Chapter Twelve

Annika’s POV

The following morning I was the first to wake up. Even though I was awake I lied down on the bed, studying Andro who was still fast asleep.

I gently used my finger to trace the outline of his face from his forehead to his pointed nose and stopped there. I didn't know why or how it happened, but I couldn't explain this attraction that I felt towards Andro ever since the first day I saw him.

Every time our eyes met, I felt butterflies fluttering around in my stomach, my breath suddenly hitched, and I couldn't force myself to look away.

"What are you doing?"

His eyes were opened as my hand was still on his face. I quickly removed my hand and shifted away from him.

"Nothing."

Andro suddenly placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him. As our bodies collided, I swallowed the sound that was making its way out of my throat.

"Were you ogling me?" he asked, smirking.

"No, I was just trying to wake you up," I replied, lying under my breath.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked, his face so close to mine that I could feel his hot breath on my face.

"Yes." I swallowed hard.

His eyes were fixated on mine, studying me. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. His finger suddenly traced my hand up to my neck. The electricity behind his touch was undeniable. I didn't want him to stop either.

"If I kiss you right now, will you get mad at me?"

He asked. His question appeared strange to me. I didn't want him to kiss me because I didn't know anything about him, he's more like a stranger. A stranger who saved my life but still, my body wants it.

'Don’t be stupid, Annika, you don't even know a thing about this guy. What if the kiss ends up in sex? What if you fall pregnant, will he take care of you and your baby? Or will he throw you into the streets?'

I suddenly felt a light kiss on my forehead.

"You shouldn't think too much about that." He chuckled and stood up from the bed before he later walked out of the room.

What the heck did you just do Annika?

I asked myself as soon as he locked the door from behind. I stood up from the king's size bed and dashed into the bathroom.

Checking my reflection from the mirror, I could see my cheeks red, from blushing so hard.

Wait! Why will I think about sex when all he asked for was a kiss? Damn you, Annika.

Quickly, I took a shower and didn't spend much time in the bathroom. I changed into one of the many clothes that Andro had gotten for me and sat before the mirror to brush my hair and do some light makeup before I went home.

I picked up the phone Andro gave me and walked out of the door, ready to go back home and make them pay for what they did.

"Good morning, krasivaya," Stanley admonished as I walked down the stairs. (T: Beautiful.)

"Good morning, Stanley." I smiled at him.

"I heard you're leaving today."

"Yes, but I'll be back soon," I assured him.

He placed his hand on his heart dramatically and cried. "I'll miss having a pretty face around here for the next two days."

A strange face came behind him and patted his back.

"Are you that jobless, dramatic, and stupid, Stanley? Boss wants you at the warehouse." Stanley scowled at the guy.

"Hi." The new face waved at me and left.

"Don't mind him. He was born stupid." I laughed as Stanley walked after the guy, calling him to wait for him.

"Will you have breakfast before leaving?" Andro asked, gaining my attention. I didn't realize he was standing at the kitchen's door.

"I'm not that hungry," I replied. "Thank you, Andro. For everything." I meant what I said.

He nodded and walked back into the kitchen.

"Give me a minute; I'll change and drop you off at your parent's house," he told me as he came back out from the kitchen and he walked up the stairs.

I walked into the kitchen and saw a covered plate and when I opened it, two toasted bread were sitting prettily on the plate with a cup of milk behind it.

Wait!

Did Andro prepare this for me though I told him I wasn't hungry?

"Let's go," he called out to me.

"Are these for me?" I asked, pointing to the food.

He was silent before replying, "No, I made them for me."

"Ooh," was all I could say.

We both walked out of the house and entered the car at the same time. Andro started the car and drove off to my parent's apartment. I'd entered the address into the GPS, and this made it easier for him to locate our place.

He stopped the car in front of the house, and I stared long at the house, thinking I should go back and never step foot into the house again but then, it might be a problem to Andro.

Maybe I could just go over to the police station and declare myself found. I'm an adult, they'll understand if I say I was at my friend's place.

"Hey, you're thinking too much about everything," Andro said, as he held my hand and placed it on his lap.

"How do you know?"

"Because our soul connects, Emerthus," he replied.

"I don't understand you, Andro. What does that mean?"

"It means you're mine as I'm yours." As he said those words, the feeling was different, it was overwhelming. I wanted to jump on his neck and kiss him till I'm breathless.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll explain later, Annika, and it's okay if you don't want to go home; we can always go back," he assured me.

"I need to do this. I can't back down now," I said.

"I hope you open up to me someday so I can fight your battles with you. Not telling me anything is killing me." He whispered the last part.

To an extent, I think I trust Andro enough to tell him what has happened but what will he think of me after I do? Will he still look at me the same way?

"Here." He passed me a bottle of juice. I didn't need to be told; I knew what was in it.

"This one is raw and not diluted like the others."

"Like yours, right?" I asked "Yes, malyshl. Come on, drink up."

I placed the straw on my lips and as soon as the content touched my tongue, I could feel my fangs protruding out of my mouth. I could only stay calm after I was done.

"Don't stay out in the sun. If you must go out, use an umbrella. If you don't, you'll burn. Don't visit the hospital any moment from now and restrain from kissing anyone close to their necks. Stay away from the crowd and try not to hug anyone for the time being. If someone cuts themselves beside you, leave immediately. In case of any emergency, call me. I saved my number on the phone and in two days’ time, I'm coming to haul your ass away."

I couldn't stop blinking as he kept on talking. I was trying hard to process everything he had said.

"Okay, but I didn't get everything you said," I told him.

"I'll text it to you." I smiled as I felt relieved.

"I've placed some boxes in your bag, make sure you feed regularly, okay?" I nodded and collected the bag from him.

"Take care of yourself, moya dusha, and don't do anything stupid." (T: My soul.)

I frowned at his last word.

"I won't," I replied angrily.

Before I could open the car's door, he pulled me back and kissed me lightly on the lips. I couldn't help but smile back as he smiled at me.

"Bye." I opened the door and dropped from the car. I waved as he drove off.

As I stepped into the house without knocking, my mother stood up from the living room chair.

"Hello, Mother. Hello, stepfather." I could see the shock written on their faces. I guess they thought I was gone for good and that I was never going to come back.

"Oh my goodness, where have you been, Anni?" my mother asked while hugging me tightly.

"Dead but I'm back alive." I laughed hysterically as the two of them looked at me with fear on their faces.

Why can I feel their fear?

"It's so good that you're back," my stepfather said.

"Right! I'm glad that I'm back," I replied, before winking at him.

Dobro pozhalovat' v ad! (T: Welcome to hell!)