Chapter 3


Lina. What an impressing person she is. How can one possibly describe someone like her? Fire hair and will. Innocent and yet pure evil. How can someone be like that?

A person with presence. A person of power. Just what I wanted to be when I was young. but..

I've been.. dating her for a couple of weeks now. You see, my friend Val - how shall I say this? - let me see the light and 'forced' me to date her.

Now I'm attached to her, I think. But that isn't such a terrible thing, is it? I mean, it is not perfectly normal for a guy to love a girl, right?

Of course then there is Zelgadis. The man who thinks I'm Satan in body. Jealous though he is, I am worried that he might find out about my little 'game'. That would be bad, very bad.

But how would he know? How could he? Sometimes I wonder... Even though..

One should know when to end the game, ne?

Right?


"Xellos!" Lina waved furiously. "Over here!" She smiled when he noticed her.

Xellos unconsciously straightened his cloths. "So... How are you today, Lina-chan?"

Lina blushed. "Great, great. You?"

Xellos smiled. "Wonderful now that I've found you. Almost thought you might not come," he said while tucking her hand under his arm. "So, are you ready for tonight? I heard this is a great concert."

Lina nodded. "This is Yanni's first recording in about three years! I'm so excited! How'd you manage to get the tickets?"

Xellos shook his head. "Tsk, tsk, Lina-chan. You mustn't except a magician to give away his secrets, would you?"

Lina gave Xellos a look then tugged at his arm. "Let's go then!"


Lina glowed. It was SO cool, she thought as she side glanced Xellos. He seemed just as happy. It felt great to be able to attend the concert... even though Zelgadis couldn't join them..

Oh pop on Zel! Sometimes he is such a whiner.. Lina sighed and shook her head. Although he would've liked it...

"Is their anything wrong, Lina-chan?" Xellos broke her train of thoughts.

Lina laughed suddenly. "No.. Nothing at all... Just silly thoughts."

Xellos side-glanced her and sighed. "Shall we go then?" He smiled as he guided her into his car.

Lina smiled at him when he climbing in the other side. "I'm famished. We're we going?"

"I know this great restaurant. The lamb is to die for," he said with a wink.

A sudden chill came over Lina. What's wrong with me?

Xellos, noticing the change, asked "what's wrong?"

"I.. I don't know. I think I have a headache.. Can you possibly just take me home?" Lina touched her forehead.

A shadow crept over Xellos's face. "I have a better idea."

"Xel.. Xellos?"

"Yes, Lina-chan?"

Lina sighed. "Nothing.."

Xellos drove silently to their destination.


Xellos pulled up the driveway and turned off the engine. "We're here, Lina-chan."

"Yeah... sure.." Lina mumbled as she tried to curl up against the leather seat.

Xellos closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Here goes," he muttered.

"Upsee daisy, Lina-chan!" he exclaimed as he pulled her off the seat.

"I'm sure you'll love my bed room," he matter-a-factly told the sleeping Lina. "Mom had it an interior designer design the place for me. My whole house, in fact."

Lina mumbled something in her sleep and tried to dig a soft place against his chest.

Xellos laughed softly "Greedy, aren't we tonight?" he asked as he pulled the sleeping girl from his person and set her gently on his bed.

Xellos frowned. This all seemed so childish to him. Why am I doing this again?

For my name, Xellos reminded himself.

For myself.

They don't call me a trickster for nothing.. Besides.. this gushing girl doesn't mean anything to me..

Really...

He looked down at her peaceful face and his resolve failed.

He could see himself in her face. Myself.. my future.. maybe even..

Xellos hardened. This is stupid.. I shouldn't have even agree to do this.. Even I'm not this cruel. Even if...

Even if..

Even if she doesn't want me, I can't do this. It's against my nature.

He took on last look at Lina before leaving the room in a rush. I need some air.


"Ahh.. there you are, Xellos." Val waved his hello. "How'd it go?"

Xellos looked at him squarely. "We need to talk."

Val raised an eyebrow but remained silent.


Lina woke suddenly. Where am I?

The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in the car. Maybe..

She gingerly got up and started to look around.


"I'm out. I've decided that this isn't right and I'm not childish enough to carry it through."

Val stood planted in his place. He knew, after watching the two together, that it would come down to this.

"So what do you have to say?"


Lina left the room and followed the sound of angry voices.

What she found was Xellos and Val talking angrily on the balcony. Rather, Xellos talking angrily. Which surprised her. She had never thought she'd see the day where Xellos would loose his temper.

Being as such, she remained in the shadows to find out what was happening.


Val sighed. "So, after all this time, you're pulling out?"

Xellos nodded.

"Why?"


Pulling out? Of what?

Lina realize remotely that it wasn't a good thing to spy but she couldn't help herself.


"It isn't right, Val. To play a girl for money is just not right."

Val grunted. "What made you change your mind?"

"Even though... even though I have no.. physical reaction to Lina, she still is a person and she deserves to be treated fair!" Xellos gritted out.


Lina inhaled sharply. There talking about me! ME!

Xellos..

He..

I..

He's just been playing a... game...

Lina's eyes filled with an onslaught of tears.

"Oh my Goddess.. No... NO!" Lina nearly screamed, startling the men.

Xellos and Val gasped.

"Lina-chan!" Xellos nearly cried as he took a step towards her.

"NO! Don't you dare come closer!" Lina cried as she wiped the tears away. "I can't believe I believed you!"

"Lina, you don't understand," Val started but was cut off by Lina.

"What's not to understand? He," she emphasized as much hate and disgust into the word as possible, "played me. And I was too stupid to see it."

Xellos stiffened.

"Well, my fault, ne? I shall take my leave now."

Xellos stared blankly as her as he took in all at just occurred.

"At least let us take you home..." Vall called out to her back

Lina whorled around. "I'll call a cab." And with that she stacked out.


Chapter 4   |   Fanfiction