Rising From the Ashes

The Lost Lovers

"Well for starters, I own my own company now."

My eyes bulge from his confession.

"What's your company?"

Xavier looks a bit nervous before he says "Davenport Industries".

I sit up alert, and stare at him.

"Wait.. What? As in 'The Davenport Industries? The multimillion dollar tech firm?"

"Billion." Xavier coughs out. 

My eyes go wide as I continue. "The same firm that has everyone from the around the world watching to see what will be designed next. The same Davenport Industries that has a private contract with the government?" 

This time Xavier cuts me off, before I can continue rambling. Xavier brushes hair from my face slowly, meeting my gaze. 

"Yes, the one and only." 

I pause for a second, letting what he said register in my brain. 

"Wait a second, how are you the CEO?" Xavier smirks once again. I don't know what it is, but I love the way he smiles. I love seeing him so cheerful, and happy. 

"Davenport Industries is my company. I started it when I was 18." 

My eyes go wide, "well clearly we have a lot to catch up on." Xavier laughs. 

"Speaking of which, back to our conversation earlier. What would you think about working for me?" Xavier asks, carefully scanning my eyes.

"Wait what? But I don't know anything about the tech industry. I only just graduated from high school."

Xavier smirks, before pulling me closer to him.

"It's not necessary to know anything about the Tech industry to be my assistant."

"Your assistant? Why in the world would you want me to be your assistant. I've zero qualifications."

"How would you know?"

"Well I don't. But jobs like that always have a long list of qualifications."

"Well I guess it's a good thing you know the owner then." Xavier says, smiling at me.

"I don't want to get the job purely because I know you. I want to feel like I deserve the job."

"I know more than anything that you would be perfect for the position."

"Why? You barely know me. All you really know is that I'm Ryker's little sister."

Xavier smirks. "I know much more than that."

I let his comment slide as I ask another question.

"What will I even be doing?"

"We will work on those tasks together. I will slowly transition you into the role. We will find what you excel at, and what you don't want to do."

I nod, unsure of what to say.

"Ok.. but how will I pay you back?"

"Pay me back for what?" Xavier responds as he looks at me confused.

"I know what the cost of living is. There is no way that someone with an entry level job would be able to afford living here." I say as I raise my eyebrow at him. 

Almost dismissively, Xavier continues.

"While you're staying here, you will not be required to pay rent or bills of any kind. You will have full access to the house and grounds. You are free to come and go as you please. You will reside in the guest suite, that you were in earlier, and I will pay a weekly stipend in which you can use for whatever purposes you deem fit.” Swiftly putting the conversation back on track, Xavier begins to tell me more about the role.

“You will only be required to work Monday- Thursday. Each weekend you will spend with me. You can do whatever you please every Friday.”

“Why do you want to spend time with me?” I raise my eye, surprised that anyone would willingly want to spend time with me.

“You may not remember it too well. You were still quite young. But I enjoyed spending time with you and your brother when we were kids. Similar to your brother, I always cared for you, and wanted only the best for you. I was always the first person to punch someone that wanted to bully you.”

I grin sheepishly hearing him say that. It’s true I don’t remember much from my childhood before the accident. Most of my good memories, were replaced with bad ones. For some reason I find his caring about me to be endearing. 

“So? Do you agree to my terms?” He asks.

“When do I start?” A smile crosses his lips, as he responds “Monday. For now, I just want you to enjoy the night off. Then tomorrow we will go shopping, and get you some new clothes.”

“That sounds great.” I pull the blanket up over my shoulders, and nestle into Xavier's side. Together we sit watching the flames in the fireplace. It's not long after, that I find myself drifting off to sleep.

...MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT...

I'm surrounded by flames. Suddenly a firm grip is around my throat. I can feel myself being lifted off of my feet from the person holding me by my neck.

“Mom! Dad!” I try to grasp out. 

I try to call out to them for help. “Mom! Dad!” I try again. This time more urgently. 

“Please! Anybody? Help!”

A maniacal laugh rings in my ears. I find myself losing air, tears running down my face. 

“Stupid girl! You know you can never be free of us!”

I jump at the sound of the voice. Suddenly I feel someone's hands hold tight around my throat. I can feel myself being lifted upwards.

“No! It can’t be you!” I scream, as I try to kick out, grabbing the hand around my throat.

Another maniacal laugh rings in my ears. I feel the hands around my throat getting tighter. I try with everything I've left, to claw at the hands, in hopes that they will release.

“No! Please! Leave me alone! Why won’t you leave me alone!” I can feel myself tossing and turning. Trying hard to get out of the grasp on my throat, and run from the fire.

Suddenly the fire disappears, and I'm laying on a blanket in my backyard. The terror I just experienced, seems to have disappeared. Almost as if it was nothing but a distant memory. I look over and see Xavier lying on the blanket beside me. He is pointing up at the stars, showing me the different constellations. 

“See those stars?” He says as he points to a cluster of stars. 

He grabs my hand and traces a unique shape in the sky, amongst the cluster of stars. 

“Those are the Lost Lovers.”

"Why is it called that?"

“It is said, that years ago, a man and a women fell hopelessly in love. However she was taken from him. They would look at the stars every night, and think about their lost soulmate. Until one day they would be reunited.”

“Were they ever reunited?” Xavier smirks, and looks me in the eyes.

"Yes. Yes, they were."

“Would you do that?” I ask.

“Do what?” He replies.

“Would you stare at the stars each night, hoping that your love would be returned to you?”

“I certainly would. I would look up at the stars every night, in hopes that she would also be looking at them.”

“What if you never find each other again.”

Xavier shrugs, pulling me closer to him.

“That could happen, but I know she's really strong, and would find her way back to me.” 

I focus on the stars in front of me. Thinking about what Xavier has said.

“Would you do that if you ever lost me?” I ask.

“Why would I lose you?”

“I don’t know. But would you?”

“Of course I would. I would hope that you would do it as well.”

“What if I don’t want to find you?” I say, a small smirk forming across my lips. Xavier looks down at me, then pulls me closer to him, and begins to tickle me.

“Oh, is that so?”

He pulls me even closer to him and continues to tickle me. I'm laughing so hard, tears begin to trickle down my cheeks. Xavier slowly stops, as he begins to gently brush my hair. He looks me in the eyes, and kisses my tears away. I blush from the unexpected contact, and relax in his embrace. I gaze into his eyes, before placing my lips gently on his. I can’t explain the warm feeling I get once our lips are connecting. It’s an overwhelming feeling of safety, protection, and love. I feel my body go warm from the contact. Butterflies in my stomach, as my body ignites with goosebumps. I lean my head back, gently placing my head in the crook of his neck. Slowly, I begin to drift asleep, his arms still wrapped protectively around me.