Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
She had been hurt terribly, so it was only natural that she wanted to distance herself from everything related to that man.
“Well… Alright, as long as you’re home.” Flossie could not bring herself to ask Leia what happened, despite her overwhelming curiosity. Inwardly, she was cursing Xavier—what on earth did he do to hurt Leia so badly?
Nonetheless, after half a watermelon, two mangoes, three packs of cherries, dozens of grilled skewers, and a pot of stewed mutton, Leia felt slightly better.
She burped in satisfaction and slammed her hand on the table as she declared, “Men are all just condiments. They’re nowhere as delightful as a good meal, so getting sad over them would just be bringing myself unnecessary grief.”
“Exactly! They are just condiments-they’re just nice sometimes, but they’re not a necessity,”
Flossie echoed.
“Cheers!” Both women exclaimed as they clinked glasses.
Flossie was supposed to only be Leia’s chaperone, but somehow her sadness also arose as she drank, and she began to complain through tears and snot, “I’m telling you, Leia, Xavier isn’t that bad… When it comes to people like Halston Guajardo, you’ll be left wondering why you’re even alive… Did you know he completely forgot about me? He’d even be lovey-dovey with Seraphina right in front of me! I’m supposed to be his wife, but I feel like the other woman now. Do you know how much that hurts?”
Leia’s heart ached for Flossie as she listened to her complaints. “I get it, Flossie, I really do…
As for me, I’m Seraphina to Xavier Stuart. He just wants me as his rebound, and uses me like a tool to make him feel better about his unrequited love. His ex just needed to shed a tear… and I lost.”
Leia looked contemplative, then suggested, “Why don’t you cry to Halston? Maybe he’ll remember you then.”
Flossie was a little tipsy after all the liquor, and actually thought Leia’s suggestion made sense. “Hey, you’re right. I’m his real love interest, so why should I suffer?! I should just go to him and start crying… I wouldn’t know unless I try, right? Make yourself at home, Leia. I have something to deal with right now.”
Halston had clearly abducted Jovan to get back at her! Spurred on by that thought and liquid courage, and having come up with a plan to demand Jovan’s release, she chugged her drink and got up, ready to leave.
Leia was drawing a blank, and quickly chased after her. “Where are you going, Flossie?”
“To find Halston, and cry him a river!” Flossie said cheerfully. Halston was spiteful, but she was sure his grudge would disappear when he saw her cry.
“I-I’m going too!” Leia exclaimed, wobbling to her feet.
“Yes, let’s cry together and hysterically—as many times as we want until we annoy him.
Let’s see if he will still harass me after.” Flossie took Leia’s hand, and they left menacingly.
Beside them Chase and Plum, Leia’s maid, were left exchanging glances.
“Are those two really going to be alright?”
“Probably. Individually, they’re scary when they lose it, so they’ll probably be invincible if they lose it at the same time.”
They held faith in Flossie and Leia’s abilities, and allowed them to do as they liked.
Flossie whipped out her phone and smoothly keyed in Halston’s number-she may have blocked him across the years, but she always saved his number.
She called the number and waited.
Halston just happened to be chugging glass after glass with Xavier at the most expensive booth seats in Bar of Fame, and had left his phone with Elijah.
Elijah answered Flossie’s call, and the woman immediately snapped,” Where are you,
Halston Guajardo?!’
“Who is this?” Elijah asked warily, finding the voice somewhat familiar.
“It’s Flossie. You left me a note asking me to find you, didn’t you?!”
“R-Flossie…” Elijah was overjoyed-it was the missus! The ancient ship he swore fealty to was sailing again!
“We’re at the VIP Zone of the Bar of Fame. Hurry over to the second floor— your seat is waiting!” Elijah said quickly, happy to help.
Hence, Flossie and Leia took a taxi despite being absolutely drunk, and headed straight towards the Bar of Fame!
Halston and Xavier were lounging at the VIP booth seats on the second floor of Bar of Fame, watching as people flailed around on the dance floor.
They were drinking tequila from Massimo-the texture was smooth, and it was highly intoxicating. Specifically, Xavier was doing the drinking, while Halston was just offering company. He knew that his alcohol tolerance was average, so he basically avoided it.
On the other hand, Xavier was chugging glass after glass relentlessly, as if he was in mourning.
“Halston, I’m telling you… You really shouldn’t fall in love. It’s sweet at first, but after that, it’s just pain and bitterness. I’m done!” Xavier declared emotionally as he twirled the blue liquor in his glass, staring at the myriad colors overhead.
“Who did you fall in love with this time?” Halston asked casually, looking noble and aloof as he leaned against the red cushioned seat, one leg crossed over the other. He was used to having his friends ask him out to drink their sorrows away every other day.
Still, he was curious which woman it would be this time… Who had reduced Beach City’s famous Casanova to this?
“I’m not in love-she was, and I let her down. I just feel bad for her… I’m a terrible human being!” With that, Xavier chugged another glass.
Life was certainly hard-he could no longer love, but he had thoughtlessly messed with a woman who really loved him. Now, he ached from guilt, but he could not do a thing about it.
“You’re not in love? With that wretched state you’re in? Just admit it, there’s no need to be stubborn. Falling in love is not something to be embarrassed about.” Halston knew the truth-if a man was drowning his sorrows, feelings were definitely involved. Halston had no idea why
Xavier was trying to hide it.
“You’re a coward. You can’t even confront your true feelings,” Halston said neutrally, snatching Xavier’s glass from him.
“Look who’s talking, Halston. Are you really that brave? You’re more pathetic in love than I am-at least I never had an actual relationship, and there were regrets at worst. Don’t you think having a relationship and then losing it is much more pathetic?” Xavier shook his head, staring at Halston sympathetically. Compared to Halston’s tormented marriage, his relationship with Leia was insignificant-children playing house, at best.
“My relationship is perfectly fine. Seraphina and I respect each other very much,” Halston retorted nonchalantly.
“Oh, just shut up. Is it even a marriage when respect is the first thing you mention? That’s a platonic partnership at best, and ask yourself… does your heart race when you’re with her?”
Xavier rolled his eyes and scoffed.
Halston became quiet because he knew the answer.
If anything, his relationship with Seraphina was one of duty and gratitudein fact, they were going to marry, but he had never felt any lust for her, even when they shared a bed. He had even consulted a specialist about it, convinced that he was ill, only for the specialist to tell him that everything was fine-that it was all in his head.
Apparently, his heart was sealed with a lock, which only the right person would unlock.
If this issue persisted, he would surely become ill eventually!
That was why Halston urgently needed to find the one who could ‘unlock’ him, so that he could be normal again!
“Your silence only proves me right. See? You agree with me that you don’t love Seraphina at all, and you’d be hurting her and yourself if you kept bumbling on and marrying her, y’know?” Xavier naturally saw everything clearly because he was close to Halston, and
Halston saw Xavier clearly too.
Halston did not love Seraphina, just like Xavier did not love Leia… therefore, as a scumbag with a conscience, he would never allow himself to hurt Leia, or his good friend to hurt
Seraphina.
“I really don’t love Seraphina, do I?” Halston narrowed his eyes, working hard to ponder on the fact before asking a soul-searching question. “But who is the one I love if not her?”
After all, he was constantly aware that he loved a certain person with every fiber of his being, and it was a love ingrained to his very bones. Judging from his memories, it had to be