If We Ever Meet Again

12. D-Day (Part-I)

Xeria's P.O.V

"Potato, tomorrow is the D-Day."
Looking through the list of events and timings, I grimace.

The wedding is set to take place at one of our hotels, which is quite obvious. I'm a guest at my own wedding.

I have been informed about the date, time, and venue, and now all I have to do is show up in a dress and perform my part.

I have been thinking of signing a pren-up agreement, but that didn't go well either.

All of the lawyers whom I know one way or another are connected to my parents' network.

Quentin sent me some of the pictures of the venue. The decor and preparation are top-notch: cascading blooms, lush greenery, crystal accents, sparking chandeliers, and the list goes on.

Potato brings my phone, and again, it is Khaos.

"What is it?" I ask him straight to the point. The line goes silent for a while before I hear him exhaling.

"Beryl, I'm sorry." he whispers.

Oh, is he canceling the wedding?

The runaway groom is no problem either.

"What for?" Please say what I want you to say at least once.

"I shouldn't have acted that way." He says, with a hint of guilt.

"It's too late for that, isn't it?" "Tomorrow is our wedding; you declared your decision in the fit of your anger; there's no point in apologizing." Of, course I'm annoyed.

"We're getting married tomorrow, Beryl, and there's still space for us to fix all of this." He suggests.

"I will see you tomorrow. Check the fit of your tux to see if it can fit your massive ego." And I hang up.

Fix it; fix exactly what; there is nothing to begin with; why the soft guy act now when it's all too late?

"Let's go to sleep, potato; it will be a long day tomorrow." Switching off the light, I get ready for bed, or for the most unwanted and happening day of my life.

The first thing in the morning, Willie and Quentin come to my home.

"Xeria, we'll be leaving in an hour," Quentin says, helping Willie organize the things we have to take to the venue.

"I know I shouldn't be saying this, but this is the first time I have ever designed a wedding gown. I'm really excited to see the end result," Willie says, showing the trial photos to Quentin.

She has really put in a lot of effort to prepare a dress in such a short period of time.

"Willie, just be ready in time; then only you will be able to help Xeria." Quentin smiles, and Willie walks to the closet to gather her things.

"Xeria, don't worry; no matter what happens, I will always be by your side," Quentin says, hugging me.

~

"You look gorgeous, dear." Mom says, trying to keep the tears from falling from her eyes.

It's a classic satin, long-sleeved princess gown with a beaded top; the veil is nowhere to be seen, but apparently Quentin is finding it.

"I will go and see if your dad needs anything; you stay here with Willie." Mom smiles, keeping a hand on my cheek, and I just smile in response.

It's been 10 minutes, and there's still no sign of Quentin.

"Xeria, I will go and see; I will be back," Willie says, picking up her phone from the table and walking out of the room.

I'm getting bored now. Potato is with Ivan and Moira; he must be giving them one hell of a time.

Ding!

I pick up the phone to see the message, and after going through its contents, I storm out of the room to have a serious discussion with mom and dad.

It was the picture of the bank statement and all the contracts; all of the past investments are clear; the little left is not a big concern; then why?

Why did Khaos show me the forged documents?

Why didn't my parents object to it?

Why are they continuously lying to me?

Are they trying to get rid of me?

Walking through the corridor, I check the rooms; they're nowhere to be seen.

Now where did they go?

"Excuse me." I call, spotting a staff member.

"How can I help you, ma'am?" She asks, curiously wondering why I am running around like this.

"Have you seen my parents?" I ask her, growing impatient.

"Yes, they went that way, just about 10 minutes ago." She answers, pointing in the direction, and nodding my head, I run off.

Not bothering to knock on the door, I go inside the suite but they were nowhere to be seen.

Before I can leave, I hear coughing noises from the bathroom.

Walking slowly towards the half-open door, I see mom coughing violently and dad supporting her.

She put the tissue down, and I see that it is red; she is coughing blood.

What?

Mom?

How?

What happened?

No!

"Lea, stop putting yourself through so much; you have to start the chemotherapy now or it will be too late." Dad says, supporting her and choking up on tears.

"You have already put it on hold for a long time and exhausted yourself in the preparations; please, Lea, Xeria wouldn't want all this." He adds, looking at mom.

"One more day, Louis, I just want to see my Xeria; get married, please." She says with a lot of effort, her breathing unsteady.

"Why Lea?" Dad says.

"You know I won't be able to make it, Louis, but now that it's happening, I can't be weak; consider this my wish just a little more, and then I will do as you say." She sobs, and my world comes crashing down.

Putting a hand on my mouth, I turn around and leave.

That's why she was hurrying all the things, but why is she putting herself through all this pain just to see me getting married?

Why was she saying that she wouldn't be able to make it?

I can't; I just can't.

My strong mom-why did she hide such a big thing from her daughter?

We could've been strong together.

Leaning against the wall, I slump down.

Did Khaos also know all this?

My mom is in so much pain, and I was not even able to sense or see it. I got so busy with my life that I didn't see anything.

I'm such a useless daughter that she is putting her life in danger just to see me get married.

"Xeria, what're you doing here?"

I look up from my teary-blur, eyes.

"Ivan, please get me out of here. Just please help me." I plead, bursting into tears.

"Ok, don't worry, get up; we will get out of here." He says, supporting me to stand up.