What Exactly Happened?

CHAPTER THREE

After running back to my office, I immediately made myself busy. While I was browsing for an inspiration for another design, I heard a knock at my door.

“Come on in.” I approved the knock. Xana showed up with a bunch of take-outs in her hands. “I brought lunch Aera!!” She cheerfully said. She placed the paper bags at the center table of the office. “How’s your stay here?” She asked while arranging the foods she bought.

“It was fantastic. I met the other designers when I bumped into Cahil.” Oh right! We were all about to meet too at this time. Oh well, best friends time first. I’m so sorry, dear colleagues!

“Oh wow, that’s great! You’ve made new friends on your first day!” She said cheerfully. After she's done arranging the food, she stared at me for a while.

“What?” I chuckle while arranging the designs I might use in the future. “How long were you gone again?” She asked and stared at me longer. “Well... I think over a year?” I answered awkwardly. “Are you sure?” She raised her eyebrows. I chuckle and nod at her. “Didn’t you get married last 2018?” I laugh. “You were my maid of honor! How could you forget?!” She laughs. “Well, you look more single than me! You don't even look married! And for Pete's sake, you haven't given me a godchild yet!” I froze at her last statement.

“You know, a lot has happened for the past years, Xana. And I did give you a godchild but you didn't get to see her because something happened.” She was shocked at the news that I broke into her. “W-What happened?! You miscarried her?!”

“No, silly. I did not. She is turning one tomorrow. The thing is, her Dad, my husband abandoned us.” It feels so heavy to say it even though it occurred a long time ago.

“What?! H-how did it happen? When? And how could he?!” She was furious that she's just finding it all out now. “I’m sorry, Xana. I did not tell anyone about this other than my parents. I know I can trust you but I was just being selfish that time.” She walked into me and gave me the warmest hug I could ever get. Oh, how it feels so good to let it all out. If only I wasn't afraid and selfish at that time.

“It’s okay, Aera! You know me, I will understand you whatever your reason is. Because what are best friends for?”

“Thank you, Xana. It is the only thing I could open up to you, for now. I hope you understand.” I hugged her tightly.

“Of course! No pressure hun. Whenever you can, just hit me up, okay? By the way, when will I get to meet my godchild?!” She got excited.

“Would you like to meet her after work? She's staying at my mom’s. She would be glad to meet her first godmother.” Elif would always ask me if I have friends before and I would always say that I don't because I cut ties with them so they probably don't consider me as a friend but, Xana is here. The only friend I have for now.

“Of course! I would love to! What kind of things does she want?! What should I gift her tomorrow?!” I laugh at her excitement. She loves kids so much. Pretty sure Xana and Elif will love each other.

“Well, you don't have to.” She glared at me.

“What do you mean I don't have to?! I haven't spoiled her for a year! I am in debt to her!” She jokes. When we were younger Xana and I would always say that whenever we have children we would always spoil each other’s kids.

“Okay fine. She loves Frozen and Princesses. So it's now up to you what gift you're going to give to her.” She nodded and starts to surf at her phone to find a gift for Elif.

After we're done eating lunch, Xana decided to dismiss me early so that she could spend time with Elif.

While we're on our way to my mom's house, Xana couldn't help but asks questions about Elif. “What does she looks like? Does she look like you?”

“Well, no. She looks more like her father.” I answered. She then laughs very loudly. “Oh my gosh! Hopefully, she's not like her father's behavior!” We both laugh it off and I decided to tell her more about Elif.

After half an hour on the road, we finally arrived at my mom's house. As I enter the living room, my daughter immediately noticed my presence.

“MOMMY!!! YOU'RE HOME!!!” She shouts and jumps at me. “Awe baby, Mommy missed you so much! Were you a good girl while you're with grandma and grandpa?” She nodded and hugged me. Xana then greeted my parents. They missed her also. After a while, Elif noticed her godmother’s presence.

“Who is the pretty lady, Mommy?” Elif asked. Xana was delighted that Elif called her pretty lady on their first meet.

“Baby, this is Aunt Xana. Your godmother!” She jumps and claps then goes straight to Xana to hug her.

“I have a godmother!! Mamaw, Papaw! Look I have a godmother!” She calls my parents. They then clapped and cheered for her.

“Why didn't you let me see her before?!” Xana rants while she's busy hugging Elif. I laugh at her.

I then left the two in the living room and help my Mom prepare snacks for Xana. “I’m glad you decided to reconnect with your best friend.” Mom said happily. “I did not, Mommy. Destiny did it. And I am thankful for it. I'm so glad she understood my situation.” I said while looking at how happy my daughter is with Xana.

After we all sat down for a snack Xana decided to take Elif to the mall for dinner. I agreed to it and decided that I'll pick up Elif from Xana and go straight home after.

“Aera, we're going now. I got to pay my debts to this little sweetness!” Xana bid goodbye to me and my parents.

“Sure. Take care my loves! Enjoy!” I said and went inside after they vanished from my sight.

After discussing some things with my parents. I then decided to go home and arrange stuff at our home.

While cleaning and arranging I noticed that Elif’s snack cabinet is almost empty. I got my things and decided to go get her snacks and things we needed at home.

I arrived at the mall after a short trip on the road. While I was parking my car a man stood over in front of my car. I honk my horn at him but it did not make him go out of the way.

I then went out of the car and shouted, “What the heck is wrong with you? You want me to run over you?!” I said furiously. Gosh! This crazy man.

“No. I want YOU to talk to ME,” he emphasized the word you and me. “Excuse me? Why would I? Do I know you?” It is dark in the parking lot and the man was in a suit in all black so I couldn't see his face clearly.

“Of course you know me, Aera.” I was shocked that he knew my name. Who is this man?! Is it one of my colleagues?

“Who the hell are you?! Why do you know my name?!” I shouted, getting furious again.

He then decided to move and walk towards me. I took a step back while he's getting nearer and nearer to me. Until I hit my car’s door.

He pinned me to the door and the space between us is very very very thin.

“Crazy! What do you think you're doing?! You're harassing me!” I shouted.

“This isn't harassment. Why would I harass my WIFE?” then it hit me. It was Devan! I used all my force to push him away from me. He was shocked about my sudden action.

“What the hell, woman?!” he shouted as he bumped into the other car behind him.

“WHAT THE HELL DEVAN! YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO EVEN SHOW YOUR FACE TO ME?!” I shouted. I am very angry right now. Thankfully my daughter isn't with me right now.

“What?! Aera! You've been gone for a year! No one heard from you! Your parents cannot be contacted! I was going nuts finding you and yet you act like this?!” He said furiously. My eyes widened. H-He tried to find me? Get to your senses, Aera! Even if he tried to find you, doesn't mean that he didn't do all those mistakes he did in the past years!

“Shut up! You abandoned me first! Do not try to blame me!” I shouted. I am like a volcano right now and could burst at any moment.

“What? It was you, Aera! I came home only to find out that YOU abandoned me!” He shouted. Tears came out from his eyes.

“Okay, you know what? This is nonsense! Do not see me ever again, Devan Maddox Pierce!” I was about to go back into my car when I heard Xana's voice. No. No. He cannot see Elif! He will never see my daughter!

“Aera! We didn't know that you followed us.” Xana asked. She saw Devan and she froze. She knew this shouldn't be happening.

“Xana? You had a child?” Devan asked while staring at Elif who is now asleep on Xana’s shoulders.

“Uhh-” I immediately grabbed Xana’s hands and went inside my car and drove away.

You're now the victim huh? Where did you get your f*cking guts mister?!