CHAPTER 36: 36

"Tommy!" I called walking into the house but it was unusually quiet. I made my way to the kitchen dropping the groceries I got from the supermarket before going back to find Tommy.I stood before his room door knocking endlessly but still got no response worrying me

"Why are you knocking on my door?" I jolted hearing Tommy’s voice from behind me and hit him on his chest trying to gain my composure "did you have to sneak up on me like that" I rolled my eyes just to find him shrugged,not wanting to prolong the issue I pulled him towards the kitchen showing him the groceries I bought

"Don’t tell me you’re planning on making breakfast?" Was his comment and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh seeing his stern look.

Was my cooking that bad? I tried to judge myself seeing his

"I won’t cook, I’ll just make toast instead" I sighed watching him nod as he strolled back to his room to freshen up.

With a deep breath, I rushed into my room, the adrenaline from the night still coursing through me. The dim glow of my bedside lamp revealed the chaos of my space, a reflection of my scattered thoughts. As I shed the attire I wore at Nix’s place, each garment seemed to carry with it a memory of the evening’s excitement. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the familiar comfort of my baggy joggers and a soft, white cropped top, the fabric cool against my skin.

With practiced ease, I gathered my hair into my favorite hairstyle: a messy bun, strands escaping in playful rebellion. But as I twisted and pinned, my movements faltered, a sudden sensation arresting my attention. It was subtle at first, a whisper of discomfort at the base of my skull, like the gentle warning of an approaching storm.

Ignoring the unease, I focused on the task at hand, willing my hands to cooperate. Yet, with each tug and twist, the sensation grew, morphing from a whisper to a clamor that echoed through my mind. It was as if my body had become a vessel for an unseen force, a conduit for something beyond my comprehension.

And then it happened. A sharp pang, like lightning striking at the core of my being, sent me staggering backward, my hands flying to the source of the pain. My fingers came away slick with blood, the crimson evidence of a node bleed staining my skin.

Fear and disbelief collided within me, the reality of what was happening sinking in with a chilling clarity. I had heard of nose bleeds before, whispered rumors from the people around me, but never had I experienced one firsthand. Yet here I stood, confronted with the undeniable truth of my own vulnerability.

"Ah!" I screamed trembling as I sank to the edge of my bed, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of this new reality.

As Tommy rushed to my side, his concern palpable, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of gratitude for his swift action. His hands moved with practiced efficiency, snatching up a box of tissues to staunch the flow of blood from my nose. But before I could fully process his assistance, he bolted from the room, leaving me alone with my bewilderment.

Then, like a reassuring beacon in the chaos, Nix’s voice cut through the haze of my confusion. "Beloved," he called softly, his presence a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. With tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I looked up at him, half-expecting to find the grim specter of death looming over me.

Instead, Nix moved with a calm assurance, deftly taking the ice pack from Tommy’s abandoned grasp and applying it to the bridge of my nose. His touch was gentle, his movements practiced, as he wiped away the remaining traces of blood from my face. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was an intimacy to his actions that sent a flutter through my chest.

"Am I dying?" I whispered, the fear evident in my trembling voice as tears streaked down my cheeks. Nix’s response was a tender shake of his head, his fingers brushing away the tears with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

"The doctor mentioned potential side effects from the drugs you were injected with," he explained softly, his voice a soothing melody in the midst of my turmoil. "This could be one of them. It will pass with time."

With a nod, I watched as placed an ice pack on my nose bridge, his touch grounding me in the present moment. "Go change your clothes," he instructed gently, handing me a fresh box of tissues before stepping out of the room.

I followed his directive without question, the adrenaline of the moment still coursing through my veins. In the sanctuary of my closet, I shed my blood-stained clothes with a sense of relief, slipping into an oversized t-shirt with a sigh of gratitude for its comforting embrace.

Returning to the sitting room, I couldn’t help but notice the tension that hung in the air between Nix and Tommy, like a taut wire on the verge of snapping. "Do you two know each other?" I ventured, my voice barely a whisper as I sought to unravel the mystery of their connection.

Tommy’s response was hesitant, and awkward, leaving me with more questions than answers. But before I could delve deeper, Nix interjected with a simple declaration that sent shockwaves through me.

"I’m her boyfriend," Nix stated matter-of-factly, his gaze never wavering from mine as he claimed me as his own. The words hung heavy in the air, a revelation that left me reeling.

But as I turned to explain to Tommy, to untangle the web of secrets and half-truths that had brought us to this moment, I found myself alone once more. Tommy had vanished without a trace, leaving me to grapple with the dizzying whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.

What the hell had just happened here? The question echoed in my mind, a tantalizing enigma that begged for answers I feared I may never find. With a deep sigh, I made my way towards the kitchen to make myself a toast,

As I stood at the kitchen counter, the aroma of freshly toasted bread filling the air, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the pit of my stomach.

My hands moved mechanically, spreading a generous layer of creamy butter on the warm, golden slices, but my mind was elsewhere, preoccupied.

Just as I reached for the jar of strawberry jam, a sudden warmth enveloped me from behind, causing my heart to leap in my chest. I froze, the jar slipping from my fingers as I felt Nix’s presence behind me, his body pressing against mine in an intimate embrace. His touch was electric, sending shivers down my spine as he buried his face in the curve of my neck, his breath sending tingles cascading down my skin.

For a moment, I melted into his embrace, the world falling away as I savored the intoxicating closeness between us. But as quickly as it had come, a wall of resistance surged within me, the weight of my unanswered question pressing down on me like a leaden cloak.

With a determined breath, I squared my shoulders, pushing back against the allure of Nix’s touch even as my heart yearned for more. "Nix," I began, my voice trembling with a mixture of longing and apprehension, "we need to talk."

As I turned to face him, my eyes met his, searching for the truth I so desperately sought.

But instead of giving me a direct response, he surprised me by guiding me to sit on the counter before retrieving the leg chain I had left at his place. With gentle movements, he bent down to help me fasten it back around my ankle.

As he worked, his touch was tender, each movement filled with a silent intimacy that left my heart racing. My pulse quickened as he finally stood up, his eyes locking with mine in a silent exchange of unspoken emotions.

"You asked if I had feelings for you," he began, his voice soft yet filled with sincerity. "Ever since the death of my parents, I’ve closed myself off from emotions and attachments. But being with you has shown me a different side of the world, a side filled with possibility and warmth. Trust me when I say that I’ve never felt this way for anyone else."

His words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning and unspoken longing. I felt a flutter in my chest as he took my hand, placing it gently against his chest, allowing me to feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

But before I could respond, he shifted his focus, his gaze piercing mine with unwavering intensity. "I understand where you stand," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggled to maintain my composure. "But the world may not see it the same way, especially considering your betrothal."

I crossed my arms defensively, avoiding his gaze as I grappled with my own conflicting emotions. Yet, he refused to let me retreat into the safety of my own thoughts, gently turning my face to meet his gaze once more.

A hint of amusement danced in his eyes as he spoke, teasing me with his words. "Have you been digging up on me?" he asked, his tone playful yet tinged with curiosity.

I bristled at the implication, but before I could respond, he silenced me with a tender gesture, cupping my face in his palm. "Are you jealous?" he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.

I scoffed at the suggestion, but deep down, I knew there was truth in his words. "Jealous?" I echoed, my voice laced with uncertainty.

He nodded knowingly, his gaze never wavering from mine. "You know she’s from a wealthy family," he began, but I cut him off, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Mr. Dean, aside from her family’s wealth, what does she have to offer?" I retorted, my tone dripping with disdain. "Beauty? Brains? She has none of it. And despite my own humble origins, I assure you, I am far more capable than she could ever hope to be."

Before I could continue, my words were silenced by his lips, soft yet insistent against mine. I melted into his embrace, the heat of his touch igniting a fire within me that I couldn’t ignore.

As we kissed, the world fell away, leaving only the sensation of his lips against mine, the heat of his body pressed close to mine. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as the desire between us flared to life.

When he finally pulled away, a smile played at the corners of his lips, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And that’s more reason I want you instead of her," he whispered against my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine.

Without giving me a chance to regain my composure, he pressed his lips to my neck, gently at first, but then with increasing intensity, sending me into a brief trance. His lips traced a line along my neck while his hand explored my legs, pulling at my underwear before tearing it off. His fingers traced down to my clitoris, eliciting a gasp from me, before delving deeper, exploring my every reaction.

With one final kiss on my lips, he helped me remove my t-shirt, leaving my hardened nipples exposed to the morning breeze. Without waiting for my response, he continued to kiss down my stomach, pausing at my core, locking eyes with me before diving in with a smirk, his tongue teasing against my most sensitive spot, rendering me speechless.

I tried to stifle my sounds, but soon found it impossible as I threw my head back, feeling his lips against my innermost being. "Nix," I moaned, biting my lower lip, running my hands through his hair. But his next move sent me spiraling into ecstasy, his teeth grazing against my most sensitive area.

As I felt my muscles tense and my toes curl, waves of emotion washed over me, and soon I released, panting deeply. But Nix was far from finished, his lips lingering between my legs,as he continued to lap up every drop of my essence.

Standing up, he brought his lips close to mine, pouring my essence into my mouth with a victorious smirk.

"You taste like chocolate," he winked, causing a flush to spread across my face.