Xeria’s P.O.V

"I have already lost the count, Xeria; please get me out of here." Quentin literally whines, throwing his head back on the couch.

As the date of the engagement ceremony approaches, everyone is busy making preparations for the ceremony.

Though it's an intimate ceremony, everything has to be according to Willie's choices, and everyone is happy to fulfill them until Willie took me and Quentin to choose the perfect dress for her. And after trying, we don't know how many dresses, Willie is still not satisfied.

"Let it be Quentin; you're just sitting anyway," I huff, crossing my leg.

"I can't take this anymore; it was so different with you; the first dress was perfect, so I thought Willie would have a maximum of 5–10 choices, but this," he says, squeezing his eyes shut.

"How is it any different since we were kids? You should be used to it by now." I nudge his shoulder so that he can get up and see Willie, who is walking out of the dressing room in a new dress.

"How's this one?" she asks, twirling in her dress.

"I really like it, Willie. What about you?" I ask her.

Though all the dresses looked good on her, she wasn't satisfied with any of them, but this one is gorgeous; it's a long A-line, sweetheart tulle blush dress.

Quentin also examines the dress, and a smile spreads on his face. Getting the final green signal, Willie also smiles.

"I will take this one," Willie says, smiling.

"Finally," Quentin sighs, a breath of relief.

"What's next?" I ask Willie, who has returned after changing into her normal clothes.

"Jewellery," she states, is a matter of fact. And Quentin and I exchange a giving-up look, but get dragged away by Willie anyway.

"There's no end to this torture." Quentin bangs his head on the steering wheel.

"Stop whining, brother; my friends cannot make it to the engagement, so it's completely yours and Xeria's responsibility to help me with my shopping." Willie snorts, silencing Quentin's bolting attempts.

"What about Bertil's sister? She can also accompany us." I say, giving a side-eye to Quentin, who just looks out of the window.

Oh, something is going on with this man. I will also test the waters; let's see how long he will be able to hold this facade.

"Oh, she and Brother Zachary are helping Bertil," holding up her phone for me, Willie gushes.

It is a video of the three siblings making preparations, and at the sound of Gabriell, Quentin's ears prick up.

"Gabriell is really beautiful; isn't she Quentin?" I try to pick on him, but he picks up his phone and just nods in response. Oh, he couldn't be any more obvious.

Speaking of the siblings, I'm quite worried about Khaos. I don't know what he is going to feel when his half-siblings and his mother will come in front of him, though I know that not even in the slightest probability will his emotions get better of him.

But it's a big thing to see your family after so many years, knowing that you will get nothing but disappointment in return.

When the date was confirmed and we were informed of it, I asked him again, but his answer was the same: there's no reason for him to hesitate, and there is none, but I don't know.

By now, Ms. Alice would be completely aware of the fact that she's going to meet the son she abandoned.

I know that she was suffering, but I cannot be neutral here. All I want is Khaos's happiness, and she was one of the reasons that he felt so estranged through all these years, and I don't feel any empathy toward her until Khaos's doesn't feel otherwise.

And no one knows of it, not even Quentin, so I think we will have to keep up the faces.

"Willie, Xeria has to leave stop tiring her." Quentin's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Stop arguing the two of you; I will stay here tonight and will leave tomorrow; let's finish your shopping first Willie, ok?" I take Willie's side, and Quentin gives me a betrayed look.

I have been traveling like crazy, going back and forth between two cities, and the same goes for Khaos.

Though Khaos is staying at his home for now, he will come for the engagement, but I'm trying to balance things like never before. Dad warned me of the fatigue, but I can't help it.

After shopping for 3 more hours, Quentin drops me off at Khaos place. dragging my tired self, I unlock the door and step inside.

Khaos hasn't returned yet; he has a meeting, so it leaves me here alone for a while.

"I'm hungry," my stomach growls. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday; I first came late home from work yesterday and just crashed after reaching home, and today I came here in a hurry and shopped nonstop and didn't eat anything. Slowly dragging myself to the kitchen, I pour a glass of water for myself.

As I pick up the glass from the counter to drink water, I start feeling dizzy and cold.

I step back, holding my head with one hand, and then the glass slips from my hand, and I also fall down, and darkness consumes me.