"There's no use running so you better stop!"
"Hey!!"
Despite their numerous warnings and attempts to stop her, Anxi never slowed down on her steps to even catch her breath as she kept running down the quiet street.
The footsteps behind her were gaining up to her no matter how fast she ran, if they eventually end up succeeding in grabbing hold of her, it would be the death of her for sure.
Thinking about her worsened predicament, she shouldn't have left her boss's home since she wasn't familiar with this route or this place to be sincere.
How will she escape now and most importantly, will she even get home tonight?
She constantly ran down the path and took a quick turn, uncertain of the road she just took but her mind was too cloudy to even ponder on her destination.
Unwilling to stop or slow down, she unexpectedly bumped into someone along the way making her come to a force stop as she ran into his chest.
Frightened, she alarmingly raised her head up to see who it was, wondering if it was the right time to say her last prayers but her alarmed expression slowly turned to one who had found the last hope she could hold on to as her boss's face came in view.
Never has she been this excited to see her boss as he stood in front of her, his expression was indifferent as usual and he cocked his head slightly, gazing at her like someone who seemed clueless about what was happening.
"What's the problem?" He asked, noticing the panicked look on her face but wasn't expecting his little bunny to run into his arms, instantly hugging him.
Her sudden embrace left the poor Xander to go stiff as a broom, hearing her catch her unsettled breath as she remained in his arms.
"Someone's_after...me," she nervously said in between her breath, "I don't know what they want from me…. but they won't stop…. chasing me!!"
Xander's worried gaze darkened the minute she forced herself to speak.
The fear in her tone almost made him snap as he clenched his fist, it happened to be the first time the fear of someone made the feeling in his chest sink.
He suspected something was wrong the moment she stepped out through that gate and decided to follow her.
Normally, no one is allowed to walk around once it's past eleven to twelve in the night and it's because of the strange deaths happening in Yu City.
Didn't she know that?
But he refused to show his concern and pulled her away from him, making her stare into his dark eyes which showed not even the slightest trace of concern.
"Are you willingly asking for my help?"
Before Anxi could give a suitable reply or say anything in response to his question, he pulled her into his arms again making her gasp at his quick action.
The goons showed up after spotting the young lady they had chased, realizing a little too late they just walked into their doom as they immediately stopped in their tracks.
The sight of Xander was enough to make the hairs on their skin stand, while their eyes widened horrifically, immediately retreating as they were the ones who took to their heels this time around.
Xander's lips curled into a death smirk as he watched them flee. They made his bunny run, now he's going to give them the same little treatment.
They disappeared into the night but it didn't matter, he would let them run, after all it's impossible to hide from him, he'll deal with them another day.
As for now, he had a bunny to pet.
Meanwhile Anxi remained clueless, having no idea what just happened, she couldn't understand his reasons for pulling her towards him after merely pushing her away.
She wanted to pull back but he stopped her, making her rest her small head on his chest again.
"You willingly came to me, so stay that way." His magnetic deep tone made her heart pick up speed but not out of fear, she couldn't understand the feeling just yet making her give in to his hold.
Xander liked having her this close to him.
What he felt for her was something he couldn't explain no matter how hard he tried to wrap his fingers around it.
She was uncomfortable for a minute but gradually, she relaxed and remained in his arms.
Anxi didn't know exactly what happened but she knew those goons weren't after her anymore, was Xander able to scare them away?
The thought alone relieved her of her worries, sighing with a look of relief.
She finally pulled back, slowly tilting her head up to meet his gaze that always seemed to be staring at the inner depth of her soul.
He was a mysterious man for sure, his aura never always felt right to her.
Cold, forbidden, dangerous, unpredictable.
It was enough sign one needed to stay faraway from him, but that never seems to go down with her.
"Thank you." Her voice was a whisper, she was still out of breath and it made him wonder just how long she had to run before he found her?
"Want to go back home?"
Anxi immediately shook her head in response, after what happened tonight she doubts she'll be able to go home for now.
Her grandmother would be worried if she showed up looking this traumatized which only leads her to just one uncomfortable option.
"If it isn't….too...too much to ask, can I stay at your place for the night?"
Those words finally forced its way out of her lips, she barely knew anyone here and her boss was her only option if she plans on getting any shelter tonight.
Xander's expressionless gaze went silent for a while, then slowly darkened with unspeakable meaning as he refused to shift his eyes from hers.
Shouldn't she be running away from him instead?
He knew she sensed the danger surrounding him, she sensed everything but yet, she isn't running away like how everyone else does.
She pulls herself into the cage without realizing his real intentions, the further she drags herself into his life, the harder it'll be to step out.
"Are you sure about that Miss Anxi? Or do you need a rethink?"
Anxi couldn't think of any other alternative as her brain was all crammed up.
Her boss was the last person she wanted to meet right now but look at her, pleading to him so he could let her stay at his place for the night.
Even after what transpired between them, she gets the feeling he wouldn't take advantage of her situation even if she tried to see him as someone dangerous.
"Yes, it's just for the night. I don't want my grandmother to see me like this, she easily gets worried and that's what I'm planning to avoid."
Xander didn't utter a word of response as she explained her reasons for wanting to stay, he only turned and walked away.
Anxi followed his footsteps, unwilling to be left behind, he wasn't stopping her from following him so does that mean a yes?
They arrived at the manor with no discussions carried out along the way, the two confused fellows made their way into the beautiful building.
Anxi was once again welcomed by the beautiful sight of his home and the AC was doing wonders as it chilled her skin making her feel relaxed.
She absentmindedly went to sit on the silver white couch, still thinking if she made the right decision by willingly agreeing to stay in his place for the night.
Xander just stood in front, staring at his bunny who looked confused and lost. He's going to teach those fools a memorable lesson for causing her such a fright.
He went into the kitchen and opened the fridge, fetching a glass of juice for her.
He strode back to the living room, handing her a glass of juice with a straight face. Anxi immediately composed herself, meeting his gaze.
"Here, it'll calm you down."
She hesitated for a while before taking the glass of juice, he still realized she was unsettled until she finally asked.
"Are you upset with me?" Anxi couldn't hold back anymore, either she asks or allows the questions to haunt her dreams.
"I know what I did was wrong and I feel bad for doing it, will you fire me because of it?"
Xander restrained himself from flicking her forehead hard, but was unable to stop a frown from painting his enchanting face.
Why would she jump to such a stupid conclusion that he was upset, not only that she went as far as thinking he would fire her.
"Get some rest Miss Anxi, we'll talk in the morning." Was all he could say and he went up the stairs, his mind was equally preoccupied as he hadn't heard from Xandria and Damian.
They haven't called and still aren't back yet, something was wrong and he was going to call to figure out what.
Anxi slowly sipped her glass of juice, admiringly staring at the structure of the living room, a big sparkling white chandelier shaped like a star hung above the ceiling, not just one but many of them making it look like some enchanted home.
She was done talking to her grandmother on the phone when her mind instantly drifted to Xandria, he said she'll be back soon but she isn't here yet.
Strange, where could she be at this hour?