Xeria’s P.O.V

"Here." Jake takes a seat across from me on the table and offers me a cup of coffee.

"Thank you," I reply, accepting the cup. This is a weird deja vu situation.

"So, you are here for medication?" I ask him, observing the bag of medications on the table.

"Yes, I do get some episodes, but now I'm more than fine," he replies, taking a sip of coffee.

"So, you came all the way here for medications?" I don't give up on my curiosity as I look down at my coffee and hear Jake chuckle.

"The therapist is really nice, and it's convenient to be here," Jake answers, crossing his arms on the table.

"So, are you here to see the therapist too?" He asks me, fixing his jacket.

"I guess, but I'm not sure," I answer, shrugging my shoulders and pressing my lips.

"Do you want to see her?" he asks now with a stern look on his face.

"Dad suggested so," I reply giving a lopsided smile.

"I may be out of line, but Xeria, it won't hurt to say no to things that you don't like or don't want to; stop literally complying with everything," he says, sighing.

"It's not just about that; I'm, as a matter of fact, a mess; maybe I need this." I persist, averting my gaze.

"Who said you're a mess? Just in two years, you have grown so much that you're on par with many business tycoons of your age; heck, you have crossed Quentin's position; if it weren't for you looking after a single business, you would've been a tough competition for Khaos too; so many people look up to you; this self-deprivation isn't good, Xeria." Jake expresses his thoughts, and I just sigh.

"I know and I'm very well aware of these facts, but I don't know Jake. It feels like every day I'm losing myself; I can't express what I feel in words." I answer him, brushing the hair off my face with my fingers.

"He is moving on, and I don't know why. I don't want to say anything; it will only get worse." I sigh, brushing off the thoughts and conversation I heard in the morning.

"Don't believe the rumors or gossip around you; if it were for them, you would already be a mother. You know what I'm talking about." Jake's reassuring brings me back to reality.

During the annulment, the news of me becoming a parent was floating around, and it was clearly proved wrong with the annulment.

"Enough about me; how're you doing? How is Janice?" I ask him, calming my nerves as I wipe my clammy hands on my pants.

"We're good; we're thinking of starting a family," he replies with a smile on his face.

"That is really nice, Jake. I'm so happy for the two of you." I congratulate him, reciprocating the gesture. I'm genuinely happy for him.

"And Xeria, I'm always sorry for what I did." He trails off, and I know where he's going.

"So was my fate. Jake, I don't blame you or anyone, and anymore, all I know is that I'm tired. That's it." I take a deep breath and put a smile on my face.

"So, I will see you around, I guess," I say, standing up and picking up my belongings.

"Yes, there are many occasions this time around, so we will," he replies, giving me a side hug.

I watch Jake's retreating figure as I stand in my place, contemplating what I should do next. Of course, I'm not going in for the session; I don't want to.

Next, I didn't know what to do. I still have time, but I can make some excuse, so going back home seems like a reasonable option. I dash to the parking lot, hoping Jake will still be there, and luckily, he is propped up against his car.

"Jake," I call him.

"Can you give me a ride back home?" I ask him as he looks at me.

"Sure, why not?" he replies with a smile, but before I can enter, I feel like someone's watching us, so I scan the surroundings but can't see anyone. Maybe this is a false alarm.

"What's wrong?" he asks me from inside as he buckles his seat belt on.

"Nothing, let's go," I answer, still feeling uneasy.

"Jake, can I ask you something?" I ask, glancing at him and clasping my hands together, and again, my hands begin to get clammy.

"Of course you can, Xeria," he answers, taking a quick glance at me.

"Does Janice know about us?" I ask him, and after a pause, he looks at me, and this time his gaze softens at my question, and an odd feeling churns through my gut, and I avert my gaze.

"No, she doesn't; I couldn't bring myself to," he answers, sighing, and I look back at him, my mouth agape.

"What will I tell her that I said yes even when I was in love with someone else? Call me a coward for that, but I think it's not necessary now." He let out a scoff, and now I'm at a loss for words.

"You know, Jake, she deserves to know the truth because it's all in the past now. I know the feeling of being lied to, and I don't want you to go through the same." I lean my head against the window and confess my thoughts, and silence descends between us.

Again, the images of my last argument with Khaos fill my mind, and tears pool up in my eyes. I keep my hand on my chest, feeling the ring as I suppress my tears.

"Ok, I will try, and Xeria, it's been three years now, but if you ask me, I still regret my decision. I know how messed up I must be sounding right now, but it's the truth, and maybe because of all this guilt, I can't bring myself up to confess everything to Janice. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said all this, but all my walls come crumbling down when I'm with you, but I'm trying," he whispers the last part as his eyelids droop and the car comes to a halt.

"Jake?" I call him.

"Do you regret it?" he asks, looking at me and gripping the steering wheel tightly.

"I don't know Jake, but I'm just your past. You should focus on your present and your future, which is with your wife, Janice. Thank you for dropping me." I answer him and storm out of the car without looking back.

I went there to become less pathetic, but now I think I have put on nothing but more burden. Potato jumps back and forth to greet me as soon as I step inside.

"What got you so excited?" I ask him as he jumps into my arms.

"Maybe my arrival." I hear a very nostalgic voice, and I look at its source in complete astonishment.

"Grunge?" I mutter, and he walks up to me and gives me a bone-crushing hug.

"How're you, little girl?" he asks me as I struggle to breathe in his bone-crushing embrace.

"Let go of me first," I whisper, and he finally let go of me, and I take a sigh of relief. I look at him, stretching my neck because of how tall he is. I think he grows muscles every time I see him.

"I'm ok," I answer, and he looks down at me with his pitch-black eyes.

"We've got a lot to talk about, I guess," he says, running his fingers through his hair and showing his fully tattooed arm through the folded sleeves of his shirt. And I know that he has his full arm tattooed because I have seen it before.

"I see you two have greeted each other," Dad says as he appears in front of us from the hall.

"I guess so," I answer, looking at Grunge, and he nods.

"You both have a lot to talk about, I guess, so take your time. I'm leaving for work. I will see you at dinner." Dad informs us as he pats Grunge on the shoulder.

"We will talk about the session later, ok, honey," dad says, kissing my forehead as he leaves, and I just nod in response.