If We Ever Meet Again

5. Closing the Chapter

Xeria’s P.O.V

"See, she likes him; she is all flustered only after listening to his name," mom gushes.

Excuse me, this face has shock written all over it. From which angle do I look flustered?

"But Lea, I think she's kind of shocked," dad says, observing me.

Kind of? I'm shocked.

Getting up from the couch and facing the two of them, I just look at their reactions.

"By what algorithm did this proposal came?" I ask them.

Khaos, he's like one of the most successful businessmen of this country, and that at a very young age apart from this, I think, No! I'm 100% sure that he is the spawn of the devil, or devil himself, and do I look like a sacrificial lamb to my parents?

"He himself sent it; we didn't do anything, honey," mom says, feigning the most innocent look.

Only once in my life I have met the storm named Khaos, and that was by very bad luck.

That one meeting was enough for me to realize that I should never cross paths with that man again, and now I have to meet him on a date? What is he up to? I don't want to look at those scary gray eyes again.

First, I have to settle things with Jake; I will meet him today.

What the hell is going on? I can't let my life turn upside down in a day or two.

Or so I thought.

Sitting in front of Jake in a warm coffee shop sure brings back so many memories, but his engagement ring is enough to bring me back into reality.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" I ask him, looking at the latte art, which is obviously a heart.

Picking up the spoon, I stir it all up. Stupid barista, not everyone is looking for hearts.

"I'm sorry," he says, biting his lower lip.

"So many things were happening at once that the whole company was thrown into chaos, and the next moment, my dad declared that I had to marry." He continues, looking up from his abysmal eyes.

He has been crying a lot, I think.

"And you didn't even bother telling me any of this?" I ask him, sipping on my coffee.

"I had no idea what to do; I was under a lot of pressure. I have no excuses to make. I'm just so sorry, Xeria," he confesses, and I don't know what to feel or say.

Looking back at all those four years, they were really well spent.

Most of the time we were busy with our work and studies, and unlike any other couple, we never used to spend a lot of time together, but I thought it was ok.

Given our work load, was it the reason why he didn't even waver before accepting the marriage?

I guess so now, but he's just as hurt as I am. Why does all of this have to be so complicated?

"So where does all of this take us now?" I ask him, with a lump forming in my throat.

"This is as far as we go," he answers, looking out from the window.

"I think that was understood; why did you call me here?" I retort, Why is he not looking at me?

At least he should answer me by looking me in the eyes.

"I owed you an explanation, so I gave you one," he declares, now looking me in the eye.

My ego won't let me ask if it was something I did because of which something like this happened.

Here's the thing: I'm really egoistic, and even at this point, I can't let go of my fragile yet strong ego.

So, I pick up my bag and walk out of the cafe after closing the Jake chapter once and for all.

Hanging my bag-pack on my shoulders, I make my way out of the cafe, and of-course I have to bump into someone; it can't get any less dramatic.

All ready to apologize, I look up at the tall person only to look into the storm like gray eyes, which were looking back at my green ones.

Taking a step back, I subconsciously bite my lower lip.

"I'm sorry," I blurt, and I begin to walk away.

The meeting is on Saturday, right? So, there's no need for me to prepone it.

What do you mean, out of all these people, I had to bump into him?

But all of my plans, come crashing down when I twist my ankle and go straight, falling into the devil's arms.

"It can't get any more cliché, can it?" Opening my eyes, I look at him and our eyes meet.

"For sure it can't," he smirks.

"Did I say it aloud?" I blurt no what; stop making a fool of yourselves, Xeria, I mentally face-palm myself.

"Yes, you did," he answers, getting me up on my feet like I weigh, like a feather.

"It seems like you are in a hurry," he says, fixing up his cufflinks.

Why is he dressed so poshly in the middle of a busy street? like that in front of a coffee shop, and what is he doing here in this city?

"I'm here on a business trip," he smirks.

Wow, he can read minds too.

"I didn't ask anything; whatever you do here is none of my business, and yes, I'm in a hurry, so I will get going now, and thank you." I give the most insincere smile to him, at which he just chuckles, riling me up.

"I hope you will show up at the scheduled time of the meeting," he says, stepping towards me.

"And why do you think I won't, Mr. Khaos?" I retort, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Maybe because you never wanted to cross paths with me again," he answers calmly.

"You make me dislike you every time I see you." I spat, flaring my nostrils.

"Well, good luck to you for that; you may be spending your whole life with the person you dislike so much," he waves his hand, walking inside the cafe, leaving me all alone with my anger.

"I will give you a nice comeback," I say, looking at his back.

Spending my whole life with him.

What a joke!

Who does he think he is?

Before I can do any further ranting, my phone begins to ring.

"How did it go?" Quentin asks me as soon as I answer the call.

"This is as far as we go," I reply, sliding my hands into my skirt pocket and leaning my head against the cafe's glass window.

"What are you going to do next?" he asks.

"Rant about Khaos," I answer, leaning forward and walking down the bustling street.

"Khaos, where did he come from?"

Even Quentin is shocked.

"Apparently he's the one who has sent the proposal," I reply, trying to digest the fact.

"All the best, Xeria," Quentin laughs, and the urge to punch his face was never as strong as I am feeling now.

"Jake is getting married to Janice," he says.

Oh, so that girl's name is Janice.

"Seriously, Xeria, you don't remember her; she was our junior but from a different faculty," he tries to enlighten me.

"I don't remember, but are you implying that Jake was cheating on me?" I ask him, halting in my steps.

"I'm not sure about that," he answers.

Argh!  

"I don't care now; I will see you on Sunday after getting through this whole meeting thing," I say, hanging up the phone.