Page 18 of The Ending is the Best Part
At my desk, my mind races at a million miles per hour.But before I sit down my eye snags on Xander’s station.He’s finally turned up, and is staring at his screen without a care in the world.
I told myself I would be mature about this, but you know what?I’m not about to let this go.With a sharp intake of breath, I march over to his desk, and plant myself right in front of him, giving him a cold smile.
‘Seriously?You went behind my back and spoke to Meagan without me.I can’t believe I thought that, even for a second, I could trust you!After the other night at Andrew’s and how well we’ve been working this week, I thought—’ I stop myself and let out a laugh of disbelief.I want to kick myself for being so naive.
He stands up, looking bewildered, and I turn away, because I refuse to let him see a single tear fall down my face.I’ve always been a crier in arguments.Theo and I used to get into arguments where he would blame me for everything.I’d just crumble in a puddle of tears.I hate how fragile I was then, how fragile I still am, because I can still hear Theo’s cruel laughs, even now.I quickly shake myself from the memories because I am not that girl any more.I don’t want to look at Xander.I’ll bet this has just made his day.
‘Hope you’ve packed for our trip to Snowdonia,’ I snap, making sure he can’t miss the venom in my voice.
‘What?’ Xander replies.
‘Yeah.’ My smile widens.‘I’ll text you the details.We leave tomorrow, so be ready to pick me up at eight.’
Before he can get his words out, I turn on my heel and walk away.I know if I had stood there a moment longer, I wouldn’t have been able to contain the frustration bubbling up inside me.I can’t believe he had the gall to look surprised.Acting like he hadn’t just manipulated this entire situation to his advantage.He has stolen the credit for my good work and almost got me taken off the finale.
Xander has crossed a line and there is no way in hell I’m about to let him get away with it.
Chapter Ten
Three Weeks Left
My alarm blares at seven thirty.I barely slept after the whirlwind of last night.All I remember is calling Amira and Maddie in a panic.They dropped everything and rushed over and tried to make me feel better about the trip.Key word beingtried. Despite them reminding me what a great opportunity it was and that it was only two days, I could still feel knots of tension in my stomach.The girls helped me pack, throwing clothes into my bag so quickly that I barely had time to see what was going in and what wasn’t.Who knows if anything will match.
I can’t believe Meagan was so adamant about me going on this trip with Xander!And not just any trip; it had to be to Snowdonia.The middle of nowhere.Hardly another soul for miles around.I googled it and I admit that it looks beautiful.In any other situation, I would be excited, but of course I’m dreading it because I have to go there withhim. How we’re going to stay in the same place without killing each other, or worse, is beyond me.
I look at the time.Seven forty-six:shit! Xander is going to be here in less than fifteen minutes.I jump out of bed, run to the bathroom and wash my face and brush my teeth in record time before rushing around to quickly do my morning skincare routine.Fine, yes, maybe he’s right and I am slightly high maintenance.Sue me.
My phone starts to ring.I glance at the screen and see Xander’s name pop up.With a sigh, I answer it, bracing myself for what I know is coming.‘What’s up, Xandy?’ I say sweetly.
‘I’m outside.’ Xander’s deep voice comes through the line, sending tingles down my spine.‘Ready to go?’
I look down at myself, currently with one leg in my jeans and my make-up half done.‘Just putting my shoes on,’ I lie.
Xander waits a few beats.‘Let me guess, you’re currently half-dressed and nowhere near ready?’ I can hear the knowing smirk in his voice.
I freeze.Of course, he can see straight through my lies, even on the phone.Sometimes I think he can read my mind.I hang up and go back to getting ready as quick as I can.It’s a miracle I don’t fall over from all the back-and-forth I’m doing.
I manage to pull myself together in the next ten minutes.I go for a basic outfit, jeans and a cute simple top.I put on my biggest winter coat and wrap a chunky scarf round my neck.I grab my make-up bag quickly and do some finishing touches, swiping on some mascara and a layer of lip gloss.I take a glance in the mirror and give myself a quick pep talk for the weekend ahead.‘You’ve got this, Yara.No man is going to tear you down.Never again.’
I let the words settle in my chest before grabbing my overnight bag and heading straight out the door, leaving the chaos and mess behind.As soon as I step out, I feel the crisp morning air.I glance around, searching for Xander in the cars lining the street.When I finally spot him, I do a double-take.A sleek, black sports car is parked right in front of my house.I’m going to have to ask HR if we’re really on the same salary.It stands out like a sore thumb in my area that estate agents have been calling ‘up-and-coming’ for the past twenty years.I’d always known he had money but seeing him with a car like that makes me think I underestimated.
As I approach, I can’t help but take a good long look at the beauty of a car in front of me.Damn him.Handsome and rich.God, what a deadly combination.
Just as I reach for the door handle, I hear footsteps pounding on the pavement, coming towards me.I lift my gaze to see Xander’s towering figure moving to my side of the car with steely determination.He opens the passenger door for me, looking down at me.
‘After you, m’lady,’ he says with a mocking expression.
My eyes widen.I know full well he’s referencing that night at Andrew’s with Gabe.I try to keep my embarrassment at bay and shoot him a look of complete indifference.I’m reminded that I haven’t heard from him – probably Xander put him off me.Another thing he’s sabotaged for me.
‘You think you’re funny, huh?’
‘What?I heard you like that sort of thing.’ He raises his hands in pretend defence.
My face turns beet-red the moment I sit in the car.It’s only been a few minutes, and I already feel a little flustered by his teasing.I want to scream in annoyance because he knows exactly which buttons to press to get a reaction from me.So instead of giving him what he wants, I just grit my teeth and throw him an unimpressed look.
Xander chuckles as he goes to the driver’s side and slides into his seat, looking way too confident for my liking.I keep my gaze firmly forward, but I catch a glimpse of him through my peripheral vision as he adjusts his seat.I don’t miss the way the muscles in his arms flex underneath his deep purple shirt, which complements his golden complexion.How does he have a tan even in the autumn?He’s too attractive for his own good.It makes my blood boil.Not because I like him… obviously.It’s because he knows he’s so good-looking.His cocky attitude doesn’t help anything.
He starts the engine, and a low rumbling sound fills the car.I feel that familiar tension building again.I am angry, frustrated and annoyed with him all at once, which isn’t exactly how I wanted to start my Saturday morning.I have to stop letting him get in my head.I just need to write an amazing finale and everything else – promotions, solo opportunities, commissioned writing gigs – will fall into place.Then, I can forget about Xander Woods for ever.
