Accepting your faults isn't an easy task

Two weeks later

Rosaline's P.O.V.

"What will happen now?"

I whispered while staring at the city lights through the window. After that deadly fight, Xavier took me to Noah's mansion as we couldn't leave for Italy because of my injury. My surmise proved right as I had got a nasty, purple bruise on my lower rib because of that gunshot and doctors had strictly told me to stay in bed.

I was completely healed by now and was currently dawdling the hours away in my room while Xavier and the others were in the living room. Everyone was too elated as the war had finally ended. CIA had withdrawn the case and vindicated Xavier and his gang as they have helped them in catching the thief who was robbing off their wealth. Vincent was sentenced to a three-year prison as he was conducted guilty for attempt to murder, kidnapping and stealing government's property illegally. And there was a possibility that his punishment can even increase because no lawyer was willing to take a case of a traitor.

As for Vincent's family, Matteo and his parents never visited me. Mr. Kim was heartbroken when he came to know about Vincent's deeds which shows that the poor man was also kept in dark just like me while Mrs. Kim was gone in a shock as she couldn't bear the news. My parents were staying with me for now. Xavier had apologised to them for his wrongdoings and they also forgave them. They have now whole heartedly accepted Xavier.

The CIA had signed an agreement with the Scorpions that they won't be interfering in their matter from now on and in return the Scorpions have to promise them that they would leave their illegal activities. Xavier had heartily accepted this deal. He was now over the moon as he finally got what he wanted. Everyone was happy as finally the revenge and hatred came to an end and we all will head on with a new beginning and a new life.

Xavier was nowadays busy with our marriage preparations. Yes, we were getting married again and this idea was suggested by Jennifer and Emily. I was initially shocked after hearing the news as I was still legally wedded to Vincent but my queries were answered by Xavier. He told me that Matteo have somehow got the signature of Vincent on divorce papers. I also signed it and thus we both got divorced. Jennifer and Emily were nowadays behaving like stupid teenage girls. No one can say that they were some secret agents. Whole day they would be busy shopping as both of them were going to be my maids of honour. The entire house was engrossed in our marriage preparations making sure to keep everything perfect. Everyone was happy...

Except me.

The pain in Vincent's eyes and his heart wrenching story is something that I couldn't take out of mind. Xavier was acting totally ignorant of the fact that his dad was only responsible for destroying Vincent's life. I sometimes even tried to bring this topic but he will always dodge my questions or would simply change the topic. But today I had made up my mind to get my answers from him.

While I was dwelling on my thoughts, suddenly the door creaked open revealing Xavier with a beaming face. He slowly shut the door and made his way toward me. Xavier then took a seat beside me. He grabbed my hands that were placed on my lap and gently caressed the back of my palm with his thumb.

"Are you feeling good, Rosebud?", he asked while tracing his index finger on my left cheek.

"How can I feel good after destroying someone's life", I answered while looking straight in his eyes. Xavier was taken aback as he didn't expect me to be this harsh. The calmness which his eyes were schooling a minute ago instantly got replaced by a hard glare. He retracted his hands and looked away from me.

"Take some rest.", he rasped and tried to get up but I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"You can't always leave in between.", I spat and made him look at me. Xavier slapped my hand away making me shocked. He snapped his neck towards me and shot me a death glare.

"This conversation is over for me and the same goes for you.", he snarled with gritted teeth. I shook my head in denial.

"It hasn't over yet because the way you are always skipping my questions, it looks like either you are trying to run away from the truth or you are trying to cover up for the sins which your father had committed.", I said and glared him back. Xavier's eyes turned dark in rage. His body started shaking in anger. I gulped. I think I went overboard with my words but his stubbornness made me run out of my patience.

A yelp escaped my lips when Xavier abruptly grabbed my nape and pulled me towards him such that our noses collided against each other.

"You are trying to go against me? You are fighting with me just because of him? YOU'RE STILL NOT OVER HIM!! DON'T YOU REMEMBER WHAT THE FUCK HE HAD DONE TO YOU AND YOUR PARE-"

"Had your father betrayed Mr. Kim?"

I immediately cut him off. Xavier's eyes widened in shock.

"Rosebud, what are you-"

"Were you aware of the things which happened with Vincent and his family or were you kept in a lie? Just answer me this question and I am ready to take my words back.", I didn't give him a chance to defend himself and spoke while staring him coldly. Xavier broke out in cold sweats. His hand on its own slipped from my nape and fell on the bed. I scrutinised his pale face, large eyes and parted lips as if he was in a daze.

A mocking chuckle left my lips while Xavier kept staring me in shock.

"So, Vincent was right. You played with him too. Unbelievable Xavier! What kind of a person you are? Your own father betrayed your best friend and instead of comforting him, you left his side. Why? Just to protect your father? You and your dad are responsible for turning an innocent boy into a monster still you have the audacity to put him in a witness box? That means whatever Vincent had said to me was right. You never treated him as his friend and here I was feeling bad for you when I should be standing for hi-

"BECAUSE IT WAS TOO LATE DAMMIT!!!"

Xavier finally shouted on my face in frustration making me startled.

"W-What?"

I looked at him confused.

Xavier exhaled loudly. He pushed his hair back with his hands and closed his eyes.

"We were just kids that time when all this happened. I was also confused when all of a sudden Vincent stopped visiting me. I tried to look into this matter but Dad didn't let me. I was just a child then Rosebud so I believed all his lies but I admit it was my fault to not meet Vincent that day. That was my biggest mistake and perhaps the root cause of this rivalry.", he said. My gaze softened when I saw his remorseful face. I placed my hand on his and squeezed them.

"What really happened that day? Tell me, I want to know the truth from your mouth", I asked. Xavier looked at me with pained eyes.

"When Vincent stopped visiting and talking to me, I thought that maybe he doesn't want to be my friend anymore. I was upset by the fact and tried to make it up to him but when Dad told me that Mr. Kim had strictly warned him to broke our friendship as he doesn't want his son to be a friend of a thug, I lost my temper. It was my birthday the day when Vincent came to see me. I knew he was outside the mansion but I was pissed with him that's why I told my guards to tell him that I am partying out with my new friends when I was just inside my house. I was being childish and wanted to hurt him. I made a fun of his feelings when he was already bogged in despair and troubles.", he replied and grabbed his forehead. I kept listening him silently.

"After so many years when I met Vincent in US, I was shocked. He was completely changed. Vincent himself approached me in the first place and extended a hand for friendship. I thought after whatever my father and I had done with him and his family, he won't even see my face ever in future. But to my surprise, Vincent not only asked me to move on and forget the past but also requested me to appoint him as a spy for my gang.", he said. My eyes turned large as saucers.

"W-What? And you agreed?", I asked him. Xavier looked at me. He then dropped his gaze to the floor and slowly nodded.

"WHAT? BUT WHY? I MEAN HOW COULD YOU!!", I exploded. This was just ridiculous.

"I didn't have any option Rose, I had to agree. When Dad was on his deathbed, that day he told me the truth. I was completely shattered. There was not even a single second when I didn't curse myself for breaking the trust of my only friend who cared for me genuinely. You think of me as a merciless stone hearted beast but I do value emotions and relationships. When I finally got the command and power in my hands, the first thing I decided to do was to search for Vincent and apologized for my misdeeds and my father's injustice towards his family. And when I found him, I didn't even wait a second and fulfilled all his wishes blindly. You can call it stupid but it was my way of redemption. But I am also no God Rosebud, I was too blinded to make him happy that I never bothered to find about his real intentions.", Xavier said and held his head in his hands. My heart broke at the sight.

I had never thought that Xavier was also suffering and he was just making it up for every crime of his father. My blood boiled in anger. That selfish man had played with so many lives and Xavier had to pay for his mistakes. This is totally unfair.

I scooted closer to Xavier and wrapped my arms around him. I rested my head on his left forearm and sighed.

"I am sorry Xavier for judging you but don't you think whatever is happening with Vincent is still unfair? He still thinks that you used him and thinks of you as brutal and mean just like your father. Why are you taking all the blame when you haven't even done anything wrong? What's done has been done but to correct the things and eradicate the bitter feelings from his heart is still in your hands. The things which you have said to me, Vincent should be the one who should listen to this.", I tried to make him understand. Xavier shook his head in negative.

"There's no point in making him understand. He will still hate me.", he whispered in a broken voice. I teared his hands from his face and enveloped them in mine.

"What he does after hearing your part is his call but at least you will be freed from the guilt which you had buried in your heart for so many years. Think of him Xavier, everyone left his side even his family. He must be so broken, alone and depressed. And if today you stay by his side and comfort him, I am sure his heart will be moved. The thirst of vengeance made his sane mind shut and compelled him to do the things which he never wanted to. For you all everything has ended but for Vincent, he is still stuck in that abyss and if he never got to know the truth, he will keep wandering in that never ending loop for the rest of his life.", I said.

Xavier looked at me. I smiled at him and nodded. He then hugged me and buried his face in my crook. "Alright then but I am still scared.", he murmured. I broke into laughter as he was behaving like a child who was scared of admitting his faults.

"You're a mafia for God’s sake, Xavier. Stop behaving like a kid.", I playfully punched his shoulder. Xavier smiled and broke the hug. He cupped my right cheek in his hand and caressed it. I looked at him only to see his lost eyes as he kept staring at my face. He was drowned in his own thoughts. His gaze was stuck at one point while his finger kept drawing circles on my cheek. I removed his hands gently and cupped his face.

"Listen Xavier, I know you must be having a hard time in convincing your mind. You're scared of confronting Vincent and I can understand it. It may be possible that Vincent won't believe you and will keep hating you for destroying his life but then this is not a secret which you should keep with you till grave. Xavier, you will never be able to stay happy as Vincent's sad face and the reason that you were behind his pain will keep haunting you for the rest of your life. This is a matter between you and him so it will be good if you solve this on your own without involving others into it. You know what I mean right?", I said and wiggled my brows. Xavier looked at me. He then sighed and nodded.

I really didn't want Noah or others to know about this as I don't want unnecessary dramas anymore. From caging Xavier to cursing me for risking his life, they would simply make a mountain out of a mole hill. I want this matter to end as quietly and swiftly as possible.

Xavier removed my hands. He then pecked my forehead and placed his forehead on mine.

"You are right Rosebud. If I would have enough patience that time and would have spent even a second to hear him out, all this wouldn't had happened today. If Dad was responsible for destroying Mr. Kim's life then I was also equally responsible for hurting Vincent's feelings. I had run from my mistakes enough but not anymore. I will really beg Vincent for forgiveness and you're right, whatever will be his final decision, I will whole heartedly accept it.", he said. I smiled and nodded.

"Let's hope for the best now."

End of Rosaline's P.O.V.

*****

Next day

CIA's prison, Hawaii

Xavier's P.O.V.

I alighted from my helicopter and buttoned up my suit. I took off my shades and looked around, scanning my surroundings. CIA's guards immediately ran up to me and bowed in front of me. I internally chuckled. How the tables have turned today? These guards who once dragged me up by chains to throw me behind the bars are today bowing in front of me when I had come to visit their Boss who is rotting in jail. I gave them a curt nod as I simply made my way inside while they lead my way.

"Good to see you Mr. Knight", Mr. Wills, the senior detective greeted me with a soft smile but I could see it was a fake one and I know the reason behind it. Wills was a good friend of Vincent so it must be difficult for him to see his own friend behind the bars. And on top of that, being humble with his biggest rival must be giving him a tough time.

"Take me to his cell." Ignoring the pleasantries, I gave him a cold response. I saw how his face dropped hearing my rude tone. The ticking of his jaw didn't go unnoticed by me but still he simply nodded at me and led my way.

As soon as I reached my destined spot, the playfulness in my eyes disappeared. I clenched my trembling fingers in a fist and looked at Vincent who was sitting on the floor with closed eyes. His hair was dishevelled while he looked a bit thin and weak. His cheeks have turned hollow and there were bags under his eyes.

"Vincent, Xavier is here to visit you."

Wills' voice brought me out of my trance. I didn't even realise that I was staring him for so long. Vincent slowly opened his eyes. I immediately turned my expressions hard and looked at him coldly. Vincent blinked his eyes a bit and stare at me blankly when all of a sudden, his lips tilted upwards as he flashed me a smirk.

"Do some correction Wills. He isn't here rather was send here by his kind-hearted Rosebud."

~~~💗~~~