Xavier

[Starz Fashion, CEO's office]

My sister had to leave because there was a slight problem in our company she had to deal with, and Janet, Isla, and I had moved to Isla's office. Isla sure seemed to surprise me every time I met her.

It was around 7 PM when we were done with everything. Isla started closing up. "Janet," she called. "Could you please get me a cup of chamomile? My head is aching."

"Sure, boss," Janet replied, earning a glare from Isla.

"It's Isla, not boss."

When Janet left, Isla sat on the sofa, resting her head in her arms. Concerned, I asked, "Do you want a painkiller?"

"I don't take painkillers. It's just that I didn't get enough sleep yesterday," she said, taking her phone from her pant pocket and calling someone. "Jack, can you pick me up? Yeah, I have a headache. Just pick me up, please."

For some reason, I felt a surge of jealousy. Like, really jealous. Maybe it wasn't jealousy, maybe it was just anger that she ignored the fact that I was in the room and spoke to Jack instead.

"Just pick me up. I don't think I can drive in this condition. That Xavier guy is here," she continued. "But he doesn't know my address. Whatever. Goodbye. If the next time you meet me in the ICU or at my funeral, it's all your fault," she said, cutting the call.

Minutes later, her phone rang, and she just cut the call. Honestly, she looked cute when she was angry. What the hell am I thinking?

"Hey," I said, trying to get her attention. "I could drive you home. It's no trouble."

She looked up, her eyes softening slightly. "I don't want to be a burden."

"You're not a burden," I insisted. "And besides, you need to get home safely."

She sighed, clearly debating internally. "Alright. But only because I don't want to end up in the ICU."

I chuckled, feeling a strange sense of relief. "Deal."

Janet returned with the chamomile tea. "Here you go, Isla."

"Thanks, Janet," Isla said, taking the cup and sipping it slowly. The tension in her shoulders seemed to ease a bit.

I stood up, ready to help her. "Whenever you're ready, we can head out."

Isla nodded, finishing her tea. "Let's go, then."

As we walked out of the office, I couldn't shake the feeling that this woman, with her strength and vulnerability, was starting to mean something more to me. The thought was both exciting and terrifying.