Red POV

"Oh, what's up, Aubrey?" I muttered, my hand instinctively reaching for my throbbing temple. She scoffed, removing her face from my side without uttering another word.

"Don't ' what's up' me, you slut," she sneered, perching herself on a nearby table.

"Excuse me?" I retorted, my voice tinged with both disbelief and anger.

"You heard me, S-L-U-T," she emphasized, drawing out each letter deliberately. My blood boiled like a volcano on the brink of eruption. All I could think of was how I wanted to shove a book down her throat, making her beg for mercy. But alas, I remembered Xavier's parting words, echoing in my mind.

"Oh, right, before I forget, you have to promise me one thing," he had said.

"Which is?" I had asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Whatever Aubrey says that may anger you, never react," he had instructed.

"You're joking, right?" I had scoffed, waiting for a punchline or a chuckle, but he had remained stoic.

"Dude, it's Aubrey. How am I supposed to keep quiet or ignore any hurtful things she says to me?"

"Come on, Red. You know she's just trying to upset you. Don't let her win," he had reasoned, attempting to reassure me.

"Okay, then, what should I do if she goes too far?" I had inquired, skeptical of his advice.

"I don't know, think of something to distract your mind. You could think of me," he had winked mischievously.

"Fine," I had reluctantly agreed.

"Really? You would?" he had smiled, revealing his perfect teeth.

"No," I had blurted out, unable to resist teasing him.

"That hurt," he had feigned a tear, placing a hand over his heart.

"Just what exactly are you planning?" I had pleaded, attempting to charm him with my old tricks, reminiscent of how I used to act with Aunt May.

"Nuh-uh, you're not getting anything out of these lips," he had pinched my cheeks playfully, eliciting annoyance from me.

"Just say nice things and don't attack her too much," he had instructed.

"Fine," I had reluctantly agreed, unsure of how effective it would be.

"Hello! Am I talking to a statue here?" Aubrey's impatient voice snapped me back to the present, her fingers audibly snapping in the distance.

To hell with Miss Devil.

"So... what are you doing here? I never imagined you as a nerd," I taunted, winking at her, relishing the gasp that escaped her lips.

"I don't give two shits. I'm leaving," she blurted out, turning to walk away. I didn't hesitate to respond.

"Why did you lie about Xavier and me?" I stopped her in her tracks, my voice steady and firm.

"What did you say?" Her voice carried a mix of surprise and defiance as she turned to face me.

"You heard me. You know nothing happened between him and me," I said, taking slow, deliberate steps towards her as she involuntarily retreated.

"You weren't here when I was with him, so what made you so certain that I fucked him?" I challenged, my tone laced with skepticism.

"What made you think I said it?" She smirked, leaning against the edge of a nearby bookshelf.

"Oh, please. It's only you who would think of such things. I haven't disturbed anyone since I arrived," I shot back, confident in my response.

"Don't be too sure. I know quite a few girls who say otherwise," She retorted, a smug smile playing on her lips. I knew she was lying, but the temptation to ask for names lingered in the back of my mind.

"Quit the act, Aubrey, and just tell me. It's you, isn't it?" I pressed, my determination shining through.

"Get away from me, Red, or you won't like what happens next," she hissed, her eyes undergoing an unsettling transformation, sending shivers down my spine.

This is why Xavier warned me not to make her angry. Oh, shit!

I found myself anxiously praying for Xavier to arrive, desperately yearning for his presence to bring a sense of calm to Aubrey. And just like a divine intervention, he suddenly appeared before us. Relief should have washed over me, but instead, a gnawing unease settled in the pit of my stomach. There was something off about him, something that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You heard the lady, Red. Get away from her," Xavier's voice sliced through the tense air, commanding authority and leaving us both shocked and bewildered.

"What?" Aubrey and I exclaimed simultaneously, our faces contorted with disbelief and confusion.

Since when did he start using my real name? I instinctively took a step back, but an instinctual warning urged me to create even more distance between us, and so I obeyed.

Concerned, I couldn't help but wonder, What's wrong with Xavier?

"She wasn't the one spreading the rumors, Red," Xavier interjected abruptly, cutting off my words before they could escape my lips.

"But you-" I began to protest, only to be silenced once again.

"But nothing, Red," he snapped, his eyes blazing with a seething anger directed at me. Without wasting a moment, he strode purposefully toward Aubrey, encircling her waist with his arm and initiating a fervent kiss that elicited a fleeting moan from her lips.

Is this really happening?

"X-Xavier," Aubrey gasped, her voice trembling as his lips claimed hers in a deep, passionate embrace.

"Yes, baby," Xavier responded, his gaze fixated on her with an intensity that spoke volumes.

"Why?" Aubrey questioned, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and longing.

"I want you back, baby. I miss you," Xavier confessed, his lips trailing kisses along her neck, leaving a trail of longing and desire.

"It was a mistake to leave you... to abandon us. I was a fool, baby. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me," he pleaded, drawing closer to her, his thumb gently caressing her swollen lips.

"Oh, baby, I forgive you," Aubrey cooed, her hands tenderly cradling his head as their passionate reunion continued.

A pang of disbelief and hurt surged through me. It felt as if I were trapped in a surreal nightmare.

Unbeknownst to them, lost in their world of affectionate whispers and heartfelt confessions, they finally became aware of my presence, their amorous bubble bursting.

"Oh, look, an audience. Should we give her more to see, or should she leave? It's your call, baby," Xavier suggested, his lips grazing Aubrey's earlobe, a mischievous smirk adorning his face.

"Oh, baby, she should leave," Aubrey responded, a wicked twinkle in her eye.

"You heard the lady. Leave!" Xavier's voice dripped with venomous hatred as he glared at me, revealing that it was all a heartless charade.

It was a cruel prank intended to humiliate me, not to offer support.

"I hope you all rot in hell," I muttered, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces as I turned on my heel and walked away, burdened by an overwhelming sense of betrayal.

How dare he!

I thought we could be friends!

I had even planned to ask him for help in uncovering more information about my parents.

If he ever comes near me again, I swear I'll make him regret it-

Before I could finish my curse, strong hands seized me, forcefully pushing me against a bookshelf. Panic surged through me, and I attempted to scream for help, knowing that the others were just around the corner. But the person swiftly covered my mouth, muffling my cries. I kicked and struggled, desperate to break free, until a voice pierced through my fear, shocking me to my core.

"Calm down, Green eyes. It's me," the voice reassured, and I ceased my frantic movements, opening my eyes to meet his sparkling gaze. He gently removed his hand from my lips.

"Miss me?" he smirked.

"Xavier?" I gasped, unable to believe my eyes. I quickly distanced myself from him and hurried back to where I had left Aubrey. To my astonishment, she was still entwined with another Xavier, locked in a passionate embrace.

"Surprise," Xavier grinned at me, as if everything could be easily explained.

"You better start talking, or I'll make you an eunuch," I warned him, my frustration and confusion reaching its boiling point.

Note: A eunuch is a term historically used to refer to a castrated man or a man who has been rendered impotent. In the context of the dialogue, the protagonist is using the threat metaphorically, intending to convey that if Xavier doesn't provide an explanation, he'll face severe consequences or punishment.

Hope you enjoyed this Chapter ❤️