Unorthodox Love

ChAPteR nInƏTeeN

I was scared to go home, to say the least. With all these information that were given to me via cryptic and incomplete  messages I still wasn't so sure with my inference. But I also feared another thing. I simply abhor this feeling, the feeling where you want to run away from everything but you simply can't. But even though you're aware of that fact you still try.

You just keep running in circles just to delay all the crap that's coming your way.

I tried to turn around and go somewhere else but my feet just kept walking to the same path, the path that lead me to my doom. I stopped in front of the door. When I step in there, Xavier would start grilling me to find answers. Answers I had yet to know myself.

I heaved a deep breath and unlocked the door.

I felt like a soldier going to battle without any armor or weapons. I wasn't ready, and I was sure of that.

I nearly cried in relief when I spotted no one in the living room. Everyone gives important talks in the living room or family room, and seeing no one there made me want to dance in joy.

But of course my dear brother had to ruin everything.

"Ava? Is that you?" I heard him call out.

I heaved a sigh running a hand through my hair. "Y-yeah."

I started walking to where his voice led. I found him in the kitchen cooking dinner. The scrumptious scent of roasted chicken wafted across the room. I drooled as Xavier placed the food on the table.

I shook myself out of my stupor when I realized something.

Xavier doesn't cook like this when it's just the two of us.

My mouth that was once open and salivating was now pressed onto a line, with my brows pulled together in confusion.

"What's the occasion?" I chimed.

His gaze snapped from the food to me. I gulped audibly. He looked like he was hiding something.

He scratched the back of his neck as his eyes wandered around the room, looking at everything but me.

He cleared his throat. "I-I planned a Family D-Dinner."

I raised an eyebrow. "Family" I drawled out the foreign word, testing it. "Dinner?" It sounded more like a question than anything.

Carefully Xavier finally looked up at me and nodded. "Well... not exactly family because you know-"

"Get to the point Xavier." I cut him off, not really feeling the need  to hear his crappy reason.

"I, uh, invited-" He coughed "-Rose."

A smile crept up my lips as I watched him grow uncomfortable.  I was about to tease him but he quickly added

"I also invited my boss."

The words died in my mouth once he said that. I stumbled with  the following words, not really knowing what to say next.

I sat straight and cleared my throat. "Did you invite anyone else?"

He opened his mouth to answer but the doorbell rung disrupting our conversation.

I quickly got up and ran to my room. I slipped out of my casual clothes and opted for a nice white dress with lace everywhere. I just wore the first pair of white shoes I saw and it turned out to be white sandals. I shrugged not finding any problem with my outfit. I ran a comb through my hair, applied a little eyeliner and mascara, and glossed my lips.

I sighed in content as I made my way down stairs.

"Hello, Avalina." A soft feminine voice said behind me.

I spun around and saw Rose. "Hello Rose." I smiled at her.

I just realized Xavier was behind her when he spoke. "You clean up fast."

I rolled my eyes and ignored my brother. We walked to the dining room together. Well, mostly them and me. The were stuck with each other like glue to paper, it was annoying I admit, but seeing my brother smile like that really makes my heart feel warm.

The sound of the doorbell broke my thoughts. I glanced at my brother seeing if he had any interest in answering the door, but from the looks of it he looks too preoccupied with Rose.

I inwardly groaned. "I'll go get it." I trudged begrudgingly towards the door. To my utter annoyance the doorbell rung once again. I groaned "I'm coming, sheesh no need to be impatient." I said, muttering the last part.

I pulled the door open and my sight was greeted by a tall man in a
Button up shirt and dress pants.

"Avalina." He said.

My eyes widened in shock at the man before me. I never told him my name yet he knew it anyways.

I eyed him up and down as fear bubbled once more in me. I felt my knees buckle and my pulse quicken.

I never told him my address yet he knew it.

Shit, I'm going to die.

A word finally formed at the top of my tongue, and I brought enough courage to say it.

"Xander? " 

>|《¤》|<

We now sat there in the dining room, still waiting for the third and mystery guest. I had no clue who he/she was, all I know is that there's someone else coming.

I had no plans on talking or asking though. Seeing all the three people I never expected to be here shocked me so much that I felt as if the last person would be a total shocker.

"So..." Xavier said after an eternity of silence.

The doorbell rung right after he said that. I stood up abruptly, their eyes focused on me. "I'll get it" I announced.

Hearing the slight anger in my voice Xavier quickly protested. "No, I'll get it--"

"Sit back down, Xavier. I'll get it."

I didn't wait for a reply this time. I walked straight to the door, but when I swung it open I wished I never did.

"Kaden?"