"The future is certain. It is just not known."

― Johnny Rich

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Victoria Pallos' POV

As soon as I saw Cyrus text, I quickly excused myself from. "I'm glad everything is all set. Thank you." I beamed at my wedding coordinator. It seems so easy for me to masked my emotions. I feel like a walking robot if I must say.

I felt like I have no feelings anymore. Well, except when it comes to Xandrous. Now knowing that she's with Cassie today at a restaurant, it really breaks my heart. I thought I could handle it, but I was utterly wrong.

My wedding coordinator is gone and left the two- my sister and Nicolai- because my friends are waiting for me at the Cheater's Grill Bar downtown.

Cyrus with Glenn and Cyra. Cyrus and Cyra are cousins and they were my friends I met at the boarding school. Cyrus is a certified gay. Glenn is my classmate in Fashion Designs. Cyrus, Cyra and Glenn are from Athens too that's why we got so cliche right away. The whole four years in London International Exclusive University, we became so close.

As soon as I reach the restaurant, I quickly scan the room which was pack with cheaters, I mean eaters. I saw Xandrous quickly since he was very spot on. He's the only one wearing a fine tailored three piece suit and across him seated the girl I despised since I found out about her.

His other girl.

The girl he chose over me. Cassie Ann Alanis.

I felt that familiar twinge in my heart. Like a bunched of needles was poking into it making it bleed painfully.

I look away and saw Glenn waving at me and I wave back. I averted my eyes to the table next to them and saw my three friends smiling widely at me.

I walk to their direction and everyone gave me a hug and then I occupied the chair next to Cyrus after he gave me a brief kiss in the cheeks.

Oh this man. He's handsome but he'd rather be called beautiful. With an angular jaw, almond shape blue eyes, adorned with thick dark lashes, thick and bushy eyebrows and a thin kissable lips with a natural shade of pink, and with an aristocratic nose. He's not as tall as Xandrous, about six maybe, but not short compared to my height. I'm 5'9.

"Don't stare at me like you're going to eat me!" Cyrus scowled at me and I giggled. I heard Cyra and Glenn laugh, too.

"So how are you guys?" I asked them.

"Well, I'm going back to London next week." Glenn responded as she place down her wine glass. She's a girl. Her complete name is Glennette Capri, short for Glenn.

She's 5'9 too and with a ginger red hair, very fair skin and few freckles on her nose and cheeks, cute small pointed nose and light long lashes and so were her eyebrows. Red pouted lips with her eyes the color of a shimmering emerald tree under the sunlight.

Cyra (pronounced as Seer-a) Amory Dougherty (Do-her-tee) is a bit shorter than us with barely 5'8 height. She has a dark raven hair, dark lashes and eye brows, with hazel eyes and a bit upturned nose and thin lips with a shade of pink.

Her expressive eyes was her asset if I may say. It is always smiling.

"That's so soon?" I frowned.

A waiter approached me.

"Are you ready to order, Miss?" The young waiter ask me and I nodded.

"I actually had my lunch. If you just get me a glass of Chardonnay, that would be awesome." I gave her a small smile.

"Sure thing, Miss." And with that, she left.

"That's why we called you to meet. Cyra and Cyrus are leaving too, to New York for their new project." Glenn explains and I sigh.

Now I realized what I'm missing with my life. My flopping career. My friends has a life direction while me, unplanned.

"Let's go bar hopping tonight." Cyra grinned toothily and I can't say no. Besides my friends doesn't know about the wedding. The news about the engagement even subdued by my family and Nicolai's family. The words didn't spread and I was glad.

When I felt a hot stare at me, my eyes involuntarily drifted to Xandrous table and I saw him staring at me with a dark scowl. His lips are pursed and a prominent crease line is stuck in his forehead, making him look more dark and dangerously handsome.

I felt my body heated with his hot stare.

I wanted to look away, but I felt my eyes was glued on his and my heart is already making havoc inside my ribcage, hammering loudly.

"Are you okay? We shouldn't tell you he's here." Cyra sigh regretfully.

They know him. Of course. They are from here and Mailov is very known in Athen just as my family were. I told them about him since it's the reason why I chose to go on a boarding school, to finally avoid him and try to forget him, but I failed miserably.

"It's fine. It's not like I could avoid him. We live in the same circle and our family are friends." I force a smile and tried not look back at their table.

Cassie Ann is beautiful too. With a slender body, tanned skin, and a beautiful face. I never felt insecure in my entire life, until now.

I know I'm beautiful.

With a soft honeyed brown eyes, adorned with a long lashes, fair skin and long toned legs and sexy body, where I earned my living. A feature I inherited from my mom. Still, I felt this insecurities I never felt before.

My friends sometimes called me Blair from the Gossip Girl since I was known as a bitch in our University. Had broke several heart, just trying to prove that I can also break heart. Not only man could do that, women could too.

I know it's wrong, but I can't help myself every time I thought of my life. How messed up my life is. Dad never loved me and so the only man who complete me, Xandrous Mailov.

I thank the waiter after she place the wine in front of me. I quickly made a successive sips as I watch my friends planning for tonight. I smiled as Cyrus and Glenn bicker about small things.

My eyes then again drifted to Xandrous and I saw him stood up after saying something to Cassie that the latter only smiled sweetly. How I deeply wanted to wipe that smile with my palms.

When I saw him heading to the washroom, I stood up abruptly.

"Excuse me guys. I just need to go to the washroom." I smiled sweetly and the three just return the gesture without suspiscion and I strode to the direction he went, in haste.

I saw his back entering the men's washroom and without thinking, I followed him then lock the washroom's door.

He stared at me in shock and I smile at him. A scowl is slowly making it's way on his face and then settles in. "What are you doing here?" He grit out.

My heart was heavy and bleeding. His words are sharp and striking it straight in my heart making it bleeds even more.

"I followed you." I responded too calmly.

Applause for you Vicky. You're such a masked queen.

"I can see that!" He scowled with a sarcastic tone.

I could feel the tears starting to welled up around my eyes. I bit my tongue to hold back the tears.

Not now.

I shut my eyes closed as I internally heaved a sigh to boost my confidence. When I opened my eyes, his soft forest green eyes was staring back at me. That scowl is gone. I saw the longings in his eyes and it made me more confident. I close our gap and I almost shouted in joy when I felt him turn rigid.

I still had an effect on him.

He looks tense when I stood in my tippy toes and about to kiss him. I curled my hands around his neck and he didn't move. He didn't bother to hold me. I ignored the hurt slowly enveloping me. "I still love you Xandrous. I still do." I said almost crying. A stray tear rolled down my cheeks and before he could see it, I kissed his lips.

His lips moved, but he didn't kissed me back.

I smiled bitterly as I surreptitiously wipes the tear on my cheeks.

I step back.

"I'm such a fool." I chuckled to myself as I look away.

I was about to turn to the door when I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist and he slammed his lips on mine. His kisses was hard and rough. It was punishing and consuming, yet electrifying. I soon found myself kissing him back ferociously.

I was too lost in his kisses that I didn't feel we were walking backwards until I felt the cool concrete wall kissed my back.

His savage lips travelled on my neck down to my chest. My crop top is already up exposing my breast only covered with my bra. I was wearing a crop top and high waist leathered skirt.

A soft moan escape my lips when I felt his hand cupped my breast and he knead it softly with his lips still grazing on my exposed skin just above my bra.

"FUCK!" He stops and step back.

I felt like I was poured a bucket of cold water when I saw him steps back and he ran his fingers through his hair. How I wanted to do it.

His cold and detach eyes was back. "Fix yourself and get out!" He uttered in disgust and I felt so dirty. I felt like a whore. That's how his words and voice made me feel like.

I quickly fix myself and tried not show to any hint of pain or hurt. It's the last thing I want him to see me.

"Listen Victoria." Now my name is Victoria. No more V or baby. Why am I so assuming. He is not the same Xandrous who once head over heels in love with me. "The love we once share is gone. I'm not the same Xandrous anymore. I hope this will be the last. I don't want to hurt anyone." He proclaimed and I look at him, trying to keep my cool intact.

"You don't want to hurt Cassie. You're such a nice man." I smiled bitterly. "Of course." I chuckled. "You know, I just need a release. I thought you could help me. I guess I'll just go out and find someone else." I gave him a saccharine grin that I could muster, ignoring my bleeding hurt.

I saw his eyes got darker and his laser like eyes pierced through my soul. I look away not wanting him to read my emotions.

I turned to the door and was about to open it when I heard him spoke. "V."

I turned around and my heart made a flip.. He called me V. I look at him and waited for his next words.

"Good Bye!" He scowled. The hope that rises in my heart suddenly plummeted to the ground.

I didn't respond and just stormed out of that washroom and was glad no one was waiting outside.

I bit my inner cheeks as I could feel the tears brimming under my eyelids. The stinging realization really breaks me, my heart and my world.

It's over. He doesn't really love me anymore.

"Are you okay?" Cyra asked as soon as I sat.

"Of course, I am." I said with a reassuring smile and she nodded though she still look unconvinced.

I grab the wine and swigged it.

"Whoah, you were thirsty there missy." Cyrus chuckled as he watch me place the empty glass down on the table.

"Alright, I agreed for bar hopping tonight." I told the three and they all giggled in excitement. I wanted to drown myself tonight until I can't feel the pain anymore.

.................................

I came home super drunk. Mom and dad was still waiting for me at the living room. Dad looks really pissed and I just snorted. Here we go again.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Victoria?" Dad started as soon as he laid me on my bed. My friends already left.

"Dad, I need to sleep." I groaned and he just stared at me in disbelief.

"When are you going to grow up and be responsible? Did we missed something why are you like this? Why can't you be like your sister and for once, listen to us!" Dad ranted as he paced back and forth inside my room.

My anger rises when I heard him comparing me with his favorite child.

"Because I'm not like her dad!" I snap back in a slurry tone. Dad got mad as soon as I talk back.

"Of course! Since when did you do something that make us proud?" Dad said frustratedly and then left me, slumming the door.

"I'm sorry honey about your dad's outburst. He was just scared about you. He cares you a lot-"

"Mom, I'm tired. I'm sleepy now." I cut her off. I don't want to hear it again. It's always the same every time. Dad would yell at me then mom trying to cover up dad.

"Alright. Take a rest, honey." Then mom kissed me in my cheeks after uttering I love you.

I let the tears stream down my cheeks. I felt really empty and for once, I felt really a brat. Dad is right. Since when did I make them proud?

Maybe marrying Nicolai would make them proud. And again, as I thought of my sister, being the always perfect child, I feel rebellious and jealousy eats me up. The hatred I felt for her grew more.

I know it's not fair and not right, but it is how I feel.

I went to bed with tears and heart heavy.

Pain is inevitable.

That day, I made a decision. Marry Nicolai and make my dad proud of me. I saw how his eyes dance with joy when that morning they came to see me with mom. Dad apologized and I forgave him. For once dad, apologized to me and it's a lot. He said he love me and he hug me real tight. For once, I felt his loved and I was so overwhelmingly happy.

They asked me if I wanted to break the engagement, and I saw how dad's eyes turns sad. I knew this marriage is a big deal to him. He wanted the business to be intact, so I made the right decision.

I told them I'll marry Nicolai and I will learn to love him. I know it's going to be challenging, but I'm decided to turn my life course. And that is to be a good child. Which I'm hoping I could, because just the thought of my sister and dad's word kept replaying in head every time I see her.

Just like today, in front of me in the dining table. As I see her, I hear dad's word.

"Why can't you be like your sister? For once listen to us."

I couldn't contain my emotions and a scowl plastered in my face as I watched her eat, while I kept texting Clara Bell and Sasha Beth.

"If your done eating Elle, can you go and pick up my dress? Nicolai and I needs to meet the presider for  tomorrow." I asked as I'm tired to go pick my dress up, besides we are going to see Mr. Stephen. The old man who will preside for the ceremony.

My fate is sealed. To be Mrs. Petropoulis. I've never seen or dream this. I always wanted to be Mrs. Mailov. Of course who can contradict the fate. Maybe I was destined for Nicolai. It's just that the fate was too cruel.

.....................................

Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

"Are you dating Elle?" Dad asked without preamble as soon as I sat on the chair across his study desk.

"Why did you ask? And since when did you care who I dated or not, dad?" I retorted tersely. I love him but I hate it when they meddle with my life.

"Because you are marrying Victoria. And what face are we going to show with the Pallos if they find out that you are dating their youngest child?" Dad's face is red with anger and frustrations. He threw the magazine on my me and I catch it before it landed on the floor.

The blurred picture of me and Elle kissing in my car is before my eyes and it's in the front page of the Athens Celebrity magazine.

"I already settled this magazine and all the copies were retrieved. Though most of it were distributed. They had managed to buy every copies of this in every store." He barked frustratedly as he stared at me in disbelief. "How could you be so careless, Nico." Dad looks so disappointed and I can't blame him. I wasn't thinking when I just kissed her.

I just wish the Pallos couple hasn't read the newspaper.

"Do you love her? Or are you going to continue the wedding?" Dad asked and I remember the consequences if I fail to comply with his wishes.

"I'm sorry dad." I sigh defeatedly.

"Honestly son, I don't know what to do with you now. You are smart, but you are wasting it. You are acting more than irresponsible kid. How can you manage the company if you don't know what do you want with your life?" Dad lectured and I can't say anything. He was right.

I don't even know exactly what I feel for Elle.

"Would you want to continue the wedding or no?" dad was now on his feet walking around me then sat across me.

He just stared at me and frustrations is clear in his eyes.

I like Elle, but I want to prove to dad that I'm capable of running the PP holdings. I will show him that I'm capable of running a business and I know what I want to do. The thought of proving to my dad my capability is heavier than the thought of pursuing Elle.

A bit of me is frustrated for leaving Elle alone, but I'm excited and thrilled to be the PP Holdings' CEO.

"Yes, dad!" I said decisively.

"GOOD!" Dad rose from his chair and sat back on his swivel chair.

"We will leave tomorrow and stay there at night so we wouldn't have to drive there and rush for the wedding." Dad added and I just nodded in compliance.

I ignored the sadness that's slowly rising in my heart and just content myself with the thought of showing the world that I'm as good as my father in business. I will prove to him that I'm better than what he thought of me.

...............................................

Eleanor Pallos' POV

"That's enough Elle." Natalia took the bottle of tequila away from me. I've been drinking since an hour ago. I wanted to just drown myself with alcohol and maybe I would forget what's going on tomorrow.

Since when they arrived this afternoon, Nicolai has been avoiding me. I tried to reach him, but he always find ways to get away. My heart and hope crashes. As I watch them and Victoria from my room's balcony, my heart twinge painfully.

"I need more. I could still feel something. Please Angel, help me get that bottle back." I told Angel and she just laugh at me.

"Elle, you're a mess. You are smarter than that. Come on. You just need to go out and explore more. Maybe give in to Elixir." Angel chuckled and I rolled my eyes. I felt so dizzy and my head is heavy but I could still move around though I'm wobbly. We are in my room and Natalia and Angel found me drinking in my balcony.

"Elle, you don't deserve my brother. He is better off you. You are sweet, pretty and kind-hearted. What you need is the kind of Elixir. He is very thoughtful and we knew he will take care of you and he won't cheat on you." Natalia stressed out intently.

"You need to sleep and be pretty tomorrow." Natalia said and Angel nodded in agreement.

"Yes, you need to sleep now and have a beauty rest." Angel smiled. She's not really serious about my situation. She still manage to laugh at it.

I could feel my heart beat getting heavy and I felt like I'm gasping of air.

"Are you okay, Elle?" Angel suddenly sat beside me.

I smiled. "Yes. I tried to relax myself. Ever since I felt this -my heart feeling of constricting- I tried to relax myself and the feeling slowly disperse.

I stood up from the armchair and walk wobbly to my bed. "Alright girls, have a goodnight." I beamed at them.

"Alright. Just sleep now. Don't go wander around ..." Natalia warned me and she even help me to my bed and tucked me in.

When they left, I stood up and walk to my washroom and brush my teeth. I look on myself to the mirror and I saw my sad eyes staring back at me. I took my glasses off and took my contacts and wear it.

Victoria is right. I look better without glasses.

I smiled. I untied my hair and the thick silky curly locks cascaded down my shoulders.

"Beautiful." I mumbled.

I look on my pyjamas and I crunched my nose in disgust. I look so plain and ugly. I