Xeria’s P.O.V

Nothing happened in between the days, and Grunge and I, the two of us, departed to attend the gala. Seeing the same roads and buildings again after so long on our way to the venue, my panic began to rise.

Quentin hasn’t returned yet so, we are directly going to the venue.

"Ready?" Grunge asks me as we arrive at the venue.

"I'm not sure," I answer, my hands getting sweaty again and my stomach churning with various feelings.

"I'm here, ok, let's go," he comforts me, steeping me out and, after that, opening the door on my side to help me out.

Taking Grunge's hand, I step out, and the minute I did, I’m greeted with various flashes on my face.
Grunge is dressed in a black tux, and I’m wearing an off-shoulder satin dress that was maroon in color. We both walk in together, smiling and greeting the cameras and the people, and ostentatiously dodging the questions.

"Ms. Xeria, Mr. Khaos just walked in with his rumored girlfriend; is the gentleman next to you your boyfriend?" a reporter asks me.

I never get anxiety or any sort of panic when I'm making a business appearance, so it is easy for me to ignore these things, but for a change, I give an answer.

"Friends at best," and smiling, we both walk inside.

As we walk in, all the eyes turn towards us, and so we begin to greet people, smiling. After introducing Grunge to a few people, my heart begins to beat faster, and I know what it is.

I eventually catch sight of the person I had been pining for among the throng of onlookers. As my gaze lands on him, everything stops for a while. As cliché as it sounds, my surroundings became invisible; it was only him.

I was brought back to reality when I see a hand around his arm, and after a moment, he turns around, and we make eye contact, and I just freeze on the spot.

I don't want to make a fool of myself, but the moment I see those gray eyes, I couldn't help but feel the storm they carried sweep me away once more. All the memories begin to play in my mind.

No! No! No! I want to run away, but before I can move a step away, Grunge holds me in place by holding my hand.

"Xeria, stand your ground," he whispers in my ear as I try to calm my eratic nerves.

The girl who is next to him also whispers something in his ear and pulls him away with her, and I just stand in my place like an idiot.

What just happened?

Khaos never let anyone handle him; if no one, then why did she?

I'm really a fool; he has, as a matter of fact, moved on.

Why am I so foolish?

It was me who asked him to leave; then why am I expecting him to stay?

I'm really an idiot. I let out a chuckle as I hear Grunge call for me.

"Xeria, stay here; I will be back," he whispers in my ear and then storms out before my face can show any hint of discomfort or vulnerability to the on lookers.

I steady myself; this is not the right place I have to hold it until I get out of here.

I make an effort to leave, but I know it won't be simple because I keep getting greeted by different people, and I don't want to act impolitely for fear of getting an earful from Moira.

Why had I come here at all? stupid choice.

"Finally, I get to greet you." Ivan smiles as he walks up to me, followed by Tarquin.

"I'm at my limit," I mutter as he hugs me.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you." I greet Tarquin with a smile.

"Yes, last year was in college, but it feels like yesterday," he replies as he glances at Ivan, his gaze filled with love.

We start talking amongst ourselves, and then I sense murmurs and whispers surrounding me, and I know that they are directed at me. I am aware of it.

I can feel the heat rising from everyone's stares. I inhale deeply before turning to face Ivan, who is staring at his phone with a look of disgust on it.

"Ivan, what is it?" Uncertain of what it is this time, I ask him.

He sighs and says, "Xeria."

"Hand your phone to me." I take his phone from my hand, and my world falls apart again the second I see what's on it.

I walk out of the hall, ignoring the whispers and gazes of the people around me.

"The reason for the annulment."

"Exes reconciled."

"The homewrecker."

All of this was spread over the tabloids, with the picture of me and Jake from the day of my visit to the therapist of us sitting together and eventually leaving together.

This couldn't have been explained, but the article was followed by our pictures from my college days when we were together.

I never posted any pictures with him; they were only with me and him. Then how did someone get their hands on the pictures?

Is it Jake who did all this?

I walk aimlessly before I get myself out of sight and finally slump down in a corner, letting out a cry.

What the hell is happening?

After all these years?

Why now?

I hug my knees close to my chest as my mind again fills with painful memories of the past, but only Khaos's face comes to mind.

I need him.

I need him now more than ever. My mind turns hazy as my breathing again accelerates.

"I can't take this any, more," I mutter.

"You don't have to, Beryl." I look up at hearing that voice as I see the similar pair of gray orbs, and without thinking about anything, I jump into his embrace.

"Khaos, I didn't do that; they're lying." I don't know why, but I begin to explain myself to him as I bury my face in his chest, and he comforts me, drawing circles on my back.

"I know Beryl," he whispers, and I begin to relax in his embrace; his warmth is everything I craved all this time.

Just his one touch was able to send jolt of electric sensation in me, the similar spark the similar sensation.

"Look at me, Beryl," he says, cupping my face with his hands, and I do as he says. He looks at me, and his gaze softens. The piercing pair of eyes are filled with warmth, and his face begins to come closer to mine, but before we can go any further, I recall the hand that was around his arm and was forced back to reality.

"No, no, this isn't right," I fret, pulling myself away from him.

"Beryl, what?" but before he can say any further, I get up and bolt away. I can't do that; he is with someone else. I can't be selfish.

"Xeria." I see Grunge in front of me, and I run towards him.

"Please, let's go back." I whimper, feeling the energy drain from my body, and before I can hear any responses from him, my vision blackens, and I pass out for good.