It's been a couple of weeks, almost a month actually since I started working with Riven, time has just flown by between the both of us. However, at the same time, it feels like I haven't gotten any closer.
Riven constantly switched on how he would treat me every day, one day he would be flirty and fun to be around, but others he was cold and distant.
We both definitely had a strange relationship going on, but it wasn't really one I wanted to talk about. On top of that, I had to deal with his arrogant brother, Xavier on a daily basis and also keep the two of them from killing each other.
And today was no different...
"Would you two stop this stupid argument already," I shout standing in the middle of Riven and Xavier. "Seriously, you're in the middle of the lobby crying out loud, keep it together!"
"I would if this idiot didn't take what's mine?" Riven retaliates. "I mean seriously out of all the damn investments, you had to take mine?!"
"Oh please," Xavier speaks in his condescending tone of voice. "You couldn't handle something that serious, it already took you a week just to book the interview, does it look like more time needed to be wasted?"
"I've had a lot on my mind!"
"You need to stop using that as your excuse for everything," Xavier hisses at Riven. "I don't give a damn about your problems, if you didn't realize the world keeps spinning with or without your damn approval, so maybe it's time to grow up Riven!"
You've got to be kidding me right now.
Riven immediately takes one step forward clenching his fist, I push him back before he's able to do something completely stupid and reckless.
"What the hell is going on in my lobby?!"
I look over Riven's shoulder to see not only Alisha but the chairman, their father, Christopher, walking over to the three of us. He didn't look pleased and his voice made everyone back away in fear.
He stands before Xavier and Riven as I'm still holding Riven back, Alisha stands by his side calmly and respectfully.
Christopher looks at me and I take my hands off Riven stepping behind him quietly.
"Well," he says glaring at his sons. "Which one of you wants to explain that commotion you both are causing?"
Xavier and Riven look away from their father in utter silence as if they weren't about to rip each other apart a few seconds ago.
"ANSWER ME!"
Everyone flinched at his loud voice echoing in the lobby including myself.
"I was in an important meeting, only to have the security guards tell me that my two fully grown adult sons are having a fight," he continues angrily. "I want to know what could possibly make you both want to fight in such a public setting and I want to know now!"
"It was just a misunderstanding father," Xavier mumbles. "Nothing more, right Riven?"
I glance over at Riven who is more scared than annoyed.
"Right..." he says rolling his eyes.
"Dad," Alisha says, placing her hand on her father's shoulders. "It's clear that they both need to work this out, hopefully now they get the message that any disagreements should be handled privately."
Alisha definitely got her confidence from her dad; she knew how to pierce through a person's heart without being aggressive. She was the calmest between the siblings, I could say she was a peacemaker and if they didn't listen to her well... she would bring the big guns.
Looks like this time she really wanted them to listen, she actually brought him down here.
Alisha notices me looking at her from behind Riven and gives me a smile.
It was truly amazing how quickly she could flip personalities but I wasn't going to question it, if there was one thing I learned... it was to never be on her backside.
"And who do you think you are to meddle in our disagreements?" Xavier spoke, turning his full attention towards his sister. "You're nothing more than a middle child and dad's little princess, you have no right to give me demands. But then again what should I expect from the traitor, you'll always pick that woman's son over your own flesh and blood, first you betrayed mom, and now me, who's next Alisha?"
SMACK
The room went silent as Alisha's hand made direct contact with Xavier's face, everyone looked away including Riven and me. However, I could see the chairman's reaction from the corner of my eye, he seemed somewhat.
"I don't give a damn if you're my flesh and blood Xavier, but don't you dare overstep your boundaries when speaking to me," Alisha gets right in his face and Xavier glared at her angrily. "Maybe the reason why I turned my back on you is simply the fact you're exactly like our mother."
Alisha shoves Xavier away and storms off. Riven looks over at his dad and he nods at him, Riven books it and runs after Alisha without another word. I try to follow him but suddenly notice Xavier rubbing the side of his face while walking away and for some reason, I decide to follow him.
***
I walk into Xavier's office and watch him quietly through the doorway, he goes into a mini refrigerator he has and pulls out a bag of ice, putting it on his face. The expression he had on his face was different than the usual cold scowl he normally had. I continued to walk as he sat down in his chair and leaned back, closing his eyes holding the ice on his face.
"If you're going to continue watching me like that," his words catch me off guard as he opens one eye looking right at me. "You might as well just come inside."
I walk inside and close the door behind me standing quietly.
"Why are you even here?" Xavier asks, shutting his eyes again. "I thought for sure you'd be following my brother."
"Riven is perfectly capable of taking care of things himself," I say confidently. "Besides, it's probably best if I give him and Alisha some space."
"Sure, let's go with that, but I hope you know that doesn't explain why you're here."
"Well I wanted to see if you were alright," I say hesitantly. "Alisha hit you pretty hard."
"This is nothing, there's nothing to be worried about."
I approach Xavier until I'm standing directly in front of him, Xavier opens his eyes and we both make eye contact. I lean down moving the ice pack on the side of his face to reveal an intense red mark on the side of his face.
I examine it quietly as Xavier doesn't take his eyes off of me, I proceed to run my fingers gently over the mark and he immediately flinches at my touch.
"Alisha hit you pretty hard," I say taking the ice pack from his hand and putting it back on his face. "I knew she was strong but not like this."
"This is nothing," Xavier says, still looking at me leaning back in his chair. "Growing up we always got into fights like this, I guess she's still too sensitive for her own good."
Xavier rolls his eyes annoyed at his own words and looks away from me.
"Regardless, you went too far," I say. "You might be her brother, but even you have no right to think for Alisha, she's capable of thinking for herself."
"You think it's okay to just turn your back on your family," Xavier's expression changed immediately and he starts glaring at me. "You think she should just forget our mother, for that woman?"
"I don't know the situation Xavier," I say as I take a step back. "All I know is that you can't stay things and not expect consequences."
Suddenly Xavier grabs my arm and pulls me towards him, I fall directly on top of him and our faces are just inches away from each other. Xavier holds me in his arms as my hand braces against his chest.
"W- What are you doing?"
"You should be careful with the words that come out your mouth Miss Lightwood," Xavier whispers quietly to me. "Because even if you're right, they can easily backfire on you."
"I don't understand," I mumble.
"Is that so," Xavier continues taunting me. "Then tell me why you really came here, because I know it wasn't just because you were worried about me."
"I- I..."
I stare into Xavier's ocean blue eyes as he continues to hold on to me, he pulls himself up slightly and I can feel his breath against my lips as he whispers...
"Tell me, Violet, were you really worried about me or..." Xavier's lips graze against mine. "Or are you fed up waiting for Riven to make his move?"
I could feel myself getting caught into Xavier's trap but why was there still a part of me that wanted this, was he actually right?
"If I kissed you right now, would he even care?"
"I don't know..."
"Then let's find out shall we."
Xavier gets closer and finally touches my lips; he caresses the side of my face and I kiss him back.
What am I doing?
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