Page 4 of Xavier

Two

Him

I remember the first day I sat behind the desk in my office.

It was a Monday. Of the last week of September. The Manhattan sky was still hanging on to the very last vestiges of an over-extended summer. 80-degree days, that felt more like 90, the heat and humidity stretching long after the calendar pages indicating fall should have arrived. The clouds hung low; from my 30th floor office, it looked like if I jumped out the window, I might be able to land on one and take it for a magic ride around the city.

Not my city of birth.

But my city of re-birth.

There was a black folio waiting on my desk that day, and two pens, both with my name inscribed on them. A small metallic desk clock, with three thin hands ticking away time, sat on the right side of the desk, next to a sleek black phone that had a flashing red button.

I’d pressed the flashing message button and Kaine’s voice spoke to me through the small speaker.

“Welcome to ASH Industries. Let’s get started.”

And that was it.

Short. Succinct. To the point. Just like Kaine. Well, not the short part. I can’t help chuckling at the thought of seeing how he’d hold up against Ram in a no-holds barred fight.

“What’s so funny?” A voice speaks up behind me, identical to the voice that had greeted me through the phone speaker all those years ago.

“Nothing much. Just thinking of you getting an ass kicking.” I spin around in my chair to face my boss. He responds with just the tiniest twitch of his left eyebrow.

“Other than fanciful daydreams, what else have you got for me?”

I slide the envelope on my desk towards him.

“Signed and delivered.”

“Not sealed?”

“If you want me to lick something, I’m going to need a raise.”

“That would have you getting paid more than me,” he growls, picking up the envelope.

“That is completely your prerogative. And still a bargain.”

He ignores me, and pulls the documents out of the envelope, flicking through them one by one, meticulous in everything to do with his business.

“What’s up for you today?” he asks, as if he doesn’t know.

“Ha. Ha.” I respond, glaring at him.

“I’m just saying, it doesn’t seem as if you remember, considering that,” he tilts his chin at me, indicating my blackened eye and split lip.

“Don’t worry. I remember.”

“Xavier.” He says my name like I’m 8 years old.

I can’t believe I’m 30 and getting scolded. Not that I don’t deserve it. Today’s an important day. Not just for the company, but for Kaine, personally. I feel bad about appearing as if I hadn’t taken that into consideration before letting Ram pummel me.

“Sorry. Things got a little out of hand at training last night. I’ll take care of it.”

“See that you do.” He turns to leave, then stops. “You want me to send Jade over to see if she can do anything to help?”

“You mean, do I want your wife to come in and put make-up on me? Gee, let me think about it, and get back to you.”