Finally meeting her

<p><strong>Xavier Pov</strong><br/><br/>As she walked out of the theatre hall, her presence commanded my attention. Dressed in a stunning sequined red mermaid dress, she exuded elegance and allure that left me spellbound.<br/><br/>Unable to resist any longer, I knew I had to act. It had been five years, three months, and two days since we last crossed paths. This time, I vowed to follow my heart, having learned the hard way from our painful separation. I refused to let another moment slip away, even if it meant defying Ethan or facing the world's challenges. I was determined to win her heart and claim her as my own.<br/><br/>Stepping into the corridor, I closed the distance between us in an instant. Placing my hand over her mouth to prevent any outcry, I felt a rush of euphoria as her body pressed against mine. Holding her close, I whispered, "Izzy baby… it's me."<br/><br/>Her reaction was immediate, her body tensing at the sound of my voice. Slowly, I released my grip, turning her to face me while still keeping her within my embrace.<br/><br/>"Izzy, I've finally found you. I'm overjoyed," I expressed, unable to contain my smile. She was more beautiful than I remembered, and I couldn't help but admire every detail of her face.<br/><br/>But her response wasn't what I anticipated. Instead of happiness, her eyes held only emptiness and sadness as she looked back at me with a blank expression.<br/><br/>Leaning in closer, I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, hoping to convey my sincerity and remorse. Yet, as I moved to apologize for past mistakes, my gaze fell upon her soft, pink lips, and an overwhelming desire consumed me. Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned in, intent on tasting her lips once more.<br/><br/>But before I could, she pushed me away with a force that startled me, her palms pressing against my chest.<br/><br/>She glared at me, rubbing her forehead as if my touch was a curse. "Mr. Knight… stay away from me and my family," she commanded, her voice filled with anger and resentment.<br/><br/>"Izzy…" I tried to reach out to her, but she shoved my hand aside, delivering a stinging slap to my cheek.<br/><br/>"Never show your face to me again. I despise you with every fiber of my being," she spat, before turning and walking away, leaving me stunned and heartbroken.<br/><br/>I never expected her to be so full of hatred, and as I stood there, watching her disappear from view, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Doubt consumed me as I wondered if I could ever win back her love in this lifetime.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Isabella Pov<br/><br/>As Xavier approached me, everything seemed to blur, my mind struggling to process the situation until he tenderly kissed my forehead. It was like a jolt, snapping me back to reality.<br/><br/>Backing away, I felt repulsed by his touch, as if it were crawling with insects. How dare he lay a hand on me after what transpired between us five years ago?<br/><br/>Despite my warning to stay away, he persisted, and that was the final straw. My anger and resentment boiled over, and with a swift motion, I delivered a resounding slap across his face.<br/><br/>Letting him feel the sting of my contempt was my way of asserting that I was no longer the same Izzy with a soft heart. I had become a woman hardened by life, devoid of any room for sentiment or emotion.<br/><br/>Entering the theatre hall, Ethan greeted me, unaware of the turmoil raging within me. "Took you long enough to get back," he remarked.<br/><br/>"Just needed a moment to gather myself in this unfamiliar place," I lied, unwilling to dampen Ethan's spirits on his special day.<br/><br/>As the event progressed, Ethan was called up to receive the Young Inspiring Entrepreneur Award of the Year. I watched with pride until my heart sank at the sight of Xavier taking the stage as the chief guest.<br/><br/>Seeing him brought back a flood of painful memories, reminding me of the scars he had inflicted upon us. He was the source of our anguish and loss, and his presence only served to reopen old wounds.<br/><br/>His actions had once made me feel like a moth drawn to a flame, only to be scorched in the end. But now, my heart had grown numb from the pain, shielding itself from further hurt.<br/><br/>As Xavier handed the award to Ethan and exchanged pleasantries, I could see through the facade of their interaction. Ethan's forced smile betrayed his discomfort, mirroring my own feelings.<br/><br/>Suddenly, I felt a gentle touch on my cheek, my mother wiping away the tears I hadn't realized were falling. With a reassuring squeeze of her hand, she silently urged me to compose myself.<br/><br/>Before Ethan could notice, I discreetly wiped my tears and put on a brave face. But Ethan's somber tone signaled his desire to leave the event early, and we made our way out of the theatre hall.<br/><br/>As we waited for our car, I noticed Xavier approaching us, a shadow looming over our already tense atmosphere. His casual greeting and warm embrace of my mother only served to stoke Ethan's fury.<br/><br/>Without warning, Ethan lunged at Xavier, his rage unleashed in a flurry of punches. Despite my mother's attempts to intervene, Ethan's aggression persisted, leaving Xavier battered and bruised on the ground.<br/><br/>Amidst the chaos, Jasmine, once my closest friend, rushed to Xavier's side with tears in her eyes, tending to his wounds. It was a surreal sight, witnessing her care for him, a painful reminder of the betrayal that had fractured our friendship.<br/><br/>As my mother reprimanded Ethan and ushered us into the waiting car, I couldn't shake the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me, leaving me questioning everything.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p>