Chapter 117 CHAPTER 117
Xavier’s POV
The hit was intended to kill her, but somehow I had failed. Rosaleen had survived it. I laid on the couch, my legs crossed and my head leaning against my folded arms. Rosaleen knew it was me who had hit her, why was she saying it was Evelyn instead of me?
I rolled my head to the side towards the TV again and watched the muted TV. Whatever I had come to do in New York, I had to ensure I did it fast before I got caught. My new look was not enough to deceive people for long. Fake beards, dyed hair and a new tattoo.
Someone pushed the door open and I looked up suddenly, looking out for who it could be. Anna stepped in, wearing a scowl on her face. She locked the door and began walking past me. Since I returned, she had refused to say a word to me.
“Aren’t you going to say hello?” I asked.
She stopped, shoulders slumped. “Hello.” Then she continued moving.
“You can’t be mad at me forever, Anna.”
She spun around. There was raw anger in her eyes. “What do you want here, Xavier? You promised me that you would take me on a trip. You swore to me. Then I woke up and you were gone. Gone with our step sister.” Her chest rose up in anger. “And you are back now as though everything is normal. Do you know what I have to endure in school?”
I rose to a sitting position. “It’ll be over soon, I promise you.”
“I don’t believe you, Xavi. I don’t need you to do anything for me anymore. I can take care of myself. Just pretend you are still in Barcelona, and don’t talk to me.”
She walked off angrily.
I deserved it. But things had happened so fast that day, and I couldn't wait for her. Besides, she would never have been able to understand the relationship between Evelyn and I. She saw her as a sister.
“I’m going to make things right,” I said to myself. Soon, everyone would forget about what I had done. The real villains would be exposed. I would take back my pound of flesh for those weeks I sat in a prison cell, hunted and mocked.
The only reward that came out of those times was that I was able to find my father. I wasn’t sure how I felt about meeting him yet, but I was going to meet him tonight. I rose to my feet and went upstairs. I passed by mum’s room. I knew she was trying so hard to not hate me. I had so much money and kept it away from her, even when things were rough. When I leaned close to the door, I could hear Anna’s voice. They were discussing in whispers.
“You were too young to remember it correctly, Anna. I never said it was Evelyn’s mother,” Mum said, her voice tightened.
“No,” Anna protested. “I remember it so well. You were speaking with your friends. You said you were able to use that to chase Anna Trent away. I remember it correctly because I was so mad that I had to share the same name with her.”
“Don’t ever share this story with anyone,” mum said, caution in her voice.
I wondered what they were talking about.
“Why are you trying to protect her? Someone is willing to buy this information for a huge amount of money,” I heard the bed creaking as she rose up. “I won’t remain in poverty because any of you decided to have some integrity now. I don’t care.”
She pulled the door open before I could move away. She glared at me for a second and walked away, grumbling under breath. I watched her until she disappeared into her room.
“Anna won’t listen to me anymore,” mum said.
I looked at her. She looked weary and tired. It seemed she had aged ten years more since I returned.
“She’s all grown up now,” I said, still standing in the doorway.
She didn’t ask me to come in, or ask if something was bothering me. She used to always know when something was off with me.
“I’ll make things right," I said, suddenly. “I just need to do a thing or two, mum.”
She didn’t look up at me. She was staring at a spot on her hand. “Where did I go wrong in bringing you both up? Is this my karma?”
Her words stung.
“Mum-”
“You are both self centred fools and won’t listen to common sense.” She raised her head and her eyes met mine. “I’ve warned you to keep your head low. I don’t need you doing anything foolish.” She paused. “I saw the way you were focused on the news. Did you do it? Huh? Did you do it, Xavier?"
I stretched my hand towards the door knob and pulled the door towards me. “I’ll be out, mum. See you later.”
I shut the door and walked away. It was too late to have a change of mind now. The only thing I had left was fighting, and I would bring down Evelyn and Rosaleen with me.
—
We didn’t meet at a restaurant or somewhere fancy. We met somewhere where there was a reduced possibility of anyone recognising me. I stood by the bank of the river, my hands folded in my pocket while I smoked the last stick of cigarette with me and watched the water.
He arrived a few minutes later. I watched him approach me. He looked nothing like I had imagined him. He was smallish and a baseball cap covered his small head. But his eyes were like mine and I knew for sure that he was really my father. What I didn't know was what he wanted now. He had left us for so many years without any contact.
“Xavier?” he asked, reaching me.
I nodded, my hands still in my pocket. He knew my name but I didn't know his.
He stretched his hand towards me. “Ignatio,” he said.