57

ANOTHER SHADE.

ALEXIS CLERK'S POV

We drove away from the university in silence,I watched Sabastian from the side of my eyes as his eyes remained fixed on the road and his hands gripping the steering .

My thoughts were going round and round like a whirlwind and I didn't know what to do or say.

I wondered what might be going through his mind.Was he angry at me?What could he be thinking?

The car suddenly came to a sharp halt forcing me to go forward,a gasp escaped my lips as my head shot to cast a surprised look.

My breath was coming in at a fast pace now and my hair had flown to my face.I was thankful I was having my seatbelt strapped on.

Sabastian's face was twisted in a frown ,his eyes not moving and his hands not leaving the steering wheel either.

"What was that for?"I blurted out.

He turned to me now,his eyes flashing with anger.

"Who was that man?"He asked.

I was quiet now,there was no need pretending that I wasn't aware of who he was talking about.

"His name is Derek,"I answered.

"You both were dating?"He asked again.

I shook my head,"We are just friends"

Sabastian scoffed,"You're lying to me, aren't you?"

"No,I'm not. It's the truth,I met him in a bookshop and we became close,I told him about you and he wanted to be around,"I explained.

Sabastian took a deep breath,his hands finally slid away from the steering and he nodded slowly.

"I don't like him,"He said,"There's something about him that I can just place"

I tucked my hair behind my ear and took a deep breath. I knew what this whole thing was about,it was obvious from the way things had started out that he didn't like Derek.

But trying to make it seem natural was something that wasn't right at all.

"Derek is a very nice guy,he has been a good company and a friend,"I told him.

"But Alexis,I know what I'm saying. There's something about him that...I don't know but I don't think that man is who you think he is"Sabastian told me calmly.

"You not liking him should be your personal opinion, you shouldn't try to make him look bad because you didn't like him,"I said.

Sabastian licked his lips dry,he looked down and kind of restructured his next words.

"I have no problem with you being around guys but that man…"He let his voice trail off.

"It's fine,I understand but I guess you'd get to find out that he's a nice person if only you had acted nice towards him earlier,"I said.

"You're not getting it,"He said,"My instincts tells me he's no good and trust me ,my instincts never fail me ,Alexis "

I was starting to get angry with everything he was saying, anyone who was to be around Derek would say the same about him practically being the nicest person they'd ever known.

Even from the first look at him,he looked totally harmless but totally friendly and helpful.

"I'm tired,"I said slowly, dismissing whatever he was going to say again,"Please,just take me home"

I looked away out of the window and I could feel him staring at me before starting the car.

He was back on the road as I looked out through the window,my thoughts back to make me feel guilty even more.

Neither of us said anything and the drive was awfully long ,I was so thankful as we slipped into my driveway and he pulled up.

I pushed open the door before he could turn off the engine and got out.

I waited as he came down from the car and rounded up to meet me beside the car.

"Alexis"He started to say

"It's fine, Sabastian. You don't have to say anything"I interrupted him.

He sighed,"I'm sorry if I acted a bit rude to your friend and got you angry"

"A bit rude?"I asked.

He sighed again ,pushing his hands into his trousers pocket.

"I'm sorry ,"He said again.

I looked up at him and I knew he meant it. I knew he was trying to protect me,to make sure I wasn't with someone I wasn't supposed to be with but Derek was different,totally different from whatever he was thinking.

"It's fine,"I said ,"I'm sorry too"

He took a step to me,drawing me close for a hug. I wrapped my arms around him tightly and rested the side of my face against his chest.

He ran his hand on my hair,smoothening the strands of hair the wind blew around.

He released me from the hug and then drew me closer again to plant a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you, Alexis,"He whispered.

I pulled back and stared into his eyes,I was glad he was back and more glad to know that he would never be leaving me again.

"I love you too, Sabastian,"I replied.

He smiled,taking a step back,"You should go in now,get some rest and don't hesitate to call me if anything comes up"

I nodded," I will,thanks"

I walked to the door and got it before he got back into the car and drove out of my apartment.

I dropped my satchel by the door and kept the keys in my pocket after making sure I had locked the doors properly.

I walked to the couch and dropped down on it with a sigh. I yawned and thought of what had happened,it was a good thing that scene was over now.

I heard a soft thud of footsteps behind me,I made to turn around but then a hand clasped around my mouth , stopping a scream that I wanted to let out.

The hand tightened around my nose and mouth as I struggled to break free from whoever it was.

I felt something like a needle sink into my neck and I felt my pulse slow.

I passed out.