CHAPTER 4: GUILT

CRYSTAL'S POV 

Xavier held the man's picture, which was even framed, and was crying bitterly...

My body trembled violently, and the tray in my hand fell, water splattering everywhere. A shard cut my leg, bringing out blood, but it didn't help in easing my mind at all. 

My eyes were fixed on Xavier, who was startled by the noise and stood up from his bed, turning around while hiding the picture behind him. His eyes narrowed when he saw me, and he frowned deeply. 

His beautiful set of eyes had turned red, and his face seemed a bit swollen as if he had been crying for a while. 

I swallowed and lowered my head. Without saying a word, I turned around and ran away.

I couldn't stay. I couldn't continue watching the pained Xavier. I couldn't continue watching those pairs of red eyes and swollen face, which were a result of the murder I committed!

I continued running and only stopped when I entered my room.  

My face was already smeared with the hot tears that poured uncontrollably, and my body was shaking violently. My hands were trembling, and even my lips were quivering. 

I clasped and unclasped my hands, the sweat from them serving as no deterrence as I paced aimlessly around the room. 

My tears wouldn't stop falling, and the guilt in my heart multiplied a thousandfold. 

Remembering the words I said to him in the morning about being innocent, I felt like strangling myself, and I directly slumped to the ground, resting my head on the bed. 

I had no idea when, but I drifted off to sleep and only woke up from the sound of knocking on the door. 

Opening my eyes, I wiped my face roughly and rushed toward the door to open it. "Ma... You're back," It was Madam Frost, whose gaze held her usual warm smile. 

"What are you doing?" She asked calmly, staring at my face. She must have noticed something wrong. 

I shook my head and even yawned, "Nothing, Ma. I was sleeping before you knocked," I explained. 

She raised a brow, "Oh, I must have disturbed your sleep. I'm so sorry," 

I smiled and waved my hand, "Not at all. I had to wake up to do my assignment anyway, and I will be cooking soon. It's no bother at all," I replied to her, and only then did her eyes relax. 

I opened the door for her to step in,

"Congratulations on your resumption, Crystal. How was school today? Did anyone bully you?" She asked, pulling my hand as we both sat in my bed. 

I shook my head, revealing a calm smile, "No one did," With everything going on, reporting to her would only hurt me more. 

I wouldn't want someone who treated me so well to find out about what I had done. I didn't want to disappoint her...

She patted my hand gently and nodded, "No one dares. If anyone says anything or even looks at you anyhow, just let me know, and I will deal with them. You have no less power than Xavier in that school. You should know that," She mumbled, with her eyes on me. She seemed to be seeing through me, but her words indeed gave me a shock. 

Why was she doing so much for me?

"Come in!" She called, and the unlocked door was opened wider, revealing three ladies with boxes in their hands. 

"Crystal," Madam Frost stood up and walked toward the first lady. She opened the box, bringing out a long purple dress, "This is a gown designed by Hazel Milla, the top designer in our country," 

The gown was very beautiful. It was sparkling, evoking the youthfulness in me, and I immediately fell in love with it. It was indeed Hazel's work. Her works were always as beautiful as her face and body... damn!

Madam Frost didn't stop there. She opened the second box, bringing out a bag. "This is the RICHWORLD newly released bag. There are only two in the whole world at the moment," She introduced, and my eyes widened. 

She walked over to the next lady, and what she revealed were high heels, "These heels are a limited edition. It was out of stock, so I had to buy it from someone who already had it abroad but rest assured, it's still very new, and the person hasn't worn it at all," She explained. 

I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't find my tongue for a long while. Tears continued rolling down my face as guilt and excitement washed through me. Thinking about how Xavier was crying over that man, I wondered if he was related to Madam Frost and what her reaction would be when she found out about my involvement in his death. 

She walked over and pulled me into her warm embrace, "Don't cry, don't cry, baby. I've told you to see me as your mother. From now on, I will take care of you and make sure no one ever gets to bully you anymore. I'm sorry for coming so late..." She mumbled, stroking my hair. 

I'm sorry for coming so late...

I'm coming so late...

I will be back...

My head suddenly felt like it was going to explode, and I shivered slightly. What was that? What was that last voice? Madam Frost... could it be that I had seen her before? 

I quickly shook my head. As someone whose parents weren't very rich when they were alive, I couldn't have seen her before.   

I cried a bit longer in her arms before I was able to calm down. The maids had already dropped the gifts and left, "Thanks so much, ma. I'm very grateful," I sincerely said to her, looking at her beautiful face. 

Madam Frost smiled warmly and shook her head. "I should be the one thanking you, Crystal. I'm also the one who feels sorry for you. This is what I should be doing..." Her voice trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes, but it was only for a moment as her eyes soon cleared again, and she smiled sweetly. "Be happy from now on, okay? Do not let anyone hold you back either," She hugged me and whispered. 

Madam Frost stayed a little longer in my room before she stood up, "I have a meeting in 30 minutes, so I will have to go now. You don't have to cook tonight. Kate will do that. Just attend to your homework and sleep early," She advised and left my room. 

I watched as she closed the door, a smile forming on my face. 

I stood up from the bed, removed my clothes, and tied a towel around my chest. I was tempted to test the things she got for me, and the happiness had momentarily washed away the guilt and pain in my heart. 

Picking up the dress, I admired it with a bright smile on my face and was about to wear it when the door was pushed open and a figure stormed in... Xavier. 

His eyes twitched when he saw me, "You're smiling?" He asked, his tone cold. "After killing him, you still have the guts to smile?!" He hollered. 

I shook my head, eyes pleading. "No, Xavier," I cried. 

"No? You didn't mean to kill him? A single call, Crystal. A single call could have saved him. If only you hadn't run away and made a call instead, he could have been saved!" He yelled. 

My body trembled, and the dress dropped. "No, Xavier. Please, let me explain. It's not as you think. I didn't mean to kill that man..." My eyes turned misty. "I was drunk on my 19th birthday, and the man took me to a building to harass me..." 

"Shut up!" Xavier yelled and slapped me harshly on the face. "He harassed you? You should have done your investigation well before coming here to lie. Austin will never do that. You are not even his type," He said every word with immense hatred. "I will make you pay, Crystal. I will send you to the same place you sent Austin!" He threatened, turned around, and walked away. 

I slumped on the ground. 

Austin...

That man's name was Austin...

Austin...

I felt weak from the depths of my heart, and tears rushed out of my eyes without restraint. "He's Austin," I mumbled.