He wished he never said those words to Glory. Her face draws tight like he slapped her, heard the hurt behind the cold tone.
When she surged past him, he had the urge to stop her, to tell her something else other than what he said. He stopped himself from calling her back.
He had to. It's better that way.
He couldn't resist staring at her any time she was in the vicinity, his body tingled with the knowledge of her presence.
He missed her smile, the twinkle in her brown eyes when she laughs. Now she rarely laughs, her smiles are forced if she does.
She rarely hangs out with Xander, Marie talks about how Glory no longer hugs her and she takes her meal in her room now.
In just a few weeks, she's been here, she's become part of the family.
It pained him to see it get to this state.
And it was all his fault.
He had to fix this. He had to apologize.
"Xander, please drop me off here," he said.
"Are you going somewhere?" Xander said as he stifled the car to a stop.
"Yeah, to the office, but I have something I have to do before that."
"Glory got something to do, you have something to do, tell me what going on?" Xander watched him.
"Don't know what you are yapping about bro," Xavier said as he opened the car door.
"See ya," Xander chuckled driving off.
"Yeah," he muttered, standing till the car became a distant object.
Xavier got into a taxi, one minute later.
"Phoenix mall," he called out.
The taxi driver nodded. "Okay, sir."
What should he apologize with? What will she like?. He was having a hard time figuring what to get. He needed help.
"Sir, what would you give as an apology gift to a female friend?"
"Sir, it depends on the level of your mistake." the driver replied.
"And say this mistake is saying some hurtful words that you regret?" He asked.
"Jewelry is a women's best friend, get her a piece of jewelry and a sincere apology. That'll work.
One time I annoyed my lady, she didn't talk to me for two weeks.
I sweetened her up with a gold bracelet and an apology, and she was like "Simon, oh darling".
All gooey in my arms. Boy, I spent half my life savings on that trinkets but it was worth it." The driver rattled on.
"Thank you, Simon," Xavier replied.
"You are welcome," The driver said. "Here's your stop Sir. And apologize, it's very important."
"Thanks again." Xavier threw over his shoulder, walking briskly into the mall.
Xavier found himself in front of another store, a jewelry store. He had wandered the mall from store to store. Not one had what he was looking for, none were suitable for her. And those perky flies keep choosing his path, one of them faked a fall in front of him, he deflected her and she fell flat on her face.
He continued on his way not caring to see if she picked herself up or not.
"Good day sir, what would you like to get?" The salesperson said as Xavier pushed through the door.
"I'll would like a piece of jewelry, not too flashy but not simple too___ Mr. Jones," he said, glancing at the sales rep's name tag.
"Ahh, the lady is one of a kind eh? I have what you want," Mr. Jones said.
He could tell right away that Xavier could afford It.
He always had the penchant for figuring which customer was loaded and who was not.
"Let me have a look," Xavier said.
"Here, for the elegant lady."
"This necklace was once worn by the Queen of Russia, the diamond stones are unusual, look at the cutting sir, excellentè! It befits a queen. It was said to be made by her loving husband, Tsar Nicholas, It was also said to contain the souls of the loving couple."
The necklace called out to him. He imagined Glory wearing this necklace. It will no doubt be beautiful on her. He wanted it.
"I'll take it," Xavier said, handing him a black card.
And Mr. Jones beamed from ear to ear
What a stroke of luck.
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Xavier arrived home late. He took a detour to the office to get some work done.
That will put Charles off my back for a while. The affection for his old man clear as day in his thoughts.
Why are the lights on? They should all be in bed by now. He wondered as he strolled into the house, gift bag in hand.
His family was in the living room, they wore troubled faces. Marie looked aged all of a sudden.
"What's going on?" He asked, hiding the gift bag from their sight.
They seem not to notice.