CHAPTER 6

“She is at uhm”… . Adrian's mouth opened, then closed again. He searched for the right words, but they danced just out of reach, teasing him with their absence. 

“Turn on the Television”. A storm brewed behind his eyes, but his voice remained low, controlled and cold.

“Yes sir”. His assistant immediately obeyed and turned on the television.

“Calm down man”. Luca’s voice, which was far from Xander, echoed in the background.

“In the headline news today: Amanda Gold is taking the jewelry world by storm. In just a short time, the founder of GOLD by Amanda has skyrocketed to the top of the luxury jewelry industry. Her bold, elegant designs are dominating runways, red carpets, and high-end boutiques across the country.”

“Fuck”…. Lucas couldn't even comprehend how, but before he knew it the television was already broken. And Xander grabbed his hair in frustration as he kept breathing hard and looking at what he just broke. 

His chest tightened fast and sharp, like invisible hands were wrapping around his ribs, squeezing the air out of his lungs. 

“Boss, Xander”. Adrian and Lucas called at the same time, but Xander stopped them from coming close, and they did stop. This wasn't the first time he suffered from panic attacks.

Fumbling with his pockets, his fingers clumsy and slick with sweat, he found the familiar orange bottle. It rattled in his hand like a waning before he popped a pill in his hands then to his hands.

“Are you okay man”, he heard Lucas question him, and he replied with a nod and tried to stabilize himself.

It was Xanax, a medication he was prescribed to control his anxiety. This was the punishment he got for trying to kill his child as well as the mother of his child, he relieved all the memories all the time dripping in sweat and trembling.

All he wanted was to amend his ways. But Amanda seemed happy and successful. She didn't mind leaving her sick child, who asked about her mummy every day. She disappeared into thin air without a note or even a goodbye and when she finally came back, she didn't come for her child, instead she came for fame. How selfish he thought.

He was right, she had always been desperate, but that still didn't justify his actions, he wasn't thinking at that time. He just didn't want to make that same mistake he made before he met Amanda. That's what he told himself, but maybe the truth is he was trying to find a way to remove some of the guilt he felt.

He immediately grabbed his car keys as he felt much better and made his way outside.

“Where are you going, bro”. Lucas asked with the same confused expression he had had for a long time.

“To end all this”, he simply said. If only he knew it was just the beginning.

Meanwhile, at the newly launched company Gold by Amanda. Everybody cheered for Amanda after she had given her wonderful speech. She looked ever young and beautiful and her hair cascaded down, as her hips moved.

She moved away from everyone and sat alone as she admired what she had achieved. She smiled as they continued to cheer, but the applause only echoed the hollowness she’d carried for years.

“Heyy…. Amanda right?”. A red head lady with a well accentuated figure suddenly appeared in front of Amanda.

Amanda nodded, but with a bit of confusion. “It's me… we went to the same school, remember?” Emily scoffed as she spoke, you could see the jealousy burn in her eyes.

“I just wanted to say, just because you climbed a Milestone now does mean you are all that. I mean, back then you were always a simp for men and at last, I heard you got pregnant and abandoned.”

“I don't even see a ring on your finger now”. A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth as she spoke.

Emily had never for once liked Amanda, seeing her all elegant now made her want to puke.

“Oh I remember you now Emily. Amanda said flatly. Yes, I was a simp, but I do hope you finally came out that you are gay”!!

Emily's eyes widened with disbelief, she even looked around to make sure no one heard.

“I guess not?” Amanda cocked her head to the side as she sipped her drink.

“You filthy bitch”…..

“I saw you Emily, you and Isabel huh”. Amanda smugness was second to none. 

“Gosh, I thought you had taste, but apparently you don't”. 

“Shut up… Emily silently screamed. You have no idea what you are saying”. Her eyes were now laced with desperation and somewhat pain. It was the pain of unreciprocated love.

“Sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie, other times it's best to be quiet”. She said and stood up and walked towards the door to the restroom, however Amanda didn't expect to be yanked over.

She hit a hard figure and the familiar scent of cologne hit her. Even after all these years, he still smelled the same, and it's still so good. If only he wasn't part of the people who cost her pain.

Her heart was solid now, she was here to avenge her mother and make Xander feel exactly how she felt years ago.

“It was you”. His eyes moved as his thoughts started to get clear from that night.

“Surprise surprise”. Amanda moved back as she looked at the fine man in front of her, Xander couldn't keep his eyes away from her, she was so beautiful, her soft lips and voluptuous hips called him.

But he reminded himself that it was not love, he could never love her not because he wasn't attracted to her but because he lost the ability to love. All he wanted was to make things better.

“It's a good thing you are here. I had a long day thinking about how to meet up with you, Xander”.

Xander brows creased, he didn't like the way she talked, she was no longer the sweet little girl that was always by his side. The one that would do anything to ensure his happiness. There was something in her eyes. They were like frostbitten glass staring ahead, unblinking and unreadable.

“I want custody of my child”. Amanda said, with her voice and eyes devoid of warmth.

“Custody?” Xander raised an eyebrow, voice calm yet sharp and precise.