Take everything.

Alex who had her face hiding in her bent legs flinched when the door to her toilet opened without warning.

"Alex" a voice called. Her teary eyes moved to the person in front of her now.

She scoffed as the tears flowed down, Nathan moved closer kneeling in front of her. Alex moved back hiding her red teary face from him.

"Alex, look at me," he said. But she didn't move or turn to look at him."Please, don't turn your back on me" he begged.

Slowly Alex moved to glance at him. "Am sorry am just so lost...I kept trying.. and tr...trying but everything keeps failing me. Father would be so disappointed in me" she burst into tears.

"Come here," he said. Alex opened her arms falling into his arms.

"Am sorry" she cried.

"Don't be, he loved you so much he would never see you like a failure?" he said to her.

"But I have failed both him and mother, your father but especially you.....I told you I could but in truth, I had lost the battle even before I could take the first strike.... am sorry Nathan, am sorry" she cried.

He got up holding her in his arms, he hugged her so tightly whispering in her ears, "I will never see you that way Alex, never" he carried her up and walked out, "let's get out of here" she heard him say.

Nodding Alex hid her face in his chest as she carried her out. Becca was already holding Alex's things and rushed after them.

She gazed at them and thought of how many times he had done that, carrying her out of rooms, sometimes in tears or pain. She sighed feeling sorry for Alex but then smiled a little thinking how lucky she was now to have her boss by her side.

They got into the car and Roy set off.

She didn't say anything all the way home but held onto Nathan. And didn't disturb her until they were inside their room.

"Alex 'he called her.

"Mmm "she looked up with swollen red eyes.

"Are you okay? "he asked, he knew her answer was going to be the same but still wanted to ask her.

But this time she shook her head," No, am not fine, am sorry I have been saying I was. But I have never been okay since the day we entered that house. They got better with Dad there but now he's gone, mom and I have lost our home and family "her tears returned.

He got to her before they could fall, kissing her eyes, he stopped the falling tears.

"Then stop holding it in, and let it out. Am here for you love. Please trust me "he said pulling away.

She nodded opening her arms for him to hold her. He smiled pulling her in for another hug.

"Can you please hug my pain away and kiss all these bad memories away? Drown me in your love so that all these shadows around me disappear "she let out.

He looked down at her face wiping away the still tears," I can do anything for you Alex, and what you just asked is one of the things I can do for you "he bent down to her face," so let me do as you have asked ".

Holding her face in his hands he kissed her warmly, softly as he took his time to taste her lips. She felt his hand slide down to the bed as they lay down. Returning to her neck he pulled her closer for a deeper kiss, Alex held on to his shirt and shoulder as she pulled it off.

.....

Nathan quietly left the bed dressed in a robe and went downstairs leaving the sleeping Alex in bed.

Becca and Roy looked at him and moved into the living room.

"I won't ask how she is "Becca let out looking at his outfit.

"Did you do what I asked? "he said sitting down.

"Yes, and it seems it was Mrs White who did it. They all apologized and said they wanted her 'cause she was so good but couldn't offend her " she said.

"Well now they offended me and will have to suffer the consequences," he said leaning back.

"Okay, "Becca said.

He turned to Roy," Your report? "he asked.

Roy nodded and told him what he had found out about Mrs White from his daughter.

"Okay, focus on one thing then, get me any evidence of her crime. Then we will decide from there. For now, do something about her interfering with Alex. Tell the men I want her to know what will happen if she ever thinks of hurting Alex or her mother again "he said.

Roy gave him a nod and got up with Becca leaving.

Nathan held his phone calling his father.

"Father finish up the issue of the Hurks family, it's time they played their part now "he said.