His eyes were dancing with laughter when he turned to look at me. ‘I know that you’re always this talkative, love. But why must you keep questioning things at a time like this?’
I smiled although I could feel my cheeks burning from embarrassment. ‘I’m nervous.’
‘Oh, all right. Then I’ll keep answering your questions.’
With a snap of his finger, both of us were suddenly in my room. He pushed me onto the bed. He lied next to me.
‘Do you still have questions? Ask away,’ he said, still amused, although the hunger in his eyes cannot be denied.
I shook my head. The tips of my breasts swelled by the intensity of his gaze. My throat went dry. ‘That’s the problem. I can’t think of anything anymore.’
‘That’s good,’ he whispered as he positioned himself on top of me. This time, the amusement in his eyes had completely faded away and was left with something dark and hot that it made my skin tingle. ‘Very good.’

I OPENED my eyes when I felt Alexandros moved. He quietly and carefully took his hand away from my waist. Not long after, I heard him cough. And then I felt him get up on the bed.
I knew he was going to the bathroom. I was aware that until now, he was still suffering from the injuries he got after he fought Arnav Chandler. I saw traces of his blood in his handkerchief.
Every time we were away from each other and I wanted to see him, I would use the trick he taught me and then I would catch him in my vision. He was coughing blood.
And he thought he had successfully hidden that away from me.
I knew that Alexandros just didn’t want me to worry. Perhaps he wanted to remain strong and dependable in my eyes and so I pretended not to know even if I almost go crazy from worrying.
His recent excuse about going to Manila to attend corporate meetings was a lie. I saw him inside a cold room, lying in his bed, and was too weak to lift a finger, while Nathan was looking out for him. He did attend a meeting, but that never lasted long. That’s why I know that each time he would go missing, he would be somewhere and was tending to his wounds.
Several minutes had passed and Alexandros hadn’t returned yet. I couldn’t help but panic once again. I reached out for his sweater on the floor. It was the closest thing from the bed and I wore it.
My cheeks flushed when I saw our clothes scattered on the floor. I picked them up one by one, folded them, and put them on the divan before I stepped out of the room when I didn’t see Alexandros in the bathroom.
I caught him standing beside the glass wall and was staring at the city lights. He seemed to be too preoccupied thinking about something that he didn’t even feel my presence which happened for the first time tonight. He was wearing nothing but his pants.
If only I could paint, I would make sure to engrave this sight of him in my memory and grab a canvas and a paintbrush afterwards. The view was too beautiful to just let it remain in my head. And memories could fade overtime.
And then I would hang the painting in my room where I could see him during the times that he refused to be seen, so I could gaze at the man standing magnificently like this with the city lights as his background. Because that was exactly how I wanted to remember him... as the magnificent man I was blessed to have.
From the light coming from the nightstand, I caught Alexandros take a couple of deep breaths. And then he pressed the corners of his eyes. My forehead creased. What did that mean?
Did he… cry?
But why? Was his injury that worse? Some of his wounds had already healed. Some had turned into scars. What if he was suffering from internal injuries? Why couldn’t he just tell me that he was in pain? But then again, if he did tell me… what could I possibly do for him?
It was not like I could weave magic as well.
I felt so disappointed in myself. For the first time, I felt so… helpless. Alexandros had helped me and had saved me numerous times. But each time he was the one who needed help, there was nothing I could do for him.
I heaved a sigh and he must have heard it because his head whirred to my direction.
He flashed a soft smile. ‘It’s still early, love. Why are you up already?’
‘When I woke up, you weren’t there. I was worried that you ran away from me,’ I said in a teasing voice. I walked towards him and hugged him from behind. ‘I love you, Xandros.’
‘You loved me yesterday. And you did today, too. I’m already happy because of that. Your love had given me so much warm. It saved me from the dark hole, Alison. I will eternally be grateful for that.’
My brows furrowed. He said those beautiful words in the sweetest way possible. But for some reason, those words sounded painful in my ears. ‘You talk as if my feelings for you are going to change in the future. I assure you, Xandros, it won’t.’
‘Right. It won’t. I believe you,’ Alexandros answered as if he was only indulging me. He turned to me and stroke my cheeks. ‘A few minutes ago, I had a glimpse of your future, you know. And I was happy to find out that all of your dreams will come true. You will make it big, love. That was my wish for you. Of course, there will be hardships along the way but you will surpass them all. You are going to be so happy, one day. Your sadness, your pain, and your efforts will be worth it.’