Chapter 21 Your Scent Is As Tempting As You
Adrian
“My friend, thank you really... you are a good person. Even though we do not know each other well, you did not leave me alone for even a moment.”
Marcus said it while looking at me with tired eyes, making a calm smile spread across my lips before my gaze drifted toward Evelyn for one short moment.
Her cheeks turned red immediately.
“This is a friend’s duty toward his friend... do not worry, go home and rest a little. You look extremely exhausted... besides, I consider Mrs. Carter like my mother.”
A lie.
Very well I know that I do not mean that innocent meaning... and the way I said that sentence was intentional enough for me to notice the tension of her heartbeat inside her eyes.
A light cough escaped Evelyn before she looked toward Marcus.
“Do not worry about me, son. Adrian is here with me. Go take your medicine, and you will be fine by morning.”
Marcus stepped closer and hugged her again, then kissed her forehead tenderly in a way that made her eyes fill with tears unwillingly.
“I will see you tomorrow, Mom.”
“I will see you tomorrow, my love.”
Marcus went for examination, and I accompanied him to the doctor.
Nothing serious.
Only a light cold because of the cold weather, especially after the rain that hit the city all day long.
The doctor prescribed some medicine for him, then we left the hospital toward a nearby pharmacy that stayed open all night.
“I am sorry, my friend... it seems Mom and I exhausted you a lot. I will invite you to breakfast later as thanks.”
A light cough interrupted him, making me shrug with fake indifference.
“I would not mind a free meal.”
Marcus tried paying for the medicine, but I beat him to it, causing obvious shock to appear across his face.
“Adrian, there was no need for that...”
“Do not mind it Marcus... it is something simple.”
Then suddenly... something changed inside his expression.
Strange sadness passed through his eyes while looking at me, as though he was seeing something missing from his life for many years.
He hugged me.
My whole body froze.
“You act like a father toward his son... I truly thank you. Even though we do not know each other well, you treat me as if we have been friends for years. I will become a good friend to you... I promise.”
Confusion crossed my face immediately.
“Marcus, there is no need for this... I... I only...”
Damn it.
My words scattered completely, then I pushed him away gently in sudden discomfort as though that hug suffocated me.
I hate touching. I hate it intensely!
Marcus understood that quickly, then smiled awkwardly.
“Do you hate hugs? Sorry... I just suddenly felt a lot of emotions..”
Something broken filled his voice in a way that made me look away for a moment before speaking with sarcastic coldness hiding something entirely different beneath it.
“It seems the fever has started affecting your brain... come on, let me take you home, idiot.”
“What?! Am I an idiot now?”
One eyebrow lifted while I looked at him from the corner of my eye.
“Yes... you are.”
A long wait passed in front of the hospital, but the hour was very late and taxis were scarce in the street.
Gradually dizziness started attacking Marcus until he could barely stay standing.
Finally a black car stopped in front of us.
Marcus was nearly unconscious, swaying from exhaustion and fever while I helped him get inside before climbing in after him with an annoyed sigh.
“Damn... he is heavy. Fuck, why am I even here originally?”
Sharp eyes shifted toward the young man sitting in the front seat.
“Help me instead of staring like that.”
“You are angry all the time, what exactly am I supposed to do?”
“Shut your damn mouth and move.”
Eventually we arrived at the house.
Marcus was half-conscious, mumbling broken words while stumbling around.
“Adrian... are you really my friend?”
Standing in front of him, boredom made me roll my eyes.
“Yes, yes... I am your friend. Come inside, spoiled sick boy. It is only a light cold, do you not have an immune system?”
But originally he was not listening at all.
“Where am I? This is not our house... our house is smaller. This place is beautiful... is this your house?”
An irritated breath escaped me.
“Damn... he acts like he is drunk. What kind of child is this?”
I carried him on my back and climbed the stairs inside the quiet house.
Not knowing which room belonged to him, I placed him in the first room I found...
Evelyn’s room.
I recognized it from the scent of her perfume, the white curtains, and the carefully arranged bed covers.
After placing him on the bed, I gave him the medicine the doctor prescribed.
Only a few minutes passed before he completely fell asleep.
Long moments slipped by while I stared at him.
“What is this... is he my son for me to care this much?”
Cold sarcasm accompanied my words.
But afterward something dark passed through my eyes.
Slowly my gaze shifted toward the pillow... then I grabbed it.
And I was about to place it over Marcus’s face.
Only one moment... one terrifying moment.
But Evelyn’s image suddenly appeared inside my head, making me stop immediately before throwing the pillow onto the floor while breathing harshly.
“What am I doing?”
My body started trembling, cold sweat covering my forehead.
Painfully I grabbed my head, then pulled a medicine box from my pocket and quickly swallowed a pill.
Immediately afterward... my nose started bleeding.
A low curse escaped me before I headed toward her bathroom.
Cold water splashed across my face repeatedly, then I lifted my head to stare at my reflection in the mirror.
“Calm down Adrian... not now. That day will come... but not today.”
Again I washed my face, then grabbed the nearby towel.
The moment it neared my face, I stopped.
Her scent.
Slowly my eyes closed as though I had lost consciousness for a moment.
“Evelyn... your scent is as tempting as you. Damn it.”
For several moments I kept smelling the towel obsessively before opening my eyes again suddenly as if reality had violently dragged me back.
Then something caught my attention on the side shelf.
Dangerous side smile spread across my lips.
“Evelyn... I did not expect this from you. You are truly naughty.”
A small sex toy was carelessly placed in the bathroom corner.
Low sarcastic laughter escaped me.
“It seems Evelyn faces some nightly problems since she does not have a man taking care of her...”
Afterward I left the house, making sure everything returned to normal before getting inside the car that took me back to the hospital.
She was checking her phone when I finally returned.
Her head lifted once I entered... and unconsciously she smiled.
“Is he okay?”
“Do not worry, I took him home and made sure he took his medicine. Only a light cold.”
“Thank you Adrian... really.”
“No need for thanks.”
Again that smile appeared on her face...
And for one short moment, my expression changed.
As though my heart betrayed me.. what is happening to my heart?
Why is it beating like this?
This should not happen...
Her eyes were closed tiredly while resting her head against the pillow.
Did I really carry her here?
Every time I speak with her, it feels as though she makes me older than my real age... as if I am a man who lived longer than he should have.
“Do you not want to eat something?”
Her eyes opened before looking toward me.
She was about to refuse, but her stomach released an embarrassing sound that made her hold it immediately in embarrassment.
Soft laughter escaped me.
“It seems your little stomach wants food.”
Her lips bit together while awkward embarrassment appeared on her face.
“I am actually hungry.”
Stepping closer to her made my heartbeat quicken in a ridiculous way.
“What do you want to eat?”
My voice alone was enough to make her nervous.
“Do not tire yourself... they will bring food here.”
Immediately I shook my head.
“I do not want you eating hospital food, Evelyn.”
My God... why am I acting this gently with her?
“Anything will be good.”
“No. Tell me exactly what you want.”
A sigh escaped her while thinking for a little.
“I want... a chicken sandwich, and fresh strawberry juice.”
Immediately a smile spread across my lips.
“Your wish is an order.”
Shy embarrassment appeared in her smile.
“Thank you... I mean that.”
Without warning my hand lifted and gently touched her hair.
Completely she froze once I moved close to her face, while her heart pounded violently inside her chest.
And I also... was not any better.
“You know that I do not like the word thank you... right?”
She swallowed hard and clung to the bedsheet, while amusement spread inside me because her nervousness was extremely obvious in front of me.
“I will come back immediately... okay?”
Only a small nod came from her.
I left the room, yet she remained completely inside my head.
Not long afterward I returned carrying several bags filled with food, causing her eyes to widen in shock.
“What is all this?”
I pulled the small patient table closer and placed several sandwiches in front of her, along with hot soup and strawberry juice too.
“Eat as much as you can, Evelyn.”
Real shock filled her face while staring at the food.
“Am I going to eat all this? Do you think I am a crocodile?”
Soft laughter escaped me while opening the soup container.
“No, but you need energy. Besides, the soup is warm... eat a little.”
Carefully I started arranging everything in front of her with exaggerated attention.
I opened the juice for her, placed the spoon in her hand, then unconsciously smiled as though I was happy only because I was watching her eat.
Why do I care about her this much?
And why do I feel this strange calmness while seeing her in front of me?
“Come on, eat... I will leave for a little then come back.”
Quickly her head lifted toward me.
“Where? Are you not eating with me?”
A calm smile spread across my lips.
“I bought myself a meat sandwich too... I will come back immediately.”
Silently she agreed without asking more.
For a moment I watched her take the first spoon of soup...
Then unconsciously I smiled.
“Why am I spoiling her like this?”