"He did what?" Daphne shrieks down the phone as I come off the bus. I'm back in Sommereast, making my way to Joan's flat. The life of the rich and wealthy is not a life I want to have or be a part of. Xavier Bright is just like the rest of them - greedy, shallow and a lying cheat. How could I be so naïve? Why did I have to fall in love with him? Why did I let him hurt me and stamp on my heart? There is only one person I am really furious with. Her name is Ziayn Xu.
"You should've seen the look on his face - and hers! I feel sick just thinking about it." I whine, stopping outside of the bookshop. "I'm at Jo's now Daph, I'll call you later love."
"Okay Zi, see you soon." I hang up the phone, pushing the door open. The bell jingles, as I walk in. Some familiar customers greet me, asking a million and one questions about where I disappeared off to, but Joan saves me from the interrogations. I didn't go missing!
"A visit twice in one week? What's going on now daydreamer?" She chuckles. Joan notices my frown, and shakes her head. "He messed up didn't he?"
"Big time." I scoff, as she takes my thing and places them behind the counter. She serves her customer, before she closes the shop for her lunch break. She takes a seat next to me at the till, and I begin to tell her everything. From my first day at Lighthouse Industries, to my first encounter with the witch herself. The Anderson Ball, his wicked mother, Maisy and Dash - all the pointless meetings and close calls between Xavier and I. These past five months have been a whirlwind of drastic change and lavish living. I use to complain about the one bedroom apartment, and bus journeys, but really I loved them. I loved that even though my income wasn't like Violet's or Scarlett's, it kept Daphne and I out of the cold. We could still eat breakfast and dinner every morning and night. I want that life back. I want my Xavier-free life back.
"Sounds like you fell in love Zi. You fell for a man that portrayed himself to be trustworthy and crazy about you and only you. Many young women like yourself go through the exact same thing." Jo tells me.
"I know Jo, but Xavier was different. There were moments where I believed he really loved me. That he wanted to share a future with me and Daph. I saw myself marrying this man! I know the sparks were real when we kissed. I know the butterflies in the pit of my stomach were real whenever he would meet my gaze, or hold my hand. Did he not feel that too?" I turn to Joan, tears in my eyes. She sighs, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"He clearly didn't love you as much as he claims to, if you caught him tangled up with his ex." She says sadly, and I slump in defeat. There was one thing I asked of him and that was to not hurt me. The real idiot here is me. I should've never showed my true colours to him so easily. I was just another fling to him.
"Do you know if anyone brought my old apartment? I know you've already got company." Joan shakes her head no, and a small sigh of relief escapes my lips. At least one good thing has happened today.
"I'll go now, and see if it's okay with Tom. I hope he doesn't mind." I say, standing to my feet.
"Tom adores you Ziayn! I'm sure he won't mind. And you're always welcome to come work back here." Joan assures me, as she passes me my suitcase. I give her a big hug, thanking her for everything, before leaving the bookshop. The bus journey to the block of apartments brings back fond memories. It feels good to be home. Joan was right - Tom happily allowed me to move back into the apartment. He told me that he even kept everything how it was, so when I entered the apartment, it was like I never left. Tom leaves me to settle back in, telling me that the rent is still the same price per month. He hands me back the key before going.
I don't need a fancy flat, or mansion. I don't need people to clean and cook for me. As long as I have the essentials to make tea and jam on toast - I'll be just fine. As I relax on the settee, my phone starts ringing. Taking it out of my pocket, I see that it is Violet.
"Hi Violet, you okay?" I ask her.
"I'm okay. I saw you run out of work today in a state. Worried, I followed after you but you were too fast for me and my little legs. When I noticed my brother chasing after you I was confused." Did she just say brother?
"Xavier is your brother?" My mouth hung open in shock. How have I never made the connections between the two? And I never saw her at his parents' home the time we went for 'dinner'.
"He's my older brother yeah - I thought you knew. That's not the point - are you okay?" She questions me.
"I'm not okay Violet. I'm angry, sad, heartbroken - the list is endless right now and I don't want to talk about it anymore. You tell that brother of yours I quit, and I never want to see him again or his stupid company." And with that I hang up the phone. I bet the only reason why she called was so that she can report back to him. It all makes sense now; Violet was friends with Scarlett and was very close with Xavier. I go back to slumping on the settee, trying to focusing on Coronation Street and not Xavier's lips all over Scarlett's perfectly evil face. Who was I kidding - there was no way we could've worked as a couple. We're just two people from two completely different worlds that are never meant to meet.
Looks like we're back to the beginning.
YOU ARE READING
Don't Hurt Me
Romance"If this is just a game to you then leave!" "This is no game baby girl. This is the real deal." Ziayn Xu is a twenty two year old woman who has been looking after herself and her little sister ever since they were left outside an orphanage by their...
