Amelia was right, he shouldn't worry much. The words calmed him down a bit and he wondered how she was able to do that by just saying it.
He was indeed right when he said she had powers in her, and that gave her the capability to do whatever unimaginably affected him.
Her smile stirred something in him. Her playful scowl was found adorable by him and her tears tore him on the inside. One thing was sure, he never bargained for all these emotions when he signed the contract.
The only thing on his mind at that point was how to get Hardik and also get back at Martin, but now it felt as though the original motive wasn't what kept him in the marriage anymore. Something else did and he didn't want to admit it to himself.
*********************************
Xavier breathed out sharply before raising his hand to the door, he tried to knock, but couldn't. It was hard and it felt as though his hand was not his anymore. He dropped it, took deep breaths, then decided to try again.
He raised his hand to the door once more and this time, he did it, but his mind still raced at the different possibilities that could occur when the door eventually opens
It did and Xavier was finally faced with him. He still looked quite the same and nothing new could be spotted. He still had his brunnete hair and his eyes still had that spark in them. Xavier was glad that it wasn't deemed and he most definitely loved the fact that Nathan didn't look affected by what happened in the past.
Different emotions welled up in Nathan's eyes and none of them could be deciphered.
"Xavier" he managed to call out with uncertainty and Xavier pressed his lips together.
"Nathan"
"How did you...what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to check up on you"
"That's crazy. To think after all these years?"
"Nathan I...."
"You got married too. Your wife is hella pretty. My regards to Amelia" he said and the hurt on his face was apparent.
"Nathan, you don't need to stress out that much, it's not good for your health"
"Does it matter, I'm going to die anyway and you should most definitely not be here".
"I didn't know you were in California I would have come sooner"
"And I'm glad you didn't"
"Nathan... "
"Do you realize how much you hurt me? "
"It wasn't intentional. I was sorry later on and tried to fix it, but you weren't in California anymore"
"Yes that's because I could breathe the same air with you anymore"
"It was hard for you Nathan I know but.... "
"Hard? You think. It was shocking and right after that I got news of having cancer and had to deal with that whilst coping with heartbreak. You know what, Xavier I have nothing to say to you. I think you should leave" Nathan said and was about to slam the door, but Xavier stopped him by placing his feet between the door and the lock.
"Let's talk please" Xavier begged.
Xavier let out a sharp breath and Nathan kept his eyes transfixed on him. Anger was apparent in his eyes and Xavier discerned the justification.
"How have you been?" Xavier asked, not knowing the best way to commence the conversation. They sat on opposite couches and Xavier was thankful for that. That way, he would have to detect Nathan's mood towards whatever he had to say.
"You didn't come to ask me that, did you?" Nathan spoke and Xavier nodded in agreement.
"I know you hate me now, but what I did wasn't something to be proud of and I have had countless sleepless nights. Me coming here to apologize is to be at peace with myself"
Nathan glanced at him for a while not saying a word, but after some time, he flared into a slight chuckle, getting up from where he sat, and walked over to the drink stand not too far from the sitting room. He came back with a tequila accompanied by two cups and Xavier just sat there in uncertainty.
"Would you like some?" Nathan asked already filling the glass, not waiting for his reply. One this was sure he was trying his best to avoid eye contact with Xavier.
"Nathan... I"
"Would you also like a mix with it? Ice probably?"
"Nathan"
"Or better still, some sprite"
"Nathan can we talk?"
"Talk about what Xavier!" he shot at him in anger and Xavier was quite shocked refereeing from the fact that he had never seen Nathan that furious before.
"Everything"
"So what did you expect. Give me a refine speech on how sorry you are, then what? I forgive and things go back to normal? "
"That's not what I meant, I just want you to hear me out"
"Hear what. Did you even love me in the first place?"
"Nathan I did, but I couldn't continue".
"Then what did you come here to do?"
"To clear the air"
"Trust me, the air has been cleared a long time ago"
"Then why are you still angry?"
"I shouldn't be?"
"Nathan, If you could just let me talk"
"Carry on," he said, but the resentment in his face could still be beheld by Xavier.
"I don't want us to get back together. No that's not what I'm asking, but I don't want to be viewed as a bad person by you. I just want you to forgive me for whatever atrocity you might think I did"
"So this is about your reputation?"
"No Nathan it's not. It's about what's right and I mean it, but you don't seem to see it"
"I forgive you" Nathan blurted out after a long time of silence and Xavier stared at him, stunned.
"You do?"
"Yeah. I mean I'm going to die anyway. Best to clear the past and move on " he said and that statement broke Xavier. It was the truth, but he wished it wasn't so sour to the ear. Nathan didn't deserve it and he knew that well enough
*****
Amelia waited on the couch. It was already excessively late and Xavier was nowhere to be found. He had never stayed out so late and her mind raced at the thought of numerous likelihoods that could have occurred. One thing was certain, she wished he was safe.
Just when she least anticipated it, the door opened and revealed Xavier. She breathe a sigh of solace as she accessed him. She noticed how weary and mortified he looked and it made her ache to know what transpired wherever he went.
"Xavier" she called out and rushed towards him. He glanced at her for a sec and flashed her a rather forced smile.
He tried to brush past her, but she didn't let him. There was no way she could let him leave just like that after making her to so much worry
"And where are you coming from?" she asked, folding her arms underneath her breasts as she stared at him with a scowl visible on her face. Xavier was taken aback by the question and looked at her with incredulity.
"Why would you ask me that?"
"The curfew is supposed to be 4 pm" she shot at him and Xavier just gaped at her too bewildered to speak
"That's for you, not me"
"Says who"
"Says the contract"
"If my curfew is at 4 pm that means, you are meant to be home by 4"
"that doesn't apply to me. Miss Wilson"
"Back to the formalities again huh? "
"What is your problem? "
"You had me apprehensive and you ask me what my problem is"
"You should have just slept"
"How could I? when my mind couldn't stop bringing up different scenarios of what might have happened to you"
"Why were you scared?" He asked. Amelia opened her mouth to speak, but no words came forth. That question threw her off balance and she couldn't think of a possible answer.
"I don't know," she said and this time, her voice wasn't so loud and peering. It was steadier and almost in a whisper.
Xavier shook his head and walked past her, leaving her to ponder on the question and probably emerge with a suitable answer.
He walked towards the refrigerator and grabbed a bottled water. He gulped the content and when he was done, he swiveled around and jumped backward out of startlement.
Amelia was standing so close to him and he wondered how she was able to get to where he was so fast and stealthily.
"You still haven't told me where you went," she said and Xavier sighed in frustration.
"I do not owe you any explanation Amelia, why can't you see that"
"But I do? You punched Peter the other day for keeping me late"
"I didn't punch Peter for keeping you late. I punched him for kissing you"
"And you refused to tell me the reason. Now you don't want to tell me where you went. You won't even tell me why we are married" Amelia said already fuming in anger.
"And I would not appreciate you interfering in my private life," he said and this time a stern look appeared on his face.
*****
Wendy took deep breaths as she heard the door unlock. She couldn't take it anymore and was going to end it, but she couldn't help but feel fear overwhelm her as she thought of how he might react.
Liam loved her, she knew, but he didn't know the true definition of love. Love to him was violence and that was as a result of his past. At that point she didn't care if he was healing, she just wanted to get off the toxicity.
Amelia was right when she said She was crazy. Because she indeed was crazy, having to stay in a relationship with a beast who could kill her at any point.
Her luggage was packed and was by her side as she bit her lips, nervously waiting for him to walk in through the door.
Liam got in and was shocked by the sight. Tears were visible in Wendy's eyes and her luggage was all packed up. Confusion stirred in him as he tried to understand what was going on.
"Wendy" he called out softly and tried to touch her, but she retreated from him as the tears kept falling. He knew he hit her before leaving, but he had no idea she would react like this.
"Don't touch me" her voice became shaky as she whimpered. "Liam, I'm done"
"No Wendy, please. You can't be done. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I mean it"
"That's what you said, the first, the second, the third, every goddamn time. And you always seem to mean it, but deep down you don't"
"Wendy please, this is too drastic. Let me fix this"
"You can't fix what's already shattered. Liam, please let me be. This relationship is over" she tried to walk away, but he held her by the arm and drew her back.
He went on his knees and Wendy chuckled amidst tears
"Wendy please"
"What did you expect me to do, forgive and probably next time, you stuff a rod down the throat"
"No Wendy I could never do that. I love you can't you see" he said and Wendy could see the tears welling up in his eyes.
One this Wendy couldn't understand was how he always had a way of hurting her and at the same time, he didn't want to let her go.
He told her to her face countless times, that he hated her and wished she never showed up in his life. But here he was, begging for a second chance and she couldn't help but be marveled.
"I'm sorry Liam. I've made up my mind and this time for good" she said dragging her luggage past him
"You will regret this Wendy"
"The only thing I regret is being with you despite everything," he said and after much silence, she moved on.