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21.Hidden Truths

W I N T E R

Me and Xavier are both seated on his bedroom couches, which I have settled comfortably right now. Knowing the storms going to hit us, Xavier told me not to stay silent or runaway which has made me even more curious and scared.

“You remember what I told you, right?” Xavier questions, showing his internal battle.

“Yup. No staying quiet and no running away,” I repeated with a small comforting smile. I didn't know why I am so calm about these stuffs right now, but I know that it is only because of my trust towards Xavier. “Now come on. Spit it out.”

“You see I… I am… I don't even know whether you remember me or not but…,” Xavier pauses a little, making me come closer to him. “You see… I am Mango.”

“What are yo -wait a second… You are Mango?” Xavier nods, making me question my sanity. The boy I have been calling my first friend and my first best friend was him. I mean is him. I look wide-eyed realizing my lack of focus in detail. Xavier broke my pinky promise like he always used to do during our childhood. Xavier called me Strawberry not because I smell like one because that was what he used to call me when we were kids. We both wanted to call ourselves with nicknames, but our lack of information and ideas made us name ourselves after fruits and berries.

“Gosh!” I scream in frustration. “You gotta be kidding me.” I know deep inside that he is not.

“Winter lis-”

“You left me,” I cut him off. “You left me without saying a freakin' word. I know I was only 11 but still, you could have said something to me or bid farewell. But no, you — you just vanished.”

“Yes I just vanished,” Xavier holds my hand tightly, not letting it go. “But listen, I would have told you I was leaving if it wasn't for the mafia looking for us. That night, we had to shift to a new and secluded house so that we could hide from the mafia. They were coming for us not to talk, but to kill.” I gasp in shock.

“You see after that I had to do lots of things. I had to be trained as a fighter so when the mafia sends some men I would be able to handle them. I was handed my father's company at my 18th birthday. So, I was really busy, but I always used to keep in touch with you. I saw you light the first match stick when I was 16 and when you were 12. It was your birthday, and you lighted your candle yourself because you wanted to get rid of your fear of lighting matches. You waited more than twenty minutes, hoping that I would pop out of nowhere. How silly was you,” Xavier chuckles lightly with tears falling down his cheeks. I pout with my eyes stinging with intense tears.

“Yeah, how silly was I that I didn't even guess that the gift on my bed was from you that I dumped it in the trash,” I joked while laughing when I saw Xavier looked at me in shock.

“You did not,”

“I did it Sir,” Xavier rolls his eyes playfully while I laugh foolishly. “Just joking. I thought the books were from some unknown lovers of mine. But wait, why was the mafia following your family?”

“They wanted 50% of our company to theirs,” I gasp while Xavier grits his teeth. “But dad thankfully didn't give them their wishes, so this happened. After some time of chasing and hiding, I went to the Mafia's house and tried to settle things with them maturely. They listened.”

“But what about the men yesterday? Weren't they from the Mafia?”

“No, they are from a different Mafia group. They are Blood Swap Mafia group, while the Mafia that have stopped chasing us are Knife lives group. Don't worry, the Knife lives Mafia group have promised some back up,”

“But why are they chasing you now?”

“Not me,” Xavier hugs me tightly while I relax. “They want you.”

My body goes rigid with the new information provided by Xavier. “Me? Why me?”

“They knew you were my weakness. They saw me lurking around your house one day,” I look at Xavier and peck his lips. A smile forming on his lips. “They knew that getting to my parents were hard because of the immense security, but you… so I came to your school so that I can protect you.”

“But what about your company?” Guilt forms in my entire being for wasting Xavier's time while he could have spent on his company.

“Don't worry,” Xavier pecks my lips this time. “Dad's handling it.”

“I am sorry for being a burden,”

“Don't be, and you are not at all a burden to me,” Xavier states firmly. “And also look at the positive side, we have reunited and look at us -happy and together.”

“Xavier, what are we?” I question, fearing he is going to scream at me telling me that he doesn't do relationship.

Xavier stands up, making me regret asking that question. He walks towards his bedside drawer and opens it to take out something sparkly. I stare at the simple but beautiful diamond necklace.

“You see, I brought this when I went to Rome last year. It was just calling me to buy it. I know it's stupid, but I didn't know what I was doing when I found myself paying for the necklace but now I am glad I did buy it,” Xavier comes behind me and puts it in my neck while I am still in a daze. Happy tears come out of my eyes. Xavier leaves a lingering kiss on the backside of my neck, making me smile.

He comes in front of me and kneels making me wipe my eyes. He looks deeply and intensely, making me shiver. “Will you be my girlfriend Winter Grace?”

I stare at him in surprised and finally nods when I see hurt in his eyes. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

I hug him tightly, hoping that I am not taking his breath away. He laughs and kisses me everywhere. And finally after some minutes of pecking me everywhere but lips he joins our lips. Both our lips forming a smile.

I know I am going to remember this day forever. One of my best day ever.

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Happy New Year!!!
🎊🎊🎊

I hope y'all will have a toxic-free and positive year ahead. Stay positive and safe.

Again, Happy New Year!!!