Chapter 40 YOU SHOULD KNOW

Chapter 40 YOU SHOULD KNOW
“Ah... damn!” Athena cursed, while hiding her wet face with both palms.

After getting away from Xavier. She went down the campus stairs, and walked to the back garden, sitting there because this was the only place in Westbrook that could accept all her sadness.

She sat on a wooden bench under a large oak tree, letting the spring breeze ruffle her hair. Her eyes stared blankly at the blue sky, but her mind was filled with Xavier's gaze earlier.

“Am I too mean? Will avoiding it cure everything?”

Athena shook her head in disbelief, because this morning she made a big confession to Zara—about her own feelings for Xavier. But this time, she lied again and it was even more suffocating.

“I should never have returned to Westbrook. It wasn't them who dragged me, but I myself who was trapped,” she said, sighing. “No! I shouldn't be like this.”

She took a breath, but her calmness didn't last long because suddenly her cellphone vibrated on her lap. A message came in.

Xavier: I don't want to lose you.

Athena stared at the message for a long time, not replying. Five minutes later, her phone vibrated again.

Xavier: Can we talk? Just the two of us. I'm still here, we'll meet on the rooftop.

Athena sighed. Would she avoid him this time? No. She had to meet Xavier to make everything clear.

The girl looked up at the sky, then whispered to herself, "I don't know if I can admit my feelings for you or not. I've chosen Brian... well, at least I have to convince you of that, Xavier."

Athena stood up, straightened her clothes for a moment, then walked with a determination that she didn't really believe in.

From a distance, Xavier stood still, watching Athena's steps as she started climbing the stairs. This time he couldn't lose, at least until Athena was willing to listen to his explanation about that night, and who Auree really was.

The afternoon sky began to change color as Athena climbed the stairs to the rooftop of the old building. There was hesitation in her steps, but curiosity defeated logic. As soon as the door opened, a gust of wind immediately greeted her.

Her eyes immediately met the figure she had just avoided a few minutes ago, but this time she gave herself to talk again.

She stood a few meters away from Xavier. “I came because I respect you, but I can’t stay long because Brian—“

Xavier nodded slowly. “You’re coming home with me, Athena. Brian gave me the chance to talk to you for a long time.”

Athena’s eyes widened, as if she couldn’t believe it because neither Brian nor Zara said anything about it. “You contacted Brian?”

“Of course, I need permission from a man to talk to his future wife, right?”

The phrase ‘Future Wife’ was not too foreign, but she didn’t want to when Xavier said those words. The girl shrugged, trying to be strong. “Okay, what do you want to talk about?”

Xavier approached, but stopped before getting too close. He looked at Athena with a complicated gaze—full of guilt, full of hope. “Auree came home, and I have to meet her—not because I miss her, but because she’s important.”

Athena didn’t answer, her chest tightening when she heard that sentence.

“She is important to my family. Johan—my grandfather, is obsessed with her. Not only because she is rich, but she is also a tool of her family, just like me. As for you, Athena... you are too rebellious, you are not the type that is worthy in Johan's eyes...”

“... for him, a rebellious woman will only mess up everything he has planned. Meanwhile, if Auree is by my side, we will be the perfect combination—but not formed by love, only obsession,” said Xavier.

“But Auree loves you, right?” asked Athena.

“True, but I can't, because what Brian said about her is true. I just can't stand him insulting Auree... because for me, a man should not insult a woman with words like that even though it is true.”

There was a moment of silence, Xavier's explanation was enough to answer all the questions, and made him understand that the biggest problem in the man's life was only Johan Lancester. He would not forget, Xavier did live alone, lonely, and unlucky in terms of affection in his family.

The man took a deep breath, his voice lower. “The world will slowly destroy you, Athena. Whether it’s because of Johan, the family business, or all the pressure—I don’t want you to get caught in that dark circle.”

Athena looked away. “But in the end, I was still matched with Brian. He’s your cousin, he’s also Johan’s grandson, so what’s the difference? Is Brian not as special as you?”

Xavier took a step closer, his fingers moving to touch Athena's fingers. Soft and full of feeling, like a caress of longing that made Athena shiver.

"I don't understand either, why Brian? I don't know what trap is waiting for you. I wish I could—"

"Stop!" Athena let go of Xavier's grip. "I don't want you to talk about Brian. Don't talk like he's a dangerous person for me. I won't believe you."

Xavier smiled thinly, bitterly. "Okay, maybe you won't listen to me anymore, Athena. But no matter what, no matter how you scream, get angry, or pretend not to care... I will still chase you, Athena."

"I told you, right? I'm here to make you comfortable, I won't move anywhere, I will protect you, no matter what."

Athena sighed, staring into those obsidian eyes—eyes that radiated worry and fear... fear of losing, fear of not having a chance.

No! Athena didn't want to get trapped, she was still in denial, still stubbornly refusing Xavier. The afternoon wind blew harder when the girl was about to turn away, but just a step away, Xavier immediately pulled her into a hug—strong, but trembling.

"Athena... don't be like this." Xavier's voice was almost a whisper, sounding like pain. His hands were around Athena's waist, hugging her tightly—as if if he let go, he would regret it for the rest of his life

Athena froze. Her heart was pounding, but her mind tried to remain logical. "Xavier—"

"Please..." he whispered. "Don't move away, don't become strangers as if we never knew each other."

His embrace tightened, and when Athena tried to move away, Xavier instead bent down and rested his forehead on her shoulder.

"I know, I'm the one at fault, but you also have to know... I never begged like this. You're the first, Athena," Xavier said.

Valid. Brian once said, this was the first time Xavier had fallen in love.

Athena bit her lip, holding back something that was suffocating in her throat. Her heart wanted to melt, but her memory was still full of wounds.

“Xavier, you made situation like this,” she said softly.

“I know,” she answered quickly. “And I’m ready to pay for everything, but don’t ask me to act like you’re just a stranger…”

It was quiet for a moment. There was only the sound of the wind and the heartbeat that seemed to respond. Athena finally pushed Xavier gently. She looked into his eyes that looked chaotic, the eyes that she had always admired because they never wavered.

“I have to go home—” Before Athena could finish speaking, Xavier pulled her again, kissing her lips softly and demandingly.

“I love you, Athena, I’m crazy about you...”