Someone To Hold

Chapter 4

Since Andrea already ate some cookies earlier while she's talking with her friends, she didn't prepare anything for lunch. Instead, she plans to go to the supermarket to buy some groceries.

Andrea opened her refrigerator and it's almost empty. Her snacks are gone.

"Of course, who might be the one that always left me high and dry. None other than Daniela Snow. Speaking of the culprit, she acted weird earlier, I wonder what happened to her?"

She closed the refrigerator and wrote what must be bought in her cellphone using the Note app. She didn't even bother to change her clothes. It still looks good anyway.

She drove off to the nearest supermarket, Lavish Happy Mart. After parking her car, she immediately went in and a cool air from the air conditioner welcomed her.

Andrea is a friend of the owner of this supermarket. Speaking of which, here she comes. Walking towards her is a lady looking like a porcelain doll, she's a big fan of Korean Dramas so she kind of acts like them. She wore a gray turtleneck and there's a printed word that Andrea can't understand since it is written in Korean. She paired it with a blue fitted denim.

With her outfit, she really looks like a doll with her waist so fine.

"Andrea, long time no see. How have you been? I missed you, babe."

Myra Lavish gave her a peck on the cheeks before giving her a hug. Andrea hugged her back.

"I've been so busy lately, I didn't have time to visit you. But don't worry, I'll invite you soon for lunch."

Myra smiled widely while looking at Andrea with her sparkling eyes.

"That settles it then! Oh and by the way, I still have some stuff to do, I'll leave you for now. Contact me whenever you want to go out."

"Yeah sure."

They both split their ways and continued their businesses.

Andrea got a shopping cart and pushed it towards the vegetable options. She's a good picker when it comes to fresh vegetables. She picked tons of vegetables. Some might say she's a vegetarian but nope! She's not, she just really likes veggies.

After picking some fresh vegetables, she pushed the cart to the meat section and did the same. She picked big amounts of raw food for she likes to cook as well.

She was done with the raw food so now she's looking for some snacks. It was needed especially when she's writing some stories.

A potato chip snack that she likes is on the top shelf so she has to tiptoe to get it. As she was about to get the snack, a hand also was about to reach out for it.

Andrea lost her balance so she closed her eyes and waited for her ass to fall. But it's been seconds and she doesn't feel like she's fallen to the floor.

She opened her eyes and found out that a man with some handsome toned muscles was holding her waist.

Oh thank God. She thought.

Andrea stood straight and arranged her slight crippled shirt. She looked up to thank the man who caught her.

"Thank yo--" she didn't continue her sentence when she realized that the man who caught her earlier is none other than the man who's behind all her lies to her friends.

"I didn't know you're here too....Darling. Fate must have its own favorite and it brought us here." he said happily like he just won a lottery.

Andrea was so shocked and she widened her eyes the moment she saw the man in front of her, still holding her hand.

Nevertheless, she finally observed the man's features. He looked smart dressed in a perfectly ironed white T-shirt and a pair of black trousers. He's wearing a hood, afraid someone might recognize him. He was tall and sturdy, giving off an aura of brilliance.

Other women might have fallen in love at first sight if they saw him. He has an exquisitely handsome face. If they haven't met in the first place, maybe she can have a crush on him.

When she looked at the hand that was holding her, she instinctively shoved it off.

Xeno took a step backward. He held his two hands in the air like he's surrendering.

"Woahh.. easy there, darling. This is not how you treat your boyfriend. You should have greet me with a kiss even if just in the cheek." he pointed his cheek.

Andrea gulped at what she's seeing , she didn't expect that the richest man in the country was here in front of her.......acting like a child.

"I didn't know that the President of Louindelle Corporation is acting like a child in front of me. You sure are hella talkative. Move away, I'm not done shopping."

Ignored, he immediately grabbed her shopping cart and pushed it for her.

"What the hell are you doing? Give it to me!"

She tried to take it back away from him but since he's a man, he didn't even move a bit while she's still pushing him away.

"Darling, let your boyfriend do this, I can only do this once in a while. After shopping, accompany me somewhere." A curl in his lips suddenly formed.

"Fine! I don't want to argue further. Since you're here, you could be helpful." A grin flashed in her face and she picked tons and tons of snacks.

She's already hiding her victorious laughter when she saw his frowning look behind her. He's having a hard time.

"Tired? You can leave it there and leave." Hearing what she said, his expression instantly changed from frowning to smiling confidently with his heads up.

"Of course not. I'm honored." he said while pushing the shopping cart. She can still see that he's having a hard time but oh well...he asked for it.

In the midst of picking some snacks, she stopped walking when she forgot something to buy.

"Wait, I forgot something, wait here. I'll be back real quick."

She ran immediately to the fruits section and she picked many apples. After picking, she runs back to where he is. She saw him browsing his phone but when he sensed that she returned, he put it back in his pocket.

"Do you really need this whole damn snack for yourself? I didn't know you're a big eater, you have a sexy figure. Although it won't bother me if you get chubby, I like it squishy." He said while grinning.

"Tsss, p*****t. I didn't buy this all for myself only." She said before poking his forehead, considering their height difference, she had to tiptoe to hit him.

Xeno noticed her having difficulties in reaching his forehead so he bows a little for her.

Andrea stiffened as she didn't expect him to act like that. That simple gesture made her heart beat fast.

What's happening to me?

She poked his head...hard and she heard him hissed.

Andrea didn't mind him and continued walking. On the other hand, he immediately caught up her pace.

"Why did you say you forgot something earlier? You should have told me, I'll get it for you." She looked at him with an unbelievable look then she sighs.

"It's little Suzie's favorite fruit." After speaking, she saw him getting confused.

"Little? Do you have a daughter?"

"No."

"s**t! Are you a mistress?" Xeno covered his own mouth with his hand.

"What!? No, mistress my ass. I don't have a plan in becoming a mistress."

"Right! Your ass is too good for you to become a mistress. Although it won't bother me a bit, I'll just snatched you away from that ugly man." Said by Xeno with a cold voice.

"p*****t. Why don't you just shut your mouth for a bit? I bet you act like this with your other women right? Arghh! Rich men have plenty of ladies to choose from." she looked at him with disdain.

"Yeah you're right, rich men have plenty of ladies to choose....That's why I chose you." He winked at her.

Land. Please swallow me now. She thought as she felt a heat coming from her cheeks.

"Cute." He saw her getting red like a tomato and he chuckled.

This damned man's mouth really speaks freely.

When she was done, they immediately went to pay for the goods. Andrea saw him wear a black mask, it sure is hard to roam freely when you're a known person. Not to mention, he's the richest man in the country.

They both walked in the exit. She stopped halfway.

"You don't have to come with me. You can now go and do whatever you want." She saw him wearing a mask and holding two big plastics of goods in his both hands.

"I'll come with you. Let's use my car, I'll ask my assistant, Ryan, to pick up your car." Andrea froze at what he said.

"Ryan?"

"Yeah, he's my assistant."

"What's his surname?"

"Hmm, he's an orphan but unfortunately the family that adopted him, mistreated Ryan. Then I rescued him from that family. Since he's adopted, he's name now is Ryan Lasmond."

Lasmond? Maybe he's a different person. From the looks of him, she can tell that he's not lying.

Xeno seems like he didn't notice her expression and walked first to his own car.

She dazed for a bit and when she came back to her senses, she couldn't see him in front of her anymore.

She has a bad feeling about what he said earlier. At that moment, there are many scenarios that pop up in her mind.

She immediately caught up with Xeno, putting the goods in his car. She looked at his car and recognized it as the latest Aston Martin model.

However, since she's too worried about something, she did not pay attention to it.

"No. I'll drive my car to my place first to put the raw foods in my condo before we go to where I want to go. Okay?"

She's completely lost in thought. It's better if it's just Xeno who knows where she lives.

It's definitely a different person. Ryan. That name still hunts her like crazy. Andrea had a bad feeling and it's giving her chills. Although she didn't see his face yet for a reason that they haven't met in person.

"Oh ahmm.. okay, since I already put the goods here in my car. I'll follow you." Xeno noticed how bothered she was.

Andrea immediately nodded her head and headed directly to where her car was. She starts the car and drives off. While on the way, she dialed a number and a woman answered in another line.

"I think there's something fishy with Xeno Louindelle assistant. I recalled his name is Ryan, do you think it's the same person?" Andrea asked.

"s**t! I'll investigate it for you, babe. For the meantime, stay away from that man. My gut is telling me that he's bad news."

"Okay, I will. I'll update you for some news soon."

"Sure thing."

She ended her call and while driving, she couldn't help but think about the man who ordered to abduct her and tortured her. She felt a slight sting in her heart. That was the darkest moment of her life.

In 20 minutes, they both reached her condominium. She parked her car and she saw that Xeno parker his car beside hers.

He's still wearing a mask when he got out. Then he went to the back to get her groceries. Andrea walked to the elevator and Xeno followed her behind.

When they both got in the elevator. She never heard silence quite this loud. No one dares to speak.

On the other side, Xeno gazed at Andrea. He noticed that she's been different from the moment they got out of the supermarket. He thought back and a sudden thought came to his mind.

In Room 108, Andrea opened the door and walked in. Since the thoughts are clouding her mind, she didn't sense the existence of the other person with her.

"This is your place? It's beautiful."

That was when she got back from her senses and she was startled by the thought of Xeno being here in her own room.

She immediately grabbed the raw food and arranged it in her refrigerator. She also puts some snacks in. There's a reason she bought tons of snacks with her. Earlier, she thought of going THERE...

Minutes of arranging and she finally puts all her needs. She immediately went to her room and changed her clothes.

She's now wearing a white v-neck T-shirt with some simple flowery designs paired with black denim.

She walked to the living room and saw Xeno looking at the view outside the window. He's not wearing his mask anymore so she can see his features quite well.

"I admit that this place is good,"

"Of course it is. Now since we're done here, you can leave." Xeno seemed like he didn't listen to her and continued to gaze outside.

"You know what, you've been acting weird once I mentioned the name Ryan. Do you know him?" Andrea's heart beats fast like it's going to explode.

He's suspecting something.

"No, I don't know him."

Xeno finally turned to look at her. They stared for a couple of seconds before she heard him speak.

"Ah-ha! You're Ryan's mistress, right!"

Andrea didn't say a word. He still didn't forget our topic earlier? Is this man's f*****g dumb?

"I'm gonna beat that asshole to pulp." Andrea saw his fist tightened.

"Tssk. Hold your horses. You got the wrong idea, Mr. Louindelle. It's just.....there's someone I knew named Ryan a long time ago."

Xeno looked at her...he's confused.

"Okay. Do you have any chance to have a picture of your assistant?" She walked towards him.

"Yes. I have but I'm not showing it, you might fall in love with him."

This man!

"No. Definitely not."

"Hmm okay." He shrugged his shoulders. He showed her his phone and clicked on a photo.

Andrea remembered that someone said, Ryan has a scar on his left cheek. And as she looked at the photo. The face of a man with the same age as Xeno looked nice and neat. His face was clean and she didn't see any scar at all.

She let out a big breath. It's not him.

"It's definitely not him."

Xeno sighs of relief.

"Okay, good then." Xeno wears his handsome smile once again.

They're both back to themselves and the atmosphere is lighter now.

"Say... Darling, do you wanna live with me?"

"No." She immediately replied.

"I still don't trust you fully so mind your distance and for your information, this is just for show, right?"

Xeno didn't answer her and she saw him staring at her lips.

"I'll earn your trust then." he smirked.

Andrea turned her back to Xeno and grabbed the remaining tons of snacks on the couch.

"Since you're here and I know you won't leave the hell out of me, help me with this, we're going somewhere." She said as she handed him the big plastic bag.

"Sure, darling."

When they both got out of the room, they saw Kyle. From the look of him, his cute face became serious for a bit.

"Andrea, I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

Andrea felt a tension in the air especially to the man beside her. And when she was about to speak, Xeno cuts her sentence.

"Yes, she now has a boyfriend. You have a problem with that." Xeno held her waist possessively. She froze.

Kyle's expression changed immediately from serious to cheerful.

"Ohh! So that's it, I'm sorry for meddling. Congratulations, Andrea. I can finally see you having a happy relationship." Kyle turned to her direction, he has the same height as Xeno but he's younger than him.

After Kyle smiled at her, he turned to face Xeno's gaze and whispered to him something.

Andrea didn't hear what Kyle said but she felt that the hands of Xeno in her waist tightened as if he's getting angry.

With that, Kyle left them both and went to the room beside hers.

She looked at Xeno beside her and she saw him rubbing his nose before walking to the elevator and getting in.

"You should really come and live with me. I don't trust that guy." From his tone, she can feel him getting pissed.

"He's a nice guy, besides we've been neighbors for a year now. I trust him." Andrea is quite pissed too when he heard him insulting Kyle. She treats him like a little brother.

"Nice? Ah! As if. Just stay away from him."

"No. You can't just command me like that. He's younger than me and I treat him like a little brother and he treats me like his big sister."

Andrea loosened herself from Xeno's hold and moved away from him a bit.

Xeno's expression changed drastically and now he looks like a puppy getting scolded by its owner.

"I'm sorry, darling. I just....don't want any man talking to you."

She stared at him with disbelief.

"Hmmp! You don't own me, remember?"

Andrea can feel the sadness in his eyes and the following event didn't even process in her brain. She just did it.

She gave him a peck on the cheek and that was when the elevator opened.

Andrea walked out first and immediately, embarrassed.

"We're using my car." Xeno said from behind and he's smiling like a fool.

"No, we're using mine." Andrea argued with him for a whole 5 damn minutes before she decided to go with his car.

"I don't want a girl driving for me." She hissed at what he said and directly went to the back seat.

"What are you doing there? Come here in front." He laughed a little.

Andrea remembered what happened earlier and now she can feel the heat on her cheeks. She definitely doesn't want him to see her like this.

"No, you might do something unpleasant." Andrea crossed her hands while looking at Xeno in the driver's seat.

"Woman, I won't do anything to you. And speaking of which, you're making me look like a taxi driver. I'm too handsome to be one."

"Tssk. You are really full of yourself huh. I'm impressed by your confidence."

"Well then, thank you. So now, come here in front or we are not going anywhere."

Left with no choice. She angrily went to the passenger's seat and closed the door..hard.

"Be careful, you might hit yourself." He smiled before driving off.