Truth Part 2

"My mother is in a coma for four years now. The one you saw yesterday was her twin sister. After my mother got sick, my grandfather decided to let my aunt become a substitute for my mother. No one should know about it." She paused and took a deep breath.

Aciel didn't say a word and let Xylia tell the truth about her family.

"We were happy. I was happy. But everything changed when my father started having an affair with my aunt. I tried to understand him. Maybe he was lonely because my mother didn't wake up until now. My Aunt started manipulating everyone including my father. She said it was for the family's sake but in reality, it was all for herself. Last year, I found out she embezzled money from the company. We lost a lot. I'm not sure how my father and grandfather still hold on to our status, but our family is already on the brink of bankruptcy."

Aciel frowned. "So they decided to marry you off to Ivan to save your family?"

Xylia nodded. "They threatened me. If I don't marry Ivan, they won't let me see my mother."

"Then what do you want from me?" He asked.

"What?"

"You looked at me like you wanted to be saved. So I assumed, you want my help. Just say the word, Xylia. I'll help you. But you know nothing is free in our world."

Xylia knew what Aciel meant. Asking the Mafia's help was not free. It always had a price.

"I don't need your help. I just wanted to talk to someone." She answered.

You're an asshole. Why did you let her believe you wanted something in return? Did you just want her body? Aciel scolded himself quietly.

Xylia stood up and was about to leave. Aciel saw disappointment on her face again. And he knew it would bug him for days again. With gritted teeth, he ran toward her and grabbed her hand.

"What do you want, Aciel?" She asked while staring at him.

Xylia saw a disdainful look on Aciel's face. She was supposed to be like that, not him. She wanted someone to listen to her, and she thought she could at least be a friend for a few minutes. But he failed her.

"Why do have to make everything so difficult? I was ready to let go of you. I promised Martin that I will not pursue you anymore, and then you suddenly look at me like that."

"So it's my problem now? You are so full of yourself. You said you knew my feelings. Then yes, I confess. I like you. No! I am in love with you and I don't even know why. I don't know how it happened. It wasn't supposed to be this way."

Aciel was surprised. He already knew Xylia was in love with him but telling him upfront was different.

"Xylia, you know I can't–. I-I don't know how to love someone."

Xylia's heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. She knew he didn't like her, but she still told him her true feelings.

"I don't need you to return my feelings. I needed a friend and was hoping you would understand. But I was wrong. I'm sorry for bothering you."

She snatched her hand and continued to walk, but Aciel caught her again.

"Xylia, come on!"

"What do you really want from me, Aciel? You said you hate me. But why do you always look at me? Your eyes say differently. Do you want my body? Then fine! I'll let you have me." She exclaimed.

Aciel didn't expect that from her. "What are you saying? It's not what I meant—"

"Are you rejecting me? You rejected my feelings and you're now rejecting to sleep with me?"

"I thought you said you're not like that. Are you willing to sleep with me just because you are frustrated with my answer?"

"I'm not frustrated. I would rather sleep with the man I love than give myself to someone like Ivan Harlow." She murmured.

Aciel didn't answer and instead, he let go of Xylia's hand. He wanted her so badly, but it's different if she had feelings for him.

Xylia's heart was once again felt so broken. She bit her lip because it was trembling. Tears were slowly filling her eyes when someone suddenly grabbed her other hand.

"There you are. I was looking for you."

Xylia felt like her stomach was rumbling. She wanted to throw up when Ivan's hand touched her. She wiped her tears and turned to look at him.

"I-I was just talking to Aciel about the student council meeting. We're done now." She said, giving Ivan a fake smile.

Ivan glanced at Aciel. "Aciel Vance De Silva from the Mafia Clan, right? You are the next Mafia Boss."

Aciel stared at the man and smirked. "Yeah. That's me."

Xylia felt the tension between the two and she wanted it to end. She didn't want to add fuel to the fire so she grabbed Ivan's arm and smiled at him again.

"Do you need me for anything? I-I'm sure you were looking for me because you want something from me, right."

She wanted to ran away from Ivan and just lock herself inside her bedroom. She didn't know how she managed to smile like that. Her lips were shaking and so as her knees. Aciel frowned and clenched his fist when he saw Xylia's hand on Ivan's arm.

He wanted to punch Ivan when he gave Xylia a malicious smile then glanced at him again. "Can I have my fiance back? You don't mind, right?"

Aciel quietly nodded. But when Xylia turned her back on him to follow Ivan, he waited for her to at least glance at him.

'Look at me. Then I'll save you.' He said to himself. But she didn't give a second look. And Aciel didn't see the tears from her eyes. She was hoping he would follow her, only to feel another pain from her disappointment.