The Wedding Night
The last thing Xavier ever sent Kiara was two emojis. ✌️🤙
Months after begging Xavier not to leave, that was all she got.
She stared at the screen, wondering how a love that had once felt so real could end with two silent symbols.
To understand how it all fell apart, we have to go back to where it all began...
It was the festive season, and Kiara had traveled to her hometown for her uncle's traditional wedding ceremony. The entire village was alive with music, laughter, and guests who had come from different places to celebrate.
Among those guests was Xavier.
Liam, Xavier's older brother, happened to be a close friend of Kiara's sister, Ava. Since they were good friends, Liam asked Xavier to use his car to help transport the aso ebi outfits and other wedding items to the venue. Xavier agreed without hesitation.
After dropping off the items, they returned to pick up Ava and Kiara before heading back to the celebration.
When they arrived at the venue, Kiara stepped out of the car and greeted Xavier with a soft smile. Although it was their first proper meeting, she felt an unusual nervousness she couldn't explain.
Hours later, after the wedding ceremony had ended, Ava asked Liam if Xavier could help take them home along with the remaining wedding items. Xavier agreed once again.
As they loaded the last of the items into the trunk, Kiara adjusted her dress, opened the back door of the car, and quietly got in.
A moment later, Ava shut the door from the outside.
Kiara frowned in confusion.
"Why would Ava leave me alone in a car with a stranger?" she wondered silently as her eyes wandered around the quiet interior.
Slowly, she lifted her head and noticed Xavier sitting calmly behind the steering wheel. He looked confident, composed, and completely unbothered, as though nothing unusual was happening.
"Good evening," Kiara greeted softly.
"Good evening. How are you?" Xavier replied almost immediately, his voice calm and steady.
"I'm fine," she answered, trying to sound relaxed even though her heart was beating faster than usual.
"So... are you a student?" Xavier asked.
"Yes," she replied with a small smile. "I live with my brother in the city."
Xavier nodded.
"That's nice."
The conversation ended there. A comfortable silence settled between them, and neither of them felt the need to force another topic.
A few moments later, Ava and Liam returned to the car, breaking the silence.
Xavier started the engine and drove away.
When they arrived at Kiara's house, Liam invited Ava to hang out with him nearby. Ava happily accepted.
Not wanting the night to end so soon, Kiara quickly asked if she could come along.
Ava laughed softly.
"Let me ask them first."
A few moments later, she returned with a bright smile.
"They said you can come."
Kiara smiled immediately. Relief and excitement filled her heart as she quietly got back into the car.
As they drove into the calm night, Kiara had no idea that the quiet, gentle man behind the steering wheel would one day become the love of her life... and the reason she cried herself to sleep.
