The wound on my neck still stung, especially when it made contact with water. And warm water...I hissed. I step out from the bathtub and put on the clothes that Ayden prepared for me. It's one of his white t-shirts. And as for the pants, I let out a laugh when I saw his gym pants, it looks smaller than his normal pants. It's stretchable too.
I quickly put it on, moved to the vanity, wiped the mirror off, and stared at my face. And my eyes trailed down to my neck. I closed my eyes as I felt a sharp pang inside my chest as I remembered what happened last night. I took a deep breath and counted to ten.
And slowly, I opened my eyes and stared at the bathroom countertop. It's filled with different types of products and perfumes.
I raised one of the skincare products and read it. This is why he has such beautiful skin, no single acne scar. Let's try it on.
Thus...I do my skincare with him, even more than I used to, Using my boyfriend's skincare products. I used to just wash my face and that's all. But he has the full set of them, cleanser, scrub, toner, hydrating toner, essence, serums, moisturiser, eye cream, (I'm a bit doubtful about his eye cream since he has a terrible dark circle under his eyes). But he taking care of his skin excessively. And here am I, just washing my face with a facial cleanser. No wonder I have such dull skin, with huge pores, and excessively dried and he has such beautiful and healthy skin. And is he still able to call me beautiful? This?
I laughed. He must be blind.
And after I'm done using all of them, I move to his perfumes. That's a lot. I took one by one and sniffed, and finally found his everyday scent. I glanced at the brand and frowned. Wow, Armani Prive Oud Royal? isn't this expensive. I knew it! That's why he smells good twenty-four seven.
I sprayed it on my wrists, my neck and my shirt. Not to forget deodorant, I will die if I forget about that.
I finally got out of the room and saw Jade sitting on the edge of the bed. I glanced at the opened door and heard Diana and Ayden laughing in the kitchen.
"Let's talk," he said, patting the bed for me to sit. I came slowly and sat on the bed, next to him. It's been so long, which makes me laugh a little. Awkward silence greets us as if it was our best friend.
"Remember my first promise that I made to you, Maddie?" he asked, looking down to the floor.
"Hmm...let me think. I can't remember..." He glanced at me with a frown. Aha, got you! "I'm just kidding, I remember and will remember forever. You are my saviour."
He let out a chuckle.
"What did I say again?" he asked, I know he's testing me, to see if I remembered. I don't know what he wants to say, is it about Ayden or my audacious and selfish attempts?
"Hmm...you said that you will be my brother." I laughed and so did he. I looked at the floor and sighed. "And you said that no matter what happens soon, you will be here for me, and protect me."
And because of that, he had a scar on his wrist now. Because he keeps protecting me.
"And therefore, why did you do that? Is it because of a nightmare again? Why didn't you tell me? Or Diana? Or even your boyfriend? What is it about?"
I clenched my hands to gather my strength. I feel like I'm about to cry.
"It's not like I don't want to tell you, but it's always the same dream, all over again, and I don't feel anything about it anymore. But last night…" I paused, turning my back toward him and I know I will cry again soon.
"I never really dream about anything like last night. I was in my house, and suddenly someone knocked on the door, I was about to go get them but they tried to break in. And I heard his voice, Jade. His voice. It's so real, but...Jade, I feel like he was hunting me down."
I started to tear again.
"I'm scared, I'm sick of it. And he broke into the house, and he said he will come and pick me up or I will come back to him. And when I woke up, I was on my bed, and it's a dream. I never dream of something like that, it feels so real, Jade.I just want a good sleep for one day. I'm just tired."
He looked at me with a keen tear. He looked down again and pinched his temple of his forehead.
"Was that the first time? Are you dreaming of that? What about the barn? The days and nights in an orphanage? Have you been dreaming about that lately?" he asked again with a low voice.
I nodded. But since he didn't see it, he asked me in his demanding voice, asking for an answer.
"Answer me, Maddison."
"Yes...I do…"
"When?"
"The first time is on my second day working here as a housekeeper. Ayden reminded me of him at first, but when I know him even better, he is the opposite of him. I mean it's been a while before that, but the recent one started because of that time." I said, slowly. He slightly nodded, as if he admitted that fact.
"How long before then? What did he do? Touched you?"
"A month, except other dreams, that one is almost a month. No, he just talked. But I wasn't listening and kept ignoring him so he came closer to say what he wanted to say. And I had a cold back then so maybe because I'm overworked and I have a high fever, it's making it worse, but he took me to the clinic after that, and I'm having rest. But sometimes it does keep popping up."
He nodded again.
"The second one?"
"When you and Diana came and fought in front of me. You yelled and I'm tired, it just happened." he cursed under his breath.
"I'm sorry about that, I should know better than anyone else. So you're alone back then? Did you try any?"
I lowered my head even more. I didn't try to do anything but I slit my palm because it's numb and I thought I'm still dreaming.
So I nodded.
"But Ayden came and looked for me. I was saved."
"He was there again? For you? What a coincidence, Maddie?" Now he sounds a bit sarcastic. What does he want to say?
"I was his staff in the first place, I didn't show up at work for four days, Jade! If your staff are unable to reach you and don't show themselves, what would you do? If they are mentally fine, happy and healthy people, you probably think that they resign but I'm broken pieces of glasses that we glued back. Anytime sooner, it will break again. And he knew that too because he saw me. What would you do, Jade? If your employees are like me?" I didn't mean to sound defensive but I did.
He was shut. Frowning, clenching his jaws, holding back his suspicion.
"And I'm his girlfriend. If you can't reach Diana for four days, what would you do?"
He held his hands, nodding slowly as he let out a sigh.
"And the third time? Is there a third time? If there's more, tell me. So I can help you, and I will try my best to talk about this with him, and Diana. All of us will help you. So tell me it's there more." he talked feebly, seems so tired and stress.
I glanced outside of the room, it's so quiet now. I bite my lips. I'm kinda scared to tell you about the next one since I'm the one who is at fault. I'm afraid that he will blame Ayden again.
We're talking about Jade, right now. His possessiveness is not a joke. His way of protecting me and Diana is not a joke at all. He is a nice guy, but he is broke inside too. And that was the outcome from the past, over-protectiveness. And if I tell him what I tried to do, which is being a fucking slut, then, he will...absolutely, wrath.
I have to admit, I'm kinda scared when he is mad, it's no joke, but I know he just concerns about me, and I am concern about him too.
"Maddie? Are you listening?" he asked, tapping my knees, to check if I'm listening. I do, I do hear you loud and clear, Jade. I just searching for the words, no! I was thinking if I should say it or not.
"Are you okay? You're a bit pale. You okay?" he asked one more time, touching my head to check my temperature.
"I'm fine...I just thinking."
"About what?"
I bite my lips, god, why do I feel like I need to tell him? I took a deep breath, trying my best to make eye contact with him.
"There is...but calm down and just listen." I looked at him and he nodded. I took a deep breath. I hope he will listen without getting furious about it.
"I am calm right now," he said, proudly. Yeah, right! You're an unpredictable man. You can just flip your switch on and off. "Tell me, what is it?"
"Promise me you're not going to be mad."
"I won't. Just tell me," he said, calm. I don't trust his calmness. I looked at him and gulped down of my bitterness.
God, help me.