Xeria’s P.O.V

Before the ceremony

"Xeria, what're you doing here?" I see up from my teary-blur, eyes.

"Ivan, please get me out of here. Just please help me," I plead, bursting into tears.

"Ok, don't worry, get up; we will get out of here." He says, supporting me to stand up.

Avoiding the gazes of the passersby, Ivan guides me to his room. Though I asked him to take me out of here, it isn’t possible for now; everything is under strict surveillance, so there's no way I can walk out of here unseen.

Ivan unlocks the door, and we walk inside his room. He makes me sit on the couch, arranging my huge dress.

"Now tell me exactly what happened." He asks, pouring water into the glass and then offering it to me.

Looking up, I narrate to him all the series of events from the beginning until what I saw in my parents' room.

Tears spring to my eyes again, but they do not fall. I think Ivan is as shocked as I am because he is not speaking.

"Xeria, I do not know what is the right or wrong thing to do at this moment. All I can advise you to do is think about what is not going to hurt you the most. No matter what you decide to do, I will be there for you." He consoles me, pushing the tissue box towards me.

I just sit there, staring at nothing, thinking and analyzing the situation. I don't realize how much time has already passed since Ivan left to give me some time to think.

"Xeria!"

I hear Ivan calling me, snapping me from my trance state, I look at him.

"Everyone is looking for you; what is your decision?" He asks me with a worried look.

...

Willie and Quentin burst inside the room carrying the veil and some makeup, I guess.

After getting ready for the final time, we made our way towards the hall. We were already late.

When I reach the other side of the aisle, my parents look at me with relief. 

Just that one look reassured me that I have made the right choice. The ceremony proceeded; Khaos didn't say anything to me else but "Are you okay?" and after that, it all went in a blur until the ceremony ended, and I dragged him to my room after that.

Present

After clicking some mandatory pictures and giving a short appearance at the reception, the two of us (obviously me and Khaos) leave for my home, which mom has prepared for the occasion.

The drive back home was silent. I changed into a comfortable short red dress after that for the reception.

I feel bad for not taking Potato with me, but mom said it would be lonely if both of us left, so for the time being, he's staying with them only.

Well, my home happens to be a less shady penthouse. Opening the door, I see that mom has done some very classic decorations: red votive candles, red roses, dim lights, noo. I want to dig up a hole, and I hide in it.

"If you're hungry, grab something from the kitchen; I'm going to crash now; I'm tired." I tell Khaos, who is casually looking around.

The only redeemable thing about this place is the view.

"The guest room is next to my room, so make sure to not sleep on the couch." Taking a final look at the gray-eyed idiot, I walk upstairs to my room.

First thing in the morning, I have to accompany mom to her chemo and bring Potato here.

I have a week off from work, so I will utilize it to arrange things according to me.

Like, hell, am I moving in with that idiot?

If he wants, he can go back alone. I'm in no mood to adjust; now I have to turn the tide. It can't just go on like this anymore.

What happened today was the last thread of my remaining patience, which has already snapped.

~

Getting ready quickly, I dive down the stairs, and I find a note neatly placed on the center table.

Picking up the note, I see very nice handwriting: "Beryl, I have some work; I'm going back; let me know if something happens."

The content is very nice too. Folding the note, I see the wedding band on my finger.

Oh, something has really changed, and it's going to stay after putting the note down, as it is I leave to pick up mom.

Throughout the way home, some very weird thoughts dance around my mind, like did he eat anything last night or did he catch a sleep or left at night itself?

Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I sigh. Why am I even thinking about him?

Parking in the driveway of my beautiful home, I hear my potato bark. I walk inside the house, smiling, when Potato runs towards me and jumps on top of me.

"Easy, easy; I will take you with me." Stroking his fur, I give him the happy news: at least it's happy for me.

"Where is mom?" I ask him, giving him belly rubs, which he loves.

"Dear, what are you doing here?" Mom asks me, emerging from the kitchen.

"Well, it's my home too." Standing up, I answer her question, and she frowns.

"Mom, I'm here to accompany you to the hospital. Get ready; we are leaving in 10 minutes." I tell her the actual reason for my visit, but the frown doesn't ease.

"I can go with your father, and where is Khaos?" Oh this question.

"Mom, he has a business to attend to; he has been taking some important calls, so he asked me to come here, and he is fine with it." I lie through my teeth; is it going to be my routine?

Well, Khaos does own a huge business group, Tellecom, textile, and a fashion line; he had an established base and resources, and he built his entire business on it.

"You aren't lying, are you?" She asks.

"Mom, trust me, okay, now come with me." I whine, and she just gives in.

~

The doctor said that she would be able to come back home today. Dad didn't accompany us in the morning, but he came directly to the hospital after some time.

I guess he is taking the workload on himself, but when I asked him, he said that I am overthinking, he asked me to leave after some time, and that he's going to stay with mom.

So now I'm back in this not-so-shady penthouse with Potato, running around.

The housekeeper is arriving today; it's the mean aunt, Nora; she will be here at any moment now, courtesy of mom.

I told her that I was going to be here till she recovers, so she had this brilliant idea of sending a housekeeper.

I retaliated that it's only for some time, but Aunt Nora is coming, and I know that she's my mom's secret spy. So, now I have to deal with this problem too.

The doorbell rings, and I shoot up to receive the mean aunt, Opening the door, I put on a perfect fake smile.

"Welcome au—Khaos!" I stammer in my words and see a very drunk Khaos standing in front of me.

"Beryl." He greets, smiling. I think he is in his senses.

"What are you up to?" I ask him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I." and before he can continue, he drops on me.

"Hey, get up!" I exclaim, tapping his back, "I will fall down; you're so heavy." I try to push him, but he doesn't budge.

With no other options left, I drag him with me to the couch.

He is slurring some alien words; he smells quite nice, even though he is drunk.

"You said you were out for work, but you went out to drink, adding to my problems." I fume, and he just smiles.

Reaching the couch, I throw him on it, and breathing heavily, I straighten up, but Potato comes running with full force and bumps into me, knocking me down on top of Khaos.

"Why are you so excited, Potato?" I try to scold him, but my face is buried in Khaos's chest.

Trying to get up, I fell back on him as my hair got tangled in his lapel pin.

Why is he wearing a lapel pin today, or does he always wear one? I give it one more try and make some more distance.

"Beryl, what're you doing?" He groans.

"What am I doing?"

"What are you doing?" I snap. 

"Oh my, sorry for intruding like this!" I hear someone speak, and what perfect timing!