"I don't think we'll be able to find my daughter. What are we going to do now?" Mary, visibly stressed, asked from her seat in Daisy's house.That day, during their conversation, Mary eventually understood that Daisy simply wanted to help her, despite some initial blame.Every parent loves their kids, but Mary could see that Daisy genuinely wanted to assist her.So, she agreed, and they both exerted their best efforts to locate Alisha.Daisy inquired with everyone and visited all the places they could think of over the past two days, but to no avail.Now, seated in Daisy's house, both Mary and Daisy struggled to brainstorm, to no avail."I don't know what to say. I've done my best, but nothing seems to be working. It seems like we won't be able to find them unless Alice himself shows up. It's hard to predict his actions," Daisy sighed, looking drained.With no sleep for the past two days, both Mary and Daisy appeared fatigued and anxious."We can't do anything. Who knows what your son
In the penthouse,Alisha sat beside Alice on the bed, her sleeping form cradled in his arms. The stress of the past two days weighed heavily on him.When she confessed she wasn't Alice that day and he offered her a massage, she fell asleep and hadn't woken since.He had briefly considered taking her to the doctor first, but quickly dismissed the idea. He didn't want Edward to find out he was there, fearing he'd tell Daisy, something Alisha wanted to avoid.He refused to let any other doctors near Alice, not trusting them. So, he waited, ensuring she stayed hydrated with some watery substances and tending to her needs while also eating to keep his energy up.But if she didn't wake today, he decided he'd take her to the hospital. Her health couldn't be compromised any further."Angel, please wake up. You're scaring me. I'm here, desperate to see you open your eyes. Please, don't do this," Alisha whispered, his voice heavy with sadness and emotion.He'd never felt this way about anyone
Alice gently laid her sweaty body on the bed, then hurried out of the room to fetch her some water.Alisha glanced around, feeling dizzy and unwell.She'd never felt this exhausted before in her life.And the worst part? She couldn't remember much of what had happened or why Alice looked so stressed when he saw her.It was as if she'd woken up after an eternity, her body feeling like it had been asleep forever.It reminded her of the time she'd passed out at Alice's office, but this felt even worse.Now, she felt like her body was falling apart and everything was a mess.Her whole body felt sticky and dry, which only made things worse.‘What's happening?’ she wondered, her mind struggling to piece things together.Ever since she'd met Alice, or rather, since he'd forced himself into her life, things had changed.He spoke to her inappropriately, touched her without permission, and now she had no recollection of what happened.It made her feel like he was casting some sort of spell on h
"Then let's go there. First, you need to bathe. If you don't mind, maybe... I can bathe you?" Alice asked, feeling uncertain about how to broach the subject.Alisha's eyes widened as she heard him ask for her permission, something he had never done before when bathing her.Now that she had agreed to go to the beach and have lunch, she hoped it would lift her spirits, as she felt like she was wasting away in this bed.But she was taken aback by his sudden politeness. She hadn't expected this from him.He was acting like a good boy, but she knew he was not innocent. He was a devil.And yet, here he was, hesitating to ask if he could bathe her. It felt awkward.But she couldn't bathe herself, her body wasn't cooperating at all.She wanted to do it herself, but looking at her current condition, she knew she couldn't manage it.So she simply nodded and said, "Okay, bathe me."Alice smiled as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bathroom.Ten minutes later, he had bathed her and
Alice doesn't want to overwhelm her with the fact that he literally has the details about her before he even gets his hands on her. From the orphanage to every detail, but that detail now seems somewhat lacking. The way Alisha experiences episodes and displays different traits, along with her few likes not mentioned in the file he acquired.He needs to confront his assistant to demonstrate how incomplete information can lead to dire consequences."You're right. I don't know a lot of things about you, but perhaps I can learn them eventually, as we spend more time together. I'll get to know you better over time," Alice says with a radiant smile.Alisha feels like she's lost in his smile. She's never seen him smile like this before, especially at the beach, where his expressions appear softer, and his smile gives him a pleasant look."That's correct. You don't know everything. I'm not even sure if I want to spend more time with you. I'm only here because I don't want Mother Mary to se
Alisha's eyes widened as she registered that he had just said he loved her.She had never had a boyfriend, but she knew what love was.It's selfless.The same kind she showed to her Mother Mary and the orphanage kids.How could he love her? He had just hurt her, and now naming it as love was something beyond what she could comprehend.Alice didn't react to her words, knowing she wasn't lying about her feelings on the topic love. He didn't know how to do it.But somehow, what he felt about her fell under love.Maybe in his own twisted way.He wouldn't argue with her about what he felt or what it should be called.That wasn't him. He could only express his feelings in one word.He couldn't explain it in the same way of love she wanted from him.“I do love you, sweetheart. That's why, despite disrespecting me so many times, you are still breathing just fine. I don't think anyone else would be doing that if it weren't you,” he explained, his hand grabbing hers as he played with her finger
Alisha looked at him, hearing concern in his voice. "Yes, I'm feeling much better than before.""You don't seem okay. If you feel anything strange, I can take you to the hospital," Alice said, keeping his eyes on the road."Why didn't you take me to the hospital when I was in a coma for two days?" Alisha asked, curious about his sudden concern.She had been unconscious for two days, yet he hadn't taken her to the hospital during that time.And now that she was feeling better, he was saying she didn't look good, which seemed like an odd observation to her.Alice's throat went dry as he struggled to find an excuse.But deep down, he knew there was none. What could he possibly say?That he didn't want anyone else to touch her?Or that he didn't call Edward because then his mother would find out about them?In both cases, it was purely selfish."You're fine now. I don't think it matters whether I took you to the hospital or not," Alice said, his gaze fixed ahead."That's such a relief. I'
Alisha closed her eyes to hold back her tears.She hates feeling like crying when she doesn't understand things, and there are so many things she doesn't understand.But at least she doesn't cry about all of them.In this situation, however, she wants to cry and seek peace in Mary's arms.That's all she wants.She feels scared and tormented by Alice's presence, and his manipulation only makes things worse.He's becoming more unpredictable with each passing day, she feels.‘Save me. Please, Mother Mary,’ she whispered to herself, hoping Alice wouldn't hear.Who knows if he did hear her? He might just throw her out of this moving car."Here we are," Alice announced as he parked the car, snapping Alisha back to reality.Alisha looked at the huge and lavish penthouse.It was beautiful from the outside and even more stunning on the inside.Under different circumstances, she would appreciate the place.But not now, not when she felt like she was imprisoned here.She opened the door herself,
Alisha raised her head, her doe-sized eyes filled with terror and innocence simultaneously, met his gaze.Shock etched on her face as she struggled to decipher his words, aware they carried more weight than they seemed.“I said stand up, sweetheart. Did you hear me?” Alice commanded, one eyebrow raised, jaw clenched.Too weak from standing too long, Alisha felt immobilised.It wasn't just fatigue, but fear rendering her unable to move; the metallic tang of blood assaulting her senses, the dampness on her neck and feet screaming of the dire situation.Summoning all her strength, she rose, keeping her gaze fixed on him, knowing any shift would only provoke him further.“You know what you've done wrong?” Alice's voice, cold as ice, pierced the silence.That's exactly how he sounded—cold and dangerous.Wrong? Alisha replayed the scene in her mind, struggling to identify her error.She couldn't recall any misstep; it was him twisting her words, unfairly blaming her and growing increasingly
“Ahhh!!!!!”Alisha screamed in shock as she fell to the floor, startled by the sudden sound of Alice punching the glass table, causing it to crack in the middle.As Alice stood up, his knuckles bleeding from the impact, he ignored the pain and directed his gaze towards Alisha, who was now on the floor with her hands covering her ears, looking pale and frightened.Internally seething with anger, Alice couldn't comprehend how Alisha could feel pity for someone else when she seemed to only harbour disgust and hatred towards him."What's wrong, Alisha? Why are you scared now?" Alice's voice was laced with bitterness as he extended his hand towards her, blood dripping onto the floor. "Don't you feel pity for me now? I'm bleeding too."He stared at Alisha with intense anger in his eyes, demanding an answer. "Tell me, don't you feel pity now? Instead of fear, you should be feeling pity for me because I'm bleeding more than that bastard guy you felt pity for.”Alisha felt a surge of fear and
‘Does he think I have no work?’ Alisha questioned herself, feeling hurt by his words.She did have work – she was a student and needed to study. But with him invading her life and not knowing when she would be able to return to her studies, more than a week had already passed.First, he took her with him and she went into a coma. Then, after she recovered, she couldn't leave the orphanage because Mary was selling the orphanage and they had to move out. And now, here she was again with him.He is parading her from his place to office, as if it's her who asked it.She wasn't free – she was literally forced into this situation. She didn't have her books or anything else to keep her busy. So, of course, she would appear idle.But what did he mean by saying she was "looking at people"? She had eyes, they were meant for observing. It was absurd for him to blame her for that. He couldn't make her feel any more annoyed than he already did."I have work too, Alice," she replied, her voice ting
‘Delusional?’ the voice in her head commented.Because that's the most sensible explanation. He sounds completely delusional, either unable to grasp reality or deliberately avoiding it.Who behaves like this, twisting words out of context and pretending they were the exact words spoken?"Now, can I go sit?" Alisha asked, annoyed, not wanting to continue the conversation. She'd had enough."Didn't you ask me earlier if I had an allergy, so couldn't you rub it? Maybe it'll make me feel better," Alice said, his eyes wide, giving her the most innocent expression he could muster.It was the same expression he always gave his mother, and now, to Alisha.These were the only two people he showed his inner child to, maybe with Alisha, he could show all his sides, even the ones he tried to hide from his mom."I didn't cause any allergies. I never touched you to cause it, so why would I rub it? And since when does rubbing heal an allergy?" Alisha asked, struggling to maintain her balance.Her fe
Alice looked at her, moving his chair in her direction, spreading his legs wide open, his hand resting on his thighs."What good?" Alisha's mind rang, not understanding what he was trying to praise, as there was nothing to be praised.It had been more than an hour, she stood like a statue, her eyes fixed on him, even though he wasn't particularly looking like anything interesting to look at."Do you know what you look like now?" Alice asked, sliding his hand up slightly, as if he might pull something out if he continued rubbing his palm on his pants like that."What?" Alisha asked, knowing there was no way to dodge it.The way he punctuated his words made it clear how he wanted her to respond."You look all mine, the way your eyes are on me," Alice stated, his voice thick and seductive.Alisha felt awkward seeing him rubbing himself like that and sounding so deep. "Are you feeling itchy? Are you allergic?"The words slipped out before she could realise."Do you want to rub me? Because
Alisha wanted to squeeze her eyes shut and disappear, but she kept them fixed on him, even as he sounded like a devil from hell.“I don't think it will end well if I have to repeat myself. It won't be 'sweetheart,' I can assure you of that,” Alice warned, waiting for her compliance.He knew she couldn't defy him, especially after witnessing his outburst firsthand. Despite any shortcomings, she understood better than anyone how to avoid pushing his buttons.Alisha cleared her head and looked at him, her breath caught in her lungs as if it couldn't reach her mouth due to the intensity of his gaze. Whether it was her imagination or reality, his eyes seemed darker, deepening her fear.“Keep standing here and keep looking at me, only me. If you move your eyes away, you'll face trouble. And I don't think you want that, do you?”Alisha swallowed hard, her throat dry with fear as she nodded slowly in response to Alice's question. “Okay”With a sense of resignation, Alisha kept her eyes locked
Alisha's heart raced as she jumped in her place, hearing his loud and anger-filled voice, not knowing what had made him angry at her when she hadn't done anything to provoke him.He looked at her in anger, without any reason, his eyes screaming that he would kill her and then eat her, without remorse.She gripped both sides of the couch firmly, feeling fear coursing through her veins.“Tell me, what are you looking at?” Alice asked angrily, his eyes blazing with anger.The man who was standing also started trembling. Without wasting a second, he left from there.“I... was…”“What did I tell you about stuttering in front of me?” Alice cut her off, hearing her stuttering fueling his anger further.Alisha closed her eyes tightly, feeling even the veins of her body pulsating too fast; she could hear them in her ears. That's how scared she was in the moment due to his presence, his eyes, and his anger.“Nah, you like it when you defy me, right? Open your damn eyes, Alisha,”Alisha immedia
"Yes, I am fine," Alisha snapped back from her trance, keeping her eyes on her lap.She didn't want to look at him with so many emotions swirling inside her head, making her feel overwhelmed."See Alisha, I know I am the last person you would trust to confide in, but if you feel anything is wrong, you should speak up. Even if I'm the last person you want to turn to, I'm still the only person you have, because you have no one else," Alice's words pierced through her thoughts.‘You are not the only person. You make sure of it by forcing others out of my life,’ Alisha answered silently in her heart.She didn't understand why he wanted to know if she was comfortable when he knew how his presence made everything worse. Suppressing the urge to say anything, she didn't want to break the fragile illusion he was trying to create.Alisha remained silent, her mind tangled in a web of conflicting emotions. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being suffocated, trapped in a reality she never ask
After an hour, they arrived at his office.Alisha stopped crying, appearing much better than she had at home.He stepped out of his car and opened the door for Alisha. "Come down, sweetheart," he smiled, speaking softly.Alisha looked up, seeing him smiling and acting so gently, a stark contrast from his usual behaviour.Did he hit his head somewhere? She questioned internally."Sweetheart, come down," Alice repeated, noticing her lost in thought, gazing blankly at him.Alisha was startled by his voice. Without further delay, she exited the car and surveyed their surroundings. They were in what seemed like a parking lot.However, besides Alice's car, there were no other vehicles parked in the spacious area.His driver remained seated inside the car, as Alice was the first to alight."Shall we go, Angel? If you prefer not to walk, I can carry you again," Alice suggested, eager to lift her.He found it oddly satisfying to carry her in his arms, a source of amusement for him."No, I can