Chapter 145 The Heartthrob
>>Seraphina
My eyes fluttered open a little when I felt like I was being carried somewhere. My vision was blurry but I could still see the streets around me moving. My body was lethargic, my eyelids heavy and my head dizzy.
I knew I was awake only for a moment because I was immediately being pulled back into the darkness of unconsciousness.
The night was quiet, a little too quiet and it must have been probably why I could hear the sound of footsteps. My eyes landed on the person carrying me
Azef
He had me firmly in his arms as he carried me like a princess. The left side of his shirt as well as the left side of his face had splatters of blood but his expression was stoic. As if he didn’t care. He looked like a killer that had no feeling of remorse for his actions.
He kept his eyes straight and that meant he hadn’t noticed that I had woken up.
I would have freaked out looking at his appearance but the drug was still in my system. It made me completely useless and vulnerable, but I wasn’t afraid.
My eyes were tired and they closed again
I gasped as I opened my eyes.
WHERE AM I!?!? What happened?!?!? My heart was already pounding in my chest when I opened my eyes and the anxiety was eating me up. It could simply be the aftereffects of whatever drug I was given but at the same time, it could also be the fear swirling in my brain.
I looked around. As I lay there in the darkness, the events of the night replayed in my mind like a nightmare.
My neck was wet with sweat and so was my forehead.
I couldn't shake the feeling of fear that gripped me with its intensity. I looked around the dark place, my heart raced in my chest, as I looked down on my body.
I seemed fine but I had to check.
I sat up and touched myself. Trying to feel any pain or any sort of immorality but I didn’t find any. Though I did wince a few times because I had injured myself but at the moment my primary concern was my chastity.
“Whew,” I let out a breath of relief after seeing that. My breathing slowed down a little and I raised my face to look around again.
It was dark but I could now see that I was back in my room in Azef’s house. I looked towards the window, the sun was coming up, the sky was getting lighter.
Ah… The night has passed.
I wiped the sweat off my neck with my hand. I’m safe. My heart trembled. I made out safely
The flicked on
!!!
I shot my head towards the bedroom door.
“You're up?” Azef was standing there in the door frame with a box in his hand. My eyes got glued to him.
“Yes,” I let out a whispered voice.
He entered the room, his presence seemed to fill the space with a sense of calm and reassurance. His eyes met mine, warm and comforting, as he approached me.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice gentle and soothing as he reached the bed and softly sat down on the edge.
He had changed his clothes. His skin was clean but I could tell he had taken a shower. I gulped. Why? Is it because he doesn’t want to show all the blood he had on him?
But I already saw
I was delirious.
But I know I wasn’t dreaming. So, did he really kill those men?
…
It was strange to think about it. I didn’t know how to feel about that information.
I nodded, unable to find the words to express the overwhelming flood of emotions that threatened to consume me. But he seemed to understand, and didn’t make me speak.
“Since you’re up, I’ll look at your injuries.” He spoke softly as well and it took me a moment to realize why.
My gaze traveled to my bedside and I saw Eris, deep in slumber. OH! Right, she’s here too. I can’t believe I almost forgot about her. But seeing her made me feel ever better. She was wrapped in a separate blanket, so out of it even the light didn’t disturb her.
I turned to look at Azef again and gave him a silent nod.
“Okay,” He whispered and then began to examine my injuries. I took off the blanket for him and moved towards the edge of the bed
Closer to him
His hands were gentle yet firm as he traced the contours of my bruised and battered body. there was a flicker of discomfort as he probed the tender bruises and cuts that marred my skin,
“Ssss,” I hissed in pain, making him stop for a moment. He glanced at my pained expression, then continued. But as his touch grew more gentle, more tender, I felt a sense of reassurance wash over me.
It was a nice feeling. Him being careful because of me. It made me feel that he didn’t want to hurt me.
He focused first on my knees, which bore the brunt of the fall as I struggled to escape from my attackers. With careful precision, he inspected each scrape and bruise. Then he opened the first aid box to treat the injury. His focus was on my bruises but I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.
His touch sent shivers down my spine as he tended to the wounds with meticulous care.
With each passing moment, I found myself drawn to him in a way I couldn't quite understand. All he was doing was take care of me, yet I couldn’t look away. I wanted to observe him.
Next, he turned his attention to my feet, which had borne the weight of my frantic flight through the darkness of the night. With gentle hands, he examined each toe and heel, his touch a soothing balm to the raw skin that had been rubbed raw by the harsh pavement.
My heart that seemed to have calmed down before, began to act weirdly again. There was a growing sense of awareness in my mind, one I simply couldn’t seem to ignore.
What’s wrong with me? Why am I feeling so strange? And why can’t I take my gaze off of him?
This feeling was nothing like I had ever experienced. It was somewhat warm and it felt cozy. I watched Azef, his eyes traveling along my skin and I saw how pretty his gray eyelashes were. I admired his features and I thought about how he saved me.
Finally, he turned his attention to my arms, which bore the scars of countless struggles and fights. With a quiet determination, he tended to each cut and abrasion, his touch made me feel I was safe in his care. It was a feeling just like when he came and stood in front of me to protect me.
That’s right. I made it out safely because of him. Because he was there. Because he came to save me. I wonder what he did to those men? With the amount of blood I saw on him, it must have been a messy fight.
But then I recalled how easily he had killed Hulio.
And at that time too, he did it to save me.
My heart throbbed and I wished to be closer to him. He applied the last bandage on my arm, then raised his face for his eyes to meet mine. And the moment they did, my heart skipped a beat.
“Done,” He passed me a very subtle smile, “You can go back to sleep now.”
My feelings felt like they were a mess and my mind felt jumbled up. All I could do was nod at him.
“You said you’d text me the names of your relatives.” He said as he picked up the things he got out of the box
Oh, right. I did say that, but I forgot the important thing then.
“Yes… Except that you broke my phone.” I looked at him nervously, “You threw it against a wall… It shattered.”
“Oh… Right…” Azef closed the first aid box, “I did that,” He closed his eyes and sighed. Then he opened them and nodded, “You can rest in the morning, I’ll take Eris to her kindergarten.”
“You will?” He shocked me with his words, “Why would you do that?”
“Hmm,” He stood up, “So that you don’t worry and sleep tight.” He began to walk away.
What is this?
Why is he being so nice? So protective? So gentle?!?
I watched him leave,
WHY?
He’s even willing to help out with small things. There is absolutely no need for him to do this. Yet, he offered on his own.
“Sir,” I couldn’t help but call out to him.
“Hmm?” He stopped by the door and looked back at me.
Why?
I stared at him
Why is he making me feel like this?
“Why are you helping me so much?” I asked, “This goes beyond simply keeping us here because you want to catch our dad.”
He turned his face away. He had his face slightly turned towards me but he didn’t answer. His gaze dropped to the floor and along with it his gray eyelashes drooped.
Is he thinking about what to say to me? Or is he thinking of an excuse? What could he have in mind?
“There’s nothing much behind it.” He answered, “It’s something I’m doing for myself.”
“What?” His words only added to the confusion.
“You don’t need to fret over it.” He spared me a glance, “Just go to sleep.” He flicked the lights off.
“But,” I wanted to ask him about it but he didn’t stay. He moved out and closed the door behind him.