Chapter Thirty-Madness.

Chapter Thirty-Madness.
ARTEMIS'S POINT OF VIEW.
I’m heading to the club, and all I can think about is the conversation I had with Adonis.
The way he asked me why I changed my attitude, why I ran, why I turned from hot to cold in a second… it was like he was disappointed… as if he cared. He probably just wants to get in my head. I think... but when I whispered in his ear, he was still like a statue; his breathing was faster, and something was off… maybe he just can’t stand me?
Holy fuck, what did I get myself into?
As I was debating and contradicting myself, I found myself parking the car in Appoli’s parking lot.
I hope Knox knows what to do. He’s my only hope because I’m not thinking clearly.
He'll probably think I went nuts and put me in some facility, but honestly, if that meant all of this would go away, I wouldn’t mind.
I step out and head into the club, directly into my office.
“Finally. I started to get worried.” Knox exhales a breath of relief as soon as I walk in.
“Well, here I am. Safe, sound, and crazy,” I say sarcastically, giving a small bow. He looks at me through narrowed eyes as if I’ve just grown another head.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s always good to see you, but you look like shit.” He compliments my probably black bags under my eyes, my messy hair from running my fingers through it so many times, and the crazy look on my face.
“Thank you for the compliment, but believe me when I say that in a few minutes, you’re not going to be so happy to see me,” I say as I take a deep breath and sit in my comfortable leather chair.
“Artemis, what’s wrong? Are you in danger?” he asks, worriedly, looking at me as if he’s ready to wrap me in his arms to protect me.
Best brother ever.
But I don’t need protection. Physical, that is. Mental? All that he can give me.
"Yes. Everything is wrong, and I’m in danger of losing my mind—that is, if I haven’t already. But I think I did. Or did I? I mean, people who question their mental health are not actually... or are we? Are they? Don’t know. Anyway, thanks for the drink.” I blubber and take a big gulp from my whiskey, then cough hard because the drinking burned my throat and stomach.
“Oh, no. What did you do?” I process Knox's question, and for no reason at all, I start laughing.
Good Lord, I’m really going crazy.
"It’s more like... what I didn't do!" He shakes his head and looks at me, puzzled.
“Artemis, could you be more specific? You’re not making any sense. And well... you’re kinda creeping me out.” I start laughing again, and he chuckles, but a ’she’s crazy’ kind of chuckle.
“Well, Knox, first of all, I need you to try to understand. And don’t get angry or upset.” I flash him a big smile, showing all my teeth.
“I could never be upset with you. You’re my little sister. And you know you can tell me everything, just as I can tell you everything,” he says in a soothing voice, and I sigh heavily.
I’m experiencing a range of feelings and sensations that are intensifying as the seconds tick by.
“Yes, but this is some fucked up shit,” I admit, but he still isn't out of the woods. And how could he be? I just marched in here looking like a crazy woman, acting like a crazy woman, and talking like a crazy woman.
I’m crazy.
“It can be more fucked up than my past. You didn’t get angry with me, even though you should’ve; instead, you helped me out. I owe you my life, so there’s nothing that you could have done to upset me.” He says with a small grateful smile, and I smile back.
Knox was in a very dark place a few years ago. He started doing drugs. At first, it was weed and light stuff. Then cocaine, and then… heroin. I tried to talk to him countless times, but he would always say the same. That I shouldn’t worry, that it is just for fun.
Until one night.
When he overdosed.
And believe me, that was not fun.
When the doctors released him from the hospital, I took him straight to the best rehabilitation center because I couldn’t afford to lose him too. While he was there, I made sure that when he got out, he would have everything he needed since he had nothing left.
He lost his house, car, and, worst of all, his family. So I bought him a nice house and a new car, which he didn’t want to accept, but I told him he would pay me back someday.
I lied.
He tries to give me money, but yeah…
And to keep him close, to make sure that he doesn’t fall again, I hired him as my bodyguard. I didn’t need one, but I told him I wanted to open a club and that I needed a right-hand man and, of course, security. That’s why I have clubs now. He doesn’t know that, though.
“How many times do I have to remind you that you don’t owe me anything? You saved me too, and not just once. You stayed by my side day and night after the accident. I would’ve been lost without you," I say honestly, and he smiles calmly.
“I did what every brother would’ve done. You know I love you.” His words calm me down a bit and make me smile genuinely.
“I love you, too.”
“Okay, now stop stalling and start talking.” He knows me too well.
He leans back in his chair and crosses his large arms over his chest.
Yes, he’s very big, he’s bald, inked, and scary. For others. Not for me.
“So, you remember last week, when I sent you to give a bottle of whiskey to a guy?” I ask, and he nods.
“Couldn’t forget if I wanted to. I don’t get to be a waitress every day, and I don’t see such desperate guys often." He says amusedly, and I laugh imagining him in a waitress outfit—that would be legendary.
He looks at me, confused as to why I’m laughing, but I just wave him off.
“Don’t mind me, I told you I’m going crazy. Now...” I trail off, then continue my story.
“Embrace yourself. The guy who came today to watch the video is his brother.”
“How do you know that? And the guy said he’s missing," he says in a suspicious voice.
“Okay, so, do you remember why the now-missing guy was so desperate?” I ask, and he nods.
“He wanted to find you. What does this have to do with... anything?” he asks, confused.
“Let’s just say that he finally found me. Or better yet… I found him. But he doesn’t know that I’m me. Does that make any sense?” He tilts his head and looks at me through narrowed eyes.
I don’t make any sense, do I?