| EMERALD POV)


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    1


    ? EMERALD POV?


    “You promised you wont stare at me” I said as I turned to him.


    “Really? When did I say that Xavier asked as he stared at me curiously.


    “You are a bad guy” I said and he burst outughing.


    Xavier helped me set the table after which I served the dinner which consist of spaghetti and meatballs.


    “Woww this taste heavenly” he said as he ate.


    “d you like it, I told you I know my way around the kitchen” I said and his hazel eyes. met mine briefly.


    “I guess


    US.


    I have seen it now and I believe” he said and we focused on the food in front of


    “What is on your mind?” I asked and he raised his eyes. in my direction.


    “A lot” he muttered under his breath as he took a deep breath in and out.


    “Wanna share ?” I asked and he pinched the bridge of his nose.


    “Few weeks ago, I found out Derrick was being abused at home” he said and I froze.


    “Wait, what!” I bursted angrily and shut my eyes to control myself from giving too much reaction.


    The same pack that abused and caused me pain has gone out of their way to hurt my son again.


    “I have done everything within my power to make sure everything goes smoothly at home, I just did not understand why anyone would want to hurt Derrick considering the fact that my son is a sweet kid too. He’s respectful and very caring” he said as he stared at me calmly.


    “I tried my best to get him to at least tell me who it was that hurt him, all to no avail he wouldn’t even tell Jayden who he considers as uncle. Derrick kept lying through his teeth that he fell down even when the medical personnel confirmed the marks on his b*dy were marks of abuse” he said and my eyes stung with unshed tears.


    I felt hurt and angry at the fact that I could not save my son from abusers.


    “At that point I felt like I had failed as a father, for being unable to understand the


    feelings of my son, Rachel it broke me so bad” he said as his voice broke at the edge.


    “What hurt more was walking in on the abuser, and it turns out to be my own wife. The person who was supposed to protect him from the dangers of this world, Lina was supposed to be his shield but she found pleasure in hurting the kid” he said and tears rolled out of my eyes as I balled my hand in a fist under the table.


    At that moment I was trying my best to control the anger that ran through my veins.


    “How is Derrick doing?” I asked and he sighed softly.


    “I took him to see the doctor after which I appointed a caregiver to keep a watch over him. I’m so confused right now, I don’t think I can look at Lina the same way after what she has done” he said as tears rolled out of his eyes.


    “Derricks mom and I might have ended in a bad state, but he doesn’t deserve any of this. I’m his father and he is my responsibility Rachel, I have failed in my duty as a father to him” he said and I stood up from my seat as I walked over to him and rubbed his arms.


    “It’s okay, everything is going to be fine I promise. I want you to calm down and look at things from the bright side. At least you have found out the identity of the abuser and would bring justice to your son” I said and he hugged me making me sit on hisp.


    “You are a wise woman Rachel, with a heart of gold” he said and I chuckled.


    “Oh, is that apliment ?” I asked teasingly.


    “It is the truth” he said and I chuckled, he thinks Rachel is a wise woman with a heart of gold yet he treated the naive Emerald with hatred and anger, how ironic the situation.


    was


    Throughout dinner he told me about Derrick and everything I needed to know about my son.


    I’ve always known him to the fragile one between himself and Damien, it was quiet obvious from the point of Delivery. How badly I wished I could gain custody of him and give him all the love I had to offer, my heart squeezed in hurt as tears rolled out of


    my eyes.


    At that point, I also felt like I had failed in my duty as his biological mother.


    “Are you okay?” Xavier asked in concern.


    “Yeah, I’m fine. Can I meet with Derrick ?” I asked and he looked at me in shock.


    “When?” he asked and í noticed he was feeling ufortable about the idea of me visiting the pack again.


    “Tommorow, I really wanna meet Derrick personally and see how he’s fairing” I said rubbing his shoulders softly.


    “Fine, I will make arrangement” he said and I smiled.


    “I’m sleepy” he said standing up from the chair.


    “I should probably drop you off at home” he said and I smiled.


    “It’ste Xavier and besides today has been a long day, we should rest” I said and he looked at me in shock.


    “You wanna spend the night here?” he asked trying his best to hide the shock.


    “Yes, or is there anything wrong with that?” I asked as I tucked a strand of hair behind.


    my ears.


    +6]


    “No, nothing there is absolutely nothing wrong with it” he said as he walked towards his room I took a deep breath in and out before walking behind him.


    The room looked neat and luxurious, my eyes moved from his study table to the wardrobe themp and his king sized bed in the middle which was dressed neatly down to the marble floor.


    His window was opened and the cool breeze from the trees


    got into the house. It was a full moon outside and the sound from outside made everything more natural.


    “I should get you somethingfortable…” he trailed as his eyes trailed my outfit.


    “I’m wearing a sweatshirt Xavier, that won’t be necessary” I said and he gave a nod I noticed him rub his hand nervously. /


    “Are you sure you are fine?” I asked bitting my bottom l*p to stop myself from bursting into fits ofughter.


    “Yeah uhm… I’m fine” he said and walked into the bathroom.


    “Are you stilling home tonight? or I should cover up for you” I received a text from Penelope and I smiled.


    “I’m noting home tonight Penny” I sent back as my eyes went towards the picture stand, there is a picture of him and Derrick.


    Derrick looked so happy and excited, my heart squeezed in hurt that my innocent baby was going through pain in the hands of Lina


    Bad girl what are you nning?” she sent and I chuckled.


    “I’m not nning anything babe, if I was I would have told you I sent and she sent meughing Emojis.


    “Your father should not hear of it though” she sent and I but my lower l*p with a smile. on my face.


    “You are his favourite daughter, I’m sure you can handle him” I sent and heard the door of the bathroom open as he walked out drying his hair.


    My heart beat crazily against my chest as I tried to pull my eyes away from the hot being in front of me.


    Without a doubt Xavier was indeed treat to the eyes, hehad a towelying dangerously below his waist as the droplets of water rolled out of his hair. I watched as it rolled from his chest into his waist.


    ng emoji.


    “I’ll be right back babe” I sent and she sent me a smiling


    I tried to pay attention to my phone but it wasn’t working, he walked towards his wardrobe and picked a sweat shirt and pants before walking back to the room.


    “Hey, am sorry I took so long” he said and I smiled.


    “It’s okay” I said as I took a deep breath in and out.


    “So what should we do to keep ourselves busy?” he asked teasingly.


    “Hmm let’s y 10 questions” I said and he chuckled.


    “What is 10 questions?” he asked and Iughed..


    “Just like the name implies, I’ll be asking you 10 questions” I said and heughed.


    “What do I get to do?” he asked and Iughed.


    “You can ask me too” I said and heughed.


    “Fine” he said as he smiled.


    “Tell me about yourself” I said and he fell quiet for a while.


    “I don’t have anything interesting to tell” he said as he looked


    away.


    “C’mon you don’t get to back out now” I said and he threw his head backward while.ughing.


    “I’m an only child, my parents had two other kids though…” he trailed while clearing his throat properly.


    “What happened to them?” I asked and he sighed.


    “They where murdered by my father’s enemies” he said and I became even more


    curious.


    “Oh, your father had enemies” I said and he gave a nod in approval.


    “Yeah, he made many mistakes in his life time but that’s by the way” he said and I gave a nod.


    “I’m married, but Lina was not the woman I intended to marry. Derrick’s mom was the woman I wanted to get married to…” he said and I stared at him curiously.


    This was the fourth time he was talking about the Emerald topic and I wondered if he was finally gonna say what I wanted to hear.


    “She has a slight resemnce with you Rachel, that exins the reason why I called you her name the first time we k*ssed. I apologise for it once again” he said calmly.


    “It’s okay I understand” I said and he gave a nod.


    “I’m someone who doesn’t likezy and lousy people, I love my son Derrick and I have a responsibility towards a lot of people” he said and I stared at him calmly.


    He was reffering to his pack but wouldn’te out clean about it.


    “That’s one of the most beautiful things about you Xavier. You have a big heart” I said. and he smiled.


    “I’m sleepy can we y ten questions another time Rachel ?” he asked cutely and I chuckled.


    “You want to sleep? Whatever happened to the game” I said and he groaned softly.


    “Sleep woman” he said as he pulled me into his arms.


    “Ain’t you tired?” he asked as his fingers raked my hair.


    “You betrayed me Xavier, you backed out of the game” I said and he opened his eyes. softly.


    “I’ll do anything to make up for it tomorrow,I’ll even clean your shoes if necessary” he said and I burst outughing.