Chapter 11
Catherine's POV
I watched Landon stare at Xandon, but I felt the daggers from Elisa's eyes. The entire forest was silent except the chirping of birds, and the faint sounds of water.
"You really are a little snake, aren't you? So you decide to seduce my boyfriend in the forest? Really?" The degrading look from Elisa had me glance at Xandon, but his eyes remained perpetually on his brother, who had nothing but a hot glare.
I took a deep breath in, trying to let out all the accumulated triggers to my anger, but being in this situation amplified it all.
"Landon, take me out of here. You fucking left me here to go to Lord knows where, and somehow your–your, this guy over here comes along. So no, I don't want to be part of this madness"
I ignored the mixtures of the intensity of glares that I got, and began walking away. As I walked further away from the trio, everything that happened minutes ago came flooding back in.
Why did I kiss him back? And we still didn't have the said discussion. I groaned, taking my fingers through my hair.
I bit my lips as I slowly nodded my head. My relationships were a mess, getting involved with three guys wasn't healthy, out of which two are brothers.
Wait!
I stopped in my tracks, and immediately I felt a body standing behind me. I took in uneven breaths, as I chewed on my lips.
No way I'm involved with Xandon or even Landon. No screw the Chize family, I'm done!
"You alright?" The low, steady voice of Landon brought me out of my spiral, as I slowly turned to him.
"Yeah. Just, let's leave" He gave me a slight nod and started walking forward, while I trudged behind him, the sounds of dried leaves already told me that Xandon and Elisa was behind us.
The warm rays of the sun hit my skin, as I breathed in the air free of saltwater and trees.
"Okay, well, see you guys later" I smiled and turned to leave but Landon's hand on my wrist pulled me into a halt.
I tilted my head, glancing at Xandon, and I shot a questioning look to Landon.
"We are hanging out. C'mon" We all went into Frosty and I nearly mewled over.
The smell of butter and oil hit my nostrils as soon as I walked into the blue and white painted restaurant.
The transparent glass showing different variety of pastries and ice creams, had me swallowing.
"Come" Landon's distance voice rang behind me, and I turned to see him walking off to a secluded booth.
My eyes widened as I saw the entire friend circle from when we were in high school.
"Hi, Mayle. You guys didn't say you were coming" I greeted and hugged my friend, but I already felt a cold sweat run down my back.
"Hi, Catherine" I turned to see Jessica, Inula, Elle, and of course, Mayle and some other guys.
"Hi" Another hug, but this time around it was a side hug.
I squinted my eyes, as my eyebrows furrowed at the dismissed form of affection. Hello, I didn't ask to be hug!
I rolled my eyes, but still took my seat and remained silent. The entire table felt as though the town's gossip just rolled around.
"So, Catherine, how's–how's college? Any interesting things happen?" The condescending look on Elle's face, made her smile feel like a scripted act.
I breathed out, and glanced around the table to see all eyes on me, except one–Xandon's.
"Yes, I..well, you know, just college stuff" I shrugged, as I felt my legs begin to get bouncy and I dug my nails in my thighs.
"Okay, food's here" Xandon spoke, making whatever Elle had to say shove back down in her throat as she shot him a giare.
I breathed out, as the waiter brought forth our food tray and began distributing the dish.
I felt my entire body freeze, and I went completely still as I felt a hand on my thigh, slowly rubbing my exposed skin.
Without moving my head, my eyes travelled down to the particular body part of interest, and I saw Xandon's silver ringed hand on it, squeezing but not too tight.
Was this him trying to soothe me out?
I subtly glanced at him, but his eyes were solely on the waiter like he was trying to uncover a particular gem.
I felt a smile began to okay on my lips and I felt my inside getting giddy, but at the same time my heartbeat increased and I didn't know if it was trepidation or from excitement
"Enjoy your meal" The waiter bowed after rounding the table and distributing the dishes. Our table now began to smell like grilled fish and fresh wine.
Everyone took off their napkins and began digging in, and I bit my lip in anticipation of Xandon letting my leg go, but he still held on and simply took a sip from his wine, and I followed suit, while shooting him a glare.
You can't be fucki–
"So, when is the wedding, Xandon?" I coughed out the wine that was yet to pass down my throat, and grabbed the napkin someone handed me.
I began choking as tears formed in my eyes, as the entire table went silent and Landon handed me a bottle of water.
I cleared my throat after coughing out the unswallowed wine, and took in deep breaths to stop the tears from falling out but a drop had already stained my cheek.
"You're getting married?" I managed to croak out, which made me cough again, but the man beside me didn't even look at me, instead he dug his nails into my skin.
"Did I tell you that?" His eyes rested on mine, while his nails dug deeper into my skin. I swallowed a breath, as I stared at the man before me, and my lips quivered.
His eyes looked like they were daring me. But daring me to do what? He's the one with the big reveal.
"It doesn't matter if you tell her that, Xandon. The truth is that after graduation, we are getting married" Elisa groaned out, rolling her eyes.
Xandon's eyes burned the more, and his nails went deeper into my skin.
I looked at him, expecting him to counter but no words left his lips, and he couldn't hold me eyes anymore as he looked away.
I slowly reached for his hand and tore it off me, as I took the left over bottle of wine, and walked off, ignoring their questioning and intrigued glances.
Each step I took to the door, I felt another part of me being torn to pieces. I had managed to get him out of my head, to somehow reduce the voices in my head, because of him.
But– but maybe I need to do another form of healing even with him in the picture. Because this news felt like everything in that forest, everything in high school truly meant nothing.
But I'm not so sure my heart had understood the meaning of goodbye yet.