Chapter 25 THE AFTERMATH OF A SHADOW

Chapter 25 THE AFTERMATH OF A SHADOW
“Don’t you miss me?” Auree asked, her arms around Xavier’s waist, while the man was preparing the food that had just been cooked.

Xavier liked to cook simple food, he still remembered the last time he did this for Athena.

He let go of Auree’s embrace, and also the apron that was tied around his waist, then passed Auree while lifting two plates of pasta that had just been cooked and placing them on the table.

“Let’s eat,” Xavier invited.

Auree snorted in annoyance, her lips pouting sadly. “You’re so weird, Xavier!”

“Weird? Why?”

“I tried to lighten the mood, but you’re still cold to me. Did I do something wrong? I just wanted you to see me once!”

Xavier sighed. “I’m sorry, Auree. Come on, don’t sulk. I’ve cooked your favorite food...” Xavier led Auree to sit on the chair opposite him.

The girl smiled, she took Xavier’s hand and kissed it softly. “You’re lucky tonight, Xavier, because actually… Julian was sulking, while I was just spending the afternoon with Adrian. You know, fun things like usual…”

Xavier looked up slightly, staring at Auree sharply, but the woman was actually happy to see Xavier’s expression like that. “You’re jealous, right?” Auree guessed.

Xavier didn’t know how to react. Should he be angry? But why? He didn’t have the right to do that, since long ago… Auree belonged to the four of them, didn’t she?

However, deep down, he wasn’t used to a situation like this. No matter how often he saw Athena close to other men out there… he was always sure that Athena would take care of herself.

Wait! Why did he suddenly think about Athena again?

“It’s your right to sleep with anyone, Auree. You belong to us, right?”

Auree smiled, then lifted her plate and moved next to Xavier. “Then, you can also spend time with me, doing more fun things. I’m still yours, Xavier.”

The man just smiled, but deep inside his heart... he refused.

Xavier was the only one who never used Auree for lust, even though the girl had offered and teased him many times. After that, if Xavier had refused, Auree would go to Julian, Adrian, or Asher.

It was always like that, and for some reason... they never looked down on her. Auree and her gentle, caring, cute, and beautiful attitude seemed to be something worthy of being guarded and worshipped.

"Xavier, why are you so quiet?" Auree asked, suddenly confused because the man suddenly got up from his chair even though he hadn't touched his food at all.

"Sorry, Auree... I forgot something," Xavier said while taking the jacket that was hanging on a nail on the kitchen wall.

"But our food—"

"You finish it with someone else." Xavier left, leaving Auree who was of course disappointed and angry. He could even hear the girl slamming her spoon against the plate, but he still didn't care.

Julian, Adrian, and Asher were certainly shocked when they saw Xavier just leave, followed by Auree's cries echoing in the dining room, making Julian rush to meet her.

The car engine was turned on, Xavier had a more important goal.

Athena.

His mind suddenly became restless remembering Athena's meeting with Auree. He wanted to fix it... at least don't let Athena think that Auree's presence would create a big distance and separate them.

"I love you, Athena...."



"I GOT IT!" Zara shouted, making Athena surprised, and looked at her a little confused.

"IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THOSE FOUR CRAZY MEN!" she shouted again.

"What's wrong, Zara?"

The girl with exotic skin and curly hair brought a tablet phone and sat next to Athena. "Look, I got information from Will."

Athena stared at the eight-inch screen, reading each piece of information about Auree's relationship with Xavier, Julian, Asher, and Adrian.

“Will is Adrian’s classmate, Adrian has told and bragged about Auree in front of many people. Moreover, Auree often comes to Westbrook, and many men like her.”

Athena sighed, she grabbed the object, reading Will’s message slowly. Auree often moved apartments, the girl’s family was in Canada, and she actually had her own apartment in Beverly. However, Auree preferred to stay at Julian, Adrian, and Asher’s house.

“I’m a bit skeptical about their relationship, but when a man and a woman are in the same room… there’s no way something won’t happen, right? Friendship doesn’t mean anything in bed,” Zara said, with an uncertain expression.

Athena returned the item to Zara. “Okay, don’t find out too much. We don’t need to interfere too much.”

Zara nodded, then turned off the tablet phone. “So, are you ready for your new life on campus?”

Athena was silent, actually she wasn’t sure, especially now that she was facing four men.

“Do you still want to maintain your feelings for Xavier?” Zara asked.

Athena nodded slowly, making Zara sigh tiredly. “Well… you have the right to your feelings of love for him, but my advice… you should act indifferent like the other girls who also like him.”

“Um… maybe you can learn a little from Elisa!” Zara suggested.

Athena laughed. “Okay, Miss Zara… I’ll try my best!”

The laughter of the two girls echoed in the room, but suddenly Athena’s phone rang. She peeked at the screen, her cheerful expression suddenly turned dark. Her trembling hands pressed the red button, and without hesitation turned off her phone.



Xavier stared at the phone screen, he had called Athena many times but the girl ignored him, until finally her number was completely inactive.

He was still standing outside the apartment building, leaning against the car while staring straight at the window of Athena's apartment unit whose lights were still on.

After thinking a thousand times, he finally decided to enter the building and go up to the floor where Athena and Zara's unit was located.

After arriving, he didn't immediately press the bell, but stood for a long time in front of the door, staring at the unit without making a sound. Both of his hands were tucked into his jacket pockets, his eyes staring hopefully as if begging Athena not to reject him this time.

With all the confidence he had left, he pressed the bell twice.

CLICK! The door opened, but it wasn't Athena who appeared, but... Zara.

"Xavier?" Zara greeted him, wearing a confused expression.

The man sighed. “Sorry for bothering you,” he said, making Zara even more confused because... this figure who was known to be cold and didn’t care about anyone, suddenly acted politely towards her.

“No problem. Do you need something?” Zara asked politely too.

“It’s like this...” Xavier took a breath. “Can I meet Athena, there’s something I need to talk to her about.”

Zara paused for a moment, she already knew for sure this man would come after Athena ignored her calls repeatedly.

“So, you’re not with Athena? She hasn’t returned from campus yet,” Zara answered.

Xavier’s eyes widened. “Really? But earlier she... I saw her myself, she went home by taxi. I couldn’t take her because my friends came.”

Zara pretended to panic. “Wow, what happened? I couldn’t contact her either, didn’t she contact you?” she asked, while taking her shoes, putting them on hurriedly and closing the door.

“I actually came here because she didn’t answer my calls either,” Xavier said, also panicking because he saw Zara panic.

“Then, I’ll look for her. You go home Xavier, just leave it to me… I’ll go to Athena’s parents’ house. She must be there!”

“Then, I’ll come with—” Before Xavier could continue his words, suddenly his cellphone rang.

Julian: Auree fainted, she was tired of crying over you who suddenly left. You’re so cruel, Xavier! You destroyed her trust.

Xavier slapped his forehead, his breath sounded tired. “Zara, I have to go. There’s more important business…”