The alarm clock buzzed loudly, piercing the silence of the room. I woke up to find Priscoll already dressed and preparing for the day, his hands deftly knotting his tie. As he caught my gaze, he smiled and asked for my help, his eyes sparkling with a hint of warmth. I reluctantly got out of bed and approached him, taking the tie from his hands. Our fingers touched, sending a shiver down my spine. As I focused on fixing the knot, our gazes kept meeting, the tension between us palpable. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and for a moment, time stood still. Priscoll's eyes seemed to hold a deep longing, a yearning for connection, while mine struggled to conceal the mix of emotions I felt resentment, hurt, and a lingering spark of attraction. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of my fingers working on the tie. Finally, I managed to secure the knot, and our hands parted, leaving behind a sense of awkwardness and unresolved tension
As Priscoll pulled me closer, his grip tightening around me, I felt a surge of discomfort and anxiety. I tried to wriggle free, but he held me firm. 'Why? Why are you not comfortable with me, huh? Why? Tell me, Joanna,' he demanded, his voice low and menacing. I struggled to break free, my heart racing. 'Priscoll, don't hold me like that! You know I have an exam at 10. Won't you drop me off? And you should wish me exam success...I might pass if you wish me luck,' I said softly, trying to reason with him.
But before I could finish, he sprayed his perfume directly into my face. The pungent scent assaulted my senses, and I felt a sudden, intense burning in my nostrils. I coughed violently, my eyes watering. 'Priscoll!!!!! I can't stand...Achoo! I...Achoo! I can't stop sneezing!' I exclaimed, my body convulsing with each sneeze.
As I sneezed uncontrollably, I felt a wave of panic wash over me. My eyes streamed with tears, and my nose throbbed with pain. I felt helpless, trapped in Priscoll's grasp, and suffocating under the cloud of perfume. The scent was overpowering, and I couldn't escape it. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of fragrance, unable to breathe or think clearly. Priscoll's deadly glare only made things worse, his eyes flashing with anger and annoyance.
Priscoll pushed me away, his face contorted in disgust. "Ewww, you're so disgusting!" he exclaimed, wiping his face with a towel. "I'm not dropping you off. Tell your lovers to take care of you. I'm off to work." He turned to leave, but I summoned the last of my strength and grabbed his arm.
"Babe..." I whispered, my voice weak and trembling.
Priscoll spun around, shocked. "What did you just call me?" he asked, his voice laced with venom.
I gazed up at him, my eyes pleading. "You heard me...Babe, I'm not feeling well. I'm feeling dizzy...Please help me, Priscoll." My words trailed off as another sneezing fit took hold.
But Priscoll just turned and walked away, leaving me alone and struggling. I stumbled, trying to hold onto something, but everything seemed to spin around me. I felt scorching hot and ripped off my clothes, leaving only my singlet and tight shorts. The waistband, a gift from my friend, felt suffocating, and I tried to remove it, but my hands wouldn't cooperate. I collapsed onto the floor, my body wracked with sneezes and my head spinning.
Meanwhile, Priscoll reached his car, only to realize he had forgotten his phone. He trudged back upstairs, eager to escape me once more. But when he entered the room, he was met with a sight that made his heart skip a beat. I lay motionless on the floor, my forehead burning with fever.
"Joanna?" he whispered, shaking me gently. "Joanna?" He repeated my name, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and fear. But I didn't respond. I was out cold.
Priscoll's expression softened, and for a moment, he looked like the man I Could love. He touched my forehead, wincing at the heat emanating from my skin. But as he gazed into my unconscious face, his expression hardened once more. He straightened up, his eyes flashing with anger and resentment.
As I slowly came to My sences, I found myself in Priscoll's arms, being carried in a bridal form. I struggled to sit up, but my head spun, and my body felt like lead. "Priscoll...please," I whispered, my voice weak.
He looked down at me, his expression unreadable. "You need medical attention, Joanna. I'm taking you to the hospital."
I panicked, my mind racing. "No, please...don't take me there. I'll be fine...just take me home."
Priscoll raised an eyebrow. "You're not fine, Joanna. You're burning up with fever. You need help."
I begged, my words tumbling out in a desperate plea. "Please, Priscoll...don't take me to the hospital. I'll do anything...just please."
Priscoll's gaze narrowed, his eyes searching mine. For a moment, I thought I saw Love in his eyes But then, his expression hardened, and he turned away, carrying me towards the car.
"I'm taking you to the hospital, Joanna. Whether you like it or not."
As Priscoll tossed me into the car, I reached out in desperation and grabbed his tie, pulling him in with all my might. He lost his balance and fell on top of me, our bodies entwined in a tangled mess.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, lost in the depths of each other's eyes. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in time. I was scared that i might fall in love with him and he will break my heart.
And then, Priscoll's gaze dropped to my exposed body, and his expression changed. His eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and his lips curled into a sly smile. He leaned in closer, his hot breath whispering against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
Without a word, he claimed my lips, his kiss searing and possessive. I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his passion, unable to escape the undertow of his desire. My body responded despite myself, arching up to meet his, craving more.
For a moment, I forgot about the danger, forgot about the fear. All that mattered was the feel of his lips on mine, the touch of his skin on mine. It was like the entire world had narrowed down to this one, singular moment.
But as suddenly as it began, Priscoll pulled away, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. His eyes still burned with intensity, but I saw a glimmer of triumph there, too. He knew he had me, knew I was still under his spell.
And with that, he sat up, adjusting his tie, his expression cold and calculating once more.
"We're going to the hospital," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You need medical attention, Joanna. And I'm going to make sure you get it."