6 months later...
Six months have passed for Zelgadiss and Xelloss. Everything was going good for them. They were each doing well in their classes. Their job with Beo was also good. They got good pay. In about another year or so, they will have enough money to get their own apartments. The Gabrieves treated them both well. Filia, Xelloss, and Zelgadiss were all inseperable. They would each hang out on weekends and have lots of fun. Gourry and Valgaav were just doing their little gangster duties, but nothing serious. Things were just perfect for all of them. To Zelgadiss it would be more perfect if Filia liked him back. Now Zel was going to do something about it.
Zelgadiss paced endlessly in his shared room. Man. I gotta be forward. I read about how women like straightforward men. Is Filia like those women? Man I got to do something...but what? Hm...should I go buy a bouquet of flowers and present it to her at where she's working right now?? Hey. That's not a bad idea. Might as well just do it! I really like her, so if she rejects me, then it's not a real big loss right? But I don't want to be rejected. But it doesn't hurt to try too...
Zel grabbed his jacket out of the closet and stepped outside. He saw Mrs. Gabrieve outside sweeping the front area. She looked up and noticed him putting on his shoes. "Oh hello dear. Going to go somewhere?"
Zel nodded. She nodded back and said, "Ok. You have work later right?"
"Yes. Today is Saturday and I start at about 1 and finish about 6. I'll be back about 6:30 with Xelloss. By the way, do you know where he is?"
"Eh?" She tapped her chin. "I believe him and Filia left together. I think he walked her to her work."
Zel blinked. "Okay. Thank you. See you later."
Zelgadiss stepped inside the flower shop. Strong, sweet fragrance of flowers made him dizzy. He walked up to the counter and saw a stony-faced middle age lady. "Hello. I would like a full bouquet. Please make it look nice and pretty."
The stoned-face lady stared at him for a minute and then got up and started to get the flowers and other stuff needed to make a bouquet.
Moments later, Zelgadiss walked out of the shop holding a huge bouquet. There were different color roses, tulips, lilacs, daisies, and other flowers that even Zel couldn't name all. How he managed to carry that big bouquet mystified a lot of the passersby. Zel then reached the outside of the café Filia worked at. He took a deep breath. Well ready or not, there's no turning back!
Zel pushed open the door and walked in. He glanced over at the counter, which was where Filia was most of the time. At that moment, Filia wasn't there. The whole entire café was empty. Zelgadiss felt a shiver going down his back. Why does the atmosphere almost feel so apprehensive all of the sudden. Zel walked toward the back area, where workers rested when they were tired. Just by looking at the door that lead to it, looked vacant. Zel sighed. Maybe she left early today?
Zel turned around and was about leave, when he heard noises through the closed door that lead to the back. Eh...? Maybe someone is in there after all... Zel spun on his heel and opened the door...and he gasped.
There in his sight, he saw Xelloss and Filia making out. They weren't fooling around or anything. They were going at it for real. Zel froze on the spot and stared numbly at them. Filia and Xelloss stopped when they heard him gasp. They jumped away from each other quickly, all embarrassed. Zelgadiss still in shock dropped the huge bouquet.
"...Why?" Zel asked dumbly. "Why?"
"Don't be upset man, I can explain..." Xelloss tried to go near his best friend, but Zel backed away.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Zel leaned against the doorframe for support. No...this has got to be a nightmare. My best friend wouldn't do something like this. This is just a huge nightmare. Zel shook his head in confusion and try to focus himself again.
Zel than realized then that it wasn't a nightmare. It was reality. His best friend betrayed him. Zel turned around quickly and ran out of the café as fast as he could. As he ran, he heard Xelloss shout his name out loud.
Xelloss slumped down in a chair. "Man, now I blew it. I should have explain to him sooner."
Filia joined him in the chair. "It was both of our faults. We should have told him way sooner. But we were worried that we'd hurt him, but unfortunately I think this hurt him more."
Xelloss sighed. "How we kept this as a secret for 6 months was a miracle. But now the secret is out."
"Want to talk to him or should I?"
"I think we should talk to him separately. But not now, let's give him time to cool off."
Filia nodded. I'm sorry Zelgadiss...but Xel's the one I love. You are only like another brother to me. We weren't meant to be. I'm sorry...
Beo walked around the construction area. He smiled to himself, for his workers were all working very hard and well. He liked one and every worker. He each treated them like they were either his sons, or good friends. The only person he was skeptical about was Xelloss. Among all the workers, his favorite happened to be Zelgadiss. That boy has this thing about him. He is the kindest guy on earth I know of. Xelloss on the other hand...he's nice and all, but...he just makes me uneasy. Beo sighed to himself and walked some more. He stopped suddenly as he saw a huge bouquet of flowers in the garbage can. Eh...? Strange...
He just shrugged it off and walked around some more, praising his workers. Eh? Where's that boy Xelloss? He's supposed to be working. I see Zelgadiss over there...and he doesn't look happy. Maybe he knows why Xelloss didn't show up today. He walked up to Zelgadiss and was in time to see him throw a huge piece of wood onto the pile of other woods very very loudly. Beo had to actually rub his poor ears, before going up to Zel.
"Zelgadiss any idea where Xelloss is?" Beo asked.
Zelgadiss gave him a scowl. "He could be in hell for all I care!"
Beo stepped back, surprised. Hmm...looks like something happened between them. "Zelgadiss. You've working hard. Why don't you come by my office 30 minutes later."
Zelgadiss looked up and gave him a weary look. "Okay Boss. I'll be there."
Beo rolled his eyes. "Just call me Beo will you? How many times do I have to tell you to remember that?"
Zel let out a small smile. "Okay Beo."
Beo nodded, and patted him on his back. "I'll be waiting with some nice coffee." With that Beo walked away.
Zelgadiss walked up the stairs that led to Beo's office. He reached the door, and knocked on it. He heard, "Come in." Zel sighed and opened the door. Beo already had two cups of coffee ready. He motioned Zel to take a seat in the easy chair. Zel walked up to the chair and sat in it. He looked down at his coffee.
"So what's bothering you?" Beo sipped his coffee and leaned back in his chair.
"Nothing sir."
"Now, now. I know when something is bothering someone. You better not lie to me. Talking about it sometimes help."
"I feel betrayed..." Zel trailed off.
"Betrayed?" Beo raised an eyebrow. "Did Xelloss do something to you?"
"Well..." Zel sighed and told Beo everything as what had happened earlier in the day.
Beo leaned over, with his elbow on his knees and thought for a minute. "I see. So that's what happened." Cunning little Xelloss. That boy sure has some trouble.
"I just feel hurt." Zel buried his face in his hands. "Why would my best friend do this?"
"Why don't you talk to him."
"How can I face him after this?"
"Have you ever thought that he was meaning to tell you this, but he couldn't find the right time to tell you?"
Zel nodded. "Yes, but still..."
"I know how you feel. I think you should at least talk to both of them."
Zel blinked, knowing that Beo was right. "I guess you are right."
Beo stood up. "You know Zelgadiss, anytime you need to talk, you are welcome to see me."
Zel nodded again. "Yes..."
"Well I have a suggestion. How would you like to board at my apartment? Ever since my daughter left, I've been lonely."
Zelgadiss thought for a moment. "Sure why not. I think I've boarded at the Gabrieves for long time now. Beside I don't think I would want to see Xelloss and Filia together. It just hurts."
Beo nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean. So when would you like to move in?"
"Is tomorrow okay?"
"Of course!"
"When is your daughter coming back anyways?"
"Not for a long time. Like couple more years later I believe."
"I see. Well I'll move in tomorrow."
"Okay. Now go talk to Xelloss and Filia. I think that might help more. It might hurt, but you will feel better afterward."
Zelgadiss nodded. "Thank you sir. I appreciate you listening to my problems."
"No problem Zelgadiss, no problem at all."
Xelloss and Filia came home later. They both felt really guilty about what happened. They stepped in through the gate and saw that something felt different. Especially since Zelgadiss was packing right in front of them.
"Zel? What's going on?" Filia asked with a worried expression.
"Oh. I'm moving in with Beo."
"No man! You can't just leave me!!" Xelloss exclaimed. "We're supposed to be together man!"
"Nah. I'll leave you two lovebirds together." Zelgadiss smiled a fake smile.
"You're not upset???" Xelloss asked incredulously.
"Nah. I guess Filia and I weren't meant to be. I think you and her are more perfect." Zelgadiss lied through his teeth. Yeah right. Even if my happiness is at stake, I won't let that ruin my best friend's happiness.
Xelloss felt extremely guilty. "I'm sorry Zel...I should have told you sooner..."
"Don't be," Zel said interrupting him, "You guys just kept it because you were afraid of hurting me, I can understand that."
"Zel..." Xelloss and Filia said.
"Now I already told your parents, Filia. So I'll be leaving tomorrow." Zelgadiss reached in his pocket and got out a piece of paper. "This is where Beo lives. You guys need me, feel free to come over."
Filia accepted the paper and gave him a tight hug. "Zelgadiss...thanks for understanding. You will always be one of my closest friend."
Zel gently release her hands from him. "No problem Filia. Just take care of Fruitcake here okay?"
"The namagomi?" Filia snorted. "Of course I will!"
Zelgadiss turned to Xelloss. "I'm happy for you man, do take care of her okay?"
"Of course I will."
"Well now that we are here, why don't we all go to a fancy restaurant and have dinner together? It's only 7." Filia suggested.
Both Zel and Xelloss looked at each other. "Why not?"
So the three of them left, and went to a restaurant. After they left, Gourry and Valgaav came crashing out of the small bathroom. They untangle themselves and stood up.
"So..? My sister likes Xelloss now? Those two are together now?" Gourry asked stupidly.
Valgaav nodded. "Yep. They are together now..." Zel...I know how you feel. I've lost the girl I love also. You're not the only one...you're not the only one...