staring at the heap of files that needed to be sorted out before tomorrow. My desk looks like a crime scene, coffee stains and paper clips everywhere.
Lana rolls her eyes lazily, smearing on her make up as she prepares for another night. “Then just do it instead of hurting my ears every five seconds.”
“Tell me something,” I say, pushing a stack of papers aside, “do you ever think about quitting?”
She glances at me through the mirror. “Quitting what? Stripping or living?”
“Stripping, of course.”
She snorts, “oh please, I make in one night what you make a month. Besides…the lights love me a little too much.”
I laugh. “You sound like some Disney villain.”
“Correction: A rich Disney villain.” She grins, then dusts some light pink blush on her cheeks. “You on the other hand look like someone who didn't sleep. Thinking about mystery guy again?”
“I wasn't thinking about him.” I reply, a little bit too quickly.
She raises her brow “Oh please, the man who took a bullet for you and disappeared like Batman. Yeah, sure, totally forgettable.”
I blush but try to hide it. “By the way, I saw him again yesterday, outside the bakery.”
Her jaw drops. “No way! You what?”
I nod. “Yes, he looked different. Away from the blood and hoodie, I was finally able to take in his full handsomeness.”
“Ooouu, someone is in loove. It's fate, if you ask me. So what does our guy look like anyway?”
I hesitate, picturing his face. “He’s tall, dark hair, sharp jawline and there’s this tiny mole under kid left eye, barely noticeable but I noticed.”
“You sure as hell spent your sweet time capturing his face. You're doomed baby girl….doomed.”She teases. “Your description fits someone I know.”
“Really who?”
“This billionaire in town, really charismatic, he went under the radar for a while after a scandal.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Billionaire? Nuh uh… definitely not my guy. My guy seems modest, quiet, kinda mysterious, like the kind that fixes cars and stuff.”
“Modest men don't fit that description.” Lana teases, smirking. “Trust me, I've danced for a few.”
I roll my eyes. “It's not him.”
“If you say so.” She shrugs, standing up to grab her bag. “Anyways, I'd be out now. Would you be up late?”
I roll my eyes frustrated. “Of course, I have no other choice but to work all night.”
“Well knock yourself out. I'll get you some take out on my way back.”
With that, she shuts the door and leaves.
Her words lingers in my head though long after she’s gone. Doomed was what she called me and maybe she’s right because the thought of never seeing him again leaves a hollow ache in my chest.
———————————————————-
Work is chaos. The building is filled with nervous energy. No one’s sitting idle, there’s papers flying, coffee cups spilling. Even on a Sunday, the corporate world doesn’t rest when a new boss is on the way.
I spent the morning organizing files, my hands moving mechanically while my thoughts drifted to the stranger that bled to protect me.I knew I’d never see him again but a part of me desperately hopes otherwise.
At noon, I step out for a break, heading straight to my favorite cafe to order an ice-cold cappuccino. I sat on a bench, sipping my drink as I let the cold calm my nerves.
That's when I hear a familiar voice right behind me.
“Didn’t think I’d run into you again so soon.”
The cup almost slips from my hand and my heart drops. Slowly I glance up and — Alas!
It’s him.
Dressed in a crisp, nice suit with his hands tucked into his pocket. Those piercing blue eyes gaze at me like I'm exactly what he came here for.
I gasp. “Oh my, it’s you!” My voice comes out higher than I intended. I clear my throat. “You’re here.”
He smiles charmingly. “What a coincidence.”
I laugh in disbelief. “You’re kidding me, twice in one week. Lana’s gonna think I staged this. You’ve gotta be stalking me at this point.” I joke.
“Maybe.” His tone is teasing. “Or maybe I just like good coffee.” He lifts up his paper cup of coffee for me to see clearly.
My laugh is shaky. “Right. Midtown does make the best coffee.”
“This is our third meet-up and you’ve still never told me your name. Crazy.”
“Freya.” I offer him a warm smile. “And you are?”
“Xavier.” He answers, his tone warm and calm. “So what are you doing here on a Sunday?”
“Enjoying my ice cold cappuccino in peace.”
“Mm,” he hums, leaning back, arm casually draping along the top of the bench behind me. “Funny. You don’t strike me as someone who likes peace.”
I scoff. “And what do I strike you as?”
His eyes scan me, lingering a second too long on my mouth, before stopping at my legs. My stomach flips from nervousness.
I was gonna lose my mind if he kept staring at me like that.
He finally responds. “Restless, curious, maybe a little reckless.” He leans closer, his voice dropping. “The kind of woman who’d mouth off to a man pointing a gun at her.”
My lips part, words stolen. “You, how do you…”
He chuckles, low and rough.“I was there, remember?”
I roll my eyes, though my cheeks burn. “You make it sound like some heroic act. I didn’t exactly ask you to step in.”
“No,” he says softly, eyes locking onto mine, “but you didn’t have to.”
God damn! I feel like I'm melting over here. I crossed my legs, suddenly noticing how close he is, his body radiating heat. I can’t hear anything but the sound of my own heart racing.
“So,” he finally says, breaking the charged silence, “why are you stuck working on a Sunday? Seems criminal.”
I wave it off. “Corporate nonsense. New CEO coming in, and apparently that means everyone has to slave away prepping like we’re welcoming a king.”
His mouth twitches. “A king, huh?”
“Or a tyrant. Probably both.” I smirk. “From what I hear, he’s arrogant and power-hungry. The type to walk in and expect the world to bend.”
There’s a pause, then, slowly his lips curve into something darker. “And what would you do if you met a man like that?”
“I’d challenge him,” I say, voice steadier than I feel. “I don’t bend easily.”
“You’re just like me.”
I break the gaze, trying to mask the way my knees feel weak. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, you haven’t walked away.”
I hate the fact that he's right. My body is angled toward him, my cappuccino forgotten. I wanted him to keep talking, keep teasing, keep staring at me like I’m the only woman on this crowded street.
I swallow hard. “So what exactly do you do, Xavier? Besides… lurking around bakeries and harassing women on benches.”
Something unreadable flickers across his face. “Let’s just say I have… responsibilities.”
“Responsibilities?” I arch a brow. “That’s vague.”
His lips tilt into that smug smirk again. “If I told you, you might run.”
“Maybe I like danger.”
His gaze sharpens and in that moment, I realized I might have just said something far dirtier than intended. The air thickens, he leans closer, close enough that his knee brushes mine. “Careful, Freya. I might just test that theory.”
My breath hitches. For a second, I’m sure he’s about to kiss me. And God, I want him to.
But then his phone buzzes and the moment is ruined. He glances at his device, jaw tightening.
He stands abruptly. “Duty calls.”
I blink, flustered. “Well how about we exchange numbers this time so we could see if your theory works.” I flirt.
He leans down slightly, his mouth near my ear, voice like silk. “Don’t worry. You’ll be seeing me again.”
I try to scoff, but my voice falters. “And how exactly can you be so sure?”
His smirk deepens, his eyes gleam with something I couldn't quite figure out. “Let’s just say… I have a way of being exactly where I need to be.”
And then he strides out of the cafe, leaving me breathless, my skin still tingling from where he almost touched me.
________________________________
Back at work. The entire floor hums with tension. My manager claps his hands together. Barking orders. “Everyone in position! The new CEO is arriving in five minutes. Remember, smiles, professionalism, no screw ups.”
Everyone scrambled around , straightening files, polishing desks and rehearsing greetings under our breath.
I smooth my blouse nervously, heart pounding from the tension and corporate anxiety.
The elevator dings.
The room stills.
Out steps a tall figure, confident and sharp in a tailored suit. His presence fills the room instantly, commanding silence, fear, respect.
And when his gaze sweeps the floor and land on me….
My blood runs cold.
NO WAY!
It’s him.
Xavier.
The stranger who saved me, the men who teased me on a park bench thirty minutes ago and now —-
My new CEO.
- Writer
