When I closed my eyes, I saw Kenric. The way his hand steadied against my cheek, the way his eyes burned when he told me he was obsessed. The way he kissed me like he could do just that forever. I wanted to hate myself for how badly I yearned for the feeling he gave me, it was twisted, thrilling, and toxic. Most of all, I never had a man describe me better than I could.
I understood exactly what Staress meant when she said she was happy to be saved. I wasn’t happy, at least not yet. But the pull was there. Stronger than fear and logic.
I dropped my hand from my stomach and continued to stare at myself in the mirror. My reflection splintered under my own conflicted gaze.
“God help me,” I whispered helplessly.
“I don’t know if I’m surviving this man…or surrendering slowly but surely...”
I DON’T FALL, I CLAIM…
The humof machines filled the vast chamber, steady and low like a pulse beneath the earth. The sound itself always pumped life into my thoughts, especially whenever I went into creative mode. My laboratory stretched out in every direction. Nemesis and I sat behind one of the small rows of flowers that glowed under the new industrial lights that I just got installed.
I eyed my stainless-steel counters that glinted with glass vials and monitors. Nemesis moved easily through the space. He was dressed in his signature white coat. The scent of clove and sandalwood drifted from him and filled up the space we occupied.
Nemesis was a man of precision; he avoided errors in everything that he did. If it was anybody else that showed upabruptly to Grand Corp, with no invite, they would have been dead. Nemesis hated coming to America, whenever he did come, he made sure that he went under the radar.
“How’s Prophecy?” I asked.
He carefully trailed his hand over a tray of beakers.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” he said in his new heavy accent. Nemesis smoothly ignored the question about his wife. He would answer soon, but it would be on his own timing.
Right now, what held his attention was the tremendous upgrades and expansions that I made in my laboratory. It had been over five years since he last saw it.
“The garden, lab, as well as your operations is more than commerce. It is legacy. You’re building a future, Kenric… a future that most men will never touch.” He looked up from the tray and smiled.
I nodded once, though my eyes flicked down to my watch for the fifth time in minutes.
Mira.
I adjusted my cuff, forcing my focus back to Nemesis. I was sure he noticed he never missed a beat.
“My wife is well, of course she sends air hugs and kisses. I’ll be heading back soon as I leave here.” He said walking over to my big monitors.
“She’s about to give birth in three months. I think we have enough kids to start our own tribe in Africa.” He chuckled.
“This is baby number six?” I smiled.
“No, eight.” He quickly corrected me.
“I don’t plan on slowing down either. Once I’m done with my next project and Prophecy body heals properly, I plan on getting her pregnant again.” He said turning away from the monitors.
Africa had given Nemesis the freedom, space, and endless subjects to test his brilliance on. He if stayed in America, his lifespan would have been cut short. Which was another reason, he barely stepped foot on Americans soil.
“You seem restless,” he said, running his hands through his wild wavy hair that hung past his shoulders.
“This is not like you.” He bent down reaching for a briefcase at his feet.
“I didn’t want much, just wanted to check on you after I touched basis with my brother Dreamer. He’s been busy in what I like to call the matrix. Do you mind?” His eyes flicked towards a counter that set between us.
“Go ahead.” I nodded.
Saying nothing else, Nemesis placed the metallic briefcase on top of the counter. I sat up in my seat and looked on as he clicked it open. He lifted a large bottle, shaped like an old-world decanter. Inside the thick glass was midnight blue liquid that faintly glowed.
“What is that?” I asked, brows furrowed.
“A gift from me to you. It’s already been tested; I have small bottles that you will need to separate it carefully in. This will last you for two years, I also have its ingredients on a disk for you to make on your own.” Nemesis stated with pride.
