Chapter 38 TIME TO UNDERSTAND

Chapter 38 TIME TO UNDERSTAND
Xavier turned his head quickly, a little surprised to see the face that was looking down under the transparent umbrella. Slowly, he lowered the window, rain and cold air immediately seeped into the car.

"Zara...?"

"I saw you from above," Zara said softly. "Can we talk for a moment?"

Xavier nodded, opened the door, and got out of the car. The rain was still falling, but Zara offered part of her umbrella so they could take shelter together. The atmosphere became awkward, but calm. They had never been close before, even if it weren't for Athena, Zara probably would never have talked this intensely with Xavier.

In the cafe, in the corner of the lobby. Zara ordered two warm cappuccinos and two chocolate cakes that she didn't know if Xavier could eat or not.

"Athena hasn't told me she's gone home," Zara said, sighing.

Xavier looked up, his breath sounding like someone who was desperate. "I also didn't know that she would come back...."

"... You also know, since Athena left almost every day I waited in front there. Although finally that night I came to the dinner party and discussed their matchmaking."

Zara looked at him, looking tired that Xavier tried to hide. "I know. I also heard all your conversations. Although I didn't expect your meeting to happen this soon, especially with emotions that were almost out of control like earlier."

Xavier turned his head quickly. "Did you hear?"

Zara nodded slowly. "From the emergency stairs. Your and Brian's voices were quite loud... then Athena appeared."

For a moment, they were silent. Then Zara said in a careful tone, "Xavier, I didn't come to judge you. I just want to ask one thing... please give Athena time."

Xavier opened his mouth, but Zara added softly, “I know you won’t give up, and I won’t stop you from fighting for your love either…”

“Athena isn’t distancing herself because she hates you. She’s trying to understand herself. If you keep chasing her while she’s still confused, you’ll lose her forever.”

Xavier’s gaze looked troubled “Does that mean she’ll accept Brian and marry him?”

“That could be… I know Athena very well. She’s not someone who thinks about love all the time,” Zara replied, sipping her cappuccino.

“Athena isn’t just someone you can steal or keep. If you truly love her, you have to be patient until she recovers—“

“What if my patience is unrequited? What if she falls in love with Brian?” Xavier asked softly, looking desperate again.

“Compared to your other three friends, you’re the closest to Athena. I think… it’s not hard for you to recognize her feelings, Xavier.”

The man gulped, his eyes slightly opened because Zara's words proved to open something that was closed in his heart and mind. Common sense.

"So... do you think I should pretend to back down?"

Zara shook her head. "No, you don't need to do that. Now what you really need to understand is, do you love Athena because she is Athena, or because she looks like Auree?"

The question hit Xavier right in the chest. He choked, as if searching for an answer that he already knew. "I never thought of her as Auree—"

"That's what you think, right? But even until the last second before Athena came to separate the argument between you and Brian—you still maintained your ego over Auree," Zara said.

Maybe these were the bravest words Zara had ever said to the most respected man in Westbrook. Let it be... Zara no longer thought about it, for her Athena's pride was the most important thing.

Because Zara knew... Xavier and Athena loved each other. It's just that, their chance to be together was still closed by their respective egos.

Zara looked at him with empathy. “Sometimes we chase something because it feels familiar, but if that’s your yardstick… then you haven’t loved Athena all this time. You’ve only been obsessed with her.”

Xavier couldn’t answer, because for the first time, he looked shaky not because of anger, but because of the slap of Zara’s words that shook his entire body.

Zara took a breath. “I love Athena, Xavier. I’m talking like this because I care about you. I care about your sincerity, because I saw it myself.”

Xavier lifted his face. “What did you see?”

“Athena’s smile every time she first met you. She was happy because of you, Xavier… before that happiness finally made her insecure because you saw her as someone else.”

Zara gave a brief smile, then went back to drinking her coffee, leaving Xavier to his own thoughts.

All of Zara's words had succeeded in opening the space that had been locked in Xavier's heart and mind. A space that was previously tightly closed because of his own ego.

He lowered his head, with a thin smile he said, "I won't let her go, but I can make her fall in love with me again...."



Morning with a gray sky and the refreshing scent of wet soil—greeting me when the window opened. Athena sat on the apartment balcony holding a cup of warm tea. Her hair was still a little messy, and her eyes were puffy. Last night was too tiring—mixed emotions, hurtful words, and a look that she couldn't forget.

Brian came out of the room, carrying a thin blanket that he immediately put on Athena's shoulder. He sat beside her, without saying anything, just sitting, accompanying her, as usual.

"I'm going to my unit. Zara has contacted me, and she's angry because I came without informing her at all," said Athena.

Brian just nodded. "Want me to take you?"

“No need. But you have to take me to campus later at ten.”

Brian nodded, then kissed the girl’s cheek briefly. Athena returned the blanket, then turned around, took her suitcase, and left the unit.

Athena pressed the bell. Without waiting long, Zara appeared behind the door, smiling cheerfully and warmly at her. The curly-haired girl hugged Athena like an adorable new doll. Expressing her longing and annoyance because Athena chose to sleep in Brian’s unit tonight.

“You said you talked to Xavier at the cafe last night?” Athena asked.

Zara nodded. “Yes, just for a moment, discussing your argument.”

Athena lowered her head. “So, did you hear everything?”

“Of course. I felt like watching a boring classic love triangle drama.”

Athena snickered as she threw a small pillow at Zara. “I want to take a shower and go to campus. Brian will take us later,” she said.

“Oh, that’s good. At least this morning I don’t have to drive, because I’m so sleepy. But, Athena, don’t you want to know what I talked about with Xavier last night?”

Athena's movements stopped, she thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No need," she answered with a smile. "I'll meet him on campus, see his face as usual."

"Wow, do you think that's enough to cure your longing for him?" Zara asked, teasing a little.

Athena fell silent, her head lowered even further, her gaze blank, her fingers twisting together hesitantly. "I just want to try to understand Brian's feelings, maybe want to love him too. Because sooner or later, he will be my husband."

There was silence for a moment.

Zara stared at her closely. "Okay, there's nothing wrong with that. As long as you also have to be honest with yourself... who owns your heart now? Where did you leave your love?"

Xavier... that was Athena's answer in her heart.

Athena bit her lower lip. "I hate him, but you're right... I miss him too." She shook her head, her eyes closed with a heavy sigh.

"I want to start a new life, Zara... with the right person."

Zara grabbed Athena's hand, holding it tightly. “Your feelings, your time, your heart, your life—all of it is yours. No one has the right to control it, including me.”

Athena stared at Zara with teary eyes. Silently, her tears broke out, Zara hugged her, rubbing her back gently.

“I love him, Zara… I want him, but I’m too afraid that he’ll see me as someone else. If only he would change his perspective, and truly see me as Athena, maybe I could reject Brian for his sake.”

“But last night he showed it again, that behind the love he has for me… he still can’t stand to hear insults towards Auree. And this certainly hurts my heart, Zara.”

“I shouldn’t be selfish, but I also want Xavier just for me. He shouldn’t share his feelings, attention, and care for anyone!”

Zara smiled, her hand that was hiding behind Athena’s back took the cellphone that she had hidden in the gap of the sofa, then her finger pressed the red button—ending the call.

Athena didn’t know, their conversation had been heard by someone on the other end.