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Ella's Pov :

Xander stayed with us in the garden house for an hour. He just sat there on the sofa without making a sound. His face was buried between his palms. His shoulders looked tensed. And his breaths were sharp. He seemed troubled and angry. I wanted to reach for him and comfort him but I myself needed comfort. I knew that since we became friends he started to really care about me and I returned the same care. But after last night's incident, I had an urge to distance myself from him. I was nearly raped because of his own mistake. What did I ever do to deserve such a fate?

After an hour, Xander suddenly stood. His eyes met mine and I saw through his green orbs. He might have stayed silent but they were yelling. They were anxious, stressed and mostly apologetic. When I didn't utter a word or question him, his gaze turned downward. He looked so crushed and defeated as he exited the door. I wanted to run after him and comfort him but couldn't say that it is not his fault? Or it is okay? Because it was his fault and it is definitely not okay.

I decided to take a nap. Last night, I couldn't sleep at all. Whenever I tried to shut my eyes I saw the same hungry eyes of Fred. Whenever I attempted to relax I remembered the venom, hate and evilness that his soul holds. I went through different nightmares last night and one of them kept on replaying even if I am awake. In it, Fred was abducting me and threatening me with murder. I was yelling on top of lungs for Xander to help me but he was just watching me while he hugged Linda...I know that this was just a bad dream but it pained my heart and released my concealed heavy tears.

Caden stayed beside me the whole time and I couldn't be more thankful to him. He comforted me through my nightmares and assured my safety though the day. He became like my own guardian angel. But I couldn't be selfish and keep him around all day. When I decided to take a nap, I sent him to see Jenna. He has to take of his little girl after all. And instead of helping him with Jenna, I only added a new burden to him. I am troubling him more but he says that friends need to help each other and he is happy to help.

Sleep was finally overcoming me, but the sound of steps and grumbles awakened me completely. Did Caden comeback already? But he said he will be here after dinner. Is it an intruder? Is it Fred? Is he still seeking revenge? Are my nightmares coming true?

My heart pounded fast and my breaths hitched. I can clearly hear each heartbeat of mine. My tears now fell uncontrollably as I tried to muffle my sobs. My body shivered as I heard the faint sound of a man cursing. What should I do?

"Ella...." The loud yell interrupted my nearing panic-attack

The sound now was clearer. Hearing that needy call, I felt my body relax and my heartbeats ease. The sound was husky, troubled and demanding. My body complied with his call and my legs directly walked to the door. What is wrong with him? And what does he want?

Opening the door, I found the figure of Xander standing next to the sofa. He was leaning on it as if for support. He looked weak. When I went closer to him, I was shocked. First the smell of alcohol was strong and obvious as day light. Second his lower lip was deeply cut and bleeding. His left cheek was also bruised and turning dark blue. My heart ached in front of such scene and I didn't know how to act.

"Xander! Let me help you" I said feeling myself freaking out. I walked to him and he feebly placed his hand on my shoulders. I felt all his weight leaning on me but I was not going to complain. Xander was hurt and I needed to help him.

"Ella..." Xander whined while capturing my hand as I dropped him on the sofa and took a step away to bring the first aid kit.

"Xander, I am here but I need to clean your cuts and bring you some ice." I explained slowly feeling my heart skip beats as Xander kept on holding my hand.

"Stay" Xander demanded tiredly and I couldn't refuse.

I sat next to him on the sofa and his figure started to relax. I heard him let a deep sigh out and his breaths were not heavy anymore. His hand didn't free mine but instead tightened around it more. He acted as if he was afraid of me running away.

"What happened to you?" I couldn't help but wonder

"I paid Fred a visit." Xander said and anger was clear in his voice.

Xander defended me? I was shocked by such information and even when His hand tightened more and I couldn't decide if his grip was hurting or comforting me. I was lost in thought.

"Why?" I questioned abruptly.

"He touched what is not his." Xander replied as he straightened his back and looked at me directly.

"You are doing the same with Linda" I retorted feeling the same old pain take a hold of my heart.

"She is doing it willingly. She loves me." Xander argued and his words pained me even more.

"You didn't have to fight with Fred. Caden already beaten him last night." I responded while trying to pull my hand out of his grip.

Yet instead of being freed I found myself pulled forcefully to Xander. I was now sitting glued to him and our legs were brushing. Xander's hand took a hold of my face and made me look at him. His green orbs were dark and anger flared in them. The scent of alcohol was still clear yet he didn't look drunk...for some reason he looked just angry and determined.

"Why can't you just appreciate what I did for you?" Xander snapped angrily and I shivered in response.

"I didn't ask you to do so." I hushed closing my eyes refusing to compel with his hypnotizing gaze.

"For once I want those dark eyes of yours to look at me like they do for Caden. I want them to appreciate and admire me and only me." Xander huskily mumbled and I felt his finger tracing my lower lip. His touch made me shiver in anticipation but I knew that this was the alcohol talking. He has Linda and he will only want her.

"Linda looks at you that way. That should be enough for you." I strictly said as I captured his hands and drew them away from my face.

"I don't want you to look at anyone like that. You are mine and only mine." Xander announced and I felt happiness fill my heart but once again reality hit me; he is drank.

"I am not yours Xander." I replied sadly

"You hold my last name and that means that you are." Xander said and I faintly smiled at his childish whinny behavior.

"Just stay still Xander. I will bring the first aid kit and clean your cuts." I stated as I stood and started walking to the bathroom.

I heard he whine and mumble but I needed to back away for a second. I never saw Xander acting this way. I never saw him drank or out of control. My heart pounded hard as it heard the possessiveness in his voice but I knew that tomorrow when the effect of the alcohol is gone he will be back to normal; to loving Linda and to consider me just as a friend. I need to keep my growing feelings for him at bay. I need to ignore and forget them or else I will end up with a broken heart.

When I came back from the bathroom with the kit, I found Xander sleeping soundly on the couch. Even if I saw such view before, it still brings a smile to my face. He looks so peaceful and trouble free. All his walls seem to crush the moment he drifts into sleep. How lucky is Linda to wake up at such a scene each day.

I let a sigh out, took some cotton, dip it in some Hydrogen Peroxide and started to clean Xander's lip. He flinched in pain at first then submitted. I couldn't help but imagine how it will feel to kiss him. Lost in a trance, my finger traced his lips but as I was retreating away Xander opened his eyes and caught me red handed.

"I am sorry...I..." I mumbled as I fiercely blushed. This is the second time he caught me gazing at him and his lips.

"Stop biting you lower lip, Ella." Xander demanded as his fingers now moved to my lip to free it way

"Go back to sleep. You need to relax. And I will start to make dinner for us." I shyly replied feeling myself blush even deeper

"If by us, you mean you and Caden, then sorry to tell you that I told the guards not to let him in." Xander mumbled and I felt his anger grow again.

"I meant you and I. Caden was coming after dinner. And why did do that?" I wondered feeling uneasy as I sensed Xander's hate for Caden.

"I am here so he is not needed. And if you are going to dress like that around him, he will never step a foot in here again." Xander angrily yelled.

That is when I noticed what I was wearing. I was dressed in my favorite pajama set; a white big t-shirt with black cat prints on it and short black shorts that covered less than half of thighs.

"This pajama is not in any way revealing." I fired back at Xander.

"All your legs are for offered for display and it is not revealing? Did you dress like that last night? "Xander questioned while his eyes darkened more.

"Who is uptight now? And you have no say in what I wear!" I snapped at him.

"What did you wear last night Ella?" Xander questioned as he stood from the couch and walked to me.

"Shouldn't you be criticizing Linda's short dress of last night? I mean one wrong move and she could have given all the male guests a show to remember." I retorted taking few steps back.

"What did you wear?" Xander repeated as he finally cornered me. I was once again trapped with a wall behind me and no exit from his hold.

"Xander, you are drunk! Stop this!" I yelled furiously as I tried to push him away.

"What did you wear?" Xander continued to question yet again.

"Why do you care?" I asked feeling helpless under his angry gaze.

"Wrong answer...what did you wear?" he once again repeated

"Nothing I wouldn't normally wear." I replied refusing to look him in the eyes because I knew that his were full of rage, the kind of rage that will make me submit.

"And what is that exactly." Xander stubbornly asked as his hand once again captured my face to make me look at him.

"Long shorts and a t-shirt." I replied and swallowed harshly.

"Good and Caden is never allowed to sleep here again. As long as you hold my last name, not a single guy is allowed to get close to you." Xander announced strictly as he once again went back to the sofa.

"But that is not fair. Caden is my friend and I need him. And let me remind you that you are having you share of fun with Linda so why should I forbid myself from crushing on other guys, going on dates and even falling in love." I yelled as I became angered by his double standers.

"Because I said so Ella! And if I see you being more than friendly with any guy then blame yourself only." Xander threatened

"What do you mean by that?" I questioned his threat.

"I promise you wouldn't want to know." Xander replied as he stood and walked to my bedroom.

"where do you think you are going?" I yelled at him.

"I am going to share a bed with my wife...Not a big deal. After all, that's the most I can do with you since you are so uptight." Xander said and I can feel the old jerk come back

"Screw you, Xander. And go ahead take the bed and I will sleep on the couch." I screamed angrily

"It is either you come and sleep next to me willingly or I will force you and chain you too it." Xander snapped back.

"No you won't and why are you behaving like so? Go find Linda or any other girl. Let me be." I ordered him.

"I don't want any other girl tonight and if you are not going to obey I will call our parents and make them convince you" Xander threatened yet again

"This is low even for you." I responded submissively knowing that our parents will do whatever they can to bring me and Xander closer.

"If that's my only way to get you, then why not?" Xander said simply

"I am going to make dinner." I announced ignoring him.

"I will wait so we can eat together, then go to bed together." Xander replied stressing the word 'together' and I just nodded feeling uneasy about this new suffocating possessiveness in him.

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