Claws of Operation Eclipse (C.O.E)

Xander had been a complete mess over the past three days, agonizing over how to confess his biggest failure to Hugo. He had finally mustered courage and decided to tell him tomorrow—Saturday. But fate had other plans. Hugo unexpectedly announced he was visiting today.

How am I going to tell him? Xander kept thinking, pacing his office nervously, his hands trembling slightly. Every scenario played in his mind, each one worse than the last.

Meanwhile, Ariana locked herself in her room, replaying Xander's words from the night she comforted him. "Sometimes there's more behind what we show on the surface." The words echoed in her heart like a haunting melody.

He is definitely broken inside, she thought, staring blankly at the wall, her fingers tracing the edge of her pillow absentmindedly.

"Mr. Smith, Mr. Hugo is here," Lee announced as he entered Xander's office. Xander sighed slowly, feeling the weight of the inevitable pressing down on his chest. "Get Ariana" he said, his voice steady but distant, before leaving the room. Each step down the grand staircase of his home felt like an eternity. The moment of truth was mere seconds away, and his heart pounded with dread.

"Miss Ariana, you're required downstairs," Lee informed through the closed door. Ariana hesitated, swallowing hard, but her legs carried her forward as if on auto-pilot.

"Ah, hello, Xander! How've you been?" Hugo greeted cheerfully, his warm smile genuine. But Xander remained indifferent, his eyes distant. Ariana arrived moments later, feeling the tension in the air like a thick fog.

"Sit down, you two," Hugo said quietly, gesturing to both of them.

Hugo let out a long sigh, then looked at them with a gentle, understanding smile. "You know, failure isn't the end," he began. "Failure grants power; it serves as fuel. It is the stepping stone to real success. Without failure, success is just an empty achievement."

Ariana, who had been lost in thought, felt something stir inside her. Xander, on the other hand, remained frozen, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he stood up and left.

Hugo watched him disappear before sighing and shaking his head sadly. Turning to Ariana, he said softly, "Do you want to hear something?"

She nodded curiously, her heart pounding.

"Xander isn't what he appears to be. He stopped growing emotionally a long time ago. I can't tell you the details, but know this—he isn't one to feel comfortable around others. Yet, with you, I see him more at ease."

Ariana's mind swirled with questions, her chest tightening with the weight of concern for him.

"I know you're wondering what happened to him," Hugo continued, "but that story isn't mine to tell. However, I need a favor from you."

"What do you mean, sir?" she asked, confused and a little scared.

"Never betray his trust."

At the Yakima mansion, Yuna lay on her back, tears streaming down her face. The room reeked of salty tears and bottled-up emotions, each sob weighing heavier on her chest.

"Yuna, are you there?" Sailin, the other twin Prowler, entered cautiously. She buried her face in her pillow, unwilling to show her vulnerability.

He climbed onto her bed gently. "You know, crying doesn't mean you're weak. Sometimes, being able to cry signifies how strong you are."

Yuna turned slightly, surprised; wise words were unexpected from him, let alone from a cat.

"I've felt what it's like to be overlooked and overshadowed," he continued softly. "I used to cry too. But I realized that you can't make everyone like you or validate you. Life isn't fair, so don't just look at the ball from one side. Change your perspective, and you might see a different way forward."

After his words, he hopped down and strode to the door. "Oh, and don't ever change yourself just for others to validate you. Do what makes you happy." With that, he left.

Yuna wiped her tears, her heart swelling with a newfound determination. I won't do this again. I'll make things right.

Back at Xander's home, Ariana was still thinking about Hugo's words and decided to check on Xander. Slowly, she pushed his bedroom door open and stepped inside.

"Xander?" she called softly, her voice trembling as she stepped into the dark room.

"Ahhh!" she screamed as she tripped over a bottle and fell onto something warm and solid.

A low hum made her realize she had landed on Xander. She quickly sat up, unintentionally straddling him on the bed. The strong, irritable smell of alcohol filled the room, making her nose sting.

"Xander, are you drunk?" she whispered, but there was no reply.

Suddenly, she heard muffled sobs. Reaching for his face, she felt the dampness of tears streaming down.

"I failed... I failed again," he sobbed, his voice breaking. "Now many lives are at stake because of my mistake."

Ariana felt a lump rise in her throat. "Xander, listen to me," she said gently, cupping his face. "I don't know your past pains, but I can see your future. You need to find peace with yourself before you lose yourself. Yes, what happened must have been devastating, but you have to learn to let go. It won't be easy; I still remember my dead mom and lost dad, and those who died. Do you think I wanted to let go? No. But I had to because the past is the past, and no tears can change it."

Xander had stopped sobbing, now listening in silence, his breathing ragged.

"When it happened, I wanted to give up too," Ariana continued, tears brimming in her eyes. "But I didn't. Because when I look at the situation from another angle, I see hope. I lost my true family, but I have another one with you, Mr. Hugo, Gru, Darwin, Wince, and Chloe."

"You need to let go of what was and focus on what is and what will be. That's what truly matters in the long run."

By the time she finished, tears were rolling freely. Xander, still clouded by alcohol, suddenly grabbed her and tumbled them over until he was on top of her. In the blink of an eye, he kissed her.

What the hell?! her mind buzzed in shock.

After a few seconds, he pulled away. Though she couldn't see his face clearly, she knew he had stopped crying. He laid beside her, holding her tightly, and soon, sleep overtook him.

Ariana lay there, heart pounding, eyes wide in the dark, unsure of what to do next.