Chapter 147 - In The Spirit Of Confessing (III)

Xavier had vowed not to let his work life interfere with his personal life. 

After all, Madeline had asked him to go out on a walk. He refused to ruin it for her all because he held a grudge towards someone for something that was supposed to be in the past. 

And of course, this someone was Indiana. 

How dare she? 

When he had saw her talking to Briar, he couldn't help but clench his fist. 

Yes, he had considered that Madeline would have invited her to join the walk, but he had never expected her to have accepted the offer. 

However, that wouldn't make him back away from this. Just because Indiana was there didn't mean he wouldn't have a great time. 

Checking in with Madeline, he asked, "Are you sure I'm meant to be here?" 

What Xavier wasn't aware of was that Indiana intended to steer clear of Xavier. After what she had told both Madeline and Briar the other day, she knew it was best if she kept away from Xavier. 

Also because she had noticed the dirty looks he had been giving her the entire time she was there. She was no ignorant person, she had noticed from the very moment she arrived.

'I can't back down from this now, I already told the both of them that I'd join them. If I left early, or made some excuse that I couldn't come, that would only worsen things,' Indiana had reasoned. 

She had bid Jonathan one last farewell, before they began their walk. 

It wasn't really a walk, and more of an excursion. 

Xavier felt relieved there was someone he trusted watching over Eudora while he was away, even if it was for a couple of hours. 

Who knew what would happen during those few hours? 

The pack was unpredictable. It was nice knowing someone he fully trusted was there, making sure things were going smoothly and that no one was behaving out of line. 

Xavier had instructed that whatever happened, he was not to be contacted unless it was crucial. 

As Xavier had put it, "Unless it's that important, to the point you have to tell me, don't disturb me. Not until I return. Then, you can bug me all you want, and fill me in on what has happened and what I have missed." 

Adrian agreed of course, knowing Briar would kill him if he ruined this for Xavier and Madeline, all because of what he could have dealt with himself. 

A couple of minutes in, Indiana found herself chatting with Briar mostly. Madeline was far too busy talking to Xavier at the moment, and she was glad that Madeline was able to spend time with Xavier and her friends at the same time, as she could see that Madeline was happy. 

Briar noticed it too, choosing not to interrupt her friend's conversation. 

Also partly because she didn't want to be subject to Xavier's dirty looks. 

For a moment, Briar wondered if Adrian had ever talked to Xavier about her. Was that strange? 

Briar shook it off and picked up on where her and Indiana's conversation had left off. 

They used their mind link to chat of course, and casually listened in to what Madeline and Xavier were talking about. 

Madeline thought to herself, 'So far so good.'

She hoped that they'd go out like this more often. It was great to have just her, Xavier, Briar and Indiana in one place, chatting amongst themselves. 

Madeline looked at Xavier, asking, "When was the last time you went out with your friends?" 

"Went out with my friends?" Xavier asked, thinking back to when he spent time with his friends.

"Mhm," Madeline said, nodding. 

Of course, Madeline knew that Briar was on to her. She could feel a pair of eyes watching her every move. 

Madeline presumed it was Briar, wondering if she'd do anything about what she had informed her of the other day.

And Madeline's answer? 

Maybe. 

Or no. 

Or never. 

Madeline was hesitating, of course. 

Nervous it would go awry and would lead to her being either friend-zoned by Xavier, or rejected, or downright ignored, Madeline chose not to do anything about it. 

'Just keep talking, don't bring up anything about romance, or love, or feelings, or anything like it,' Madeline told herself, determined not to mess up and fess up to her... 

The sun was beginning to rise now.

Pointing towards the sun, Madeline said to Xavier, "Look, the sunrise."

"How beautiful," she commented, not noticing how Xavier was looking at her and not the rising sun. 

"Yes," he said absentmindedly. 

That little moment had gone unnoticed by Briar and Indiana.

By then, Indiana had been teasing Briar about well, Adrian. 

Indiana was insistent that there was something between her and Adrian. 

"I wonder if Adrian misses you already," Indiana said to Briar. 

Briar dismissed it, waving her hand, "Of course not, we've been gone for a couple of minutes, tops. Why would he miss me? He's probably super busy since he was put in charge."

"Hmm, maybe. But that doesn't mean there's no room for him to miss you," Indiana reasoned, wiggling her eyebrows. 

A rustle was heard from the bushes. Everyone turned completely silent and turned to the bushes. 

It was like something out of a movie.

'It came from the bushes,' Xavier thought, paying close attention. 

After a couple of moments of silence passed by and nothing happened, the group continued on with what they were doing, although they paid more attention to their surroundings, Xavier especially. 

He searched for anything that might possibly be in their way, or hiding. Or watching them. 

Xavier didn't feel like someone was watching them, but there was something that told him something was up. A gut feeling that was telling him something was very wrong.

Xavier turned his head, glimpsing at Madeline. Had she noticed anything?

Xavier didn't bring it up, keeping it to himself since he didn't want Madeline to panic. What if it was a false alarm?

He reasoned, 'But what if it isn't?'