If We Ever Meet Again

30. Happily Never After

Xeria's P.O.V

"Mom, we have been managing everything just like you predicted, but we're getting better," I say, looking at her picture on my table.

It's been six months since Mom left us. She passed away the next day, we made the snowman for her after telling Dad how much she loved him-not that instant, but after that, when she fell asleep.

Dad also knew and was prepared, or so he thought. At first, he was ok, but after the day of the service, he was a wreck, and I was no better. We both cried in each other's arms till we could, and after that, we began to embrace all of the memories she has left for us.

Potato has been in low spirits too, but everyone is working through things now.

"Xeria!" Moira knocks on the door.

"Come in," I reply, and he walks inside.

"Jake is here to meet you," he says, looking unsure of what to do.

"Send him in," I say, and he nods, walking out.

A minute later, Jake walks in looking the same as he always does, but with no more abysmal eyes.

"Hi, Xeria," he greets, taking a seat across the table.

"Hi, Jake," I answer, returning the smile.

"I'm sorry for your loss and also that I wasn't able to get here sooner," he explains, looking at me.

"It's ok, Jake; I'm fine," I answer, and an awkward silence fills the office.

"There's something I have been meaning to tell you, Xeria, and trust me, I don't have any ulterior motives behind it; it's just that I can't, and I have to tell you everything now," he says, clenching his fist on the table.

"What is it, Jake? Feel free to speak," I say, feeling a chill down my spine, what is this feeling?

"Xeria, the reason my business was on the brink of collapse was Khaos," he confesses confidently.

"What?" I blurt in complete-astonishment,

What nonsense is he spouting?

"Listen to me, Xeria; I'm not lying, please," he pleads, and I settle down and give him a chance to speak.

"Khoas was the one; he did everything to separate us that day when you met me at the cafe, and after you left, Khaos also came to meet me and to make sure that I didn't tell you anything. He was the one who convinced my father to arrange a marriage between me, Janice. I'm not lying; I was torn apart; dad didn't listen to anything I said; he didn't even let me talk to anyone, not even you, until I agreed to his conditions," Jake explains everything, his eyes glistening, and with each sentence, my world crashes down.

Khaos was there, that day when I went to meet him, I met him myself. I look at Jake, and I can tell he didn't make up anything; all he said right now was the truth. I can't go through this feeling of betrayal again.

"Jake, please leave," I grit my teeth, taking a deep breath to control my tears.

"I'm sorry, Xeria," he whispers, and he walks out, shutting the door behind him.

No, no, no, this cannot be the truth. Holding my head in my hands, I ponder. No, Khaos himself said that he didn't lie about anything when I asked him that day. I have to go and talk to him.

Picking up my keys, I storm out of my office. Moira calls and shouts behind me, but ignoring him, I storm out. Not caring about anything, I drive back to my home at full speed.

Unlocking the door, I go inside to see Khaos sitting alone, going through his files in the hall.

"Khaos," I call him, and he looks at me and keeps the file in his hand on the table.

"Beryl, you're back so early. What happened?" he asks, walking towards me.

"If I ask you something, will you answer me truthfully?" I ask him, clenching my fists.

"Yes, Beryl," he answers, looking at me his face filled with worry.

"Did you try to sabotage Jake's business?" I ask him, my body turning hot from anger and frustration.

Khaos looks at me with shock written all over his face. He doesn't say anything.

"Yes," he answers finally, and finally, a tear drops from my eyes.

"Why?" I ask, choking up tears.

"Because I wanted to separate him from you," he answers, as a matter of fact, without wavering.

"Why did you lie to me that day when I asked about the truth?" I ask, still trying to hold on to a single ray of hope.

"I said that I only planned and did things to make you mine, nothing less and nothing more," he replies, exhaling.

"So, this was the plan you were referring to? Why did you lie?" I ask, raising my voice.

"Because I was scared, Beryl, of how you would react. I didn't care about anything when I did all this; I only wanted to do whatever I wanted to without taking anyone's feelings into consideration, but it all changed when I started being with you. You changed this for me, Beryl; now nothing is more important than you," he explains himself and tries to hold my hand, but I slap his hand away.

"Didn't you know that I was happy with him? Do you know how much I cried when I saw him with someone else? Do you know how betrayed I felt? I have to go through all of that pain. Why, so that you can satisfy your ego?" I shout, my voice raising with each question and tears filling my eyes making my vision blurry.

"Beryl I really don't have any excuse, but please, I'm changing for the better. I'm sorry, Beryl. Please," he pleads, taking a step closer, but I step back.

"Don't call me that; don't. How can you still expect me to forget all this like nothing? How can this ever be the same? How will I ever trust you? Everything is a lie. It was a house made of glass. Khaos, time and again I reminded you that our foundation is fragile; there's no trust between us, and when I began to trust you and gave you a chance, you still lied to me. Am I not entitled to anything in this relationship? I've been cooperating with everything till now. What for?" I ask him, tears rolling down my face.

"I'm sorry, Beryl, but I will fix this all; please trust me," he begs, his eyes turning red.

"Just because of your selfishness, you were ready to ruin three lives. Mom had so much faith in you, you even lied to my parents. When you clearly knew I was with someone else, then too, you went ahead with whatever you wanted. Fix this, fix what? Do you know how many nights I thought I was the problem? How many thoughts went through me when I was not allowed to make a decision for myself? Did I even ever ask for anything from anyone? Just to match everyone else's expectations, I betrayed myself time and again. I feel like a fool," I shout everything that comes to mind, my mind turning hazy.

"I can't do this anymore; I can't take this anymore. Please leave me alone; I don't want to do anything with you. Go," I say, wiping my tears.

"Beryl, I love you; don't do this, please," he says, a tear dropping from his eye.

"I love you too, Khaos, but not like this; I don't want to be manipulated by love anymore. I have already given it a lot of thought, and guess where it brought me? It's over now, and if you do love me as you say, then leave and don't add to my problems," Walking past him, I tell him my final decision, and without waiting for his response, I run to my room.

Locking myself inside only to question, when will this agony end for me?

And will I ever be able to feel the same?

Just when I thought that everything was going to be fine now, I got a straight slap on my face to remind myself that I don't deserve this peace and quiet; the only thing left for me is an empty heart filled with chaos and Khaos.

-END-

This isn't the end; Xeria and Khaos will return to complete their incomplete story.