Chapter 5

Chapter 5.

Caroline was sitting in her lounge. The TV was switched on in the background but she wasn't looking or listening to anything. Her mind was occupied with the incident in the restaurant. She never saw Xavier this rude or misbehaving as long as she had been friends with him. How could he insult her like that? She had called Josh to poorly cover up for Xavier but he laughed out saying he understood it. But that wasn't enough for Caroline to justify Xavier’s behavior.

She was hungry, angry, and frustrated. She had waited for him for 4 days but they couldn't make more than a few calls. She didn't want to sound clingy or needy but yes she wanted to spend time with him. She was genuinely happy to see him but he totally acted like a douche and spoiled it all.

She was in deep thoughts when she heard the security alarm buzzing. She frowned.Who would come to meet her at this hour? She walked to the foyer and saw it was Xavier on the intercom camera. 

“Go home Xavier”. She said in a cold tone. 

“Please Carl. Let me come please”. Her eyes blurry looking at his disoriented looks.

“I don't want to talk to you, please go home. Don't create a scene”. She wanted to hang up the intercom but she stopped when Xavier raised a finger.

“Please listen to me once, and then I will leave”. Xavier pleaded again. Caroline could see he was desperate. She sighed and pressed the security button to let him access the elevator.

She was standing in the foyer waiting for Xavier and opened the door when he knocked. 

Xavier looked at her and hung his head in guilt. He was feeling guilty every second since Caroline had left the restaurant. 

"What did you want to say? Speak. I am sleepy and I have an important meeting tomorrow". If looks could freeze him, he would have broken down into pieces. 

He took a step to hold her but she raised her hand to stop him. Her heart was hurting to see Xavier like that. But she could never compromise on her self respect. 

"I.. I am sorry Caroline. I know I have no explanation to justify my behavior. I got jealous. I was missing you. I called you but your number was directed to Voicemail. And then I saw you with him and i… i…".

"And you thought I was being a double faced bitch? How could you? I am a one man woman. And just to say, I am not even yours as of now. You asked me to court me. And if this is how you would behave, then I am sorry I don't need you. 

I don't want a person who would jump directly to the end, based on his blind one way insight. I would meet people, I have to meet different people. Some are close to me. And I cannot live my life under your constant jealousy and dominating nature. And why are you behaving like that? Don't you know me? Don't even answer because I am sure you don't know me". Caroline said, looking directly at him with her ice cold eyes. 

"It's not that Carl. Don't say that. I.. It's all new to me, baby. You know that. I never felt all this. It's not that I don't trust you, I just got insecure. I cannot lose you Carl". He stepped closer to her and cupped her cheeks. She tried to fight but the tears slipped down her eyes. She wiped those tears angrily from her face.

"You have hurt me Xavier. I never felt so low. You could have asked me nicely. I would have never hidden anything from you. But now I don't know what I can share and what not. You have scared me Xavier". She said in a choked voice. 

"Forgive me please. I won't do it again. I will never behave like this again. I am sorry Carl. I am sorry". He bent down to attach their foreheads together. 

"I know you haven't eaten anything, I am hungry too. Can I order dinner"? He asked in a careful tone. Caroline looked at him and nodded. She was indeed hungry.

"He is Josh Statham. My colleague turned friend from Law School. It's been more than 7 years of our friendship. He wanted me as his lawyer for one of his company issues. He had no plans to stay for dinner because his boyfriend was waiting for him". Caroline took a bite of her food, filling in the details. Xavier choked on his water. 

"Boyfriend"?

"Fiancé in fact. Yes he is gay. And he never hides his sexuality. And to think of it, if he wasn't engaged, it would make me jealous because he was sizing you up". Caroline said, biting her lip. She knew Xavier needed assurance and a clear state of mind. She was hurt and angry but she could not stay angry with him for long. 

"I am sorry Baby. I really behaved like a douche. Right"? He said with a little guilt. Caroline smiled big this time. "Shall i call him to excuse"? He asked but she shook her head. 

"No it's okay. I called him already, and he said he understood your jealousy. But Xavier, you have to understand me now. I cannot bound or restrict my friends just because you get insecure. 

I know it's new for you, it's new for me too. Where you have your fair share in flirting, you know you are the only man in my life. I want it to work both ways. I would never question your loyalty if you promised it to me. But I expect the same respect. Deal"? She held her hand and Xavier was happy to hold it. 

They enjoyed their dinner followed by some coffee as Xavier had to drive back and he didn't want to hit his car anywhere. 

"I don't want to go". Xavier put his face in her neck, standing in the living area. Caroline giggled at him being a baby. 

"We will catch up tomorrow". Caroline racked his hair with her finger tips. 

"Promise"? Xavier looked at her. 

"Yeah. Promise. Now goooo". She pushed him to leave. Xavier faked huffed but turned to kiss her full on her lips and left her apartment. 

Caroline smiled, feeling happy and cherished at his behavior, finally she could sleep after resolving the issue. She didn't even like the idea of staying angry and mad at Xavier. But now everything was sorted and she felt relaxed. 

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

"Excuse Me". She tapped her fingers at the reception counter. 

"Yes". The lady on the reception threw a bored look at Caroline. Caroline felt a bit weird at her attitude but waved off. 

"I am here to see Mr Russel. Is he available"? She asked politely. This time the lady looked at him from head to toe making her uncomfortable. No, she wasn't rude, she was straight out making her feel unwanted. 

"Do you have an appointment"? 

"No. But please inform him Caroline Heard is here". She said with a little smile. 

"Okay. Please have a seat, I will inform him". She pointed towards the waiting area while she picked up the intercom. Caroline nodded her head and walked to the sofa to sit. She felt it odd and thought to call Xavier but then dropped the idea. She wanted to surprise him.

"Mr Russel is busy at the moment. He said to wait for a while". The lady at reception told her and once again Caroline felt something out of the place. Xavier would never refuse to see her, no matter how busy he was. 

She waited and waited, keeping a check of time. It was around an hour. She had come to take him for lunch but now she was regretting the idea. She stood up to the reception and was about to burst down at her but just then the office opened behind him. 

"Who? Carl!. What a surprise". He came to greet her but met with her fuming gaze. 

"Caroline. Sweetheart when did you come"? She turned to see Marcus coming too. He took her in his arms, kissing her forehead fondly. 

"I came an hour ago and now I'm leaving". She said in a calm tone but they both knew the anger brewing behind those words. 

"Leaving? Why? You came to visit me, right. Why leave? Let's go out. Am free". Xavier was happy to see her but confused as to why she would leave.

"Just to let you know I came here an hour ago and your receptionist called you and told me to wait while you were busy". This caught Marcus' attention. He turned to Xavier as an explanation because he didn't see Xavier attending any call from reception in the said time frame. 

"Shelly"? Xavier turned to Shelly. 

"I. Sir. I thought that you.. You were bu..busy". She stammered. She didnt know what she did to make him angry. 

"Listen. For the first and last time. Everyone, especially you, you are supposed to inform me about Caroline as soon as she puts a foot in the premises. I would never compromise on it. She is the most important person to me, my most important meeting. And why the hell didn't you bother to inform me at least. Last time i checked, i am the boss and i am supposed to decide when i am busy or not. Got it"? Xavier scared the shit out of Shelly. 

"I would never tolerate someone degrading my Woman. Do you fucking understand"? Xavier almost yelled at her. Caroline looked at him with wide eyes and so did Marcus but both had different thoughts. 

"I am sorry Carl. I wasn't aware. She didn't inform me. Next time you don't need to even ask. Just barge in okay"? He tucked her hair behind her ears. She was about to say something but Marcus cleared his throat. 

Xavier cursed himself in his heart. They had not told Marcus about it and surely he was about to blow his head. 

"I think we should go out. Right Xavier and Caroline"? Marcus said with a smile clearly indicating how pissed off he was. 

"Yes Marcus". Xavier inhaled deeply, guiding Caroline by a hand at her back. But yes Caroline didn't forget to smirk at Shelly.  

***********

"So what the hell is going on? Would you like to enlighten me"? Marcus looked between Caroline and Xavier, sitting in a private dining area. He didn't want any disturbance. 

He had made Caroline sit between him and Angelina, making Xavier curse him. 

"Since when Caroline is 'Your Woman'?" He air quoted Xavier's words. Angelina looked at them with surprise. 

"Marcus.. It's..".

"Not you Caroline.  Am asking the Man of the Evening. Right Russel"? He said in a tone that pissed Xavier. 

"Will you cut this shit Marc". Xavier spatted this time. "And Caroline, come here. Jeez. Marcus I don't want to add you to the list of people I don't like with Caroline". Xavier pulled Caroline out of her seat and made her sit with him. "Better". He pulled her close and kissed her temples. Caroline chuckled looking at the people she loved. 

"Well, I have always had a spot for Caroline and that's not at all a secret. I kept it to myself not to mess it up. But I cannot hide it anymore. I want to spend time with her and not like a friend, but my girl. I wont hurt her and you both know this". He said in a low tone. 

"But what's the guarantee? We all know you Russel. I am not against this relationship to be honest, but the only reason I always put a line is your flirt nature Xavier. You have been with more girls than your age. She is not your regular type. She can't be. She can't be your one night stand or your experimental toy. 

You are confused with the feelings. It's the first time that you have been with a girl for so long and did not cross a line. She is just a fantasy to you and once you put your hands, it will be gone. Am i right"? Marcus spoke in a dead serious tone. 

Caroline gulped, looking down at the table. Well, she had her reservations too, but she trusted Xavier when he said he wanted it to be a serious relationship. 

"I know who I was, no need to rub it on my face.". Xavier said, gritting his teeth hard. "I don't need to remind you at least Marcus. We have been together for years until you met your girl. Look, I know Caroline is important to you, and so is she to me. She is not at all like any of my previous flings and I don't even want to talk about them. 

I had this talk with Carl. I am just asking for one chance to prove myself to her. My loyalty to her. I wont cage her, I won't bound her. I want to be her wings, that's it. Or maybe it's me who needs her support. She means a lot to both of you and I don't want to mess up anything that's between us. I don't want to risk my friendship with both of you but that doesn't mean that I won't fight for her. She is mine". Xavier held her close, proving his point. 

Angelina put her hand on Marcus drawing his attention. "Marc, let them sort it out. They are not kids. We can always support them, both of them, but we have to be neutral. Xavier is right. How can they walk together if they don't get a chance? Besides, I had this feeling for so long. I didn't know you would take so much time to realize your feelings for each other, right Caroline dear". She winked at Caroline and she groaned, hiding her flushed face in her hands.  

"Wait what"? Xavier was dumbfounded. Not because Angie caught him, but Caroline? "What am I missing"? He asked Angie who shrugged playfully. 

"Angie. You traitor". Caroline glared at her but they all knew it wasn't a threat. 

"Angelina, what are you talking about love"? Marcus was confused too. 

"Well, apparently, our super intelligent, our most eligible bachelorette, Ms Caroline Heard, has been crushing on this stupid Xavier Russel, for years. I guess since our first date". Angelina was enjoying every moment to screw Caroline and Xavier felt the whole world turned upside down. 

"Wait. Wasn't it around"....

"Yes, long long 5 years". She winked again with a chuckle. 

"The fuck. And you never told me". Marcus was surprised. So was Xavier. His eyes wide as saucers. 

"Well. Baby, I have loved you for 5 years but Caroline has been my only friend since birth. It wasn't my secret to say. I was waiting for her to realize it herself and say it. But then she would always hold herself back to see Xavier going out with every single girl in New York. How could she say that when we didn't know what Xavier wanted. 

I have seen Xavier looking at Caroline as she was the most special girl to him, but i thought maybe that's the attraction. The infatuation. As in the mystery of the unknown. But now when we know their intentions, I think we need to step back". She held Marcus' hand to make him understand. 

"But it's Caroline and you know how I feel about her. She is the sister I never had Angie. I can't see her hurt". He held Caroline's hand, who smiled at his love. 

"And it's Xavier we are talking about, Marc. He won't hurt her. And if he ever did, he knows I can cook balls, spicy and deep fried". Angelina smiled at Xavier but her eyes were daring and challenging. 

"I know you both love her to pieces, but I love her too. I will not hurt her, I can assure you". Xavier said assuringly. 

Caroline held Marcus' hand in both her hands. "Marcus, I am touched. I know how protective you are about me. And it means a lot to me. I would never leave you for anyone. But as Xav said, I want to give it a chance. I need you to stand with me as you always did. Please"? 

Marcus sighed. He hugged Caroline for a moment, kissing her forehead, before he turned to Xavier. 

"One single tear, and you are dead. I will personally shoot you between your eyes. Do you understand"? He growled at Xavier who nodded. They kept their eyes locked for a while and the girls knew it was all sorted out. 

......

Tabby