Entrapped

Chapter 17.

It was the beautiful night before their marriage and Xavier was on cloud nine, Tiara had started to act normal around him and he could not be any happier. She was being very nice to him and seemed very happy about the marriage and he wanted nothing more.

Xavier smiled as he waited for her to come in the backyard, near the artificial pond they had in their mansion. He had prepared a surprise for her, it was the date he had arranged. Xavier always wanted to do that for Tiara as he did not want her to miss out on anything. There was another reason behind his romantic gesture, he meant to talk to her about how she was really feeling.

If she was being doubtful and feeling like she had taken the decision in a rush then he would completely understand her and could postpone the wedding, it was her last chance to say it to him because after tomorrow it would be too late and she would become his wife already. He just did not want her to regret it, especially not their marriage. Xavier for sure, had to face a lot of consequences and criticism but he would face all of that just fine as nothing was more important than Tiara’s happiness.

He had thought that he would be selfish with her and would only think about what he wanted from now on but he could not bring himself to do that, he still cared about her deeply and was putting her happiness above his own. After all, it was what love really is, putting the person you love above anything else.

He heard the clicking of heels and he knew the one he was waiting for had finally arrived. He stood up from his seat and straightened his clothes, patting away the imaginary dust off his white shirt. He spun around slowly and his grey orbs glimmered in love as soon as they fell on her.

Tiara was one of a kind, she was not only beautiful but alluring that one look on her and you would be drawn to her instantly. She was wearing a red evening dress made up of fine fabric, it was simple yet elegant with a square neckline and puffy sleeves till her wrist, made up of sheer fabric that showed her dainty arms. The bottom half of the dress had so much going on as it was puffy, made up of so much fabric and the dress ended just below her knees. Her long golden locks were nicely combed and were tied back in a low ponytail. Her lips were painted red to match her dress and god! They looked so kissable but it was not what had his heart beat increased, that job was done by her light green eyes that were shining bright under the effect of her mascara. He had always loved her eyes the most, they held the serenity of nature in them and the red dress made her eyes even more prominent that he found it difficult to look away.

“y-you are looking bea- no, gorgeous. Yes, you are looking breathtakingly gorgeous!” he shuttered, finding it hard to pick out a right word that would do justice to how she was really looking. It was difficult for him to compliment her, he did not really do that too often and to be precise he had never really complimented anyone ever beside his own mother.

“Thank you and you are also,” she smiled and noticed that he had not really put that much effort in his outfit but was still looking handsome as ever. He was wearing a white button up shirt whose two buttons were undone which she assumed to show off his perfectly toned chest which definitely would have been a mouth watering sight if it was not for the hate she had in her heart for the gorgeous man. His shirt was tucked in under the black slacks he wore, sleeves rolled up that showed his veiny hands.

 “Come on, have a seat.” Xavier offered, pulling out a chair for her like a gentleman he wanted to be for her.

“Thank you.” she nodded and sat down as Xavier occupied the seat across from her.

Xavier had arranged a perfect date, a round table was placed near the pond which was decorated with fairy lights, there were large trees on either side of the circular artificial pond that were also adorned by the twinkling fairy lights. The aroma of the candles that were floating in the pool provided the environment a perfect romantic air. The moon that was shining above, witnessing Xavier’s effort looked so perfect that even the water of the pond mirrored it’s beauty.

“It’s beautiful here, did you decorate it?” She appreciated his efforts because she really wanted him to put so much into it so that her plan could run smoothly, the more he loved her the more pain she would be able to give him.

“I am glad you liked it and no, I just ordered some workers to do it,” Xavier smiled awkwardly as he thought that she was expecting him to prepare everything on his own and he realized that it would have been better, “but it was my idea though.” He scratched the back of his neck as he knew that he had used a lame excuse to defend himself.

“It’s alright,” she laughed lightly at the mafia man that was acting so soft in front of her, “you don’t have to feel so awkward.”

He found her words reassuring and nodded at her and clapped his hand twice and a servant quickly appeared out of nowhere dressed as a waiter and greeted the couple and went away after pouring them some red wine.

“Everything is very nice and beautiful but is there any specific reason for you to set up a date just a day before marriage?” It was a genuine concern she felt at the moment, she wanted to know his purpose behind the romantic gesture because according to her it was not really required and knowing him for years Tiara knew that he did not do anything without a purpose.

“Well, yes actually,” He answered honestly, taking a sip of the fine wine as he continued, “I was hoping to bring it up later after dinner but now that you already have so yes, there is something I want to talk to you about.”

 She felt her heart sinking by his confession as she feared that he might back off from the wedding. It was the only fear she had now because it was the first step to sabotage the peace from his life. She knew she was just being paranoid but she could not help it as she desperately needed that wedding vow from him because it would be the lock that would ensure his captivity inside the cage of his love.

“What is it?” The fear she felt was completely evident in her voice but Xavier who was oblivious to what was going on inside her was unable to detect it.

“We will talk about it after dinner, Tiara.” That clearly meant that what he had to say was something that could kill her appetite and it made her worry even more and she fidgeted with her fingers which were hidden under the table.

“umm, even I have something that I have been meaning to talk to you about.” She did not, she just lied so that she could convince him if he was being doubtful about their marriage.

“yes, what is it?” Xavier asked, he concluded that it would definitely about the marriage though he had prepaid his mind about postponing it if she would want time but there was this small part which wanted their marriage to take place tomorrow as it was his dream and no sane person would really like to push it away in further future from coming true.

“Well, actually I wanted to talk about us, you know about the past.” Xavier stiffened when she mentioned the past because it was horrible and was not worth talking about especially when you were planning the future in the present.

“Okay.” Xavier nodded at her, encouraging her to speak further. He did not really want to talk about the past that was stained with betrayal and lies but chose to listen to her because he wanted to know what she had to say.

She shifted and squirmed in her seat before looking up at him and then looking down quickly before speaking, “I-I want to know if there… there is, you know any grudge that you hold against me for doing what I did to you?"  She seemed hesitant in the beginning which was just a façade of being guilty and Xavier could not detect it once again.

He had known Tiara like this only. She had always been timid, shy and naïve since childhood that no one ever got to see this side which she had recently developed under horrific circumstances.

“Why would you ask that suddenly?” He wondered what could be the purpose behind such a question and why in the world she chose this perfect moment to have him reminisce about that bitter time.

She knew she needed to work harder to convince this man with a strong will and personality to have him where she wanted him so she chose the only option that ensured her victory over him and that was emotions, his emotions and she was going to play around them.

“Xavier, you know we are going to start a new life together and I don’t want to step into the future carrying the burden of what had happened in the past.” She gave him a small smile, eyes gazing at him with hopes, “I have decided to let go of everything because I truly want to move on and write a new chapter in the book of life with you.” It may have sounded romantic and assuring but Tiara had used these words in an entirely different context, her words were ambiguous that he had no idea about. 

Xavier was touched, his heart fluttering in his chest, the poor man smiled happily at the lady that he loved more than his own self, not realizing that his love had blinded him and the woman he loved was not beside him but against him in a war she had declared without even informing him.

“I am aware that once we are married you would be given the official title of the mafia king and the title will come with great and grave responsibilities. I don’t want you to be distracted.” She did not really care about him and his responsibilities but was just trying to warm his heart by showing concern so that she could fool his sharp mind.

“Xavier, I know you love me.” She did that for sure, “it was your love that compelled me to change my mind.” Had she not seen his eyes glimmering with love the other day, she never would have come with the idea of vengeance.

Xavier was swimming with the clouds of happiness. The woman he loved had finally started to appreciate his love and it made him content and at that moment he truly believed that love could overcome everything. He believed that love could really conquer the world and was much stronger than any hatred.

“I-I don’t love you yet but I trust you.” It was the only honest claim she made that night and Xavier was actually impressed by her honesty. He, for sure, did not expect her to love him suddenly. He was glad that she acknowledged his love and accepted it slowly. She was moving step by step and he was a patient man when it came to her.

Tiara was getting anxious because he had not said a single word and was listening to her attentively and the way his eyes were fixed on her petite figure, she doubted if he could see past through her lies and façade.

She was afraid but she did not let her fear faze her and continued trying to fool this man with her innocence that had been swallowed by the dark seed of hatred growing inside her heart that had consumed her subconscious to see that she was playing dirty.

“and I want your trust in return because I promise you that I will stay by your side.” She did not mention until when but one thing was sure that she would be there to see him getting helpless day by day and falling into the abyss of despair and sorrow.

She pulled her hand out from under the table and reached for his hand which was resting on the table and held it softly in her dainty clutch, “I won’t break my promise this time.” Xavier saw the sincerity in her eyes and put his other hand above hers which was holding his hand and smiled at her lovingly.

“I trust you, Tiara.” And with that being said, all the doubts from Xavier’s mind flew away because it got as clear as crystal that she really wanted to start a new life with him and was really ready to marry him.

They had their dinner afterwards while talking about different things under the dark sky filled with twinkling stars and a frowning moon. The stars were twinkling at Xavier who looked genuinely happy and his love that was true while the moon frowned at the vicious lady who was using his love to have her hate win and to quench the thirst of revenge she had greedily developed in her.