The nightscape of Silvercrest City was always breathtaking. Neon colors from the residential buildings, recreational parks, business districts and skyscrapers illuminated every corner of the city.
In an imposing manor, a man sat alone in his ho office. His glum countenance was darker than the night sky outside the windows.
Leaning against the backrest of his swivel chair, Xander retraced the mory from this afternoon. Belinda’s words from a few hours ago lingered in his mind.
"I t Brother Calix, his wife and their daughter at the hotel. He was... displeased with ."
"His wife... talked to too. She told to be careful with... spreading rumors."
"I feel bad.... but, I don’t know how to apologize. Everything will sound like excuses."
Xander didn’t expect to hear Belinda bringing up Calix’s na. He also never foresaw his younger cousin to et Leslie and Calliope, his childhood friend’s wife and daughter.
The little one nad Calliope... He hadn’t t her. He only heard about her from Calix and the statent he released the other day.
Xander was quiet throughout the ti Belinda narrated her chance eting with Calix. Neither Alicia nor Nicholas interfered until the end.
The ambiance in the lounge turned somber as if dark clouds lingered above everyone’s heads.
"I think Brother Calix is still mad because... I believed what Gladys told about his wife. It’s my fault. I also imdiately shared it with you."
Remorse tainted Belinda’s face and voice. She brought up the issue openly even though Nicholas was nearby as if she wasn’t afraid of him learning about her past mistake.
Xander hadn’t t Calix since their fight on that night[01]. He tried reaching out to his friend several tis, but the latter adamantly refused any personal contact.
"You’re not sorry, Xander. Save your half-assed apology. Leave and my family alone."
That was Calix’s first and final ssage to Xander. He couldn’t deny how enraged and disappointed he was because his childhood friend chose his wife over him.
"I’m his sworn brother! How could he do this to ?"
When Xander complained about how unfair Calix was, Violet and Davin had a similar reaction. He was stunned upon receiving their wrath.
"Are you truly sorry for Calix and his wife, Xander? Your prejudice hurt him and his family."
"He defended his wife, not a random person! Won’t you do the sa to if soone ever slanders like that?"
Both Davin and Violet told Xander off, not mincing their words like always. For the first ti, they didn’t let their fear of him hinder them from being truthful.
"Xander, please. Take a step back and think carefully about why your actions offended Calix so much. His anger is justified, Xander."
Davin encouraged Xander to reflect on his own actions, saying his long friendship with Calix would be ruined if he continued acting stubbornly like this.
As for Violet... her next action shocked Xander.
"I want so ti apart from you. I need to think about our relationship."
This was Violet’s first ti suggesting a separation. She looked so determined, not faltering even when Xander threatened to ss with her career and ruin her freedom.
And...
The look of sheer disappointnt in her eyes was sothing he had never seen before. His body froze as her next words stabbed into his heart, leaving it to bleed.
"See? Instead of reflecting... instead of trying to solve our problem together, you resort to pressure . Like always. Everything needs to be done according to your wish."
The beaten look on Violet’s face, the mute tone of her voice and... the despair in her eyes, everything pierced through Xander’s heart.
Violet didn’t raise her voice nor show her anger like in their previous argunts. She simply looked... defeated.
"Xander Qin, am I a puppet to you? Do you only love when I follow you obediently? I’m not dead. I have my own feelings and thinking."
"Let’s take a break. I need to think."
Without bothering to hear his response, she left.
For the very first ti, she turned her back on him instead of the other way around.
During their previous fights, Xander was the one who would walk away first, leaving a miserable and distraught Violet behind. He never looked back when she called, begging for him to stop.
He was too used to walking away that witnessing she did the sa pierced his heart with invisible claws. The pain intensified when she refused to look back.
Just as he did countless tis to her before—rcilessly—as if she was not the woman he swore to love with all his heart.
Since then, the contact between Xander and Violet had beco almost non-existent. He still followed news about her regularly but, even exchanging texts with her occurred rarely.
This was not the first ti they fought but... he never dreaded losing her. He believed she would return to him.
Yet, he didn’t know now.
"Haa..."
A long, exasperated sigh was expelled from Xander’s lips. Rubbing both palms on his face, the defeated look on his countenance was darker than the night.
Never once the formidable Xander Qin had ever felt as helpless as now. Despite having enormous power in his hands, he couldn’t help but feel his world slowly slip away.
What should he do?
Which route should he take?
At this rate, he would truly lose his lover and friends.
In the beginning, Xander’s massive denial blinded him from seeing the truth presented in front of him. He never believed he could do anything wrong at all.
Yet...
As ti went by, his apprehension overtook his denial, leaving him feeling more helpless.
As a headache threatened at the back of his mind, Xander reached for his phone. With a few taps, he opened the private chat room between him and Calix.
The last ssage was dated a few months ago. Xander’s massive ego prevented him from pleading for forgiveness from Calix after the warning he received from his friend.
Would he ever be able to patch the huge crack in their friendship?
----------
Reference:
1 - 306
Reviews
All reviews (0)