Chapter 12 - The Unbelievable Truth

Yesterday was a failure. A prime example of why I should certainly have never accepted this job proposal in the first place. Wait a second, I should never have even have started talking to him in the first place. 

I was tired these days. Exhausted because of our endless arguments and time and time again he would always upset me with what he said. Constant belittling and snide comments made me snap even when I tried my best not to. Sometimes, it is like working with a robot. Of course it is my job; ‘Erica, get those files’ or ‘Erica, plan this meeting’ but a conversation about anything, the formalities and just being nice. I guess the less I see of him, the better. 

Ron and Liz tried to offer some consolation. After my first day they took me to Starbucks, allowing me to de-stress and vent about Xavier whilst stuffing my face with coffee cake and hot chocolate. I was grateful to talk to them, actually having friends at work was amazing. I must admit, I was harsh on Liz at first but she acted weird in front of Xavier, showing her enviable figure and boobs to Xavier, yes I was jealous but in reality she is far from that. She is sweet and intelligent and surprising myself, I enjoy spending time with her.

Today is a new day. I will try and make it better than the first - shall we. No drama, coffee.  

Strut. Forget that, one foot in front of the other would do without tripping up.  As I walked inside the office, I made my way straight to Liz.

“Errriiiicaaa!!” Liz screamed whilst pulling me into a tight hug, squeezing my ribs in the process. 

“Liz…zz.. I can’t …bre…ath,” I struggled to get out with a chuckle.

“Shit, sorry sweetheart but I have news. the latest and greatest news I’ve had i a while!” She said with so much enthusiasm, I honestly thought we were all getting raises but unfortunately not, instead her eyes were glazed with delight.

“No, tell me!” I said, still trying to catch my breath.

“The boss has taken his first day off ever. Ever,” she yelled in my ear not pausing for air.

“God Liz, stop shouting,” I said with a laugh. “First, you diminish my air supply and now you want me deaf! So what if he has taken holiday? He must be ill or something, why are you so excited about it?? I brushed her off but I must admit I was quite glad that I could have a day without Xavier, 

“Girl, get your ears checked. I said, he took his first day off, he never, ever does that!” She gripped my arms and brought me closer to her. “Like ever,” she emphasised.

“So what Liz?” I mumbled with frustration and annoyance. He would come back to murder me if I didn’t get the work he had probably let me finished. 

“Okay, you are slower and dumber that I thought, come here,” she motioned for me to come closer and I had no option but to oblige even though I could her quite clearly.

“Let me put it this way, our pretty hot boss has taken a day off from work for the first time in seven years. Seven whole years. Interested now?” She said with a smirk on her face.

“What? Is he that hardworking?” I said shocked, to say the least. He was a robot that never gave up and I respected that in him, so to take the ay off was kind of strange. 

“You bet! She said with a wink. But then she was off again, rattling on about the other piece of gossip about her manager, Sam, who was apparently having a serious affair with his secretary. Even thought he is married. It disgusted me to say the least but I refused to comment on it, it was their decision to fuck their lives and their families lives up. The damage was already done.

I found my thoughts wandering to Xavier, why would he take a day of? I couldn’t help but hope that he is ok which annoyed me because that is the last thing I should be thinking about. I didn’t particularly like him, but still I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him.

XAVIER’S POV

“Xavier, ice cream. Now!” My princess yelled from the other room. It was that time of the month and she was in a mood and I knew better than to argue with her. I had tried to cheer her up but in the end she threw me out of her room and curled up against a big pillow.

“Babe, you are the last one yesterday,” I said approaching her room with caution. “It’s raining, I will go and get some later,” I said regretfully as I saw her frown.

“Fine, thank you. Anyway, you, mister. Why are you back in my room? I told you I did not want to see another man for another four days,” she chuckled into her pillow.

“Sure thing, I’ll be right back,” I said with a smile. I walked outside the room and grabbed an umbrella. If she wanted ice cream, I would get her some, rain or no rain. It’s what boyfriends are for, to take care of their baby girls all the time. 

-

I jogged up the stairs and opened our apartment door praying that she was asleep. My clothes were soaking wet, and even with an umbrella I had managed to catch the rain.  I quickly tiptoed to the kitchen and snuck the ice cream inside the fridge, making a mental note to lie and say that I had found some in the corner.

“Xavier Manhattan,” a soft but firm voice called fro behind me and I froze.

“I can explain,” I said with a cheeky smile on my face, “I really can.”

She stormed towards me and narrowed her eyes.

“Look at you, all wet. Unbelievable!” She scoffed and brought a towel to wrap around me. “I am sorry, its my fault. All I wanted was ice cream, I was just being demanding,” she said with tears in her eyes. Whoah the mood changes I dealt with, but I had learnt that that was natural and I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly.

“Princess, it is not your fault. Baby, don’t feel sad, I thought I would just bring back supplies for when you need it. It is not like I am dead,” I hushed her and stroked her back. But with that, she punched my shoulder, startling me.

“Xavi, how dare you say that! Don’t think of those things,” she said with tears rising in her eyes again.

:I’m sorry princess, I didn’t mean to save you. It was just an expression. Please don’t cry, I love you,” I said whilst holding her so tight.

“But Xavi, baby. What if I die instead of you?” she mermaid making my heart stop in the process. 

I woke up to sweaty palms and damp hair, my heart was beating unevenly and I clenched my eyes in a bid to erase the hurt and the loss I felt so deeply. 

“Please,” I whispered to no one. Just the room, the air. I stood up and walked slowly to the washroom and looked at myself in the mirror. Today was going to be a different day. It had to be. When I looked at the person staring mack at me I did not see a Xavier who was in love, someone who could see their future bright and sparkling. Instead, I saw a man who was haunted by the memories of his princess, haunted by her absence, bloodshot eyes and a pale face. 

With a new found determination I realised I could not stay away any longer. I had to see her. Or at least be near her. I ran down the stairs, got changed and saw Sebastian.

“Give me the keys,” I hissed with not so much as a glance. I was not in the mood for pleasantries which I know made me an arse but I couldn’t care.

“Sir are you alright,” he asked concerned. 

“Just give me the goddam keys,” I snapped and snatched the keys from his hand and sat in the car. I put the key in the ignition and raced off, swearing at the traffic lights when they turned red. I wanted to see her, to be in her presence not get killed. Though that thought had been flitting through my mind, I just wanted to be with her again. Life was empty. 

“Bonjour, monsieur,” (Hello, Sir) a lady in her mid thirties with bright red hair running a roadside florist wished me.

“Bonjour,” I smiled softly back. “Combien sont ces roses pour?” (How much are these roses?) I inquired.

“Ah bon choix!” (Good choice) She picked up a large bouquet of bright red roses. “$37.50” she said. I nodded.

“Je voudrais acheter ces. Veuillez emballer,” (I would like to buy these. Kindly pack them) I asked her. She nodded and asked one of her colleagues to pack them. After paying and waiting what get like an age I ran back to my car. Turning the engine on,  I drove off down the road and after a good half an hour I stopped at my destination. 

WIth a smile on my face, I walked to a huge gate. Its old rusty hinges and peeling, brown and orange handle meant that the gate opened with a groan. Not many people knew about this entrance, it was towards the back. More hidden.

I squeezed the bouquet and walked inside only for it to start raining. But it didn't faze me. Instead it was comforting. 

I am here to meet you my love. 

-

Flashback

“Princess I don’t want to work! I want to come home and cuddle you. Its raining outside and it is so romantic it is getting on my nerves.” I whined over the phone like a child. You would not think that I was a grown man.

“No, Xavi!” She said with a laugh. “You have to work. Its like my mum always said, each time you look up at the sky or hear the pitter-patter of rain just think of me. I am there in those rain drops, you can feel me on the palms of you hands, I am with you always,” she said soothingy. 

“God princess, that was so deep. Did you copy that from a movie," I said teasingly. 

“Oh, please. Mum told me this,” she scolded me but I could imagine her blushing and smiling over the phone just as much as I was.

“Bye baby, have to go before dad walks in and kills me.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Bye Xavier, work hard and I love you,” she said.

“I love you more, baby,” I said ending the call feeling much happier.

-

“Looks like you are welcoming me, Princess,” I mumbled to myself and to her. I could feel my shirt getting wet with every drop that fell from the heavens. My shirt clung to my skin, I didn’t bother with a coat, I wanted to feel the drops, they were like my tears, her tears. I looked around to see the place was nearly empty, adding to the gloomy and slightly oppressive atmosphere. The fog didn’t help to clear up the heavy and uneasy feeling. 

I walked towards my destination in a deathly silence. All I could hear was the sound of the rain and the crunch of the leaves that I stepped on.

“What are you doing here son?” I turned round to see an elderly man looking at me with concern. “What are you doing here, in this heavy rain?” He asked again when I didn’t answer.

“I came to meet her, sir.” I stuttered and smiled sadly.My eyes suddenly started to tear up and a lump formed in my though after hearing his concern in his voice.

He paused and looked at me.

“In this cemetery?” He asked sadly as if he knew the answer.

“Yes,” was the only reply I could murmur.