Chapter 142 - That's Enough Now, Darling

"Alright, that's enough now darling," Rosalynn stuttered, not knowing how to react to this. 

Rosalynn was never usually… Uh, hugged. Hugging was a rarity for her. 

Indiana had never hugged her. 

Cornelia? Most definitely not. 

So when Madeline surprised her by bringing her into an embrace - sort of - she was rendered both speechless and touched at the same time. There was no telling with her. It was something both she and her mother shared. 

That hint of uncertainty and mystique that came with whatever they so chose to do. 

Cornelia was nowhere as warm as Madeline was, and Rosalynn found it quite funny. 

Why? Because when she thought about it, Cornelia had never once hugged her, while Madeline had done so just to prove how important she felt Rosalynn was to her. 

And others might question Madeline for doing so, as Rosalynn was someone that had just recently entered her life. 

One would ask, 'Family? How is someone like her considered family? How does that work out? So does everyone that enters her life become important to her?' 

Rosalynn wasn't sure how Madeline functioned, or how her logic worked, for that matter. 

And right after that, Madeline let her go. 

Rosalynn then discussed with her what she knew about her powers, or her supposed powers. 

Afterwards, Madeline headed for her second destination, only to see Adrian walking out of there. 

"Oh Madeline, you're here. Thank the heavens," he said the moment he laid eyes on her, breathing a sigh of relief. 

"Hmm, what's going on?" Madeline asked. 

The air felt colder, and she felt like someone was pushing ice cold needles into her spine. What in the world was happening? 

"Err, I was just about to go and look for you," Adrian admitted, his eyes flashing with both warning and fear. 

"Why?" Madeline questioned, both confused and curious. 

She tilted her head, looking at the door leading to Xavier's office. 

Did it have something to do with Xavier?

Adrian leaned in and whispered in her ear, "He's in a bad mood."

Madeline blinked. 

A bad mood? So that was why.

If Xavier was able to control the weather, Madeline could've sworn the skies would be all thunder, storms and lightning. Somehow, she could feel it all the way here. There was an aura that circulated Xavier's office. 

"Everyone's been steering clear of his office, since it's extremely obvious that he's upset," Adrian whispered.

How was Adrian able to tell Xavier was upset? 

Why, by how he was acting, of course.

Xavier was acting like a five year old, throwing a temper tantrum and locking himself in his room to do his work all alone whilst refusing to see anyone. And anyone that dared enter his territory would have to face his wrath.

Honestly, Adrian had never seen Xavier like this. What was up with Xavier?

"Me? What can I do? I'm just his friend," Madeline replied, scrunching her nose. 

What did Adrian expect her to do?

She wasn't some Xavier whisperer that could make him suddenly be in a good mood. Madeline didn't think so. 

'If you and him still think you guys are just better off as friends then I'll stab someone,' Adrian mumbled under his breath. 

"Madeline. We're friends, are we not?" Adrian asked hopefully. 

"We are," Madeline said sceptically. 

"So, as my friend, and also as Xavier's friend. Could you visit him and try to lift his mood?" 

He whispered, "You're the only one that can calm the raging storm." 

Knitting her brows, Madeline wondered if this was what Briar dealt with. Adrian was very convincing with his argument. Then again…

"I was already planning on visiting him," Madeline answered, adding, "So, sure. I guess."

A smile dawned on Adrian's face, "That's great! I'll leave that to you then. I'll be on my merry way. All the best to you. And, uh Xavier."

Adrian zipped away, before Madeline could ask him any other questions. 

"Adrian!" She exclaimed, before she heard the door behind her slam open. 

Xavier looked dashing - as always - but there was a different air to him. 

Madeline's eyes widened. Had Xavier overheard the entire conversation?

"Xavier," she called, turning around and smiling. 

The moment he saw her smiling, that aura dissipated. 

"Madeline," he greeted, his voice softer than usual. 

Madeline walked over to him, having a plan in mind. 

First, she started by saying what she had come over to say. She wouldn't stray away from the main reason she had come. 

Taking him by the hand, she said to him, "I'm sorry for what happened yesterday, I didn't want to show you that side of me. It won't happen again." 

Xavier stared at his hand. 

'Madeline is holding my hand,' he thought to himself, unable to take his eyes off of his hand. 

That, and the way she was casually holding it like it was nothing. 

Keywords being 'like it was nothing'.

'Does she think it's nothing?' He wondered. 

He looked up, meeting her gaze. 

"Don't apologise. There's no need to apologise. People have their bad days," he said, brushing her apology off.

"Really?" Madeline asked, looking up to him. 

She didn't understand why she was getting all teary. That wasn't a part of her plan. 

Her bottom lip quivered, thinking about what had happened last night.

Being chased by something. By some being while being unable to see anything. All she could do was run, and hope she'd somehow escape. 

"And thank you," she said to him, before she blinked, trying to clear her eyes. She added, "Right, uh. We should probably bring this conversation in your office unless we want people to overhear."

Xavier nodded, "Agreed."

He had been too distracted on something else to have asked her to enter his office and usher her in. 

Xavier wondered what was up with him. It wasn't like him to be in a bad mood. A while back, he was in an amazing mood. He didn't usually change moods this quickly.                               

Madeline let go of his hand, and headed for the door. 

When Xavier stayed at the same spot he had stood before, Madeline called out, "Come on, slowpoke!" 

Xavier laughed softly, "Coming."

He closed the door behind him, locking it.

Madeline asked him, "You didn't happen to overhear me and Adrian's conversation, did you?"

Xavier answered nonchalantly, feigning ignorance towards Madeline's question, "No idea what you're talking about."

Looking up at him, Madeline looked convinced. 

"Sure," she said, sounding unconvinced and sceptical of Xavier. 

"So, I heard you were in a bad mood." 

"Not anymore," Xavier admitted. 

"Oh? Why the sudden change in moods?"

"Yo- No idea," Xavier answered. 

"Well, so long as you're in a better mood then that's alright with me."

Madeline began, "So, I was thinking of us having a day out, or a walk in the woods." 

"A walk in the woods?" Xavier asked. 

What was Madeline up to? Xavier felt as though she already had something planned.

"What do you have in mind?" He asked, looking her up and down confusedly. 

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out," Madeline answered, chuckling.

She took a peek at Xavier's desk, which was stacked with paperwork. 

"Been a busy day," Xavier told her. 

"I can see that," Madeline said, nodding whilst she stared blankly at his work. 

Xavier had made it a point to hide his stacks of files and work from Madeline whenever she visited. 

This time however, he had forgotten to when he found himself too occupied in his own work. 

That, and listening to some parts of Madeline and Adrian's conversations. 

The walls of his office were thin. He had been planning on getting something to fix that. There was a certain material that was able to make other werewolves unable to hear what was going on in rooms. Xavier had installed said material in his cabin, and planned on doing the same for his office. 

[Author's Note: Alright, come to think of it. Making sure people don't overhear conversations isn't the only thing that said material might be helpful in doing. 0.0]

"How do you do this much work everyday? If I were you, I'd be passed out on my bed, unable to move or function properly."

Madeline pursed her lips, "I know you're a werewolf, and a powerful one but geez. Alright, we can discuss things later. I'll leave you to your work. Best you get that over with and then we can talk things over. Besides, I've got to visit Briar after this anyway."

Xavier's gaze faltered, "Alright."

'Don't go.' 

"I'm going now," Madeline said to him.

Like the gentleman that he was, he opened the door for her. 

"Bye," she greeted. 

"Bye," he greeted, his voice barely audible.

As she left, Xavier looked at his hand, and then back at Madeline's figure which became smaller and smaller as she walked farther away. 

His hand held his cheek as he whispered softly, his cheeks tainted with the bright pink shade of magnolias, sighing dreamily, "No one makes me feel the way you do, Miss Madeline Delcour."