Chapter 139 YOU ARE MY OBSESSION
\[ERIC'S HOUSE\]
Ixora, Nelly and Alexa stood outside the house, staring at it one last time. They don't plan on coming back to New York again.
For Ixora, she'd go and concentrate on her work. When it's time to settle down and have kids, she will adopt a child. At least, the child will take after her.
Nelly and Alexa haven't made up their minds yet, but one thing is for sure: Alexa will go into fashion designing, what she has always wanted to be.
"Hazel survived the accident, but is mentally Ill. She will be staying at the asylum until she regains her health. I've submitted all her crime files to the police. Once she's mentally stable, she will be locked behind bars. Nikita's body was found, but they couldn't trace the person who murdered her. Somebody cleared all the evidence," Nelly said, standing beside Ixora.
Ixora looked at her.
"I thought you'd want to know."
Ixora said nothing. Since none of them cleared the evidence, she knew who did it. Drexton.
The driver lifted the car's trunk, and they all put their luggage in the trunk.
Eric came out last.
"Are you ready?" he asked, keeping his luggage as well.
They nodded, getting into the car.
Eric sat with the driver, and the girls sat in the back. Ixora and Nelly, near the window seat and Alexa sat in the center.
The driver brought the engine to life, and their journey to the airport began.
Ixora rested her head on the window, staring at the city.
The city that held both the good, bad, happy and sad memories.
They drove past a bench, and the memory of when she cried on that bench resurfaced in her mind.
She had bought Hazel's lies and asked her parents for money, but they refused. That was the day she figured out she had a stalker, and also the 'DO. NOT. CRY', handkerchief.
They drove past another road, and the time she had trailed after Drexton resurfaced in her mind. The same day, she found out that they are the 'Hell devil's'.
The third road they came across led to the OUTHOUSE. The house that held all the memories she shared with Drexton. His hate. His claims. His fake love.
She looked away from the window, hating the fact that everything in the city reminded her of Drexton. The happy and sad memories were all tied to Drexton.
She's leaving the country, then why is she thinking about Drexton? She's going to start a new life and leave her past behind her.
Alexa poked her shoulder.
Ixora looked at her.
"Are you okay? I've been calling and you haven't been answering me. What are you thinking?"
Ixora rested her head on the seat, focusing her gaze outside the window, staring at the colorful themed billboard that says 'Get your tasty hamster'.
"I'm just thinking, life doesn't always go as planned," she mumbled, barely talking to Alexa.
Alexa nodded in agreement. "There are some things beyond our control. Things we wish to change, but can't."
Ixora's head fell to the side as she flashed Alexa a smile.
Eric's eyes had been on them through the rearview mirror.
\--
\[AIRPORT\]
The cold breeze hit their skin as they stared at the flight that would be taking off in five minutes from now. Other passengers were strolling up and down. Some had little kids with them, others were alone, scrolling through their phones, bidding their loved one's goodbye.
"Please, take your seats now. The plane leaves in five minutes," the flight attendant announced.
"Let's go," Ixora said, curling her finger on the box.
They took the first step, second, third—
"Are you just going to leave me again without hearing me out?" Someone said behind them.
They froze—Ixora's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the voice. Drexton.
Slowly, they turned to him. He wasn't alone. Maddox and Jaxon were with him.
Drexton was panting softly, looking like he had sprinted all the way to the airport. Tiny beads of sweat were on his face.
Their gaze locked, and for the very first time, Ixora could see fear—fear of losing her again. She'd never seen Drexton that scared before. Not even when he was in a life-or-death situation.
"Are you really going to leave me for a second time?" he asked, his eyes and voice soft.
"It's already too late," Ixora said, gripping her box and turning her back to him.
She took a step towards the airplane that sat in the parking lot, waiting for passengers to board.
"I know I was a fool back then, and I hurt you, but I'm really sorry," he apologized with every sincerity in him.
"The plane will soon leave. Let's go," Ixora said, directly to Alexa, Nelly, and Eric.
Alexa's eyes met with Jaxon, the same as Maddox. Just like Drexton, they all look apologetic.
Drexton spoke again. "I know I don't deserve it, and I don't even deserve to utter your name, but now, I selfishly ask that you forgive me. I'm sorry, Ixora. Deeply sorry," he mumbled the last part, voice cracking in between.
Ixora turned to him with a pounding heart, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. Her stupid heart is even reacting to his apology, something she badly wishes to stop.
Some people had their eyes on them, but Drexton didn't mind. He was determined to do anything to earn her forgiveness and bring her back into his life. Anything to bring Ixora back.
Alexa and Nelly parted their lips when Drexton dropped to his knees, looking up at Ixora.
Ixora's gaze softened, her heart skipping countless beats.
"I can't survive it if you leave me," he began with all sincerity in him. "I was only able to live during the past eighteen months because I was sure you would one day return. I was ready to wait forever, no matter how long it may take. I don't mind waiting my entire life for your return. And when you feel returned, I didn't have the guts to approach you because I felt very ashamed of what I did." Ever since my parents passed away, I have never asked for anything, no matter how much I wanted it. But today, I'm putting my pride and ego aside, and I shamelessly ask you to never leave me again; I can't bear it for the second time. Please, don't leave me again. Stay with me."
A huge silence enveloped the two of them—deafening, yet filled with unspoken emotion.
The only sound was the silent 'Awwn' that was coming from the onlookers who were filming it. To them, it's romantic.
Ixora tried fighting back her tears, but they rolled down uncontrollably. Not tears of anger. Hatred. Hating herself for her feelings for him, which had refused to die. It's been eighteen months, yet he's still pushing the buttons in her. The only one he can push.
"I know I am not worthy of your love. I know I have said the word 'I love you', and I know I can't say it," he sucked in a lot of breath.
"I can't say I love you because of don't know how to love. The feelings I have for you run deeper than anything you can ever imagine. You are not my love, Ixora; you are my obsession. An obsession I don't want to walk away from. I had planned to make you fall for me and then break you, but I never imagined that I would get caught in my own trap. I need you in my life, Ixora, more than anything. Back then, I kept a burning fire, which I fueled every day to represent my anger and hatred. Now, I want to start a new fire, one that will represent how deep my obsession for you burns. You are not just my world, Ixora, you are my light. I need you to be mine," he confessed with a raw voice.
Ixora stared at him, tears streaming down her cheeks, and her heart racing. She felt a mix of happiness and anger. She knew he was unpredictable, but didn't expect him to confess at the airport.
Great, he's succeeded in delaying their flight as the onboarding plane had already left.
Onlookers were seriously filming, gasping at the scene.
Eric stood, proud of Drexton. This was what he wanted.
Maddox and Jaxon are also proud of their brother. Proud that he's getting back what's his.
Nelly and Alexa stared with the same emotion. Happiness. The truth is, none of them wanted to leave, but for Ixora, they are ready to support her every life decision.
Drexton stared on, with a little bit of hope in his chest. Hope to win her back.
"You want me back in your life, Drexton..." Ixora's voice cracked. "Have you forgotten who Ixora is—Ixora Castellan."