Chapter Ten: The Cure or The Curse

Alexander’s doctor, Dr. Hensley, had spent years trying to understand and cure Alexander’s gynophobia, but despite his best efforts, nothing seemed to work. Until now. News of Alexander’s recent relapse, followed by a miraculous recovery without his usual medication, intrigued Dr. Hensley. He couldn’t shake the curiosity that had been gnawing at him since he heard about it. How could Alexander’s condition improve so suddenly? Was it a fluke? Or was there something more? Driven by his relentless pursuit of answers, Dr. Hensley decided to meet with Alexander.

"Alexander, I'd like you to bring Aria in for a blood test," Dr. Hensley suggested during their call. "I think her presence might have something to do with your recovery, and I want to run a few tests to confirm."

Alexander was hesitant. He didn't want to put Aria through any unnecessary medical procedures, but Dr. Hensley assured him it would be quick and harmless, just a simple blood sample. After mulling it over, Alexander reluctantly agreed. He didn’t like the idea of Aria being involved in his personal struggles, but he, too, was curious as to why she had such a calming effect on him during his episodes.

Aria, on the other hand, was intrigued by the possibility. She wanted to understand why she seemed to have this strange influence on Alexander. "If it can help you, Alexander, I'm willing to do it," she said when Alexander told her about the test.

A few days later, they arrived at the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, Jessica had already caught wind of their visit. Fueled by jealousy, she bribed one of the nurses to spy on them. "I want to know everything," Jessica had told the nurse. "Make sure you find out why they're there."

In the hospital, Aria calmly gave her blood sample, though there was a sense of unease between her and Alexander. He was clearly troubled by something, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that the test results would lead to something bigger than either of them expected.

Dr. Hensley later called Alexander into his office. With a curious look, the doctor handed him a file with the results of the blood test. “You’re not going to believe this,” Dr. Hensley began, flipping through the pages. “Aria’s blood contains unique hormones that appear to have a calming effect when you inhale her scent. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

Alexander furrowed his brow. “What are you saying, doctor?”

“I’m saying that there’s something in her biology, her blood, that helps alleviate your condition. It’s no coincidence that you calm down in her presence. This is groundbreaking, Alexander. But to understand it better and potentially create a permanent cure, I’ll need more of her blood. A lot more.”

Alexander’s face hardened. “Absolutely not.” His voice was sharp, commanding. “Aria is not some lab rat. You’re not going to use her for your experiments.”

Dr. Hensley raised his hands in a placating gesture. “I understand your concerns, but this could be the key to curing your gynophobia permanently. You have no idea how rare and important this is. Think of how your life could change.”

“I said no!” Alexander snapped, standing up from his chair. “She’s a human being, not your science project. Drop it.”

Realizing he couldn’t push Alexander any further at that moment, Dr. Hensley nodded reluctantly. “Alright, Alexander. We’ll leave it at that.”

But as Alexander stormed out of the office, Dr. Hensley’s mind was already racing. He wasn’t about to let this discovery slip through his fingers. “This could skyrocket my career”, he thought to himself. The possibilities were endless. However, he needed more of Aria’s blood to continue the research, and Alexander wasn’t willing to cooperate. "How can I get it?" he pondered. A sinister gleam appeared in his eyes as he devised a plan to continue the experiments without Alexander’s approval.

Meanwhile, outside the office, Alexander’s frustration was palpable. He quickly found Aria, who was waiting in the hallway. Seeing his troubled expression, Aria stood up and approached him.

"Is everything alright? Did the test results not go well?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Alexander shook his head. “Forget about it. It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Aria frowned, sensing there was more to it, but decided not to push further. They left the hospital together, both deep in thought.

As soon as they exited the hospital, Jessica’s phone rang. The nurse she had bribed gave her the details of the hospital visit. “They were there for a blood test,” the nurse informed her. “Apparently, Aria’s blood has some kind of effect on Alexander’s condition.”

Jessica clenched her fist around her phone, her nails digging into her palm. “Aria is a potential cure for Alexander’s illness”, she thought, fury bubbling inside her. No wonder she could stay so comfortably by his side while everyone else triggered his episodes. Jessica had spent years vying for Alexander’s attention, but no matter how hard she tried, his condition always stood in the way.

"Aria," she whispered venomously to herself. "She won’t take him from me. I won’t let her." Jessica’s mind raced with schemes to ensure that Aria and Alexander could never truly be together. She had come too far to let this slip through her fingers now. “If Aria is the cure”, she thought darkly, “then I’ll make sure to remove her from the equation once and for all.”

Back at the Sinclair mansion, Alexander and Aria returned in silence, the weight of the day’s events still hanging between them. Alexander kept thinking about what the doctor said—about Aria’s blood and the possibility of a cure. “Could it really be linked to his childhood? The memory he couldn’t quite grasp?” The thought gnawed at him as he glanced at Aria, wondering if there was more to their connection than either of them knew.

Little did they realize, the storm brewing around them would soon test their growing bond in ways they could never anticipate.