Cliff's Edge (BxBxB)

Chapter 7

Atlas' POV

"Well you might have noticed I don't mention my family much,"
Xaivion nodded just as I heard a slight scoff from the other side of the door.

"Besides Jade of course. She's basically my sister at this point," I added quickly. That got me a sound of approval. I couldn't believe that girl was actually going to sit and listen in on a PRIVATE conversation but then again I could. That's just how overprotective Jade is.

"My family, before Jade, was just my mom, dad and I. And we were really happy for a long time. Until one day, when I was fourteen, I saw him; my dad with another woman and a little girl who looked about five or so. They were inside an ice cream shop. I saw them through the window and my dad's back was turned from me so he couldn't see me. But I saw him," I gulped the last words.

Xavion was now sitting on the edge of my bed. He nodded for me to go on.

"Well I ran home and told my mom. My mom had always been a sweet and caring person. There was nothing I asked for that she didn't give unless, you know, you're not supposed to give kids that thing. She didn't swear or anything and she had the patience of a saint. But when I told her I saw a side of her I'd never seen before. She...slapped me and called me every name in the book and a liar." I was tearing up.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to go on and I think Xavion sensed it because he said,"You don't have to."

I replied,"No, I want to." And I did. I figured since he was my mate we were kinda stuck together at this point, he should know what he's dealing with.
"My dad walked in on my mom yelling at me and asked what was going on. She told him. She was convinced I was lying. My dad sat her down and told her it was true. She just became quiet and pale. My dad went upstairs and after fifteen minutes came with a bag. He walked up to me, ruffled my hair and told me to take care of my mom. And then he just left," I was practically choking on the lump in my throat.

"From that day onwards my mom showed nothing but hatred for me. She blamed me for destroying her marriage. I also look exactly like my dad, especially my eyes. She called slurs, threw things at me, beat me up. She just...hated me. She made me hate myself. If it wasn't for Jade I probably would've..." I couldn't go on. I just started crying uncontrollably.

Xaivion rushed to my side and pulled me into a hug. I buried my head in the crook of neck. We just stayed like that as I relived my trauma in my head. After I had stopped crying Xaivion put us in a position so that we were laying down with my back pressed against his chest and his arms encircled my waist. And we fell asleep like that and I knew we were gonna be okay.
...
I woke up alone. I was still dazed as walked out into the kitchen to see Jade sipping on coffee and looking at a Claws magazine. There was a pan of scrambled eggs on the stove and toast on the counter.

"Welcome to the land of the living," Jade greeted me.

"Haha, very funny," I rolled my eyes.

"I want that room cleaned. I don't want roaches," she continued, not once looking away from her magazine.

I groaned,"Yes mother dearest."
"Ew. I told you never to call me that."

I just rolled my eyes again.

"Stop rolling your eyes, you look silly when you do that."

"Ah, rude!" I feigned offence.

"I tell it like it is," she sniggered.

"Ah whatever, where's-"

"Xaivion?" Jade interrupted, "Boy toy said he had some business to attend to. He said he'd be back..." She glanced at her wrist watch, "ten minutes from now."

"Back? For what?" I quizzed her.

"Oh, didn't I mention you are going to meet the king?"

I paled,"Um, no you didn't mention shit! Why am I meeting the king?"

"To you know, to finalize the whole mate thing. God knows how that's gonna go. Should be interesting. Xaivion said I could tag along and that I could have the first scoop about your relationship which you know would be huge for my career. I think he's just trying to score brownie points. I still don't like him, Cassian was so much better. He was bae. But we move," Jade breezed through her magazine.

I think I almost fainted when she mentioned Cassian. I'd been ignoring his calls all week and now we weren't mates. How am I gonna face him, oh my gosh. Kill me now Moon Goddess. I was so screwed.

Just then I heard a knock on the door. I went up to open up and standing there was... Cassian

No, false alarm, it was just Xaivion. His face lit up when he saw me. He rushed in,"Have you eaten? Showered? We're in a rush. We need you in fitting in," he checked his watch,"One hour. Oh my days, we're already late."

He looked around,"You've just gotten up, haven't you?"
I nodded.

"Okay, could you like just shower quickly so we can go," he said urgently. He pushed me towards our shared bathroom and closed the door behind me. I decided to just do as he said. I stripped and hopped into the shower.

After my shower I realized that I hadn't brought any clothes in with me. I just wrapped a towel around my waist and walked into my room. I picked out a white t-shirt and some blue jeans and pulled on my Air Force Ones. I combed my hair for the first time in what felt like months.
I stepped out of my room.

Xaivion was waiting in the kitchen. He glanced at his watch again,"Okay, let's go." He grabs my hand gently and tugs me forward.

Outside is a limousine waiting as well as some motor bikes. I couldn't believe he brought a whole motorcade. A chauffeur opens the doors and inside Jade is sitting. She's changed into her only grey pant suit that she saves for special interviews. She's decided to ditch the contracts for her glasses today. She looks every bit the journalist she is.

I shuffle in feeling oddly underdressed compared to Jade and Xaivion who is also in a suit by the way. As soon as the dorrs slam shut we're on our way. Soon enough we are cruising through town. My palms are sweating already. What am I gonna say? I don't even know how to bow probably. I'm probably gonna trip and embarrass myself.
Xaivion senses my worry and puts his hand on my leg that I hadn't realised was shaking,"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Just breathe."

I did just that. Breathe in. Breathe out. The whole way to the palace.

As we approached the palace gates I felt my heartbeat get faster. Oh my potatoes. This is it.

We parked in an underground parking lot. The chauffeur hurried to open the doors for us. I stepped out and tried to stand up straight even though my knees were weak. I just wanted to run back into the car but I knew I couldn't do that.

We were escorted by some guards to an elevator. The whole time I was holding onto Xaivion's hand like a toddler to his mother. Call me pathetic but I was scared the fuck out. We went up the elevator to the sixth floor. We came up to a corridor with many rooms. A young woman came out of literary nowhere. She had that busy look like she was panicking but at the same time had everything together and was in no mood for games. She bowed to Xavion before she came up to me and stretched out her hand, "Melissa Riding, you must be Atlas Pierce. It's an honour to meet you. Please follow me."
I did as she said and we went to the last room in the corridor.

"The fashion designer is the best we could find. We were surprised to get him on such short notice. He also never does work for the royal family, so we're lucky he agreed. Just go right in there."

Xaivion and I walked in at the same time and then suddenly I felt that spark again. That pull and when I looked up, there he was, it was Cassian. His eyes widened and Xaivion gripped my hand tighter.

There were some men and women bounding about oblivious to what had just happened. Cassian said in a loud commanding voice,"Everyone, out. Now."

A/N: Here you go y'all. Finally their all in the same room at the same time.
How do you think it's gonna go?