Harley's POV

I stayed in his office for the next hour or two, watching him work. Occasionally I would ask a question or refill his coffee. He didn't seem to mind, which is surprising since I always seemed to be in the way. He worked diligently even while I looked at him. I examined his face every which way. The conclusion was always the same. He is striking.

Deciding that I wasn't contributing to anything and he'd probably prefer if I were elsewhere, I proceeded to move off the chair and exit the room. I hadn't seen Brooke and Rachel all day, and I'm sure they were missing me and wondering where I was.

"Where are you going?" His voice echoed in the large room.

"To my room," I answered softly. "I don't want Rachel and Brooke to worry about me."

"I'll send Felipe on your behalf. " He said then pulled his phone out; tying something and then putting his phone back in his suit pocket. "We have to talk." He got up from his chair. My stomach went instantly hollow.

"What about?" I asked. My eyes followed him as he walked next to his desk to a short file organizer. All the drawers were locked--as expected-- but he didn't move to unlock one. Instead, he pulled the entire cabinet away from the wall and slipped his hand behind it. I couldn't see exactly what he was doing but based on his hand movements and how his fingers flicked, I guess he was typing something in. He pulled something out then Only using his knee, he pushed the metal filer back against the wall. My eyes still followed his form as he walked to me with a thick manilla folder in his hand.

"Take this." He handed me the folder. Hesitantly I took the folder from his hand and withdrew. The folder was bulky, clearly stuffed with papers.

"What's this?" I ask, pressing my fingers against it like feeling it could tell me the contents inside.

"Your freedom," he answered confidently. He strolled to the front of his desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest like he usually does. Does he mean I'll get to leave? I chance to return my family and Avery? I couldn't think of anything I wanted more. I missed them so much my body shook just thinking about it. I won't feel Xander's intense feverish presence. My heart won't feel like it's going to beat out of my chest. A hint of aggravation tugged at me as I thought about never seeing Xander again. It shouldn't feel like this. "I want to give you the chance to pay off all your debt,"

"O-okay." I nodded. I could tell his body stiffened.

"You'll store that somewhere safe." He motioned towards the folder. "Don't open it, don't let anyone else read it, don't let anyone else touch it. That's all you have to do to ensure your freedom." He declared.

"Th-that's it? That's all I have to do?" I asked. It was too simple. There had to be more to it.

"For now." he breathed out. "Three jobs. Once you finish them all, your free to go." His face looked more cold and emotionless than I'd ever seen it before. He was a brick wall, and I wanted to know why.

"Is something wrong--ar-are you in trouble?" I asked. My face twisted in concern. None of this was making sense. It was all so sudden. He always offered few or no details.

"My whole life is trouble, princessa." He looked away for a moment, then back on me.

"That's not an answer," I replied, but I knew that's all he would tell me. He didn't take his eyes off of me even when I was visibly in deep thought.

"I'll be gone all day tomorrow, Maybe the next day too." He finally cut the silence.

"Where will you be-" I rasped.

"Don't wait for me." He cut me off. The tone in his voice was monotone and his face cold like a glacier. How I could hear the sadness dripping from his words.

"But your hurt should you be working?" I asked, trying to create any argument I could.

"Business doesn't just stop because I got hurt." He said. "Stay up here tonight and tomorrow. I'll have the maids bring up your things." He talked firmly.

"N-no no." I swallowed." I don't want to leave the girls. I'd rather stay in the dorm." I waved away the statement. It's was cold and lonely in that room. I didn't want to be up here, especially if he wasn't going to be here. A awaited his response to see how he'd react.

"It's wasn't a question." He spoke harsher than before. "The girls can stay with you up here if you want, but you stay up here regardless." What the Fuck was going on? He acted this way all the time, but he'd never gone out of his way to explain anything to me or even go as far as to involve me in any plans personally. "I'll come see you before I leave." He said softly now, running a hand through his messy hair.

I opened my mouth to respond but was interrupted by the sound of yelling coming from outside the office.

"There she is!" A voice boomed through the air.

"I'm sorry, boss, I tried to stop them, but this one is as like a mini Rocky." Felipe looked distressed as he pointed to an angry-looking Rachel. "She is freakishly strong." He exclaimed. "And this one pinched me." He hissed playfully and pointed to Brooke, who looked equally as mad.

"What are you guys doing he-" I started but was immediately tackled into a hug by Rachel.

"Oh my god, my little bit, I heard you got hurt, and I got so scared because no one would let us see you. I'm so glad you're okay. Do you know how much you worried us!" She rambled, hugging me tighter. I wrapped my arms around her small frame and squeezed her back.

"Yeah, I got so scared; I laid in your bed and sniffed your pillow." Brooke joined in on the hug.

"That's kind of gross, Brooke, but I appreciate the sentiment," I mumbled into Rachel's hair. "Sorry for worrying you guys; I'm okay." I pulled away and Rachel pecked my cheek lightly. I didn't have to wait for Brooke to lunge forward and kiss me directly on the lips. She's a lot more touchy-feely than us both. "Brooke we talked about this." I pried her away from me.

"Excuse me, ladies" a deep voice erupted. They didn't even acknowledge his presence until now.

"Oh my god," Brooke's eyes turned into saucers.

"We are so sorry!" Rachel begged. "So sorry, boss, we're just worried about Harley-No one would let us see her-" Rachel glued her eyes to the floor.

"It's fine." He stopped her. "I understand." I looked up at his calm demeanor. He was still a mess on the inside. "Harley will show you to her room." He said, not concerned with the fact that Rachel and Brooke were giving him a strange look. "You girls get some rest." He said but only looked at me when he spoke.

"Okay." I nodded.

"Thank you, boss. Sorry again." Brooke called to him as we walked towards the door. I turned my head to look back at him but when I did his eyes were already on me. I tucked the folder under my arm tightly and walked out.

"Okay, you gotta tell us what is going on! You have a room up here? Since when?" Rachel asked, holding on to my arm for dear life as I lead them towards the room. Felipe closed the door and stayed with sir, which means they were most likely going to talk about business.

"It's not mine," I replied. "It's just temporary."

"This place is nice as hell." Brooke gawked once we made it to the room. She gasped but not before jumping onto the bed with all the force she could.

"Brooke, be careful," I warned. With so many expensive things around, Brooke would definitely break something eventually.

"Damn. You're made up." Rachel sighed, looking around the luxurious room.

"We are." I corrected her.

"Wait, we get to stay in here?" Brooke sat up abruptly in the bed.

I nodded my head in response and smiled at how happy she got. "Sir-I mean Xan-the boss said it was okay." I stuttered. I wasn't even sure what to call him in front of them.

"Oh my god, I'm so fucking excited!" Brooke got off the bed and ran to the closet. "Oh my god, there are so much clothes in here. Is this all yours?" Brooke pecked her head out of the closet.

"I-I don't know." I shook my head. "But help yourself." I shrugged. I was tired, drained, and worried but Rachel and Brooke both made me feel better by just being with me.

"You don't look good. What happened tonight?" She asked, pulling me to the bed.

"It's too long of a story" I sighed. "I'll tell you when I'm less tired. For now, Let's just enjoy this enormous room while we have it." I smiled even though it was hard to. Rachel still looked at me concerned. "How about a movie?" I asked, picking up the remote to the large TV hung on the wall. As I did, I took the folder and pushed into the side table next to the bed, and shut it tightly. I'm glad Brooke nor Rachel asked me about it because I wouldn't be sure what to tell them. The thought of leaving Brooke and Rachel left me disheartened more than I already was.

"Oh my god! Yes! Movie night!" Brooke squealed and ran into the room in nothing but a pair of underwear and a bra.

"Brooke, go put some clothes on," Rachel sighed, and that made me laugh.

"I missed you guys." I breathed. I did.

"We missed you. I was so worried when Felipe told me you'd been hurt. I want to wring the boss's neck." She grunted the last part.

"No. I got myself hurt." I shook my head and clasped my hand over hers. "You know me."

"Yes, I do, which is why I know that you don't like seeing the bad in people, and you always give people the benefit of the doubt. " Rachel said. I listened to her words over and over, yet I still couldn't see them. Xander wasn't a bad guy. He just did bad things. I reasoned with myself.

"Okay, movie time!" Brooke walked in fully clothed in a pink silk nightgown and jumped onto the bed with a thump. She moved under the covers and arranged the silk pillows so she was comfortable while Rachel and I watched her. "What are we watching?" She asked.

"Whatever you want." I threw the girl a bone; she was too excited.

"Okay! Sixteen candles." Brooke clapped her hands together.

"Let's do it." Rachel nodded, and I nodded too. Rachel jumped off the bed and pulled off her work apron and stained jeans then got under the covers along with Brooke. Rachel held the covers open for me as I slipped under. With all of us wrapped up in one another's legs, I turned to the movie and flicked it on. We spent the rest of the time talking about how hot Jake is and how unrealistic the whole movie was. Nonetheless, I know we all secretly enjoyed the cheesy romance. After we finished that movie, Rachel decided on Jurassic Park, which was an instant mood killer. Brooke hated it naturally, but I appreciated it since my brother also loved this movie. Eventually, we all drifted off into sleep, with the heat of one another warming us up. ————————-

Wassup thotties much love to everyone whose been keeping up with the updates!! Thanks, sm for 16k ahahahah kisses

The moods switched very quickly in this chapter. Hope y'all enjoyed this.

The part 2 to the chapter is coming out later tonight or tomorrow!!!

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