Khaos's P.O.V
After getting in bed, we both just stared at the ceiling. "Quentin's parents are really cool; you will enjoy their company." Beryl breaks the silence, and I hum in response. If it weren't for her, I would never go to a gathering like this.
"I know you don't like all this, but it can be a new start," she says, turning to my side.
"You really do know me," I reply, looking at her. "No, I don't," she snuggles in and keeps her head on my arm.
"Good night," she mumbles and closes her eyes, smiling. I wrap my other arm around her waist and drift into sleep.
The next morning, I find Beryl sleeping in my arms, and a smile spreads on my face. It's a beautiful morning. After a few minutes, she opens her beautiful emerald eyes.
"Good morning," I greet her, and she buries her face in my chest. Okay, she's not a morning person.
"Get up," I tell her.
"No, we have to go for lunch, not breakfast," she whines, and I take a look at the watch on the nightstand.
"Beryl, we have to be there by 1; it's already 12," I inform her, and she shoots up.
"What?" she takes a look at the watch.
"We slept in late yesterday; it's ok, now go and get ready." I tell her, and she climbs down from the bed with the speed of sound.
After getting ready, we left for Quentin's place. We reached there in time, as Beryl informed me that they are punctual people like me.
"Oh, Xeria, you look beautiful, dear," Ms. Tatiana compliments, taking Beryl into a hug, followed by her husband, who do the same.
"And Khaos, we really didn't get a lot of time to talk, right? I'm Tatiana; you can call me Aunt," she hugs me too.
"Yes, he's a promising young man, but he's lucky to have our Xeria as his life partner," Mr. David says, offering me a firm handshake.
"Thank you, Aunt, for inviting us." I greet her, giving her the gifts that Beryl especially selected for them.
"Where's Quentin?" Beryl asks, looking around. "Oh, he's setting the table; come." Aunt replies, guiding us to the table.
"Quentin!" Beryl exclaims as she gives Quentin a tight hug. They really don't get to meet a lot. "Khaos," he says, walking over to greet me. "How're you?" I ask him; he is just as hardworking as Beryl; he has already achieved things at a young age and is managing everything just fine.
"I'm good; come take a seat," he answers, and we all take our seats.
As Beryl said, they are good people, and being with them isn't too bad either; they don't pry too much and keep the conversations light and healthy.
"Mom, Dad!" Wilhelmina exclaims, catching everyone's attention as she walks towards us, accompanied by whom I assume to be her boyfriend, who look very familiar to a certain someone. She greets everyone and then takes a seat across from us with a smile.
"So, this is Bertil." She introduces the man, and he smiles at everyone; he's not nervous, which is good.
"Bertil, you know mom, dad, and my brother; this is Xeria and her husband Khaos," she says, pointing at us. Beryl smiles at the pleasentaries, and so do I, but an eerie feeling begins to linger inside me.
"Tell us about your family, Bertil." Quentin asks him, and my interest picks up on this as we continue our lunch. Wilhelmina assures him with a smile. I think Quentin has some doubts; that's why he's specifically asking this question.
Bertil tells us about his dad: He is of the same social standing as us, and I have heard about him; he's a conglomerate with two sons and a daughter, and though his wife rarely appears publicly, they're said to be a happy family.
"I have two elder siblings; we're the only siblings; there are no children from my parents' first marriage," he finishes, and my suspicions turn up.
"It's my mother's second marriage, as is my father's," he clarifies, as everyone on the table seems confused, but I couldn't be more, clear about the situation.
"What's your mother's name?" I ask him, and the atmosphere around the table tenses. Beryl keeps her hand on my hand, sensing my discomfort.
"Alice," he answers, looking at me, and I exhale.
In her four years of marriage to my father, my mother never made a public appearance. Even their wedding pictures were not made public, I always knew that they were cheating on each other.
I was kept hidden in the covers as if I were an illegitimate child. All of those hardships just to see this day.
He looks exactly like her-honey eyes with blonde hair. I still remember those eyes looking at me with disgust and disappointment. I cannot stand their sight.
"You are a nice person, Bertil. I'm happy to see Willie with you," Beryl smiles, tightening her grip on my hand.
"Aunt you and Uncle, ask your share of questions; I and Khaos will catch up with Quentin, ok?" she adds with a smile.
The three of us leave the table, but Quentin heads in a different direction, and Beryl takes me to a vacant room.
Locking the door, she walks over to me and hugs me. I lean down and keep my chin on her shoulder as she caresses my hair.
"We can leave; don't push yourself, ok?" She comforts me, and I nod my head. After staying in that position for a while, we sit on a couch.
"He looks exactly like her," I blurt out, remembering her face.
"She never allowed me to call her mother, and she didn't even meet me before leaving, not even for one last time. I remember those arguments between my parents and my grandparents, my grandmother dying just after I turned four; she wasn't ill, but I don't remember a day pass by when father didn't make her realize that she ruined his life. After that, my grandfather became more, strict, but at the end, they left and did whatever they wanted to. I remember him saying that it's just me in the end, and I will be left alone, so I have to work harder so that no one can ever put me down." I go on, and Beryl just listens to my ranting.
"But it's been a long time since all of that happened, and now I don't want to look back, and I have no problem with Bertil or anyone, but if he doesn't know that the two of us are related, then he shouldn't know; something is better if left hidden." I say, and Beryl pulls me into a hug.
"Don't force yourself to do anything, ok? If you want, we can meet Ms. Alice, and if you don't, we can just move on; I am here for you." She pulls back and looks at me.
"And grandfather, Khaos isn't alone now," she says, looking me in the eye, and I realize how she's the one for me even after everything that has happened.
"Do you remember meeting any of my parents?" I ask her.
"No, but I do remember meeting Mr. Sebastian when I was in high school; it could be that it's not your parents but him who made the decision for us after marrying your mother." She answers, and the only thing I gave my parents credit for turns out to be false.
"I even don't want to think about them." Groaning, I lean my head against the couch.
"You will get to see them if, in any case, Bertil and Willie get married to each other," she says, snuggling close to me.
"Xeria," Quentin knocks on the door,
"We should get going now," she stands up, and I follow behind her out of the room.
YOU ARE READING
If We Ever Meet Again
General FictionThe one who has always believed that life has given her everything she wanted, and there is the one who doesn't think but is certain that he must snatch everything he wants. What happens when these two ways of thinking collide? Will the spark that i...
