"Take care of yourself." He cupped my face with his big hands as he leaned forward towards my forehead and put a long tendering kiss.

I wasn't understanding his lenient behaviour. Why is he behaving so kind towards me? Is it just a sympathy for sometime because I recently came out of a trauma? Probably. I waited for him to leave. As soon as he was out of the main gate. I knew what I had to do.

I am not going to sit around at home or sleep peacefully when a friend is admitted in hospital. He could have atleast told me if it was something serious, I mean he got called from the hospital. I hope everything is alright.

I sat down on the couch to wear my shoes, tieing the laces; I stood back up.

I moaned as my head spinned around.

I sat back down the couch with a new headache. And the main cause of it was the hunger. I looked at the food tray he brought. Too guilty to be eating anything and my appetite has vanished. It's just the stomach and body needing some nutrients. I grabbed the strawberry milkshake from the tray. I finished the milkshake, filling up my stomach. It was nice and fine, but very sweet. Perhaps he added more sugar by mistake. But for someone who doesn't even cook, I can give him 8 out 10 for this. What's more weird is, the efforts in making me the dinner. The fruits in the bowls were cut into uneven size making me smile. Did he really go out of his way for me? Ironic.

I grabbed my purse, and opened it to double check if I have the cash or not for the taxi. I opened the gate to get out of the penthouse but bumped right into someone as I wasn't looking.

"Princess."

No! Not him. I gulped in. Why was he here right now? I didn't have it in me to face him. So many lies, and the situations he isn't aware of. I cannot deal with it right now. I sighed in horror, can't even escape this.

"I.." I was loss at words. Cannot even greet him with my face.

"Won't you invite me in?" He asked playfully, a little smile on his face.

"Or are you going somewhere?" He questioned.

"To the hospital." I told him.

"Well, I can drive you if you want." He offered.

I nodded, "Sure."

We sat inside Xander's car as he drove us towards the hospital. It was never awkward with Xander, we always had cheerful moments but right now I was getting tensed so the environment was uncomfortably silent. Glancing myself through the side mirrors, I checked those big eye bags. I look like I'm in a desperate need of some sleep.

"So why are we going to the hospital?" Xander started the conversation.

"A friend is admitted there." I replied.

"Oh. Did something happen?"

I inhaled a deep breath, "You remember, Oakley? Her father is in the hospital in a very serious condition."

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Poor child." It is my fault, I wanted to add. But didn't.

"Were you really kidnapped or?" I looked at him, puzzled. How does he know that I was kidnapped?

"Damien, he said you were kidnapped." He explained.

He met with Damien. So that means Damien might know that I've been meeting with Xander a lot behind his back. And it could be possible that Xander spilled about our relationship. The other day I did make sure to let him know that I need sometime.

"Kind of." I answered, not going in the details. I want to forget that incident.

As we reached the hospital. I stepped out, opening the car's door for myself I waited for Xander to get out so we can both together walked in. Deep in heart, I was praying for Damien not to be there. Will he go mad if he sees Xander with me.

"Excuse me, may I help you?" Said the lady in the counter.

"We are here to meet Christian Chrisopher." The receptionist nodded, as she types on her computer to verify.

"I'm sorry but there are already quite few guests meeting him in the room. If you want, I can write your name for tomorrow's visit?" Suggested receptionisnt.

"But I really need to see him." I tried to convince her.

"Are you a close family?"

"I'm his friend."

"Then no."

"Please, if you can try."

"I cannot."

I cannot leave here without at least knowing about his well being. I might need to call Damien to catch me up from here. His words on her might work.

"Ok. Can you at least tell me how is he?"

I questioned.

"Let me just check."

"So here it says about the patient Christian Christopher, room 33, is out of the critical condition and has woken up few minutes ago."

"He woke up?" I asked again to make sure what I heard was right. Is Chris really awake?

"Yes." I mentally instantly thanked God. A big tension has been released from my heart. Now I don't have to feel bad.

"Thanks."

We turned around to leave as she wasn't really in a mood to let me go. But now at least I know that Chris is save. I can go home and take a good night sleep without any worries.

"What should we do now?" Asked Xander.

Looking at him, I found myself in a now or never situation.

"Dinner?" I asked.

"Where do you suggest we go?" We discussed as we sat back inside the car.

"McDonald's?"

"As you wish, princess."

As he sped away, I initiated the conversation. "Xander, there are a lot of things I wanted to tell you."

"Oh? Alright! We can do it over the dinner." He winked at me.

I relaxed up. Xander hasn't found anything and it will be better if he gets to know about my mess by me. It was very bad of me to involve him. He is still very understanding and cool. I am sure, our friendship won't be ruined.

Xander opened the chair for me to sit on like a proper gentleman he is before taking a seat for himself after they ordered food for themselves. I was starving, it's been months I last ate McDonald's and who doesn't like it. I was craving chicken nuggets and those delicious fries.

"You look happy now."

"Yeah, he is back to health so I'm happy."

"Good. I like this side of you."

I passed him a smile at his comment. It was now time to tell everything. I cleared her throat and inaugurated the topic.

"Xander, you know how you offered to help me everytime." He nodded his head, directing me to continue, paying all of his attention.

"Well, first of all, you know that penthouse is not mine. It's Damien's." He didn't look shock. His facial expression seemed like he has already figured that out.

"My father owed him some money." I said jumping to the main point. The reason why I am working for him.

"How much?" Asked Xander.

"15 million." Answering, I looked down on the floor. 15 million isn't less amount. Still have no idea why dad needed so much of money.

"You're working for him to return back the debt?"

"Yes."

"And he is in love with you." Stated Xander.

I chocked on my saliva and coughed out. Only if you knew Xander, that it was the otherwise; I loved him.

"Or wait, are you in love with him?" Asked Xander, observing me.

"I was." I decided to go with the truth.

I was, being the past tense.

"But he has made my life so horrible, every day I want to escape from there and I have no other chance but to stick around."

"I can help you."

"I don't need your help with the money. It will be like clearing one debt and jumping to another."

"You don't have to take the money from me but I can still help you." And what does that mean.

"For example?"

"For example, let's say I'm ready to invest in a resturant for you. When it's popular, successful and earning enough, you can pay my money back as well you'll be earning enough to pay Damien decent amount of money every month. And it will be your own work, you'll be your own boss. It's something you've desired about."

"No way. You won't do that." Out of everyone, Xander doing me the big favour when I have done nothing but hurt his feelings. Speechless.

"I can, princess."

"I know you enough to say, you are not going to accept, are you?" I shook my head in a no.

"There are other ways. Have you ever played those lottery card before?" Lottery. I've heard a lot about it but never bothered with it. Does it even work?

"You should try it, I have heard in the news, these days people are winning large amount of money. Just yesterday a man won 7 millions." But doesn't it require luck? And my luck nowadays is the worst. I shouldn't be so negative. I'll create a good luck for myself and get away from Damien's trap. Maybe this lottery idea will work and I'll win 15 million. It will solve every problem. Even winning around 10 millions won't be a problem; that will be like more than half of the debt.

"And where do I buy these lotteries from?"

"From any normal shops."

"Oh, ok. Thanks, Xander."

"Any time, princess."

As our food arrived, we digged in, stopping the conversation. I moaned at how incredibles these McDonald's nuggets are with the sauce.

Thinking about going back to that place ruined my mood a little. I have already resigned from work, so there is no point of going back to living with him.

But I don't have a place to stay in. Looking at Xander, I really wished I could return back his feelings and was in love with him, everything would have been fine then. Life wouldn't be so difficult if I didn't love Damien Knight.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He said, noticing my mood.

"I don't want to go back there." I told him.

"To the penthouse?" I nodded.

"Well then, you can come to mine?" That offer sounds agreeable. Should I go to his? Wouldn't that be too selfish that I only require him when I'm in difficulties.

"No, thanks." I declined the offer.

"I have a job offer for you." And what might that be?

I looked at him in question, "Will you like to work as my chef?"

"You'll have to live at mine while working plus you'll have enough time to maybe have a part time job at a resturant." Is he really willing to help me.

"Really?" I confirmed.

"Yes, princess."

Call me a self seeking person but I'm gonna accept the offer.

"Thank you, Xander. I really appreciate it." He smiled at me and I returned it back.

"When do you want to move then, house mate?"

"Today?"

"Perfect."