Xavier's POV

I sipped my cup of coffee as I glanced at my bedside table to see the time was 3:27 a.m. I had been working on my laptop since I got back from work about five hours earlier.

Ever since the incident that occurred when I was ten, fifteen years ago, I had been having these constant nightmares, so I did everything I could to avoid sleeping. Of course, there were times where I'd sleep off and then have nightmares.

When I was younger, my parents took me to visit different therapists because after the incident, I became distant and withdrawn. No matter how many therapists I visited, the nightmares never went away, not one day and I never grew accustomed to them no matter how often they occurred.

As time went by and I grew older, my technique of avoiding falling into slumber started improving and now I could stay awake for a long time, however there were still times where I'd fall asleep at work or at home no matter how hard I tried to avoid it.

It affected me most times, where I'd suddenly just snap at anyone around me unnecessarily and I have these constant migraines, so I visited my private physician and I was diagnosed with insomnia.

She advised me to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee and not engage in strenuous activities, but did I listen? No, the answer is no. I take coffee at least twice daily- in the mornings at work and whenever I work late at night at home, like I was doing right now.

And regarding the advice of not engaging in strenuous activities, I'm the CEO of Kings International Company. I have branches all over the world ranging from five star hotel chains, to luxurious clubs and event centres all over the world.

I also engage in real estate businesses and I'm trying to expand that too all over the world. My father passed the hotel business down to me when I was eighteen, so while I was in college, I was the CEO of the company.

I expanded our five star hotel chain business to luxurious clubs, event centres, luxurious resorts, travel tours and resorts. I started our real estate business three years ago and now it's a part of Kings International Company and I plan on making it a world wide business.

So basically, you could say I was an accomplished young billionaire. I work hard and never let anything get in the way of my work, not even my personal matters.

This is why I don't date or engage in relationship matters. I won't let anything meddle with my business. Relationships are just distractions and I need no distractions whatsoever.

After answering all e-mails, I checked the time again and saw it was just 5:15a.m. I got up, made my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I stepped out and headed into my closet to change into my workout clothes.

I grabbed my phone, stepped out of my mansion, put on the hood of my hoodie and went jogging around the estate. My mansion is located in one of my estates, Kings Real Estate. After about an hour, a text entered my phone. I checked and saw it was from my driver, Matt informing me of his arrival. I decided to head back home.

I got home, headed for my room and into the shower. I finished up by putting on my Armani suit and shoes.

I grabbed my shades and headed downstairs towards my car. I went outside and found Matt standing beside my car. I stepped closer and Matt greeted me "Good morning, sir King". I responded to him "Good morning, Matt".

He opened the backseat door for me, I got in and he lightly shut it. He got in and started the car.

"Did you sleep well, sir?" He asked.

"Yes I did, Matt. Thank you" No one has to know about my insomnia. "You're welcome, sir" He said and started driving.

Soon enough, we got to my headquarters and Matt got out of the car to open the door for me. I got out and headed towards my company. I was greeted by my security personnels and everyone at the reception. I stepped into the elevator and made my way up to the top floor of the building, my office.

I started walking into my office and my P.A, Tyson stepped behind me and greeted "Good morning, sir King" I replied him like I did to everyone else but instead, with a smile"Good morning, Tyson. How are Martha and uncle Tim?".

“They're doing well, thank you sir”. He responded.

I entered my office and he followed. I sat down and toom off my shades while he stood before my desk, handing me my cup of coffee and some files."Sir, I have gone through these files from Tucson's drinks and other companies. All that is needed now is your signature, but if you wish, you can go through them again and see if you'd like to add or remove anything" he said.

"Alright, I'll go through them and put my signature where necessary" I said, collecting the files and going through them.

"The furniture we ordered for, have they been delivered yet?" I asked

"Yes sir, they have been delivered to the new resorts and the ones needed at the hotels have also been delivered. The manager of your branch in Berlin also called to inform you that all exhausted items have been replaced and the remnants have been stored" He replied.

"Good, thank you very much Tyson. You've done a very good job these past few weeks. You can go home early today and there's no need to come to work tomorrow. You can spend the day with your family or whatever you want to do, then you resume on Monday".

"Oh sir, there's no need for that. I'm just doing my job. If I don't come tomorrow, the work will be too much for you, sir. It's fine". He replied.

"Tyson, I can take care of myself. I have been handling this company for a while now. With or without your assistance, this company is not going to go bankrupt. And I'm not suggesting you take the day off tomorrow, I'm ORDERING you to take the day off. Now, is that clear?".

"I'm sorry, sir. Yes sir, it's clear". He answered.

"Good. Now, do I have any meetings scheduled for today?".

"No sir. No meeting at all". He said.

"Alright, you can get back to work now. Thanks again, Tyson".

"You're welcome, sir". He bowed slightly and exited my office. I got to work, immediately drowning myself in what I was doing.

After a few hours, around noon, Tyson's voice came through the intercom. "Uhmm sir?".

"Yes, Tyson?".

"You have a visitor".

"Who is it?".

"It's your mother, sir?". After hearing him say that, I groaned.

"Tell her-".

"Don't you dare lie to me, Xavier Percy King. I know you're in there". I started to speak but was interrupted by my mother's angry voice. Before I could speak another word, my mom barged into my office, walked straight towards me and stood in front of my desk with hands akimbo.

Tyson entered shortly after and muttered "I'm sorry sir".

"It's fine, Tyson. You can go now". I turned and faced my mom who was glaring at me. I sighed and got up to go hug her.

I hugged her and kissed her cheeks. "Hi mom". She continued to glare at me.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I've just been really busy with work and I haven't had time to come see-".

"So your job is more important than us?". I started to speak but I was once again interrupted by her.

"Mom, you know that's not true, I've just been really busy and–".

"Hush up, I don't want to hear it. I'm tired of your excuses". She said and turned her back on me. Now I know she was really hurt. I hate it when my mom's angry or unhappy with me.

"Alright mom, I promise I'll make it up to you". She still didn't turn around.

"Come on, mom. I'm sorry. I really do promise to make it up to you". I said moving closer to her, putting my arms around her waist and resting my head on her shoulder.

"Hmmmm mom. What do you say? Pleassseeee". I muttered, breathing in her scent. I've always loved my mom's scent. It always seems to calm me, even now.

When I was younger, I'd have terrible nightmares and start crying, my mom would always lay with me on my bed, wrap her arms around me tightly and sing to me. Her voice and scent always helped me fall asleep.

"Do you promise?". She finally asked, turning around to face me.

"Yes I do, mom".

"So, dinner then? Saturday night?". She asks with hopeful eyes. I was about to say no because my father would be there.

My father, since that incident, has been giving me the cold shoulder and blames me for what happened. Well, I also blame myself.

But anytime I see him, it's like adding salt to a fresh wound, a wound that I'm trying to forget but somehow one look from my dad and the memories come back instantly.

My mom has been trying to get us back to being one big happy family again, but we know it's not possible. The chances of being a happy family died years ago. I killed those chances.

I looked at my mom and I couldn't afford to let her down again, so for her, I pushed aside all differences my dad and I had.

I smiled and nodded my head in agreement "Ok mom, I'll be there". Immediately I said that, her face morphed into a joyful expression.

I looked at my mom closely. I've missed her so much. I saw her eyes go over my face then down my body and up to my face again. She frowned deeply.

"Honey, are you ok?".

"Yes mom. I'm fine. Is something wrong with my face?". I asked in confusion.

"No honey, you look handsome as always but your skin is pale and you are unusually thin".

"Oh mom, I'm fine. Everything is ok".

"No, I will not accept that. We are going to the hospital immediately". She said, grabbing my hand.

I held her hand to get her attention "Mom, I'm fine. You know how much I hate visiting the hospital".

"But honey--".

"Mom, I really am fine. Everything is fine. I've just been really busy with work, that's all". She scrutinized me before sighing defeatedly.

"Ok fine, we won't go to the hospital. But that doesn't mean I'm going to leave you like this. Let's go". She said while dragging me.

"Mom, where are we going? I have work to do".

"Hush now. We are going to a restaurant, I'm going to make sure you eat everything in that restaurant".

She suddenly stopped and asked "Have you had breakfast today?". I rubbed my neck and shook my head slightly, indicating no.

She scowled at me and asked again "What about lunch?". I shook my head again.

"What?! Xavier so, you've not taken anything since morning?!".

"Only a cup of coffee". I muttered. She glared at me and started dragging me towards the elevator while Tyson just watched in amusement.

"Mom...". I whined

"Oh hush now. There's nothing you can do to stop me. I will definitely stuff your stomach with food like a teddy bear".

And like that, people, my mom literally dragged me all the way to the car while everyone watched in amusement.

I glared at all of them and shouted, "Get back to work," making all of them scurry back to work.