Claire's POV:

When I woke up I looked around a bit confused. When did I fall asleep?

Sitting up my eyes fell on the broken bathroom door making me gasp. What-?

Then it all came rushing back to me, Emma, my panic attack, and Xavier.

Did he really break the door and helped me? How did he manage to calm me down? It never happened before.

I scrunched my nose at the thought of him seeing me in such a state.

I ran my eyes toward the clock to see it was already noon, I had been asleep for hours.

I stretched my arms and got off the bed and walked towards the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror I looked at my reflection, which was saddening. I was a complete mess, my eyes were swollen from all the crying and my hair looked like a nest.

I sighed and splashed some cold water over my face. Combing my hair I didn't bother to look back at myself and walked out.

Walking downstairs I hoped I don't run into Emma, she clearly hates me.

I was lost in my thoughts when I bumped into a hard chest almost knocking the air out of my lungs. I frowned and rubbed my nose looking up to see who I bumped into, to find no one else but Xavier. My frown was immediately replaced by a light blush.

"How are you feeling?" He asked sounding surprisingly gentle and genuine. But still didn't fail to make me nervous to my very core.

"I'm better now" I mumbled softly and he looked straight into my eyes as if making sure that I was okay.

"Good, because we're leaving" he informed making me frown slightly in utter confusion.

"L-Leaving?" I asked to which he only gave me a stiff nod.

"I had Ella pack your bags, check if there's anything else you wanna take, I will be out in the car" he stated and began to turn away making me subconsciously reach for his arm and making him stop.

"B-But where are we going?" I asked nervously feeling the muscles of his arms tense under my palm.

"Italy" he muttered pulling his arm out of my hold and walked away not sparing me another glance, leaving me standing there dumbfounded. Italy? But why? I can't go to Italy, how will I get to Skyler?

Millions of thoughts ran through my mind. No, I can't leave the country.

I immediately rushed upstairs into my room and saw a suitcase placed by my bed with a small handbag. Where's Derek, I need to talk to him.

"I see you're all prepared to leave kitten" I heard Derek's voice from the doorway making me take a quick turn as I rushed to him wrapping my hands around his torso.

He returned my hug immediately.

"Why am I going to Italy?" I asked with a shaky voice.

I felt him let out a deep sigh before pulling away and looking at me.

"It's gonna be much safer there kitten, Xavier doesn't want a repeat of that night's events, and I agree" he said fixing my hair.

"Are you not coming?" I asked with a pout to which he gave me a sad impression.

"Sadly no kitten, I need to stay back and make sure everything's running smoothly over here" he said making me frown.

"But I will come to visit you soon okay?" He reassured making me feel somewhat less sad.

"Can I ask for one favor, Derek?" I asked chewing the insides of my cheeks nervously.

"Anything kitten" he said with a soft smile.

"Can you let Skyler know I'm safe?" I mumbled as tears pricked my eyes. God, I miss her so much.

His face morphed into a look of pity as he pulled me in for another hug.

"Don't worry kitten, I'll make sure she knows you're safe" he said rubbing my back soothingly, but for some reason, I was missing Xavier's embrace, his scent. Which always managed to calm my nerves.

Pulling away he helped me get the bag downstairs, as we reached the door I saw Ella standing there, her eyes seemed red and puffy as if she have been crying.

Reaching her I pulled her in a tight hug. For as long as I have been here she treated me like a mother, a mother I never had.

"I will miss you dearly" she mumbled as she hugged me back.

"I will miss you too Ella" I whispered holding back tears. For a moment it felt like I was saying bye to the only woman who could treat me like a mother and it just made me not wanna go even more. But it wasn't my decision to make it here. It was his.

Soon as we walked out Derek lead me toward Xavier's car. All the bullet holes and marks were gone from his car.

Turning to Derek I gave him one last pout to which he patted my head.

"I'll come soon kitten, just.."

He let out a deep sigh before continuing.

"Just watch yourself with Xavier, he's short on temper but he doesn't wanna hurt you" he said looking me straight in the eyes.

"I will" I reassured him.

For some reason, I wasn't as scared to be alone with Xavier anymore. His presence makes me nervous, yes. But a part of me knows he wouldn't hurt me.

Putting the luggage in the trunk Derek helped me into the car.

"Have a safe journey brother, call me when you land śi?" Derek said to which Xavier only gave him a nod.

Soon the car began moving. Looking out the window I saw the mansion slowly fade away.

Letting out a soft sigh I sat straight. I have always wished to travel the world, and explore different places but not like this.

I peeked a look at Xavier. His eyes were focused on the road as he effortlessly turned the steering wheel and for some stupid reason it made me blush and avert my eyes.

Even after he told me that kiss meant nothing, it hadn't left my mind at peace. Though I know I need to stop thinking about it. But the urge to feel his lips on mine was unbearable. Get yourself together Claire, you'll only get yourself hurt.

Laying my head on the leather seat I breathed in his intoxicating scent as it put me at ease.

After what felt like ages but in actuality was just an hour the car came to stop in front of a plane.

The area was heavily guarded. Am I even surprised that he owns a private jet?

Getting out of the car my eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar face. A smile crept up my face as Oliver walked over toward us.

Subconsciously I went and wrapped my arms around his torso to which he hugged me back with a soft chuckle.

"Take care of yourself okay little one?" He said rubbing my back to which I nodded my head to his chest.

"The plane's ready?"

Xavier's rough voice came as I pulled back and look at Oliver as he nodded.

"The plane's ready to go, man, I would join you but you know Chloe's due date is getting close" he said with a soft smile. I didn't miss the twinkle in his eyes at the mention of his wife and future babies. I adore this couple so much.

"It's alright, call me if something goes wrong" Xavier spoke and soon a couple of guards came and took our luggage off the plane.

"Chloe wanted to come and say goodbye herself but she wasn't feeling well, so she told me to give you this" Oliver said as he came forward and handed me a small box and a handwritten card.

My heart warmed at the gesture making a huge smile spread on my lips.

"Tell her I'll miss her" I told him to which he pulled me in a quick hug.

"Will do sunshine" he said before pulling away and giving me a soft smile. He reminds me of Eric. He carried the same comforting aura as him.

"Let's go" Xavier stated as he began walking towards the plane and I followed him. I guess this is it.

~~~~~~~~~~

As we boarded the plane Xavier went and sat on one of the comfortable-looking seats.

I hesitantly went and sat on the seat right next to him. I have never been on a plane before and let's just say I was scared.

I was having a hard time fastening my seat belt as my hands were shaking.

"Let me"

Xavier's low voice interrupted my failing attempts as he leaned forward and locked his eyes with mine while his hands fastened my seat belt all the while keeping eye contact.

I felt hypnotized, I got lost in his deep brown eyes and for a second I even forgot where I was and that I was staring at him.

Getting back to my senses I looked away and took in a deep breath.

Soon the plane began moving and I immediately shut my eyes. Deep breath Claire, deep breath.

I felt a rough hand placed on my shaking ones as the plane shook slightly making me hold onto his hand tightly.

Not daring to open my eyes I felt him rub his thumb in slow circular motions and strangely enough, it calmed me down.

Slowly opening my eyes I looked over at him to find his eyes already on mine with a bit of worry lacing his stare that he soon covered.

He didn't let go of my hand which I was grateful for and soon the plane was in the air, flying with no turbulence.

After a while, he pulled his hand away making me look at him as he stood up and walked away towards a door at the far end and vanished behind a closed door leaving me alone with his touch still lingering on my hand.

Sighing I opened the small gift box Chloe had sent for me. It was a really pretty handmade bracelet. A huge smile broke on my face as I immediately wore it. It was made of black and white beads and stones.

Later I read the card she sent along with the bracelet.

"I don't have many friends but I consider you my friend despite the circumstances we met in, please stay safe.

Chloe xoxo"

Tears welled up in my eyes reading the card.

I'm sure if we met under different circumstances I and Skyler would've become really good friends with her.

Soon a flight attendant came with a food trolly as she pulled a table in front of me and began surviving my food.

"I'm sorry but I can't eat here" I apologized to which she looked at me a bit confused.

"Master said you must eat" she said making me frown slightly. Xavier?

"I'll talk to him" I said with a soft smile to which she looked at me unsure but still took the food and walked away.

Looking around I found a compartment under my seat that had a couple of books sitting there.

With a smile, I went and picked one up and began reading. At least now the flight will be less boring.

~~~~~~~~

2 hours passed by and Xavier was still in that room, no flight attendant came after I returned the food and I had been reading since then. How long exactly is this flight gonna be?

After a while, I heard the door open followed by the heavy footsteps of Xavier.

"You sent the food away?" He inspected with his brow cocked up.

"I wasn't feeling hungry" I mumbled in a low voice fiddling with the pages. Surprisingly I didn't stutter.

He looked at me like he didn't believe me making me chew my lip and lower my gaze. He let out a sigh and walked away taking a seat on one of the seats on the other side making me subconsciously pout.

Out of nowhere, the plane shook hard making me jump in my seat. What was that?

I immediately stood up and rushed towards Xavier. As soon as I reached him the plane shook again, harder this time causing me to fall onto him.

I immediately held onto him tightly as he also wrapped his arms around me holding me tight against his chest.

"W-Whats happening?" I asked with a trembling voice.

"Don't panic, it's just turbulence" he reassured me but he didn't sound too sure himself as he dinged the button calling the flight attendant and she came rushing.

"What the fuck is happening?" He gritted at her angrily.

"S-Sorry boss, but there seem to be some problems with the engine, the pilot is making a sudden landing" she explained and my blood ran cold. A problem with the engine? Are we gonna crash?

My ears began ringing as I could feel my lungs shortening my oxygen supply. I looked at Xavier scared.

"Deep breath Claire, everything's okay, we're landing" he held my face and whispered slowly and I nodded closed my eyes, and rested my head on his chest.

My focus immediately went to the sound of his heartbeat. Surprisingly my heart calmed down as I listen to his heartbeat against my ear while he rubbed my back soothingly.

I nearly had another panic attack and he stopped it, how is he doing this?

I don't know when I fell asleep in his arms but I did because I felt his raspy voice pull me out of my sweet slumber.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around to see we were still in the plane but it wasn't moving, when did we land, how long was I out for? And on him!

I looked at him embarrassed while his eyes inspected my face.

"We landed 20 minutes ago" he informed me making me gasp slightly, I was asleep on him for 20 minutes?!

"Oh my god, I'm s-so sorry I don't know h-how I fell asleep" I apologized and began to stand up but his heavy arms were holding me down on him.

"Are you feeling alright?" He asked ignoring my apology.

"Yes, t-thank you" I mumbled softly and he slowly removed his arms from me allowing me to stand up. Feeling the need to slap myself across the face I walked down the plane with Xavier right behind me.

There was a car waiting right outside and if I didn't know before I knew now that it was our ride when Xavier's hand found its place on my lower back as he lead me towards it.

I was subconsciously holding my breath as I could feel the heat radiating from his body while he walked closer to me. I felt so small walking beside his power-demanding aura.

The man dressed in all black opened the door for me and Xavier removed his hand from my back and I got in letting out a soft thank you to the man, the driver opened the other door for Xavier as well and he slide in sitting next to me.

As the car began moving he pulled his phone out and began typing furiously.

"Where are we going?" I whispered softly grabbing his attention. He looked in my direction for a millisecond before resuming his typing.

When he didn't say anything I sighed and looked out the window. The passing area looked nice, with busy streets, and huge and fancy buildings. People rush around, some going home from work to their families, some enjoying their lives with their friends.

"We're gonna stay at a hotel and leave for Italy tomorrow"

Xavier's deep voice vibrated through my ears pulling me out of my daze. I looked over at him but his eyes were still glued on his phone.

Nodding to myself I rested my head on the glass admiring the street view.

~~~~~~~~~~

End of chapter.
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