"You can't hide your true self President Xavier... it's visible. I can see them through your eyes and I know that you are who you are today because of what you went through in your past,but you can't continue to let your past define what you truly are deep down... All I want to know is why? Why are you doing this?" Her voice quivered slightly not from fear,but pity.
"You are passing your limits woman...You have no right to show your emotions. They have no value..."His eyes were bloodshot.
Nyla didn't flinch,she refused to back down." I just want to know why? What happened in your past that made you so cold and ruthless." She scowled.
"Watch your words woman." He warned,his eyes dark, and lips tight.
"You might have succeeded in pushing everyone away, expecting silence,but not with me. I can't sit and watch you destroy the only person I cherish, neither can I save the only person I cherish from you." Nyla closed her eyes shortly and sighed. Her eyes were red and void."If you really want me gone, you'll have to kill me.... Because I'm not leaving." Her words were final.
His expression softened a bit,but his tone remained cold and unreadable."You really want to know what made me turn like this ?"
She nodded.
"Fine. Just don't regret asking."His gaze turned completely sharp,his hands folded as he relaxed.
Flashback.
Stone Vale Mansion.
Stone Vale Mansion was filled with heavy securities---armed guards, cameras and maids attending to every details.
Stone Vale Mansion was built forty five years ago by Edward Hubbard and it is known to be the first house built in Oxford city.
Passersby often mistake the mansion for a castle.
Stone vale mansion has proved to seem like a castle because of its beautiful exterior designs, ongoing activities and betrothal ceremonies in which a child is pledged at birth to another.
This tradition has long been upheld till Edward Hubbard's time.
Edward Hubbard ensued the tradition continued--- Dean Hubbard,his first son, was betrothed and married,and now it Xavier turn which was soon.But unlike his brother, Xavier had no intentions of following through because he was in love with another.
"I'm in love with Lisa Dad... Why can't you see how deeply I love her?" Tears were in his eyes as he knelt before him,but his dad wasn't moved by his tears.
He stood,his gaze completely void."it's tradition and a tradition must remain a tradition...why does your case have to be different Xavier.?
"That's because I'm the only one who knows what it means to love someone... I understand it's a family tradition,but sometimes changes needs to be made. You can't force me to marry a total stranger."
"Then I'll make preparations for her arrival so she doesn't get to be a stranger,but your fiancee."
"Have you ever loved anyone Dad?"
"We're not having this discussion again son. My decisions are made and final." Edward turned and walked away.
"If you had you wouldn't have me betrothed." Xavier muttered,his gaze suddenly cold.
Few days later.
Xavier lay on his bed, relaxed while talking to his younger sister on video call.
"I miss you big brother... "
"I miss you too baby." Xavier smiled widely,showing his white pairs of teeth.
"C'mon Xavier... I'm not not a baby anymore. I'm a beautiful grown adult soon to be a graduate."
Xavier laughed heartily." You didn't have to explain yunno... Everyone knows you're the most beautiful sister in the world."
"You can say that again." Bianca smiled proudly.
"You're the most ugliest girl in the world."
"Me? C'mon." Bianca pouted.
"I'm kidding... No one can out pass your beauty."
"Yeah. That's right. So tell me...how is my future sister in-law? Are you taking good care of her?"
"I hope it's not the betrothed stranger you're speaking of?"
"Who else am I speaking of? Tatiania, your betrothal of course."
"I thought you cared about me,but I was wrong."
"Of course I still care. I mean... you have no choice,but to marry Tatiana. You're both betrothed and you know how father can be if you disagree to marry her. Think about it. Dad can be ruthless if things aren't done his ways. He won't care if you're his son."
"So you're saying I should marry the stranger?"
" She'll no longer be a stranger when you both get to know yourself better."
"The only person I know and will love to spend my life with is Lisa alone." His tone were sharp and final." I'm sorry Bianca...I shouldn't have raised my voice at you." His tone softened,but his eyes were cold with pain.
"Apology accepted. I know you didn't mean to... I wish I could support you and Lisa Xavier. I mean you guys are a great match."
"Oh you think?" Xavier smiled widely.
"Yes,but you have to understand Dad loves you. You mustn't make Dad force you in getting married to Tatiana... He can be like the devil if he's tempted to. Please marry her."
Xavier brows furrowed in surprise." If you're getting married tomorrow to a stranger Bianca,how will you react?"
"Happy of course..."
"Happy?" Xavier gaped at her wide-eyed.
"Of course yeah... I've been praying everyday for my betrothal to be good looking."
Xavier chuckled. I thought you've grown,but I was wrong." Xavier laughed loudly.
Bianca pouted."You're not my big brother anymore."
"I'm sorry..."
A knock on the door,cut him off."Come in."
A guard walked in, holding a note."Greetings master Xavier. Ms Lisa sent me to give you this." He handed the note to him and left.
"What's that?"
"None of your business Bianca. Bye." He cut the call quickly.
*"Why did she send me a note rather than coming in person?"* He stared at the note before finally opening it.
*"I hope you're not reading this letter before your father my love? Please come to our secret hideout. I'll love to see you now cause I'll never be able to do so again."*
His brows furrowed in confusion." What has father done this time?" He hurried out, heading straight to the secret hideout.
The place was dark so he strained his eyes, looking for the light switch,but someone had already switched it on that moment.
He turned to see Lisa standing,her eyes teary and she had her hands folded.
Xavier ran towards her. He touched her face,wiping off the tears." What happened? Why are you crying?"
Lisa removed his hand off her face and moved back,her gaze distant."I called you here to end our relationship."
Shock were written all over his face. He moved slowly towards her,but she moved back." You're not serious right?"
"I've never loved you Xavier..." She refused to look him in the eyes." I only used you to get money for my dad's surgery. Now I've succeeded... We should end this shit."
"Shit. You called what we had shit? Do you think I'm a fool Lisa? Do you think I didn't know my father forced you to say this." Pain filled his gaze.
"And what if your father forced me to say what I'm saying?" Lisa snapped, finally summoning courage to look at him in the eyes " How will continuing our god damn relationship help me from getting into troubles with your dad.
"I've told you we'll elope..."
"We can't elope! Don't you get it! We'll easily be found... Your father has connections cause he's rich...You're surrounded by people who loves you,but I only have a father. The only person who loves me...is lying in the hospital."
"What happened?"
"Your father shot him!" She sniffed sharply.
Xavier gasped.
She continued." But he's in the hospital and i can't be sure he'll be alright... The only way my father will be alright is if you back off. I don't want to see you again Xavier. Please marry whom your father chose... I'm just a poor girl with no benefits to your family." She turned and walked off.
"Lisa!" A tear fell down his eyes,he wiped them off and his expression turned dark as he marched off to meet his father.
Xavier barged into his father room and met him drinking.
"Were you not taught manners?" His gaze were devoid.
"Yes I was,but you don't deserve it." His gaze were sharp and piercing.
Edward rolled his eyes, filling his glass with wine.
"Why did you shoot Lisa father? Don't you have any conscience in you?"
"He deserved it. At least my actions will put some sense in your empty brain... But don't worry he won't die."
"Your actions will only make me hate you more and I promise you... you'll regret it."
He turned to leave.
" If you pass through that door without apologizing to me for being an ungrateful son I'll make sure you regret you were ever born." His tone were cold and emotionally detached.
Xavier turned to look at his father in the eyes." And what do you intend on doing?"
"I'll disown you and have you locked up and forced to hard labor." His gaze were bloodshot.
His brows furrowed in surprise." Are you even my father?"
"Your brother Dean is way different from you...why can't you follow his example? So your sister can follow,but you've chosen to be ignorant and ungrateful... If you've chosen to go against my decisions then everything I ever did for you from childhood will be taken back."
"What you did for me wasn't your choice,but your responsibility." Xavier muttered under his breath and shut his eyes, forcing his rage to settle. With a deep breath he lowered himself to the ground, swallowed his pride and pleaded." I know I've been an ungrateful, ignorant son and I should never have made the mistake of loving another,but the stranger you want me to marry... I beg for your mercy and forgiveness... father I'm sorry and I've decided to marry the stranger."
"Apology accepted." Edward smiled widely." And point of correction. She isn't a stranger."
Xavier stood, gritted his teeth,his fists clenched together." You'll regret this father." He turned and marched off, slamming the door shut.
Edward smiled widely." The only thing that matters is that he has agreed to marry her."
Two weeks later.
The day of the wedding arrived soon enough.
The hall were filled with different faces from different countries and they all had a smile on their faces.
The wedding had begun and Xavier stood before his bride, Tatiana, faking a smile.
The vows were made and a kiss was to be made,but the sound of a gunshot stopped their moment.
Everyone stood,their gaze narrowed and they gasped in shock to see Edward lying lifeless on the ground, blood gushing from his head. Fear gripped their heart as their gaze narrowed towards the killer--- Lisa.
She stood beside his body smiling darkly with satisfaction.
The guards made to grab her,but she was quick enough to grab the bride. She held her tightly, pointing the gun to her head." Any movement and I'll shoot!"
Tatiana shivered.
Xavier gulped down nothing. He didn't know whether to be happy or angry cause he has always wished his father dead now he is,but he just couldn't like the the fact that his father was dead.
He was lost while staring at his father lifeless body,he didn't seem to notice Bianca running in.
Bianca ran into the wedding hallway, happy and ready to surprise her brother. She didn't realize the commotions and mood of the people neither did she see her father lifeless body on the floor. Her full attention were focused on Xavier,but her personal guard noticed and called her, rushing towards her,but she didn't listen.
She ran towards Xavier and hugged him.
Xavier didn't hug in return,he pushed her slightly away from him."Why are you here?" He asked, surprised.
"I came to..." She couldn't complete her words as Lisa grabbed her after pushing Tatiana aside.
She pointed the gun at her head.
"Lisa!" Fear filled his eyes."please don't shoot."
"What's going on?" Bianca began shivering in fear and confusion.
All the guards in the hall pointed their guns at Lisa.
"Tell them to drop all their weapons and I'll leave in peace."
"You heard her! Drop the damn weapons now!" Xavier ordered. Fear lacing his tone.
They hesitated for sometime before finally dropping it,but Lisa didn't keep to her words.
"Your father has succeeded in killing my father so I have no regrets in ending him." Her gaze were bloodshot ."I'll make sure you feel the pain of not having the one person you love dearly ." Her gaze moved to Bianca." And I can see how much you love her."
"Don't! Don't think about it Lisa." Xavier raised his hands, moving closer to her slowly,his eyes filled with pity and fear.
"I'm already thinking about it." She didn't waste time in ending Bianca. She released the trigger, twice she shot,blood gushed out from her mouth and chest and she fell to the ground,dead.
Before the guards could pick their guns to shoot her,she shocked them all by shooting herself. She aimed, twice on her head she released, falling to the ground,dead.
Xavier ran towards Bianca lifeless body, shaking her, begging her to open her eyes,but she remained lifeless.
Flashback End.