Chapter 4

Chapter 4. 

The weekend was beautiful but the office reality was harsh.

Xavier had dropped her to her apartment and went to his place. Although he wanted to drop her to her office, he held himself. He wanted to give her some time to adjust to the new routine. 

Caroline got instantly busy with her meetings and new clients. She had 5 lawyers in her team and then 10 new recruits every 6 months to train and guide them. She would deal with the high profile clients or mostly the companies as a whole. So even if her client line was low, it was more precise, more highly recommended, very expensive and thus required a more sensitive approach. 

The Lawyers were meant to tolerate lies to gain a customer but with Heard Associates, the interns and the lawyers were supposed to sign an affidavit that they won't go for the money only, but they would take care of their oath to speak and support the truth. Hence they were expensive yet trustworthy.

She was busy reading a file that was sent by her assistant and the client was sitting in front of her. A company wanted to hire her as their Official Company Lawyer as the legal advisor. The amount was good but she would never jump right on the spot. She wanted the complete history of the firm and she was satisfied with the terms and conditions. 

"I would like to meet the CEO to sign it". She closed the file and slid it across the table.

"Well. Mr Garcia is out of the country at the moment. I have full authority to sign it on the company's behalf. I have the stamp also. But for your peace of mind I can request him for a call"? The assistant to Mr Garcia told in a calm tone. 

"Not today, I am sorry. I have to attend a meeting. I will expect a call from your CEO tomorrow at 11am. If that's okay"? She said in her professional tone.

"Sure. I will request Mr Garcia to call you at 11am tomorrow. I will be back with the papers to get them signed, once it's settled". He stood up followed by Caroline who shook his hand professionally and waited for him to walk out. 

"Chelsea? Are we ready"? She buttoned up her blazer and nodded to the conference room with her assistant in tow.  

It was her routine to hold a meeting with her teammates and juniors once a week to discuss new clients and proceeding cases. It would help the internees to take precious minutes of meetings to lead with their works. She didn't know how 2 hours passed in a blink, when she came back to her office. It was almost closing time for all so they all left to clear their workplaces while she stayed back for a while. 

"Excuse Me. Delivery for Ms Heard". She looked at the door where the security guard was standing with a delivery boy. 

"Yes. It's me". She was kind of surprised to see a huge bouquet in his hands. He passed the slip to get signed and left with a bow. Caroline nodded at the guard to leave too. 

*For my Lovely Lady*

*Xav xoxoxoxo*

Just two lines on the card were enough to make her grin. The roses were beautiful, had big heads, and they smelled so good. She looked at the card again and those words made her feel special. 

As if the sender knew she would have received it, she heard her phone ringing. 

"Hi". She breathed out. 

"Hi girl.. Let me guess. Someone is happy today". Caroline smiled even more to hear Xavier, all smiling on the phone. 

"Yeah. I just got a beautiful bouquet of french roses. Why won't I be happy"? She replied with a giggle. 

"Ohh. I just proposed to court you yesterday and you are getting roses the very next day. Seems like I am already in a competition". Xav faked jealousy. Caroline didn't know he could be this cheeky. Maybe it was his new personality that only she was aware of. 

"Thank you Xav. These are really beautiful and special. You didn't need to do this really". This time Caroline thanked him sincerely. She never knew flowers could make someone so happy. 

"Nah. I would do everything to make you smile everyday. And what kind of a man would I be if I can't make my woman happy"? Caroline felt herself melting at his words. 

"I…". She couldn't even speak anything. 

"Are you free Carl"? He asked after a pause. 

"Yes. Only 15 minutes to leave. Was just packing my things". She said, zipping her laptop bag.  

"Can you wait for me? I haven't eaten anything for lunch because I was busy with meetings. Join me for dinner"? Caroline thought for a while at the proposal. She was hungry too, and having dinner with Xavier Russel was indeed a better option than eating alone. 

"But my car"? 

"My driver will drop it at your complex. I will take you home". He suggested it and it was solved. 

**********

Xavier had booked a table for them in his favorite restaurant. The ambiance and the food was great. The plus point is that no one would interfere with others. Caroline was impressed by his choice in both place and the food. 

"Why this place"? She ate a fork full of a lobster from the seafood platter. 

"Privacy. Even if people know you, they would respect your privacy". Xavier replied, sipping his Champagne. "Actually, Marcus introduced me to this place". 

"Ohh". She replied with a nod. 

"And"?  Xavier knew something was brewing in her mind. 

"Uhm. I was wondering, how many times you visited this place for privacy". She waved her fork around, trying to act casual. Xavier looked at her and smirked. 

"Well. My client line demands some secrecy. So yes i have been here for so many times, but, just to make it good for you, you are the only Girl i brought here". Xavier chuckled looking at her all flustered. 

"Well, not it matter to me anyway". She tried to hide her blushing face behind the glass. Xavier laughed out loud. He loved this side of Caroline and he wasn't in a mood to let her possessive side subside anytime soon. 

****************

Xavier parked his car in her apartment parking lot. His driver had already parked her car at her designated space and nodded as he went out to give them some moments. 

"Thank you for the lovely evening". Caroline said with a smile. She was actually happy. Xavier being romantic was making her swoon over him. 

"The pleasure is all mine". Xavier smiled warmly at her. He had held her hand all through the ride, kept it on his thigh, laced their fingers together. 

"I guess I should leave". Caroline said but she didn't make any effort to pull her hand away. 

"Yeah. I think you should". Xavier said, leaning over the center console. Caroline gulped, her lips parted on their own. Xavier looked at her once before closing the gap between them. 

It was a simple kiss. Nothing hurried yet full of emotions. They enjoyed it for some moments before Caroline pulled off. 

"When will I see you again"? Xavier dusted his fingers on her cheeks.  

"Uhm.. I am busy all this week. So the weekend may be". She bit her lower lip. 

"Nope. I can't wait for the whole week to see you. I might sneak around". Xavier said in a matter of fact tone. Caroline tried to hide her smile. 

"We will see Mr Russel. I suppose you have the number to my PA". She winked, making him growl. 

"We will see Ms Heard. We will see". Xavier said with the same playful tone, attaching their foreheads together. 

"Goodnight Xav". She opened her door, unwillingly. 

"Night my Love. Sleep well". Xavier replied in a low husky tone. And how difficult it was for Caroline to walk those few steps to her building.

**********

It was Thursday and Xavier had been so much busy with his work that he couldn't spare time to meet Caroline. He was missing her so much but one client after another, one meeting led to another and he was frustrated now. He wanted to leave everything aside and go see her, but he knew even she was busy with her courts and clients. 

It was 7 in the evening and he was almost done with the file he was working on when he heard the door opening.

“Hey Buddy. Busy eh”? He grinned to see Marcus entering. it was after so many days, in fact the first time after his wedding that he got to meet him properly.

“Look who is back from the hole”. Xavier hugged him tightly making him chuckle.

“Yeah a very heavenly hole to say”. Marcus winked at him. Xavier laughed out loud.

“Shelly, Scotch please”. He pressed the intercom to his PA and gestured to Marcus to take a seat. They kept a playful conversation until Shelly served them their drinks and only then Marcus signaled him to turn on the Safety Cameras. 

“I have to ship 3 trucks across Europe. They will cross the border on Saturday at 00 Hours”. he took a sip of the drink filling Xavier with the details.

“Plates”? Xavier asked for the number plates that Marcus gave him. “Consider it done. You will have a Half hour Window”. Xavier said in a serious tone. Marcus nodded. He knew it would be done safely and soundly.

“Payment 50 50 as per deal”. Marcus smiled taking out his mobile and after 5 minutes Xavier got the payment notification. They would always keep their business and friendship aside. And Marcus knew it was easy for him to load his shipments but it was actually Xavier who drove them. So he was more at risk.

They got free an hour later and Xavier asked him to join over Dinner but Marcus refused. He had plans with his wife and he wasnt over their honeymoon period.

Xavier parked his car outside his favorite restaurant and just for a thought he called Caroline but it was directed to her voicemail. He sighed feeling dejected but went inside anyway.

His favorite table was vacant for him and he was happy about it, but a certain table or a certain person caught his eyes. It was Caroline. Not alone. The man sitting across her on the table was handsome, and was surely entertaining her a lot because Xavier saw her laughing out loud for 10 seconds straight. Enough to make his blood boil. Here he was missing her like crazy and she was enjoying the company of another man. Without thinking anything, he marched to their table trying to suppress his anger.

“Quite enjoying the evening Ms Heard ''. He said in a clipped voice. Caroline, who was busy with her company, looked at him with surprise and a broad smile stretched on her beautiful lips. 

“Xavier. What a surprise”. She said with twinkling eyes. Oh how much she has missed him but she had so much work to do that she couldn't  meet him.

“Meet Josh Statham. Josh, meet Xavier, a very special friend of mine”. She introduced them both and while Josh was quite friendly to offer his hand to Xavier, Xavier was totally off mood. Caroline looked at him with a confused gaze. Xavier was never rude.

“Uhm. Would you like to join us for Dinner”? She asked in a careful tone this time. She didn't know why Xavier was in a bad mood. 

“No thank you. I would rather not disturb you guys”. This time Caroline was even more confused. Why was Xavier talking like that?

“Xavier it's not like that. Please have a seat”. She looked at Josh, trying to hide her embarrassment. 

“My table is reserved, You guys continue your night. Have fun”. He was about to leave when he saw Josh smiling a bit. 

It only infuriated him a bit more. How dare he smirk at him as if finding it funny. 

“Caroline, I guess we have completed the paperwork. I will ask my PA to collect them once it is legally processed. I got to go now. It was nice meeting you Mr Xavier. bye”. He turned to kiss Caroline on her cheek and left the place after glancing at Xavier one more time with a knowing look. 

“Oh i am sorry. I interrupted your Dinner”. This time Caroline couldn't stop herself. 

“What's the matter Xavier Russel? How could you embarrass me in front of my client”. She said in a cold voice. 

“Huh. Embarrassing. My apologies Ms Heard. Shall i call him back for you guys to continue the cozy and friendly Dinner going on”. He said in a sarcastic tone and Caroline was done with it.

“No thank you, I won't be needing your services anyway. I am sure he will listen and will be eager to join me, if i called him, unlike you”. She picked up her bag and brushed past him to the exit. 

Xavier punched the table hard in anger and left the restaurant too. He knew he had fucked up by acting on his jealousy.

******

Tabby