Twisted

He glanced up and noticed who barged into his office without even knocking, making a ruckus.

“What the hell, man? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

Alice sighed, recognizing his only friend. “Edward, I'm really not in the mood for chit-chat. You see that door you just breezed through like you owned the place? How about you use it to leave?”

“Since when did you get a say in this? I'm here because Aunt Daisy is worried sick about you. How can you just ignore her? You've never done that,” Edward said, pulling up a chair and ignoring Alice's glares.

“Not when she's faking illness to buy time for my soon-to-be wife's escape plan,” he retorted, eyeing his so-called friend.

“She's not doing it to spite you, Alice. She just doesn't want you to hurt anyone. That matters, you know, even if you don't want to acknowledge it,” Edward reasoned, his expression serious.

“I don't want to acknowledge it. You can leave now, Edward. I don't want to hurt you, but you're pushing it,” Alice said, glaring daggers at him.

“As if you could scare me off. That's why I'm your bestie, remember? And let's talk about your runaway bride. Are you conveniently forgetting the part where you kidnapped her and forced her into marriage?” Edward reminded him of the day they found Alisha in his office, unconscious.

Priank was taken aback but later learned the whole story from Daisy, which shocked him even more.

Sure, Edward could be a certified jerk, but that didn't justify Alice's actions. The news of the marriage and reception invitation left him terrified.

“Edward, that's none of your business. You may be my friend, but you're overstepping your bounds,” Alice warned.

Edward smirked. “How about I overstep even more?”

“Then I'll cut you down,” Alice retorted.

“Touche. But seriously, what's with the 'Satan with fire in his pants' look? You look like a mess. If it weren't for your reputation, anyone would think you're homeless,” Edward joked, snagging an apple from the table and taking a bite.

“You're out of your mind, Edward. Can't you see how stressed I am? And yet, you still show up here with your jokes,” Alice slammed his hands on the table.

He was already exhausted, and Edward was draining the little energy he had left.

As much as Alice wanted to punch him, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Despite Edward's irritating antics, they had been friends for too long to let a little disagreement ruin it.

Edward leaned back in his chair, taking another bite of the apple. "Come on, Alice, you know I'm just trying to lighten the mood. You can't stay holed up in here forever."

Alice rubbed his temples, trying to push away the headache that was forming. "I don't appreciate your concern.”

Edward rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because sitting in here brooding all day is really going to solve your problems. Look, I get it; things are tough right now, but you can't shut everyone out."

"I'm not shutting everyone out," Alice protested. "I just need some space to deal with this on my own."

Edward sighed, tossing the half-eaten apple into the trash bin. "Fine, have it your way. But just remember, I'm here for you whenever you decide to stop sulking and actually talk to someone."

“I'm handling things my own way, so just leave.”

“I'm not leaving until you talk to Aunt Daisy. She's practically your mom, Alice. How can you let some woman ruin your relationship with the only person you've cared about your whole life?” Edward insisted, trying to inject some sense into Alice's head.

“I care about her now too, but I just don't have the energy to face her. Every time I see her or even think about her, all I see is Alisha's face, and I can't bear it. How could my own mother let the woman I want slip away?” Alice clenched his fist, his frustration evident.

“That's not reason enough to leave Aunt Daisy so stressed. She's already old and not in the best health. As her doctor, I can tell you, it's not good for her,” Edward reasoned.

“You don't understand, Edward. You have a wife you love, and she loves you back. I don't even know what love is anymore. Alisha's like a poison that's destroying me, and I want to hurt her twice as much as she's hurt me,” Alice admitted, his voice heavy with emotion.

Edward sighed, understanding the depth of Alice's words. "I get it, Alice. But holding on to this anger and pain isn't going to make things better. You need to find a way to let it go and move on."

Alice looked away, unable to meet his friend's eyes. "Easier said than done, Edward. I don't even know where to begin."

"Start by talking to Aunt Daisy. She loves you, Alice, and she's hurting too. You owe it to her and yourself to at least try." Edward suggested.

“I don't want to do that. First, I need to find Alisha, my angel, and then I'll face my mom. I'll send her a text saying everything's fine, but I just don't have the energy to talk.”

“That could work too. But, Alice, you can't force someone to love you or marry you. Do you even know if you truly love that girl, or are you just obsessed with her?” Edward tilted his head, concerned.

He wasn't sure what to make of this situation, but it was clear that this wasn't what love looked like. It seemed more like an obsession, something beyond healthy.

It was like Alice - who always cared about his image and loved being organised - had lost his sense of direction.

Maybe it was love, but it was twisted.

“No need to put labels on what I feel for my woman. She's mine. Even if she doesn't want to be, she'll still be mine.”

Edward sighed, his worry deepening. "Alice, this isn't healthy. You can't force someone to be with you. Love is supposed to be mutual, not one-sided."

Alice shook his head stubbornly. "You don't understand, Edward. Alisha and I have a connection that's beyond explanation. She's meant to be with me."

Edward frowned, trying to reason with him. "But Alice, kidnapping her and forcing her into marriage isn't love. It's manipulation and control."

Alice's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't you dare judge me, Edward! You don't know what it's like to want someone so deeply, to feel like they're your whole world."

Edward held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'm not judging. I'm just worried about you, man. This isn't like you."

Alice's expression softened slightly. "I know, Edward. But I can't let her go. I won't."