16
Visha
I don’t know what’s happening, but I’ve never seen Aoi so distraught. His eyes practically beg me to take him away and hide him in a corner of the world where no one could ever find him.
I don’t say another word and step into place, holding his hand while I guide him to my car. I open the door for him, and he sits down in the passenger seat, melting into the expensive leather.
I get in behind the steering wheel, and an immense silence engulfs us as my eyes glaze over his shivering figure curled into my coat.
What do I do? What happened? Who did this to him?
He doesn’t move a limb and stares out the window, blinking in slow motion. Which leaves me with one thought; where do I go now?
I mean, I could take him to my place, but is that even appropriate? I don’t want him to think that I’m taking advantage of his emotional state just to have sex with him–which I’mnot.
I would never.
But I’m a stranger in his eyes. My every move needs to be executed with the utmost care. His comfort is my top priority right now, and he would in fact be comfortable in my penthouse, but I digress.
Driving into the pitch black night, I focus on the road ahead and the soft sound of his breathing. The radio plays‘Best’by Gracie Abrams, and I swear I catch a glimpse of Aoi’s attention flickering toward the screen. He shivers once more, but this time he curls up into himself, hiding his sorrow under my jacket.
Other than his muffled sobs and the radio, everything around us is completely silent.
My chest tightens achingly and all I want is to stop the car and pull him into my arms. I know better than to think with my heart, so I keep driving.
In his current state, any rash move could backfire and cause more harm than good.
I hear a phone buzzing, and realize it’s mine, but Aoi doesn’t bother pulling it out of my jacket’s pocket to hand it over. He just lets it vibrate, seeming to have tuned out his surroundings.
Whomever called will get a huge slap on the neck. They better have a good explanation for bothering me when I’m with my Paradise.
When I turn my head to look at him, I notice his temple resting against the door. I slow down the car and try my best to avoid any bumps on the road.
My beautiful and heartbroken Paradise.
There is nothing and no one more precious than him. I swear that when I find out what happened, I’ll destroy the cause of hiscries. Whoever hurt him will pay for the ache they dared to inflict on my beloved.
His breathing shifts to a steady rhythm and his face slumps against the seat. I can’t help but smile at the shape of his parted lips, the shimmer of his pale skin and the flutter of his lashes.
He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. His face hasn’t changed one bit. No prominent wrinkle, nor any other visible sign of aging, and yet everything about him is different.
The coat envelops him like a cocoon, and I have to resist the urge to grab him and cuddle him in my arms.
How is he so damn adorable?
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel, and I have to force my eyes to stay on the fucking road rather than to roam over his face and body. Which is a challenge, considering I’m sitting next to a literal god.
Okay, back to the present, Visha. Focus on the road and not on the undeniable want to hold him and comfort him.
17
Aoi
I never sleep next to strangers, yet I’m not uncomfortable near Andrew.
Maybe I should be warier about this young and devilish man. I have no reason to let down my guard but something about him promises safety. It may be undoubtedly foolish not to be wary of him, but I can’t seem to care.
Calling it blind trust couldn’t be any further from the truth. I don’t trust him, but I suppose I want to take a leap of faith. Although, It doesn’t matter what I want since my fear of being deceived and left behind is stronger than my false bravery.
