THE MAN

Many forgot Gregory was just a man.

An exceptional one in some people's eyes, but he was human in every aspect, though Xenia often associated him with electrical appliances sometimes.

For Gregory believing he tormented the woman he loved made the man miserable.

Gregory had no clue about what Xenia went through; he could only imagine. When he saw how happy Xenia was with Sia, the man assumed she had no children's problems.

If they spoke of many subjects, Xenia kept this to herself. All this time, she bottled up her fear in a perfect facade.

Gregory regretted his words. How could he doubt the feelings Xenia had for him?

Even though he was unaware of the situation at the time, he knew now his request came off exigent. Gregory didn't lend an ear to his weeping rose.

Give her time, Ann-Catherin said. A month after the dispute, Gregory wondered if Xenia would come back on her own.

The employees seemed bored in the empty mansion, which returned to its phantasmatic stance. One could only hear steps and closing doors here and there. The lack of music was oppressing, but Gregory could not support playing the songs on the Spotify account Xenia shared with him. All the playlists reminded the man of her, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, Sam Smith, Whitney, and many more all songs bared her name.

A weekend with his nephews and nieces temporarily animated the house. The man watched amused the maids that ran after the naughty children.

"So still no news," Grace asked.

"No," Gregory answered.

His wry eyes and sorrowful expression were things his sister rarely saw on her brother.

Grace felt sorry for her Gregory, who she thought found happiness with Xenia, "you look pale."

"I do?" Gregory touched his cheeks; he hadn't slept well since he came back from Paris. The man tossed and turned in his bed as he replayed every scene before and during their dispute, searching for details that would help him understand.

Gregory wasn't a spontaneous man, but he was thoughtful. His ability to assess usually allowed him to see things and anticipate. Here he hated the fact of having missed Xenia's point. The man recognized his approach was too abrupt, if only they discussed the subject before.

Grace observed Gregory while he pondered before breaking the silence, "you've changed, Gregory."

"Have I?"

Grace smiled, "you've softened. You openly show you care."

"Is it bad?"

"No, I've always been afraid you'd stay clogged up. Dad was so strict with you; you loathed him so much. Our family model was so biased that I wondered if you could ever open your heart to someone."

"I didn't know I could. Xenia made it possible."

It wasn't intentional Gregory gave as much as he received. And Xenia gave her all. She opened her house, her heart, and gave him a glimpse of how to be a father with Sia. Both mother and child heated the cold and windy cove, which was his heart. Xenia made Gregory believe in a love that the man thought could not happen to the rational being he was.

"I want her back, Grace."

"Give her time, Gregory."

Time, how much did Xenia need?

It exhausted the man to hear everyone telling him to let Xenia be when he missed her.

Gregory was willing to provide as much time Xenia desired as long as she returned to his side.

XY XX

Andrew, Mark, and Gregory were three different men who marked Xenia's coming of age and womanhood in so many ways.

Andrew was her first; his love was pure and innocent even years later. The man was the perfect Prince, balanced and kind, but Xenia knew her temperament would finish by burning all they had as she suppressed a part of her nature. Xenia did not lie to Andrew; the woman hid what some would consider her ugly side. For Andrew, she desired to be sweet and innocent just as he was, and it would have never worked; with time, everything would have collapsed, the man would have seen through her.

Mark was the impostor, the sweet talker who taught Xenia that wolves not only wore sheep's clothing, but they also knew how to wear the Armani suit of the Prince. Xenia only understood too late that everyone had someone tailored for them and that Mark was never destined to be hers. Like a glove, Mark could only fit a woman like him, one who knew him better than himself, a woman who the man could never look down on as she would wash him up by pointing out his defaults.

Gregory, Gregory, Gregory, the man played on Xenia's mind like Frank Ocean's Thinkin Bout You. He was unexpected and undesired. Gregory strutted into Xenia's life when she was a shadow of a woman. He erased everything by teaching her how to live, forgive, and love again. His status made him socially flawless, but he was like all men, spoilt, jealous, and clumsy for the rest. Still, unlike many, Gregory knew how to listen. The man continuously assessed his imperfections, aspiring to become a better man.

Gregory and Xenia were Yin and Yang. They fought; their relationship was no holds barred where both were a hundred percent themselves. Gregory showed the bratty side of the man who always obtained his desires, and Xenia's mouth put him back in his place. When Xenia had her firey outbursts and hid, Gregory's reassuring embrace put out the flames without holding any grudges. Fast-paced and reactive, their story was a never-ending tennis match. Not all relationships are subtle; theirs was passionate in every way; it didn't mean their love was wrong. Gregory taught Xenia that.

Xenia was the queen of wrong decisions who thought Gregory wasn't the right man at first, but now she knew it was him. She ran to catch a plane because she knew better than anyone else Gregory was the one. The infamous man that everyone awaits, like the lottery numbers on the TV screen. Even a few years after their Astoria arc, the fact remained the hard-knock reality. The woman wondered what she had done to deserve such a blessing.

Xenia missed Gregory. Would it be wrong to go to him?

The man retrieved her so many times when she ran away.

Come on, Xenia, you're not a kid; you've got this.

He's angry; what if he pushes me away? No, Xenia, you must do this.

Xenia continued her mental pep talk until the plane landed. No matter what Gregory's reaction could be, Xenia had to see the man and tell him everything if she wanted to save their relationship.

XY XX

The ringing doorbell surprised Gregory, who got ready for another round of toss and turns as he began to tuck himself in bed.

The clock on the wall stroke midnight; who could it be at such a late hour?

Richard, his butler, knocked on his bedroom door, "Sir, it's Mrs. Xenia."

Gregory jumped out of his bed, grabbed his glasses on the nightstand went down the winding marble stairs of his mansion so fast he almost tripped on the last steps.

Xenia stood there in the entrance hall like a lost child with her striped silk pajama bottoms poking out from her trench coat. She must have taken a flight on the whim', what a sight thought Gregory from behind his rims.

Xenia's facial traits were hollow. Of course, she had no make-up, and the dark spots under her eyes attested to her sleepless nights. Guilt overwhelmed Gregory; he did this to her.

"Gregory I-."

In three steps, Gregory grabbed Xenia, pulled her in a suffocating embrace.