"This was my room " Liana led Xavier into one of the rooms upstairs. They had sneaked off without anyone noticing, she was holding his hand as they walked into the dark room.
Liana turned on the lights and looked around. A little smile played on her lips.
"This is where I used to hide when I felt so alone I wanted to die " she moved to her bed gently stroking the covers.
Xavier silently walked beside Liana, watching her actions.
"Even when I returned from boarding school during holidays, I would lock myself in here and read books, sleep or watch mom and dad play with Lucian through the window" she snorted.
Xavier stood still placing his hand on her shoulder, her hand moved over his squeezing it a little.
"I was so young when I noticed how differently they treated us. I was their child too but I was like the air barely noticed. The first time my mother told me the reason why she didn't treat me like her own "Liana's hand moved to hold a few strands of her long red hair.
Xavier decided to sit in front of her on the bed.
"I remember crying as I ran back to my room, it was my hair and eyes all along... " Liana seemed to choke on her words as she stopped speaking and looked down at the strands of hair in her fingers.
"I sat there next to my mirror " she pointed, "and grabbed my scissors and cut my hair aimlessly as tears ran down my face " Liana sniffed holding back her tears. " I wanted it all gone so my mommy would love me as they did to brother. Pain from all the cuts I got while doing it, I didn't feel anything cause all I thought about was her smiling down at me and saying I love you "
Liana burst into tears not being able to hold back her tears. Xavier's arms slid to her back pulling her in for a hug.
"Don't say anything more if it hurts " he muttered holding her.
Liana pulled away, "Am okay " she said getting up and walking to where her mirror was.
"After I was done I looked in the mirror with blood flowing all over my face and noticed my black eyes, so I remembered that she had also resented the color of my eyes" Liana chuckled with tears in her eyes, "so I grabbed the same bloody scissors and moved to pierce those black orbs staring back at me in the mirror".
Xavier sighed and strolled to where she was turning her to him. He wiped away her tears, " Liana stop it, we should not have come in here " he said grabbing her hand to leave but she stopped him and stood still.
"Before I could do it, Lucian rushed in a d stopped me, throwing away the scissors as far as he could. My parents hated me but they didn't want me to die in their house so I doctor was called for me " she cried.
Xavier stood still watching her cry as he listened.
"My hair was shaved off so that my wounds would be treated and heal faster. But the next day when I awoke, my hair had grown back and was even longer and darker than before. That's when I knew I was different from my brother and why all those children bullied me at school. This drove my parents crazy and my mother sent me back to boarding school even before school began "
Liana wiped her tears, "She called me the red demon while pushing me into the car that night. I cried the whole way but after some years I decided to stop crying and accept my fate, things changed and I found people who loved me for who I was. Started my company and made my parents feel ashamed for shunning me away ".
She walked to where Xavier was standing, he tried to hide his tears but Liana noticed, and gently she wiped them away for him.
"Am sorry Liana " he said. She smiled hugging him, and he held onto her tightly.
"I found Joy and Lucian who never left my side. And then after going through hell with all the men they sent my way, I finally met you. Someone who I do anything to keep by my side " she gazed into his eyes.
"And I would do the same for you Liana, even much more if I have to," he said kissing her forehead.
"So you know why I didn't care about who you are or how you looked 'cause I know how it feels to be treated like you're different from everybody " she laid her head on his chest.
"Can I kiss you?" Xavier asked.
Liana looked up at him in surprise," why?"
"I think it will make you feel better," he said.
"Is that your excuse to kiss me or do you want to change the topic?" Liana laughed.
"It's not an excuse, I thought it would make you feel better if I kiss you," he said.
"So you want to replace my tears and pain with me being horny. Xavier, I thought you could do better " Liana pulled away
Xavier shook his head, "I don't want that, I just thought it would help since your mind would think of something else than being sad " he explained.
Liana laughed watching him try to explain. Xavier noticed her smile and chuckled.
"That's better," he said hugging her again.
"I know you still have the pain and resentment towards them hidden inside of you and I hope one day after giving you all my love you will be able to move on from all of this," he said embracing her.
"I love you too, Xavier " she answered.