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fate's Entanglement
---
Ximena’s eyes fell, and she turned away from the door. She ran into the elevator, her heart racing. He followed, swift like a cheetah, and the doors slid shut. But the elevator stopped moving.
Oh no! We’re stuck, she thought.
"Yes, fate," he said, a sly smile forming. Her eyes filled with venom.
"Never!" she spat.
Time crawled as if driven by a snail. Ximena rushed to the elevator’s door, pounding on it over and over until her palm bled. "Why do you keep hurting me... is this the punishment for the crime of love?"
He gently took her hand, guiding her to sit down. He pulled out a handkerchief and tied it around her bleeding palm. "I never meant for that to happen. I promise I’ll make it right."
Ximena scoffed. "Well, I saw everything. It should have ended before I walked in... spare me the excuses. You wouldn't kiss me, but you had no problem sucking on her grapes—Candy, right?"
"It happened... No excuse, but I’m truly sorry. You’re honey, you know candies can’t compete with honey," he said, sitting beside her, holding her hand.
"You know, it hurts when people you love hurt you. But it kills when you know it was intentional," she whispered, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.
"Please," he said softly. "My life’s a mess right now. If you leave, it might kill me faster than any venom... please, stay."
"I’m not going anywhere because we were never dating," she chuckled, finding his reaction unexpectedly cute. "I haven’t even said yes."
He smiled. "Hey, I got you apples."
"They’re in my bag. Take them... all of them."
He took one and ate it, down to the core. "Your apples are great."
"They’re not mine. Don’t be silly. I bought them." She caught him staring at her chest and pushed his face away. "Naughty."
The elevator doors opened, and Ruby stood on the other side, arms crossed, legs apart. Ximena glared, but her attention shifted back to Rex. His skin was covered in red welts, and his body trembled with sweat and tears. Allergies!
Ruby stormed off, leaving Ximena to grab her bags and support Rex as they exited the elevator. Car lights flashed in their direction, and Willow rushed out of the car, grabbing Rex’s arm.
"Hey! Trouble, stay out of my lane," he said, guiding Rex into the car, while Ruby mocked them from the distance.
---
Ximena later sat on a bench along the street, her eyes shut, thoughts flowing like a river. The night was still, and then she heard him.
"It’s been a long time since you sat on the street, my dear friend," the man said. His words were calm, soothing her nerves.
"Good evening, mystery man," she responded. "You disappeared without a word last time."
"Watch it, I might again," he teased. "Beautiful night, isn’t it?"
"Bad days often have the most..."
"Shh... hear that?" he said.
She strained to listen but heard only the usual night sounds. She turned, but he had vanished.
"Never miss a chance to laugh at people’s troubles, because not all of them are earthly," his voice whispered through the air, sending a chill down her spine.
Thanks for the creepy advice, she thought as she leaned back on the bench. "I just don’t get why everything is upside down when it comes to love... boring."
"Every powerful word has ups and downs, baby. You live of evil; you veil of vile," his voice teased. "Maybe the E in love stands for Endurance."
"Were you ever in love, soldier man?" she asked, but there was no response. She turned, but he was gone again. She found a card on the floor where he had stood, realizing there might not be a second chance to ask him.
---
Ximena hurried to Amethyst General Hospital, her catwalk confidence gone, replaced by anxious urgency. She rushed out of the car and raced to the fourth floor, her heart pounding harder with every step. The moment she entered the room, her knees buckled. Rex was red all over, his eyelids shut, and the drip bag above him slowly dripping life back into his veins.
"Look who we have here," a voice sneered. Ximena turned to find Willow glaring at her.
"It’s not what you think," Ximena started, but Willow cut her off.
"Only one theory fits here: Ximena Jones is callous. It wasn’t enough to drag his name through the mud—you had to put him in a hospital bed. And it’s not just insomnia anymore, is it?" Willow’s voice shook with rage, her words sharp enough to draw blood.
Rex shifted on the bed, and a nurse rushed in to check on him. "I’m sorry, but you’ll need to step out until morning. It’s past visiting hours, and he needs rest."
"My brother and I need each other," Willow insisted. "I won’t make any noise."
"If you brought him here, trust us with him," the nurse replied firmly. Willow stamped her feet but left, casting daggers at Ximena.
As the nurse approached Ximena, she smiled shyly. "Ma’am, I’m a fan... Can I get an autograph?"
Ximena smirked. "How about we strike a deal on that?"
The nurse giggled and exited the room, leaving Ximena alone with Rex. She took a piece of ice from the nearby bowl and wiped the sweat from his face. Then, sitting by his side, she gently played with his bandaged hand.
Someone creaked the door open, and Ximena darted under the bed. The nurse returned briefly to check on Rex before leaving. Ximena emerged, her hair tousled. Rex pulled her close.
"I’m sorry for tonight," he whispered, resting his head on her shoulder. His heartbeat was steady, soothing her.
"Do you believe in ghosts?" she asked, pulling away slightly. "I think I’ve been seeing one lately. Quite handsome and old, too..."
He chuckled weakly, relaxing back into the bed. "Sometimes, I don’t know what to believe anymore."
He rubbed his forehead. "The only thing I have faith in is the seed we talked about in your room."
She smiled softly and took his hand. "You have insomnia, don’t you?"
"Yes, since I was seven. It’s no longer just a disorder..." He shivered under her gentle touch as she bent closer. Her lips pressed softly against his, and he tensed before she pulled away.
"Listen," he said, his voice urgent. "I was once a young boy. My family was perfect, full of smiles and laughter, until greed took my father. He started gambling. My mother... she died when she was hit by a lorry. My grandmother took my sister, and I was put up for adoption. The children at my foster home... they stripped me for fun, and I... I couldn’t take it anymore. That’s when everything changed."
She listened silently, her heart breaking with each word.
---
Willow entered the hospital room with a nurse, her brows furrowing at Ximena. What now?
"Boss!" Ruby called from the doorway. Her skirt was short, and her cleavage was on full display.
Ximena’s eyes snapped open. She walked over to Ruby, stretched her arms, and yawned in her face. Morning breath greeted her.
Rex chuckled. His redness was gone. He looked strong again. Ximena smoothed her messy hair and left the room. Ruby clenched her fists.
---
Ximena sat in her office, a stack of documents in her hand, while Mike stood beside her desk.
"I'm impressed, Mike. Job well done." She shook his hand.
"Ma'am, you made this happen, working those extra hours. Your father would be proud of the strategic challenge we pulled off." Ximena smiled.
"Mike, what do you think about ghosts? Just wondering if they exist," she asked.
"I think ghosts exist, but seeing them... that’s totally absurd," he replied, curling his lips in amusement.
"Do some digging on that," she said, slipping a card into his hand. "An extra incentive for this month’s work, sooner than later." Mike grinned and left.
Later, the clock ticked away as Mike sent over some files. Ximena scanned them intently.
"Quick work, Mike," she muttered, then left the office.
---
Ximena hurried into the living room, where Valerie and Aunt Maggie stood staring at Lavender.
"Vende... please stop," Margaret said, holding Lavender’s shoulders. "Valerie, you’ve been through so much lately; this has to end."
"I believe, Mom... Sometimes I tell myself he isn’t gone. He’ll come back." Valerie forced a smile at Lavender. "Now I’m sure it’s not just a thought anymore. You saw him, didn’t you?"
Lavender nodded. "I love you, Mom." Margaret rested her head in her palm, while Ximena pressed her lips together, finding a chair to sit on.
The door creaked open, and he entered just in time. Jaws dropped, and they all took a step back. Valerie ran into his arms, crying.
---
Ximena wandered the streets, her eyes scanning the buildings that all looked the same. Sometimes maps didn’t match reality.
"I think that’s it," she murmured, approaching a deserted-looking bungalow. Dust covered the porch, and the doors and windows were old-fashioned.
She stepped through the wire fence and knocked on the door. It creaked open. Inside, the contrast to the exterior was like heaven versus hell.
She walked over to a table, inspecting the family photos. He’s not a ghost.
"What are you doing here?" a voice demanded. She turned to see him standing in the doorway, his brows raised.
He held groceries, which he set down in the kitchen before turning on the stove. Ximena watched as he took a knife and began chopping.
"So you have a family… pretty, huh?" she commented, stepping into the small kitchen. "Can I help?"
"Why don’t you leave me alone?" he said, approaching her with the knife. Her eyes widened. "They dug you up, didn’t they? I’m a bad guy, yeah. Well, the door’s open."
"I just wanted to know who my friend was. I’m glad you’re not a ghost." She said it calmly, and he moved away. She coughed, and he handed her a glass of water.
"I’m sorry, I never meant for that to happen," she said as they sat at the table, munching on their meal.
"No, I’m sorry for..." He paused. "Remember the story about the foolish gambler and his family?"
"Yeah, our first meeting, right?" She smiled, and he nodded. "That’s my story. My wife is dead, and I killed her. My children don’t want to see me. They’re better off without me."
The weight of his confession hit Ximena. She dropped her spoon and stroked her palm gently.
"Everything sucks sometimes... but the hope of something better can make a difference. I’m glad I met you," she said.
He looked at her, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "You’ve got a thing with my son, huh?" Her cheeks flushed as she smiled.
"Who’s your son?"
"Rexford Williams." Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she picked up the plates.
They sat in the backyard, admiring the beautiful view. His farm thrived, and their laughter mixed with the sounds of nature. It was his first genuine chuckle in years.
---
"Valerie! Valerie!" Ximena called after her, but Valerie had already shut the door to her room.
"Hey, chicken! You can’t hide in there forever. You need to talk to me. You know he’s more worried than anything else," Ximena urged. Finally, Valerie opened the door.
They sat on the couch. "Why, Valerie? Why? He said you broke up with him."
"Yes, you’re right." Valerie’s eyes were red. "He survived the crash, but guess what? We both crashed with that plane."
She walked to the mirror, staring at her reflection. "This isn’t me. I feel dead... like I betrayed the hands that fed me."
Ximena stood behind her, turning her to face her. "You’re brave enough to make things right again."
"You don’t understand... that’s not it. There’s more to my grief," Valerie said, sitting down heavily on the couch. Ximena sat beside her.
"Please, talk to me. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this alone," Ximena said gently.
Valerie’s lips began to tremble. "The night the crash happened, I was so broken when I heard the news... so I went to the bar..."
© Chidimma Mirabel Ugwuozo
Ximena’s eyes fell, and she turned away from the door. She ran into the elevator, her heart racing. He followed, swift like a cheetah, and the doors slid shut. But the elevator stopped moving.
Oh no! We’re stuck, she thought.
"Yes, fate," he said, a sly smile forming. Her eyes filled with venom.
"Never!" she spat.
Time crawled as if driven by a snail. Ximena rushed to the elevator’s door, pounding on it over and over until her palm bled. "Why do you keep hurting me... is this the punishment for the crime of love?"
He gently took her hand, guiding her to sit down. He pulled out a handkerchief and tied it around her bleeding palm. "I never meant for that to happen. I promise I’ll make it right."
Ximena scoffed. "Well, I saw everything. It should have ended before I walked in... spare me the excuses. You wouldn't kiss me, but you had no problem sucking on her grapes—Candy, right?"
"It happened... No excuse, but I’m truly sorry. You’re honey, you know candies can’t compete with honey," he said, sitting beside her, holding her hand.
"You know, it hurts when people you love hurt you. But it kills when you know it was intentional," she whispered, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.
"Please," he said softly. "My life’s a mess right now. If you leave, it might kill me faster than any venom... please, stay."
"I’m not going anywhere because we were never dating," she chuckled, finding his reaction unexpectedly cute. "I haven’t even said yes."
He smiled. "Hey, I got you apples."
"They’re in my bag. Take them... all of them."
He took one and ate it, down to the core. "Your apples are great."
"They’re not mine. Don’t be silly. I bought them." She caught him staring at her chest and pushed his face away. "Naughty."
The elevator doors opened, and Ruby stood on the other side, arms crossed, legs apart. Ximena glared, but her attention shifted back to Rex. His skin was covered in red welts, and his body trembled with sweat and tears. Allergies!
Ruby stormed off, leaving Ximena to grab her bags and support Rex as they exited the elevator. Car lights flashed in their direction, and Willow rushed out of the car, grabbing Rex’s arm.
"Hey! Trouble, stay out of my lane," he said, guiding Rex into the car, while Ruby mocked them from the distance.
---
Ximena later sat on a bench along the street, her eyes shut, thoughts flowing like a river. The night was still, and then she heard him.
"It’s been a long time since you sat on the street, my dear friend," the man said. His words were calm, soothing her nerves.
"Good evening, mystery man," she responded. "You disappeared without a word last time."
"Watch it, I might again," he teased. "Beautiful night, isn’t it?"
"Bad days often have the most..."
"Shh... hear that?" he said.
She strained to listen but heard only the usual night sounds. She turned, but he had vanished.
"Never miss a chance to laugh at people’s troubles, because not all of them are earthly," his voice whispered through the air, sending a chill down her spine.
Thanks for the creepy advice, she thought as she leaned back on the bench. "I just don’t get why everything is upside down when it comes to love... boring."
"Every powerful word has ups and downs, baby. You live of evil; you veil of vile," his voice teased. "Maybe the E in love stands for Endurance."
"Were you ever in love, soldier man?" she asked, but there was no response. She turned, but he was gone again. She found a card on the floor where he had stood, realizing there might not be a second chance to ask him.
---
Ximena hurried to Amethyst General Hospital, her catwalk confidence gone, replaced by anxious urgency. She rushed out of the car and raced to the fourth floor, her heart pounding harder with every step. The moment she entered the room, her knees buckled. Rex was red all over, his eyelids shut, and the drip bag above him slowly dripping life back into his veins.
"Look who we have here," a voice sneered. Ximena turned to find Willow glaring at her.
"It’s not what you think," Ximena started, but Willow cut her off.
"Only one theory fits here: Ximena Jones is callous. It wasn’t enough to drag his name through the mud—you had to put him in a hospital bed. And it’s not just insomnia anymore, is it?" Willow’s voice shook with rage, her words sharp enough to draw blood.
Rex shifted on the bed, and a nurse rushed in to check on him. "I’m sorry, but you’ll need to step out until morning. It’s past visiting hours, and he needs rest."
"My brother and I need each other," Willow insisted. "I won’t make any noise."
"If you brought him here, trust us with him," the nurse replied firmly. Willow stamped her feet but left, casting daggers at Ximena.
As the nurse approached Ximena, she smiled shyly. "Ma’am, I’m a fan... Can I get an autograph?"
Ximena smirked. "How about we strike a deal on that?"
The nurse giggled and exited the room, leaving Ximena alone with Rex. She took a piece of ice from the nearby bowl and wiped the sweat from his face. Then, sitting by his side, she gently played with his bandaged hand.
Someone creaked the door open, and Ximena darted under the bed. The nurse returned briefly to check on Rex before leaving. Ximena emerged, her hair tousled. Rex pulled her close.
"I’m sorry for tonight," he whispered, resting his head on her shoulder. His heartbeat was steady, soothing her.
"Do you believe in ghosts?" she asked, pulling away slightly. "I think I’ve been seeing one lately. Quite handsome and old, too..."
He chuckled weakly, relaxing back into the bed. "Sometimes, I don’t know what to believe anymore."
He rubbed his forehead. "The only thing I have faith in is the seed we talked about in your room."
She smiled softly and took his hand. "You have insomnia, don’t you?"
"Yes, since I was seven. It’s no longer just a disorder..." He shivered under her gentle touch as she bent closer. Her lips pressed softly against his, and he tensed before she pulled away.
"Listen," he said, his voice urgent. "I was once a young boy. My family was perfect, full of smiles and laughter, until greed took my father. He started gambling. My mother... she died when she was hit by a lorry. My grandmother took my sister, and I was put up for adoption. The children at my foster home... they stripped me for fun, and I... I couldn’t take it anymore. That’s when everything changed."
She listened silently, her heart breaking with each word.
---
Willow entered the hospital room with a nurse, her brows furrowing at Ximena. What now?
"Boss!" Ruby called from the doorway. Her skirt was short, and her cleavage was on full display.
Ximena’s eyes snapped open. She walked over to Ruby, stretched her arms, and yawned in her face. Morning breath greeted her.
Rex chuckled. His redness was gone. He looked strong again. Ximena smoothed her messy hair and left the room. Ruby clenched her fists.
---
Ximena sat in her office, a stack of documents in her hand, while Mike stood beside her desk.
"I'm impressed, Mike. Job well done." She shook his hand.
"Ma'am, you made this happen, working those extra hours. Your father would be proud of the strategic challenge we pulled off." Ximena smiled.
"Mike, what do you think about ghosts? Just wondering if they exist," she asked.
"I think ghosts exist, but seeing them... that’s totally absurd," he replied, curling his lips in amusement.
"Do some digging on that," she said, slipping a card into his hand. "An extra incentive for this month’s work, sooner than later." Mike grinned and left.
Later, the clock ticked away as Mike sent over some files. Ximena scanned them intently.
"Quick work, Mike," she muttered, then left the office.
---
Ximena hurried into the living room, where Valerie and Aunt Maggie stood staring at Lavender.
"Vende... please stop," Margaret said, holding Lavender’s shoulders. "Valerie, you’ve been through so much lately; this has to end."
"I believe, Mom... Sometimes I tell myself he isn’t gone. He’ll come back." Valerie forced a smile at Lavender. "Now I’m sure it’s not just a thought anymore. You saw him, didn’t you?"
Lavender nodded. "I love you, Mom." Margaret rested her head in her palm, while Ximena pressed her lips together, finding a chair to sit on.
The door creaked open, and he entered just in time. Jaws dropped, and they all took a step back. Valerie ran into his arms, crying.
---
Ximena wandered the streets, her eyes scanning the buildings that all looked the same. Sometimes maps didn’t match reality.
"I think that’s it," she murmured, approaching a deserted-looking bungalow. Dust covered the porch, and the doors and windows were old-fashioned.
She stepped through the wire fence and knocked on the door. It creaked open. Inside, the contrast to the exterior was like heaven versus hell.
She walked over to a table, inspecting the family photos. He’s not a ghost.
"What are you doing here?" a voice demanded. She turned to see him standing in the doorway, his brows raised.
He held groceries, which he set down in the kitchen before turning on the stove. Ximena watched as he took a knife and began chopping.
"So you have a family… pretty, huh?" she commented, stepping into the small kitchen. "Can I help?"
"Why don’t you leave me alone?" he said, approaching her with the knife. Her eyes widened. "They dug you up, didn’t they? I’m a bad guy, yeah. Well, the door’s open."
"I just wanted to know who my friend was. I’m glad you’re not a ghost." She said it calmly, and he moved away. She coughed, and he handed her a glass of water.
"I’m sorry, I never meant for that to happen," she said as they sat at the table, munching on their meal.
"No, I’m sorry for..." He paused. "Remember the story about the foolish gambler and his family?"
"Yeah, our first meeting, right?" She smiled, and he nodded. "That’s my story. My wife is dead, and I killed her. My children don’t want to see me. They’re better off without me."
The weight of his confession hit Ximena. She dropped her spoon and stroked her palm gently.
"Everything sucks sometimes... but the hope of something better can make a difference. I’m glad I met you," she said.
He looked at her, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "You’ve got a thing with my son, huh?" Her cheeks flushed as she smiled.
"Who’s your son?"
"Rexford Williams." Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she picked up the plates.
They sat in the backyard, admiring the beautiful view. His farm thrived, and their laughter mixed with the sounds of nature. It was his first genuine chuckle in years.
---
"Valerie! Valerie!" Ximena called after her, but Valerie had already shut the door to her room.
"Hey, chicken! You can’t hide in there forever. You need to talk to me. You know he’s more worried than anything else," Ximena urged. Finally, Valerie opened the door.
They sat on the couch. "Why, Valerie? Why? He said you broke up with him."
"Yes, you’re right." Valerie’s eyes were red. "He survived the crash, but guess what? We both crashed with that plane."
She walked to the mirror, staring at her reflection. "This isn’t me. I feel dead... like I betrayed the hands that fed me."
Ximena stood behind her, turning her to face her. "You’re brave enough to make things right again."
"You don’t understand... that’s not it. There’s more to my grief," Valerie said, sitting down heavily on the couch. Ximena sat beside her.
"Please, talk to me. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this alone," Ximena said gently.
Valerie’s lips began to tremble. "The night the crash happened, I was so broken when I heard the news... so I went to the bar..."
© Chidimma Mirabel Ugwuozo
