CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

Four years later

The lights in the club flashed and pulsed beneath the floor-to-ceiling glass, like a heartbeat running wild, matching the chaos in his chest.

Xander sat at the corner of his VIP unit, draped in midnight black, his tailored shirt crisp against the dim glow of the chandelier above.

“Any news?” he asked as soon as his assistant walked in, calmly raising his tall glass of champagne to his lips.

“No, sir,” Adrian said in a solemn tone. “We followed the last lead. A woman matching Amanda’s description was seen boarding a flight four years ago, but it was a dead end. No paper trail. No new ID. Nothing.”

He hesitated before adding, “It’s like she never existed.”

Xander gave a small nod. His heart was full of storms, but his face was peaceful and unreadable.

“What the fuck, man?” Lucas blurted from across the lounge, a woman perched on each arm. “This girl doesn’t want to be found. You should move on and stop sulking. Isabel's right there for you. You’ve been engaged for what? Four years now?” Lucas scoffed while taking a breath.

Adrian couldn't hide his irritation. Sometimes he wondered how his boss became friends with Lucas. He was a chronic womanizer who ran after anything in a skirt, he also had no filter in his words. However, he gets it now. Lucas was a brilliant tech CEO for the company he started at sixteen.

Xander rolled his eyes. Of course, Lucas would say that. But how could he explain what he truly felt? He felt empty and miserable. A hollow ache had lived in his chest for four years, every breath a reminder of what he destroyed. He would give anything to go back, to make it right.”

But Amanda had vanished, leaving behind a child who looked just like her. And when he took the child in, he discovered she was sick. A heart problem. Most of his time since then had gone into caring for his daughter, the little girl who reminded him every day of his sins.

“Maybe you should mind your business,” Xander muttered, taking another sip. A dull ache was forming behind his eyes.

“Hell no, man. I can’t do that.” Lucas leaned in, smirking. “When was the last time you got laid? When was the last time you even made a move on a woman?” “Man, you’re starting to look like a monk.”

Xander couldn't care less about what Lucas was saying, he only sipped on his glass.

“You’re dry as the Sahara, man. And at this point, I’m convinced your thing is collecting dust.”

Adrian raised a brow. Lucas had no control over his mouth.

“Ever since Amanda, you've been a mess”. Lucas continued as he leaned backwards to take a drink offered by his ladies. But he suddenly paused as a thought flickered in his mind. “Come to think of it… it's actually ever since Bianca.”

“Shut the fuck up, man!” Xander snapped. The name was a trigger. His tone silenced the entire VIP section.

Adrian flinched. He knew what that name did to his boss. Bianca, the mystery woman who had turned Xander cold. Her betrayal had left a permanent scar. Even now, Xander still searched for her face in every woman he met.

That was why he was drawn to Amanda. And also why he controlled her religiously. But he ended up killing the light in her, which drove her away.

“Don’t you ever say that name or that of Amanda’s, Lucas,” Xander growled. His voice was low but deadly. The women around Lucas got up, startled by the sudden change in atmosphere.

“Come on, man,” Lucas groaned. “You scared my girls away. How am I supposed to get some sugar tonight?”

Xander hissed and stood up. He didn't want to blow up than he already had, but he immediately stumbled. The room spun slightly. His hands felt heavy, and his heartbeat, which was usually quick, slowed.

He sat back down, blinking hard. The lights above him smeared into golden streaks. The sounds in the room became distant, muffled.

“Too late”. Lucas commented, seeing that he was trying to stand up.

Xander glanced at Lucas, who was grinning, and then at Adrian, who stood still, quiet.

“What did you do?” he asked, his voice thick, as he loosened his tie. Heat crawled under his skin.

“I didn’t do shit,” Lucas said, too casually. “It’s your mother, man. She wants more grandkids. She asked for our help.”

“You know we can’t say no to your mother.”

Lucas’s voice slithered through the haze like smoke.

“Right, Adrian?” he added.

Adrian gave a reluctant nod. No one says no to Mrs. Westwood. “And we thought… maybe it’s time you moved on.” He added to the tension.

“Isabel’s going to take care of you tonight, man,” Lucas said with a wink. “Then you’ll forget about Amanda.”

Xander tried to argue, but the world faded into darkness.

*******

The next time Xander opened his eyes, he was in a dark room, and a woman was kissing his face. Something about her scent was floral and warm, it reminded him of a distant memory. He didn’t think, just leaned in, drawn to the comfort like a lifeline. He kissed her lips and held her legs to draw her closer and cling to her warmth.

His body started to react instinctively, as if starved. He grabbed her roughly, giving in to the fire he’d suppressed for too long.

****

The next morning, Isabel’s eyes opened with a smile. Last night, her dream came true. Xander had finally touched her, held her. She savored every second. Finally, after four years, he is mine. She thought silently with excitement.

She rolled over, giggling softly. “Baby…” She reached for the sheet covering his face and pulled it down.

But a gasp tore from her throat. The atmosphere dampened, and her eyes welled up.

The face beneath the sheet wasn't Xander or anyone she knew. It was an older man. All wrinkled and grinning like a fool.

“What the fuck, who are you?!” she screamed after finding her voice and bolting upright. Her heart pounded wildly. “No. No, it was Xander. He kissed me”.

The old man stirred, stretching lazily.

“You were spectacular, darling,” he said with a smug smile.

Before he could touch her, Isabel slapped him hard. “Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me”.

However, her phone started ringing, adding to the tension. She fumbled for it, hands shaking.

She didn't even check the caller ID, but she froze when the voice echoed from the speaker. It was Cold and sarcastic.

“Hey sis,”. “Did you enjoy my little gift?”. The voice sliced through her euphoria like a dagger.