The day had been long especially for Xavier. The table echoed with cutlery as the whole family ate in silence. The issue was finally over but everyone worried about how Xavier had been affected. The man was eating but his thoughts had wondered off. He let out a sigh and snapped out of his reverie. The food was no longer appealing to him.
"Excuse me", he said while dropping his fork back on the plate.
Before anyone could give a response, Xavier had already stood up to go away from the table. Victoria sighed with worry when she saw thia. Hurried footsteps approached the table.
"Excuse Master Xavier", Edmund called out, earning his attention. He appeared troubled before he spoke. "Sir..... Miss Oswell is causing quite a ruckus outside the gate. She's demanding to see you."
"How dare she?" Victoria slammed the table angrily.
Xavier scoffed. "You interrupted a family dinner for something like this? And where does she think this place is to act like that?"
"My apologies, sir", Edmund gave a polite bow and went on his way as Xavier did his.
He had understood Xavier's message. Knowing she was no longer someone the family was friendly with, he could deal with Nicole as he seemed fit. Stella shook her head, the woman was too troublesome. Zach watched his brother's retreating back. He may have seemed unfazed but Zach knew, this had affected Xavier more than he let on.
Zach felt a soft hand land on top of his and give it a gentle squeeze. He looked at his wife's sympathizing gaze and gave a small smile as he caressed her hand with his thumb. Amy was also worried.
Meanwhile, Xavier had just gotten in to his room when his phone started ringing. Ignoring it, he went on to lie down on the bed. He sighed as he rested a hand on his head. The phone stopped ringing and immediately started again. He brought up his phone and stared at the caller ID.
He caressed the power button as he fell in thought. He didn't want to have anything to do with Nicole, that was clear, but he needed to tell her off; for good. With a swipe of a finger, he answered.
"Xavier!" She cried out before he could say a word. "I'm outside your brother's place. These people won't allow me in. Tell them to let me in or come out so we can talk."
"Did you forget whose place this is?" He questioned with no sign of warmth in his tone making her briefly go silent. And why would he go out? He would be a fool to meet her whilst in the middle of the scandal. He didn't want another misleading article to be published about him. It was bas enough he was implicated.
"Xavier we need to talk", she pleaded.
"What's there to talk about?" He arched his brow as though she could see him.
"Neela put me up to this! I should have known that you turned her down because of me! And she drugged me and-and let that man have his way with me.... She hated us being together. I should have known that she wanted you for herself. I shouldn't have mistreated you! I should have been good to you! I should have never listened to her!"
"In the end, it was still a choice you made", he voiced his disappointment.
"Xavier..... I....."
"So it's not clear to you that you're equally responsible for the ending of our relationship?"
"I'm sorry", she whispered as she broke into a sob. "It won't happen again! I won't let anything else come between us. Please Xavier. Don't let this be the end of us. Please. I can't live without you", she pleaded in between her cries. "Please don't do this.
"Nicole", he started with an exhausted voice. His tone was heavy with emotion as he threw her a question that threw her off. "Blaming your friend is one thing, but isn't it my past that bothers you the most?"
She fell quiet and realized that when she said those hurtful words to him, he had seen how sincere she was with that statement. So why get back into a relationship when his past will just fuel her insecurities?
He terminated the call, blocked her and deleted the contact. He threw the phone beside him and exhaled deeply as he closed his eyes. On the other hand, Nicole retreated home with a strong resolve that she could still get back with him. He just needed time to recover from this mess.
Little did she know, Xavier had completely erased her from his life, just like that. A knock was heard before the door was pushed open. He opened his eyes to see Zach leaning against one side of the door frame with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"You heard everything?" Xavier asked as he sat up.
Zach nodded, not bothering to deny his guilt. "How are you?"
He sighed, "It's exhausting.... It doesn't feel too great to be in the limelight for such a reason. On one hand I feel sorry for her but at the same time I feel relieved that I no longer have anything to do with her."
"I guess now you got your answer."
Xavier briefly fell quiet until he understood Zach's statement. "I never loved her", he said in realization. He shook his head and chuckled, "It's sad."
"Don't be in a hurry to look. Your time will come", he advised.
Xavier nodded before he proceeded to speak. "Thank you..... man, for everything."
Zach shook his head in response. "I came to tell you that you should take some time off from work."
"No.... I'll go."
"I wasn't asking. Take some time off. As long as you need. Alright?" His tone was authoritative but Xavier knew this was our of care.
"Okay. Thanks man."
Zach nodded and turned to leave when he stopped to say one more thing. "Hey, you'll be okay."
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