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Kaleidoscope Of Memories - The Memories Of The Lost
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Summary: A scarred girl. A happy-go-lucky guy. A man who seeks for revenge. All joined through the wheels of fate, is it possible that throughout all the hardships, happiness will finally be served?
WARNING: Rated T for swearing
Chapter Three - The Loudest Silence
A scream of pain echoed throughout the living room.
"What did you do that for, Ana?!" Xavier hissed in pain as he rubbed his head.
"For being an even bigger of an idiot than usual." Ana glared at Xavier, "And don't even ask why because you know why."
"You didn't have to hit me though..." Xavier muttered, cursing Ana's manly strength under his breath.
"Did you say something?" getting her fist ready for another hit to the head, Ana asked sweetly.
"Nothing...! Absolutely nothing...!" Xavier put his hands up in mock surrender. He certainly did not need another bump on the head. Or concussion.
"Good." Ana nodded in triumph.
"Idiot..." a brunette muttered, rolling his caramel eyes at the said idiot.
Hearing the man, Xavier defended himself, "Hey! I'm not an idiot!"
The man sighed, "I think many disagree."
Before Xavier could argue back, Daniel intervened, knowing full well that it would escalate to another fight. "Now, now, now, guys. Let's drop it before our lovely singer, Ana, joins in on this, OK?"
"Fine..." Aaron and Xavier grunted, mentally agreeing not to piss off Ana.
"But what has Xavier been doing for the past few days?" chewing on some gummy bears, a blonde asked, his cerulean eyes twinkled with curiosity.
Daniel smirked with glee whilst Xavier clicked his tongue, mentally cursing his innocent friend. "Well, now that you ask, Sam, the reason Xavier's been skipping some of his work recently is because he hasn't been able to get a hold of this one girl. Let's see... What was her name again?" Daniel pretended to think as Xavier tried to ignore his so-called-friend, "Ah, Charlotte! That was her name, wasn't it?" Daniel smiled, enjoying the shit stirring he's giving Xavier.
The members of Joker blinked. They did hear correctly, right? Taking glances between the two perverts of the band, Ana, Aaron and Sam, seeing as they did hear correctly, tried to digest the information given. There was a couple of moments of silence... Before one girl broke it with her laughter.
"HE'S FRUSTRATED BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A GIRL?!" Ana laughed hysterically.
Xavier tried to act indifferently but his friends noticed the slight twitch of his eye brow, indicating his annoyance. "So?"
Calming down slightly, Ana wiped away her tears whilst she clutched her stomach and said in between giggles, "That Charlotte girl! I applaud her!"
Xavier didn't reply but he was obviously annoyed. He had tried every possible way to get her to meet him but none have worked. And whenever he'd tried to contact her or try to meet up with her in her office, her secretary would ALWAYS tell him politely to leave because Charlotte's busy! The Xavier Knight does NOT get turned down by ANY woman. Ever.
"Aww, is Xavier baby upset?" Daniel teased in a baby voice.
Xavier's death glare didn't work on Daniel because Daniel knew Xavier wouldn't attack him. Though Xavier would like to at times.
"Whatever..." Xavier mumbled his clever response.
Furious with Charlotte's constant refusals to Xavier's invitations, Xavier stormed over to Charlotte. His band mates and him were in Lucky to relax, but his joyful mood had stopped when he saw Charlotte in the corner having a drink. She had refused every invitation yet he's seen her around the shopping centers and now, she's at Lucky, by herself, drinking! The nerve of her!
Once Xavier reached Charlotte, he slammed his hand down hard on the table. "Tell me why you've declined every single invitation that I've given you!" Xavier demanded.
Charlotte was not surprised at the sudden slam of the table. She saw him coming towards her in her peripheral vision with a very angry vibe emitting off of him. She placed her cup of water down on the table and answered calmly, not bothering to make eye contact with him. "I have a lot of work to do."
"No you don't! I've seen you outside shopping and wandering around! You couldn't have possible be working the whole time!" Xavier couldn't believe that she lied to him! And straight to his face with such an obvious lie! He was way beyond pissed now.
"And do you have proof that I wasn't work?" Charlotte inquired, "As an artist yourself, you know that inspiration comes in the funniest of places."
Xavier opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't retort back. He had no evidence.
Charlotte sighed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "But, you are most probably right that some of them aren't work related."
"Aha...! I kn-" Charlotte cut Xavier off.
"However, can you deny that when you are working day in and night out, surviving on a mere 3 hours of sleep everyday, you would want a break? Like a simple walk around, shopping or just a cup of coffee?" Charlotte finally looked up at Xavier, her turquoise eyes stared into his forest green eyes, as if she was staring at his soul.
"... No," Xavier mumbled.
"Then I see no reason that I can't take a break either," she smiled weakly.
Xavier clicked his tongue and turned his face to one side, refusing to make eye contact with her. He was too embarrassed that he was proven wrong and he had childishly took out his anger on a girl he set his sights on. Especially since he noticed, when he calmed down, the dark bags under her once sparkling, but now dull eyes. The same applied to her skin and hair. Charlotte seemed as if she has lost all the life out of her.
However, one idiotic friend of Xavier's interrupted them, just so he could annoy Xavier again.
"Why if it isn't Charlotte!" Daniel grinned as he smoothly sat down next to her, placing his arm around her. He was silently enjoying shit stirring Xavier again and found it funny that Xavier was glaring at Daniel, as if to tell him to go away. But Daniel was never one to escape a possible teasing of Xavier.
"Oh, it's Daniel, isn't it?" Charlotte fought down the unconscious reaction to flinch and smiled politely.
"Yep!"
"So this is the famous Charlotte!" Ana exclaimed.
"Famous?" Charlotte raised an eye brow. She wasn't famous, was she?
Upon inspecting the girl in front of her a but more closely, Ana was pleasantly surprised at how Charlotte looks. Wait. She's definitely not Xavier's taste. But Daniel did just say Charlotte unless my ears were playing tricks on me. But... She did just shut Xavier up.
"Well, Xavier getting turned down by a girl even once is incredible but for a couple of weeks? Now that's a legend." Aaron smirked.
"Yep!" Sam agreed before stuffing his face with a bag of Sensations crisps.
"Hey...!" Xavier gave a death stare to his band, trying to tell them to shut the fuck up. He did not need to be embarrassed any further in front of Charlotte by his friends. He's suffered enough humility today. But his friends just grinned smugly and continued, purposefully ignoring Xavier.
Daniel laughed. "You're just annoyed that such a pretty woman turned you down!"
"So true, so true." his band mates and Ana nodded in agreement.
"Umm... Sorry to interrupt but could I ask who you all are?" Charlotte interrupted before Xavier could argue back.
There was a pause.
Ana and Aaron stared at Charlotte in disbelief. They couldn't believe that they were just asked who they were. It's normally the other way around! Even shocking Sam to let a crisp fell down to the floor! And he doesn't waste junk food!
Sensing their shock, Xavier answered for them, "Oh, they are in my band. Sam, Aaron and Ana." he introduced.
"Oh, Joker! Right?" Charlotte assumed.
"Yep." Daniel grinned.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Charlotte, though I seem to be known." Charlotte let out a small, awkward laugh.
Recovering from her shock, Ana coughed. "Ah, yes." Ana eyed Charlotte as if she was an endangered animal. Ana rarely met girls like Charlotte who would actually not know who they were and were polite! She couldn't feel any ill intentions from Charlotte either. She's like a whole new species!
Checking her watch, Charlotte packed her bag. "Anyway, I'm sorry to cut this meeting short but I've got to go to work now."
"Eh?" Daniel whined, "Do you have to leave now?" Daniel grabbed her arm, forcing her to stay seated. Instantly, he could feel a heated glare coming from Xavier's direction. Daniel inwardly snickered at Xavier's jealousy, finding Xavier's reactions funny.
Charlotte smiled weakly as she pried her arm from Daniel's grip. "I'm sorry but this meeting is important."
Reluctantly, Daniel let her arm go. "OK." he pouted although Charlotte wasn't affected by it one bit.
"It was nice meeting you all." Charlotte smiled politely, excusing herself before turning on her heel to leave.
However, someone's strong hand grabbed her elbow in an iron-vice grip, refraining her from leaving. She turned around to see who it was, only to find a pair of determined forest green eyes staring at her.
"Is something the matter?" Charlotte frowned, slightly annoyed that she could be late for her meeting.
"Yes, go on a date with me." Xavier said bluntly, applying more pressure on Charlotte's arm.
"Pardon?" she replied somewhat calmly, to Xavier's surprise.
"I said go on a date with me." he repeated with more force. And she better agree otherwise those guys would make me life a living hell. Xavier thought, glancing back to his band mates and Ana who had smug smiles on their faces.
Processing what Xavier just said, Charlotte stared at him in disbelief. Moments ticked past with an awkward silence. Xavier was getting slightly fidgety and was about to break the silence before Charlotte sighed. Xavier looked like a stubborn one that wouldn't let his pride get hurt and she would be here for a long time unless she accepted. She didn't want to be late to her meeting after all.
"Fine. I'll go on one date with you."
Xavier smiled triumphantly and was having a mini party in his mind but a gentle hand placed above his snapped him back to reality.
"But could you please let go? I might actually be late for this important meeting." Charlotte pleaded.
"Oh, yeah." Xavier forgot about that meeting because he was too busy wanting to get a date with Charlotte. He let her arm go, not noticing the red mark he left.
"Just call my office number in a couple of hours and we'll sort a date out." Charlotte smiled weakly, "Anyway, I'll talk to you later. Bye." she rushed out after she waved goodbye.
Xavier was subconsciously smiling to himself but he briefly stopped smiling once he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You finally did it." Daniel grinned smugly.
"Yeah... Finally." Xavier smirked to which Daniel smirked back.
She's caught.
"Hey, did you hear?" a female receptionist, Susan, at the Stardust company whispered.
"Hear about what?" two other female workers, Lucy and Jade, asked as they huddled together, waiting for the gossip.
"Apparently, Charlotte got asked out by THE Xavier!" Susan gossiped.
"WHAT?!" Lucy and Jade cried.
"SHHH!" Susan hushed her friends and pointed towards the door of the staff room that they were in. Luckily, Lucy and Jade got her message of shutting up about this subject. "And apparently, Charlotte refused Xavier like a million times before! Can you believe that?!"
"Oh my god, seriously?" Jade exclaimed.
Susan nodded, "Yep, it's true."
"I can't believe that!" Lucy huffed, "Don't get me wrong, I love Charlotte, she's like super nice and everything but that's the thing! She's too nice that it's unreal. I bet it's fake and I bet Charlotte thinks she so THAT! She's just so much better than Xavier!"
"Yeah!" the girls agreed.
"I bet she looks down on us as well!" Jade ranted.
"Yeah!" the girls agreed again.
"I bet she thinks she's so pretty so she can get all the guys!" Susan rolled her eyes and scoffed, "She's not even pretty! I bet a whole tonne of makeup fixed that face."
"Yeah!"
The gossiping girls continued their conversation with comments such as: "She should eat some makeup to make the inside pretty!" and "Ugh, she's so fake. I bet she's just acting so she can get guys." and, "I bet she doesn't even have any friends because she's such a fake ugly bitch!" They agreed with each other and admitted that they never liked Charlotte. To them, Charlotte was just someone they could use to get on the good side of the superiors in the company, since they liked her SO much. She was just a tool for them to climb up the social ladder.
Unknown to them however was Charlotte standing right outside the door to the staff room. Charlotte stared blankly at the door before quietly returning to her office. I guess I can get a cup of tea later...
After a week, Xavier finally got a date with Charlotte and they had decided to go to a restaurant. Xavier had planned a classy dinner with alcohol and a present to swoon her into bed. It was meant to be like that at least.
"I'm sorry, I don't drink alcohol," Charlotte declined to the red wine that Xavier pre-ordered at the dinner table.
Xavier mentally cursed. Shit. What to do if she doesn't drink? ... I'll just try to persuade her for now. He smiled and encouraged Charlotte for some wine, "Oh, come on. A little sip won't hurt,"
"I am sorry, but this is one thing I won't budge on. I don't drink alcohol. Please can I have some water instead?" Charlotte said firmly whilst she told the waiter who nodded in response.
Fuck. Well, that part went down the drain... Oh well, I've still got the present and my looks to swoon her. Changing the subject, Xavier smirked, "You look gorgeous today, Charlotte," he said, looking at her outfit.
A faint rosy-pink colour decorated Charlotte's face when Xavier complimented her, "Thank you." she smiled, fiddling with her fingers slightly.
Yeah... Real gorgeous. Xavier grinned smugly, perverted thoughts running through his head. Her wavy, chestnut hair tumbled down her shoulders, only allowing some parts of the intricate silver designs on the bodice of her lilac dress to show. The silver heels decorated her petite feet, making her legs seem endless. And those eyes... The makeup was done to the tee and brought out her sparkling clear eyes, making any man feel sinful of their crimes.
However, a serene voice broke his not-so-innocent train of thoughts.
"You too, Xavier. You look handsome today as well," Charlotte smiled.
Xavier was slightly taken back at the sudden compliment but quickly recovered. He didn't get complimented very often, because he was a celebrity, so it was surprising to hear one again after so long.
"Thanks," Xavier grinned as he leaned on his elbow, subtly showing his muscular physique that could easily be seen through his white shirt; the physique that left girls drooling. Add that to his jeans and his playful grin, you have all the waitresses in the restaurant eyeing Xavier like a piece of meat.
"Here is your food and water," the waiter said politely as he placed the food down somewhat tiredly.
"Thank you," Charlotte genuinely thanked the waiter.
The waiter smiled back. He could tell from experience that she didn't thank him for the sake of being polite or keeping face. "You're welcome."
Coughing, Xavier remembered his manners, "Yeah, thanks,"
"Hope you enjoy your meal, sir, ma'am. If you need anything, please do call." the waiter smiled before he left the couple to their dinner, suddenly back in a positive mood.
Charlotte nodded and smiled to herself. After all, she learnt to appreciate three meals per day. Suddenly realizing she was going to remember something she didn't want to, she banished her thoughts of the past and focused on the date.
Xavier felt that this girl wasn't just a trophy girl. She was like a breath of fresh air, completely different from his friends with benefits. The atmosphere around her was calming, like the gliding moon, and her eyes as deep as the midnight sea. Yet, despite all that, she didn't seem fake. But... Girls are girls and they can be very two-faced. Who knows, she could be a bitch underneath that polite, nice girl mask.
"Shall we start eating then?" Charlotte asked.
"Uh... Yeah. OK." Xavier started to dig into his food after he glanced up at Charlotte. He had a little smile of his own when he saw Charlotte with a look of delight as she took her first bite. Her eyes lit up with delight and the smile on her face looked like a child who just opened her Christmas present. But... I hope she isn't like that.
The fresh air hit their skin as they walked out of the restaurant, making goosebumps appear. The sky was gradually getting darker, signalling it's the end of another day.
Charlotte shivered and hugged herself, trying to keep her body heat. "It's quite cold despite being spring... I should have worn tights if I knew it was going to be this cold..." Charlotte mumbled to herself whilst she rubbed her upper arms. She was already wearing her cream coat yet it was still cold.
"Yeah, it is slightly cold," Xavier agreed.
Charlotte glanced at Xavier who wasn't even shivering though he was wearing a thinner coat than her. Wow... He must be really warm.
"The dinner was delicious." smiling, Charlotte quickly changed the subject, "I should recommend this place to my friends."
"Yeah, this restaurant is really good." Xavier agreed, "I come here quite a lot with my friends." with benefits that is.
"I see..."
Noticing that the conversation was coming to an end, Xavier quickly used this as an excuse to find out more about Charlotte. "So, do you have any siblings?"
"I have an older brother and a kind of sister."
Damn, an older brother. Now that's one thing I definitely need to keep in mind, especially since most of the time, they are overprotective of their sister. "Kind of an older sister?" Xavier raised his eye brow, curious about Charlotte's statement.
Charlotte laughed awkwardly. "That didn't really make sense, did it?"
"No, not really." Xavier chuckled.
Charlotte smiled innocently. "Do you remember when you and Daniel came to my office and there was another woman there?" Xavier nodded. Of course I do. I remember a fine woman when I see one. "She's my best friend, but she's like an older sister to me."
Best friend... Nope, I bet that is so not true. I bet £1,000,000 that they really bitch around each other's back. But Xavier still smiled nonetheless. "She must be really close to you then."
"She is." Charlotte giggled. "So, do you have any siblings?"
"No, I'm an only child."
"Do you wish you had siblings?"
"Hmmm..." Xavier rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. "I haven't really thought of it to be honest... I think I just enjoyed life as it came to me and went with the flow. My parents certainly do spoil me since I am an only child but I'm not complaining. I know I am lucky compared to many people and I shouldn't take advantage of that." Following Xavier's answer was silence. Crap. I've made it awkward now. I can just feel it. Did I say something too smart for her or something? ... Fuck, just realized something, stupid Xavier! She's most probably spoiled herself and doesn't know anything outside of what her parents taught her! Anyway, better quickly change the subject quick-
"It's funny how we find joy and comfort through other people's misery and misfortune."
"... Huh?" Xavier glanced at Charlotte in confusion. Did she just say something?
Noticing a pair of eyes on her, Charlotte turned around to face Xavier with an innocent smile. "Hmmm? What's the matter?"
Xavier frowned at Charlotte's answer. Maybe I was just hearing things... "Oh, it's nothing. Just thought you said something."
"OK... Well, thank you for treating me to dinner today, Xavier. It was great." Charlotte smiled.
Sensing Charlotte was going to run off again, Xavier stopped her. "Oh, hold that thought," Xavier searched his pocket for his present. When he found it, he smiled and gave it to Charlotte. "Here. In memory of our first date."
"You shouldn't have." Charlotte gasped but accepted it none the less, "Aww, thank you." smiling, she held it towards her heart. She slowly opened it to find a ruby heart necklace, "It's beautiful..." she whispered as she touched the gem. After admiring the necklace in all its glory, she hugged Xavier, giggling with delight, "Thank you for the beautiful gift. I love it."
"Y-Yeah..." Xavier said, slightly surprised by the hug but returned it anyway. He buried his nose in her hair and could smell a mixture of lavender and roses. He sighed. He relished the feeling of Charlotte fitting snugly in his arms, but that moment didn't last as long as Xavier would have liked when Charlotte broke the hug.
"You didn't have to get me anything, you know?" she smiled, "But thank you very much for this gift. I'll treasure it."
Chuckling, Xavier grinned, "It's alright."
"Are you sure? I feel guilty that I didn't get you anything... And I can tell that you prepared quite a bit. I hope you didn't miss anything important because of me." feeling guilty, Charlotte frowned slightly.
Xavier smiled at Charlotte's antics. "No, it wasn't anything big. I just missed dinner with my family but it's nothing big. I can go visit them any time I want anyway." Xavier said somewhat indifferently, much to Charlotte's distaste.
Silence took over Charlotte after Xavier's comment, digesting the information he just said. Xavier was confused at why Charlotte was silent all of a sudden because he was expecting a "Oh, you shouldn't have!" comment. But, Xavier stiffened in shock once he saw disappointment and a depth of sadness in Charlotte's turquoise eyes. It wasn't a depth that he expected from a sheltered, spoiled and naïve girl.
Charlotte mumbled to herself, breaking the silence. "I think I now have a slightly better understanding what kind of man you are." Her piercing orbs clashed with his confused emerald orbs. Xavier suddenly felt like he should look away, but he couldn't. Her piercing eyes stared deep into his heart, as if she was cutting through the center of his soul. "Thank you for paying for the meal, Xavier. It was great spending time with you and the present is gorgeous. I would like the pay you back for an amazing night but I'm afraid I can't meet your initial intentions." Charlotte smiled wryly. "Especially if they are sexual ones." and with that, Charlotte excused herself and left the confused playboy to ponder over her words.
The moonlight shined in the night sky. Streams of light seeped through the windows into the dark house, providing very little light. However, despite the darkness, Charlotte moved through the house with ease, as if she could see perfectly fine.
Opening the door to her bedroom, she clutched Xavier's present tightly whilst she sat down on the edge of her bed in the darkness. She opened the present again and gazed at it. She calmly reached out to touch the delicate stone as if she's never seen one before, despite being a jewellery designer. Getting the necklace out of the case, she held it out towards the moonlight, gazing at the lustrous ruby. Moments ticked passed and she continued to stare at the ruby. She remained perfectly still, making no noise. She just sat there, like a statue.
Blinking, she slowly turned back round to read the note that Xavier wrote in the case.
To the beautiful Angel:
As a symbol of my love to you and to commemorate our first date, I give you my heart.
Your man.
Charlotte stared at the note before looking back at the necklace. Her hand reached out of the darkness to gently touch the necklace, marveling at its beauty.
However, Charlotte did not react to either the note or the present like she did earlier. She clutched her head, overwhelmed by pain. Her eyes clouded with unshed tears, her nose attacked by the smell of blood and her mind invaded by ghosts of the past.
"You better do as I say if you don't want to die like a street dog."
"Mercy? Love!? Ha! There is no love or mercy in the cold and bloody world that you and I live in."
"You bitch, don't get too conceited! Even if you do die, there are plenty of people to replace you!"
She could feel the darkness inching closer and closer, excruciatingly slowly, trying to diminish her light. It held a tighter grip on her than ever before, suffocating her, warning her of the past and the future. The past that stank of carnage and the future which screamed false hope. Hope that would only be destroyed once again by Satan in human form.
She shivered. It was cold. Unbearably cold.
But the cold reminded her of how she survived.
Long forgotten was the delicate but broken heart lying on the floor, and once again, with the intention of never letting anyone ever find out what is inside, even if it kills her in the process, she bottled up the darkness deep inside of her soul.
The shattering of a heart when being broken is the loudest silence ever.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's got a bit more happening and clues to Charlotte's past! And cookies to my dear Beta, Lolitroy ;) R&R please and constructive criticism is always welcomed! :D
Notes:
*The photobucket pictures shall be up as usual and the link is on my profile.
Thanks for reading! :'3
Tragic Story