Chapter Sixteen
She completed the work that Mr Robson had set for her but Xavion's words rang in her ears
Why are you working as an assistant when you should be working as a trainee architect?
Join my company as a trainee architect
It was true. She wasn't in it for money then why should she work as an assistant to the CEO when her chosen field was architecture and she was really good at it? Should she take up Xavion's offer and join him? No, she didn't want to meet Candice there.
So after completing her work, she knocked on Xavion's door since Mr Robson hadn't returned.
"Yes julie, come in," he said and she went inside.
"You don't need to knock. I'm always available for you," said Xavion and she rolled her eyes.
"I'm done for the day, I'm leaving," she said and as he got up from his seat, she knew that he would kiss her again. She just turned around and went to the door to escape before that.
Two hands scooped her before she reached the door and carried her to his chair where he sat down with her on his lap. "Xavion I'll resign today if this continues. I don't want to be with you. I haven't forgotten your betrayal. This isn't a joke. My life isn't a joke. If you wanted me so much, why did you cheat? You decided who you wanted. You have chosen Candice over me and now you want me back? I have feelings, Xavion. I'm not an object. I will resign tonight," she said, extricating herself from his grasp and leaving his chamber to go home.
She didn't want to do the type of work Mr Robson gave her. She was an architect for God's sake. She would resign and concentrate on her studies till she got her internship from the university.
She sent her resignation through her mail that evening with a 'cc' to Xavion Alexander. Xavion was glad that his plan worked. She resigned Felix's company and Felix couldn't pursue her anymore. Smiling at being able to cross the first hurdle, he thought about his next mission. To make her join him. He loved the bold Juliette. It made him take it up as a challenge.
Felix accepted her resignation and released her. Juliette just concentrated on her classes. However, she met Xavion every Saturday at her extra math class. He sat beside her and disturbed her always. She tried her best to ignore him though.
"So, what have you decided?" He asked.
"About what?" She asked confusedly.
"About my job offer, " he said.
"I'll only concentrate on my studies now, " she said and Xavion's face fell.
The first term exams started and ended well for Juliette within ten days. After her exams she went to Travis Springs for her term break to escape Xavion.
However, her peace of mind was disrupted when her dad was sent an email from the placement cell of her university to inform him that Juliette was selected for internship at Radiant Architectural Solutions. She should start immediately after her term break ended.
"That boy is a gem. After his uncle put him under so much trouble, he still thinks about others," said her dad.
"What trouble?" She asked her dad, confusedly.
"He didn't tell you?" Asked her dad and she shook her head.
"David Alexander aka Xavion's uncle Dave along with his wife Janice Reynolds wanted to take over the whole company. He wouldn't sign the documents and hand over all the powers to Xavion because Janice wanted Xavion to marry her sister Candice Reynolds. Jayson and I contended with them in a month long battle in the court and finally got rid of them. They didn't leave any stones unturned in their wish to trap Xavion. It was real nasty," he informed her and she sat like a statue hearing the piece of information that her dad just gave her.
So Candice was his uncle Dave's sister-in-law. That was why she was staying at his house. The whole picture became crystal clear to Juliette. Still, from the photographs it was clear that Xavion and Candice had a physical relationship and that wasn't forgivable. She saw them kissing in his office and that wasn't forgivable either.
"You will join Xavion's company for your internship and that's final. It will help you in your career," said her dad, getting up from the table and going to his room.
She didn't have any choice. Her dad's decision was final and also she couldn't fight her university's placement division.
So when the term break ended she joined back to university. She received an email from Radiant Architectural Solutions informing her that she needed to report to the CEO coming Monday to start her internship.
When Monday arrived she returned from her university and freshened up and then drove to Xavion's company. Going to the 16th floor she informed the receptionist about her internship. She immediately escorted Juliette to Xavion's office.
After announcing Juliette's arrival she left with a smile. Juliette knocked and went inside. Walking towards Xavion's desk she remembered the last time when she was here.
Xavion got up from his chair and came towards her. "I'm so glad that you've come Julie," he said.
"Thank you for offering me the opportunity, " she said and he smiled.
"Come, let's go and meet the designing team," he said leading her out of his room to the floor below him.
He led her to a chamber where a young man of around 30 years, with a French cut beard sat peering over his laptop. He got up the moment he saw them.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Alexander. What can I do for you?" He asked politely.
"This is Juliette Meyers. She will be joining us as a trainee architect from today. Take her under your guidance Gordon," said Xavion.
"Julie, this is Gordon Spencer. He heads the designing team. He will guide you with everything. Ok?" Said Xavion.
Juliette nodded her head and shook hands with Gordon Spencer.
"I'll leave you to it. Meet me before you leave for the day Julie. I'll get your internship papers ready for signing, " said Xavion and Juliette nodded. He left and Gordon led her to her cubicle.
"This is where you'll be working Juliette. Study these designs, he said opening the desktop and clicking on a folder. This is the profile of a publishing house for whom we need to design a small 40 seater office. See what you can come up with. I need three choices. So have three designs ready. Email me your work when done. You have 48 hours to do this work," said Gordon.
"Yes sir," said Juliette and sat down at her desk. Gordon Spencer left and she got busy with the work given to her.
She was so drowned in her work that she forgot about the time. Xavion's receptionist came to her desk. "Ms. Meyers, you are being summoned by Mr. Alexander for signing the internship papers," she said and Juliette stared at her
"Oh my God, I forgot," she said and the woman smiled.
"Come let's go, "she said.
Juliette shut down her computer and left with the woman. "I'm Daisy, you're Juliette, right?" She asked.
"Yeah, hi," said Juliette.
"Welcome to RAS, did you enjoy your first day?" She asked and Juliette grinned.
"Thanks. Yes immensely, " she said. She loved the work that Gordon had given her. She lost track of time getting the designs ready.
They reached their floor and she went into Xavion's chamber.
"You may leave for the day, Mrs. Smith," he told Daisy and she thanked him and went away.
Xavion locked the door and Juliette just fidgeted with her hands nervously. Was he going to kiss her? Her father's words rang in her ears
They didn't leave any stones unturned in their wish to trap Xavion
Was Xavion really innocent in all this? Did he still love her like he claimed? Were the photographs too fake?
Before she could figure out what was happening, Xavion drew her into his arms and crushed her to his chest. He groaned with pleasure and claimed her lips hungrily. He deepened the kiss, his hand holding her head while his other hand held her hips tightly to himself. She could feel his arousal poking into her. He broke the kiss, breathing heavily.
"I miss you, Julie. I love you baby. Please be mine again. I'm all alone. I swear upon my dead mom that I never touched Candice," he said, his eyes sad and melancholy.
"Maybe she did, Xavion. I saw it with my own eyes," she said. "Tell me where I need to sign."
He sighed heavily and went to his desk. He drew out some papers from his drawer and handed it to her. She read the contents. It was a three year contract. She signed it and returned it to Xavion.
"I'll leave now," she said and went towards the door and went out.
Her heart was heavy. She wanted to believe Xavion but those photographs were too real to be forgotten.
When she got home, she had a phone call from Angela. Her baby boy, Daniel had been born four months back. Her dad had accepted their wedding. It was to be held in two weeks. She was to be her maid of honour. She was now staying at her dad's house. All misunderstandings had been cleared. Juliette loved the news and promised to visit her the coming weekend.
Juliette completed her assignments and had a simple dinner of cereal and milk and went to bed.
The rest of the week she went to Radiant, she didn't meet Xavion. He had gone to California for a meeting. Juliette missed him very much. She didn't want to accept it though. She waited for him everyday. When the weekend arrived, she went to visit Angela and her baby. Damian was also there and they bonded like old times. Only Xavion wasn't present.
With a heavy heart she returned to her apartment. She had grown used to Xavion's relentless pursuit. She took out her mobile and stared at the photographs that Candice sent her.
All the photographs looked staged. As if they were posing for the camera. She zoomed the pictures. It was Xavion's house. The girl was Candice. The man was Xavion, but a paler and thinner version of Xavion. Xavion was actually tanned. She zoomed further. The man's face wasn't at all visible. His naked body looked less muscular. She never saw Xavion naked so she really couldn't tell.
She zoomed at the reflection of the photographer on the window panes in the corner of one of the photographs. Was it Virginia? It looked like her. So it was a photoshoot.
She gave up and went about her work. When she couldn't take in the loneliness that her heart was feeling without Xavion, she just picked up her car keys and handbag and left for Travis Springs.
She fidgeted around the whole of Sunday, waiting to return to the office to meet Xavion. But on Monday too she didn't see him. He was in Montreal, Gordon informed. She sat down and dejectedly completed her work for the day.
Dragging her feet she went home and continued with her daily routine. Angela sent pictures of her baby and she send him her kisses.
The next day, it was the Founder's day holiday at her university. She dragged Angela to the boutiques to get her wedding dress while Damian and Angela's brothers managed baby Daniel. Juliette bought a white bridesmaid dress for herself too.
The rest of the wedding arrangements were taken care of by the wedding planner.
It was the most enjoyable day bonding with her best friend. They had lunch at the mall and giggled excitedly at every little joke possible. Angela asked about Xavion and her relationship and she updated her.
"He loves you Jules. Everytime he talks to Damian about you, he cries. I had never seen him cry except for when his parents died. Please clear your misunderstandings soon. He doesn't have anyone. He'll destroy himself, " she said.
Juliette returned home and cried a lot. She would listen to his side of the story.