WEB OF EMOTIONS
Xavier was surprised to have found Mira there under her desk. She was soaked in her own tears and sweat. "Mira!! Are you okay?" He had called out to the frightened figure. He knew very well that she hated the sound of thunder. Thunderstorms always frightened her and it kept her indoors. "Are you okay?" He asked again. Extending his hand to her, he pulled her to himself. "Xavier..? It's you!! I'm scared Xavier, the thunder sounds are too loud. I'm so scared." She cried as she sneaked into his arms. Her wet hair sent cold shivers down his spine. He wondered how she was left behind. Why didn't she go early? She knew how terrified she was during thunderstorms. "It's okay now, I'm here. Let's go home." He said, tightening the embrace. "No!!" She screamed."There's a storm outside, I'm gonna get hurt if I go outside." She protested as she clung tightly to his arm. "I'm with you Mira, nothing is going to hurt you. " He reassured her. " We can't stay here." He said and carried her in his arms. He noticed that she was too scared to walk on her own. Almost all the roads were blocked. The rain and heavy breeze was so heavy that it was difficult for Xavier to see. He managed to get to his house but driving Mira to her parents' house would be a death mission. Considering all odds, he took her into his house. Mira wasn't really herself. With her hands glued to her ears, she kept mute throughout the car ride. He carried her into the house. "You are safe now, there's no thunder or lightning here." He said as he dropped her off on the bed. He hurried and covered up all the windows to block the terrifying sounds from coming in. He sat and watched her regain herself. She seemed more alive now. "I'm sorry Xavier, I'm sorry for all I have done." She apologized in sobs. " I have troubled you a lot. " She continued. "No it's nothing. You are my employee and it's my duty to make sure you are safe, at least when you're still in the work premises." He said as he tried to console her. Her sobs increased and it made him skip to the bed where she laid. "I mean I'm sorry for cheating. I'm sorry for giving my mom the chance to break our relationship. She always wanted me to marry a rich man, she wasn't happy that I married a lowly orphan instead." She squealed and placed her palm on his. "I know that's no excuse for leaving you the way I did. It was totally wrong of me. I'm a horrible person for listening and adhering to my mom's words. I gave in to the pressure and neglected a man that loved me." At this point, Xavier had started to feel multiple emotions. The engagement party flew into his mind and he could remember clearly how he was excited to be Maxwell's fiancee. She kissed Maxwell in front of him, not minding the hurt it would put him through. "That's in the past now, you should stop crying. I will bring you something to eat." He said as he tried to end the disturbing conversation. "Can you ever forgive me?" She asked as she drew him to herself. She held tightly onto him and at that moment, he was lost in her eyes. "Do you still love me Xavier..?" Her question threw him off balance. He didn't expect it. He didn't want to hear it. Did he still love her? He didn't know. All he knew is that he enjoyed her company at the office. Maybe he still had some type of affection left for her, but he couldn't call it love. "Umm.." he tried to speak but he was lost for words. He stared deeply into her eyes and he didn't want that moment to come to an end. In a split moment, he pulled him closer and placed her moist lips on his. He felt surges of emotions flow through his body. Giving in to urges, he tilted her head and deepened the kiss. He kissed her hungrily, savored the moment. He pulled away to catch his breath. Perplexed about what just happened, he walked away. *** Maxwell heard about Mira's job in the Fitzgerald firm. He tried talking her into rejecting the job but she wouldn't bulge. He felt her absence little by little then realization dawned on him. He lost count of the calls he had given without any reply. Mira now ignored him. He knew it was her mother's doing. He always saw Rowena as an ambitious woman. "We are engaged, Mira, our wedding is supposed to be months away. You don't pick my calls, you don't call me back, neither do you reply to any of my texts." He growled at Mira. He was lucky to have met her at the house that day. "I have been busy, I'm working now." She snorted in reply. She didn't want to be near him, if she hadn't gotten engaged to him that day then she would have been addressed Mrs Mira Xavier Fitzgerald. She wouldn't have been trying so much to gain Xavier's sympathy. He hated his presence and didn't hesitate to show it. " Busy? Do you mean busy sleeping with your ex husband?" He goaded as he jacked on her arm. " Enough!!!" Rowena said as she ran to her daughter's rescue. " How dare you come in here and try to physically assault my daughter. How is it our fault that you handle rejection like a man." She spat out with bitterness. He laughed maliciously, his uproar caused Mira to hold tightly onto her mother. "Rejection?Seriously? I know your plans Rowena. I know what you are capable of." He snapped with darkened eyes. " You are only using your daughter to get Fitzgerald's wealth. Probably get her married to the richest man in the country, it's because of your greed. He might be gullible enough to think she loves him, but I won't let that happen."He continued. " I won't let that happen. I will never let you win Rowena.I will never lose to you or to that bastard Xavier. Read my lips, I will ruin your plan." He snarled and walked out of the hall. *** Maxwell had received a voicemail from Rowena the following evening. In it she had apologized and promised to make him part of her plan. She invited him to a location, so that they could talk more. He knew scarring them a little would put them on track. He also wanted some part of Fitzgerald's wealth and he was ready to do anything to get it. Being a shareholder would make him five times richer than he is now.She told him about her plan to own some of the shares of the company. He truly admired the woman's craftiness. Maxwell had stood in the cold night for over an hour, Mrs Rowena agreed to meet him here. He deliberated on the possibilities of being played, afterall she's Rowena. He had decided to go when he heard her voice. "I know you to be a patient man Maxwell, just a few minutes and you are already in a hurry to leave." She spoke calmly. She wore a black scarf over her head, he could nearly see her face clearly. "Take this, all our plans have been explained here. What I need you to do and how you are to do it. It's a video tape, play it when you get home," she said as she handed him a big envelope. Without saying another word, she left. *** Brittany, Mira's sister, ran to the land line. It had been ringing for minutes and she couldn't bear the disturbing sound it made. She wondered who was relentlessly calling and disturbing her peaceful afternoon. She skipped to answer the call and the news she heard left a dark shadow over her face. "What's wrong Brittany?" Mira asked. She walked downstairs to see her sister dumbfounded. She held fright in her eyes as she was unable to speak. "What's wrong? She asked again anxiously. " Maxwell… Maxwell has been arrested for murder." Brittany stuttered.HEARTBREAK AND REJECTION. Xavier walked in alone, without the company of his wife Mira who had told him earlier that she was going to help out for her the preparation of her sister's engagement party situated at the Denvers mansion. His heart was heavy with dread as he walked amongst men and women of importance whose demeaning gaze fell on him. “What's this scavenger doing here,” he'd heard them say. “How did he get to be here?” But he ignored their words as he'd gotten used to being insulted and ridiculed. Xavier was intimidated by the aura the guest carried, he was from a poor background, he couldn't even relate to them. Everything about them exuded luxury and elegance, which contrasted to his normal life, and he still couldn't figure out why Rowena had enthusiastically invited him to such an occasion. She despised him, treated him like scum, ordered him around like a servant, and forced him to work for her and her daughters regardless of the fact that he was her son in-la
THE SHOCKING REVELATION. Rowena's hurtful words resounded in his ears. Her words pierced through him like daggers. The sight of his wife swapping spits and kissing another man was hurtful and heartbreaking. His heart ached as he watched the now engaged couples. What was more painful was the fact that Mira didn't even seem to care about his feelings. She didn't seem to care that she was kissing another man in front of her husband. Instead, she threw him a mischievous smile which was like a slap on his face. “Wait,” Rowena called him back as he was about to go, after all, his presence was no longer welcome. “Before you go, take this with you.” She threw him a scrunched up hundred dollar bill and it landed at his feet. “Take this. I bet it's a fortune for a church rat like you.” Xavier didn't take the money even though he had a strong urge to do so. Truly the hundred dollar bill would do a lot for him. He scrambled out of the Denvers manor looking forlorn and dejected. His whole wo
THE BILLIONAIRE'S SON The man's words hit Xavier like a missile. Perhaps he hadn't heard the man. What exactly did he just say? Xavier furrowed his eyebrows and stared at the man, startled. “Sir, I don't understand,” he said. He needed clarification. Maybe his brain had interpreted something different. “Have a look at this,” the man said to the puzzled Xavier whose eyebrows were wriggled. He handed him a brown envelope. Xavier stretched out his non-IV arm to take the envelope from the man. He threw the man a suspicious look before going ahead to take out a paper from the envelope. Xavier scanned the paper, scrutinizing it with his eyes. He handled the paper like it was a strange mysterious artifact that he'd found on the roadside. As Xavier read through the paper, his eyes widened with shock. What was this he was seeing on the paper? Was it original or had it been faked by this man? Shouldn't he be wary of him? What if the man was a killer? Xavier immediately waved t
RESOLUTION. Xavier scoffed. This was ridiculous. He even resisted the urge to laugh because he didn't want to seem rude to the man sitting before him claiming to be his father. But then he saw the face of the man, and it was completely serious. Mr Fitzgerald wasn't joking. Did that mean that Xavier was truly his son? “I think you need some time to process everything, Son. I wouldn't even be quick to give in if I were in your shoes. I'll leave you to yourself. I'll give you a chance to think about everything and process it. Here's my card, if you need anything or you've finally made the decision to come back home to your father, you can call me. My hands are open to you.” Mr Fitzgerald thought about giving his son a black card, but he halted that decision. He would give Xavier all his possessions until he was ready to come home. A few seconds later, the doctor came in to check on Xavier. Mt Fitzgerald knew it was time to go. He had important matters and appointments he had to
THE HEIR "I know it hasn't been not easy for you, son. It would be hard for anyone." He said and gave a pause, as if carefully choosing his words. "Hearing that kind of news, right after gaining consciousness after being unconscious for days, would give anyone a big blow." He continued in a more tender tone. " I'm glad that you've finally agreed to call me. Just give me a chance son, a chance to make things right. I have been longing to see you for so long. I won't let you slip away this time." Mr Dean spoke in a comforting tone and it was working wonders in soothing Xavier's heart. He suddenly felt the urge to share his pains with this man, to tell him how the world has wronged him, how life has been unfair. "Okay, I have been wronged by unfortunate circumstances in the past. I want a father too, I need a family." Xavier said and he could feel his voice cracking as he spoke. "I want to see you, Son. I have found you after so many years, it calls for an uproar
MR CEO It has been days now since his formal introduction as Mr Dean Fitzgerald's son, days since his introduction to a new life of luxury. It was amazing how his life drastically changed from being a nobody, a common golddigger to being the wealthiest nab in East town. The flush lifestyle was burdensome to him at first, but with time he adjusted. Having been guided on the company's affairs by his father, Xavier was to resume office today. His life was going to change for good today. The sudden respect he would be given was going to feel strange. He was scorned for being indigent, now people would listen to him speak. Indeed money did and could do amazing things. Xavier decided to have brunch before he got into his office. He walked into the restaurant and noticed a familiar face. It was Mira, his ex-wife who rejected him. His face hardened at the sight of her. The thought of her betrayal and rejection causes a sour thirst in his mouth "What's she doing here?" Xavier aske
SCHEMES AND PLANS “I can't believe this. No!” Rowena raged. She took the glass of wine she was drinking from, on the marble table and threw it against the wall, splashing the wine all over the place. “Clear this mess,” she ordered Abigail, one of her house maids who rushed to clean up the shards of glass and mopped the wine off the floor. Rowena stood up from her seat and walked to Mira. “What happened? Tell me!” Mira shook her head, strings of tears sliding down her cheeks. “I swear it wasn't my fault, mother, neither was it Maxwell's fault.” “Maxwell was involved too? You two couldn't impress the young master, the new heir to the Fitzgerald's conglomerate?” Mira sniffled. “You're such a disgrace to this family, Mira. I should have known how worthless you are. You couldn't even bag a job as a secretary?” The anger in Rowena was evident. Her vei Mira didn't know how to explain to her mom about what happened today and what had unfolded. Her mom was far disappointed in her,
THE INTERVIEW Mira sat quietly in the car. Her driver was driving her to the Fitzgerald firm. Her mind was occupied with thoughts. Her discussion with her mother the previous night, flooded her memory. "Why do you think he wants an interview? Do you think he's gonna give me the job?" Mira had asked after she ended the call with Xavier's secretary. "There are many possible reasons why he did Mira. He probably wants to rub his position on her face, or he wants to punish you. It could also be that he wants to see you." Rowena said with absolute clarity. She had guessed that Xavier really loved her daughter, it was the thought of her daughter being with a penniless man that she couldn't console. "I'm not sure he still wants me mom. He saw me accept Maxwell's proposal, he watched us locked lips. No man will want me after that," she muttered, regretting her actions. " Well there is only one way to find out." The job interview had given Rowena a glimpse of hope. Maybe j