Chapter 24 {Lick}

Chapter 24 {Lick}

Alice gazed upon Alisha's unconscious body, her delicate form cradled in his arms as he swiftly carried her to the built-in cupboard in his bathroom. Gently laying her down on the slab, he retrieved his hoodie from the cupboard and carefully dressed her, tenderly tending to the injuries he had inadvertently caused.

"These wounds will heal," he thought to himself, "I won't let them mark her skin permanently. They may look beautiful now, but I want her to bear only my marks, not these ugly injuries. She's an epitome of beauty, even in this state."

After attending to Alisha, he changed into his night suit, opting for a black hoodie and pyjamas. However, the red hoodie suited him so well, especially with her in his arms.

Emerging from the bathroom, he settled her on the bed and sat beside her, captivated by her flushed face. Her lips, despite being injured, held an alluring quality that he found irresistible. He leaned in, lightly tasting the lingering hint of blood, finding it strangely sweet against her lips. The sensation left him stirred, a desire to kiss her rising within him, though he resisted, knowing it wasn't appropriate given her condition.

As the door creaked open, he quickly withdrew, turning to find his mother and the family doctor entering the room. "Come and check on her," he instructed the doctor, relieved that it was the familiar female doctor attending to Alisha.

The doctor, Misha, began tending to Alisha's injuries, including stitching a few cuts on her head. Concerned, Alice questioned her, "Why are you stitching her?"

"These cuts are deep and need to be stitched to prevent further bleeding," Misha explained.

"Be gentle," Alice urged, aware of Alisha's pain.

His mother interjected, "You were not gentle with her, and now you're asking for gentleness?"

Taking a deep breath, Alice responded, "You know she's mine, and I can't bear the thought of her leaving or getting close to anyone else. I had to make her understand that."

His mother, shocked by his words, realised the depth of his obsession with Alisha.

Misha, too, was taken aback, having never seen this side of Alice, who typically avoided interactions with women. She found it unsettling to hear him speak so possessive about Alisha, the innocent girl now lying injured in his room.

After tending to Alisha's wounds, Misha advised, "She needs an antibiotic injection for her injured feet. It's necessary for her recovery. Keep her away from water"

Alice nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of the injection for Alisha's well-being.

Once Misha had finished, she took her leave, accompanied by Alice's mother.

Downstairs, she expressed her concern to Alice's mother,” What is happening, Aunty?”

Alice's mother could only shake her head, equally perplexed by her son's intense feelings for the girl, “Only if I can explain”,

Misha responded to Alice's mother, "How can you say that, Aunty? Did you not see her injuries? Her face, her feet, her entire body—none of it looked good. And his behaviour towards her, touching her when he despises physical contact with women? He's behaving like a madman, more like a psychopath."

Alice's mother defended her son, "Don't speak of him that way. I know he's losing control, but there's nothing we can do. That girl has to deal with him."

Misha, with a puzzled expression, said, "I can't comprehend what you're saying, but her injuries are severe, and she needs help. I have urgent work. I'm leaving, but I'll be thinking of a way to help her. If this continues, she won't survive."

With those words, Misha departed, leaving Alice's mother feeling guilty and helpless. She wanted her son to find love, but seeing him torment such a sweet, innocent girl left her conflicted.

In the room, Alice continued to gaze at Alisha, who lay unconscious. He felt no guilt, believing she deserved this for trying to leave him and provoking his temper.

As Alisha stirred, he called out, "Angel."

Struggling to open her eyes due to a pounding headache, Alisha eventually managed to do so. In her dazed state, she murmured, "I'm in heaven, away from that devil. I must be a good girl. But that devil should go to hell."

Alice, taken aback, felt a pang of jealousy even in her imagined heaven.

"Shut up," he snapped.

Alisha, shocked, exclaimed, "How can you bring this devil to heaven? Why aren't you dead? How can you be here?"

"Can you just be quiet for once?" Alice retorted wearily.

Alisha, undeterred, replied, "I should be able to speak in heaven and complain to God, but you're still acting like the boss."

Frustrated, Alice said, "You're trying to get away from me, but we're both alive. Look around, you're in my house, in my room, on my bed."

Realising where she was, Alisha felt foolish for thinking she had escaped. "I'm not in heaven. What's happening? I thought I died, but I'm alive. Why didn't God take me to heaven? I'm always a good girl. Why am I sad now?"

"You're not dying, and even if you were, I'd be with you. If I'm not allowed in heaven, I'll take you to hell with me. You can't die without me," Alice declared, his possessiveness evident. "So forget your dreams and start thinking about our future together.”