CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN: MISUNDERSTANDING

\-ARTEMIS- 

I jumped hearing the deep voice. My eyes searching for the figure who had terrified me. 

“Artemis.”

The scent of sandalwood cloaked with a bit of mundane bit the wood, my head faltering to the smell. Had someone intercepted the room, what’s happening? I covered my nose with my hands, but nothing changed; the smell was strong, consuming the air around it. 

“Alexander!” I chorused as I coughed.

My legs crumbled as I took a crouched stance, my legs failing me as I inhaled the substance. I grabbed the door knob behind me, turning it in an attempt to unlock it. 

The door was locked; the key was probably kept with the maids, who weren’t available. I held onto the knob, my legs slipping as I fell to the ground. 

“Someone help, anyone…” It was useless.

The sound of footsteps reverberating in my ears, grunts escaping from the door behind me. 

“Yeah, that’s it, don’t go slow, ahu yes.” Moans whirred in the air. 

“Help.” I slammed my hand on the door, knocking like never before. My left hand was helping in keeping me awake. 

“Alexander, someone’s at the door.” The lady moaned. 

Alexander? No, no… Alexander is wounded. He wouldn’t be having sex at a time like this. Except he had faked the cut wound or had endured it for this session. 

“Leave her be; the maids will take care of her later.” The deep voice came once more with loud grunts escaping at intervals. 

Did he just turn on me like I was a nobody? Just because I can’t see him doesn’t mean I can’t hear his whimper. 

My eyes began to shut, my hands trembling as the substance found its way into my bloodstream, my arms drained of their energy and falling onto my laps. I was losing it. 

“Heard Not like that, don’t default.” The moans grew louder, muffled breaths escaping as the sound of the creaking bed.

“H.E.L.P.”

…”Artemis. Artemis, can you hear me?” The tenor of Alexander’s voice penetrating my ears. 

I stretched, my vision clear as I regained consciousness. The discovery of cream-colored walls coming in as I rested my back on the pillow.

“Where am I?” I uttered, my head gnawing. 

“You’re in the Royal Hospital.” His voice came again. 

He was there, sitting right next to me in a red T-shirt and a skillfully bandaged arm. His eyebrows furrowed as he focused on my body. 

“What?” I asked. 

He didn’t speak, his expression filled with disgust. I couldn’t help but wonder why he was giving me those eyes when I was the one to be disgusted by his shenanigan.

“Do you really think what you did was right?” He heaved, “You left me for dead, Artemis.”

He slammed his uncut arm on the drawer next to me, leaving me to shudder in the arms of my own mistake. He wasn’t angry at me; his expression was more of a delight coated with a bit of resentment. 

“I didn’t leave you for dead. I just…

“You just what Artemis. I go ahead just to get us a drink, and there you are running off with some men.” He gritted his teeth, his muscles tense as he stole a glimpse of my hair. 

“I went off with no man.”

“How did you think I got into a fight?” He paced around the room. “They were two, broad shoulders, hot and pervy. They claimed they were there for you, that you needed a massage, and they were going to hit you up at midnight. They were juveniles, known for rape and incest.”

“I didn’t…” He cut me off. 

“They were heading towards the east wing, where your mom claimed was our room. How did they get that information?”

I stared at the walls, avoiding eye contact. “I have no idea.”

“Bella said you were going to be there. Those men related well with Bella, like they’d known each other long enough.” His voice deeper.

“So you’re trying to say that I’m cheating on you?” I said. 

“What else do you think?” His tone is acerbic.

A pang of disbelief cut through me. I rose from the bed, heading for the door. Staying with a partner who didn’t trust me meant we were nothing.

“Where are you going?”

“A place where I’m appreciated and believed. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me and believes that I’m cheating on him.” Tears gathered in my eye. 

He couldn't see my tears; I couldn’t let him.

He grabbed me by the arm, bringing me to himself. “I’m sorry, Artemis. I’m barely able to concentrate nowadays.” Puppy eyes “I can’t stop thinking of you. I’m overreacting right now. You should understand. These things are happening fast, and I have no choice but to believe.”

“Believe? What happened to trust?” 

“I trust you, Artemis. I really, really do trust you, but I’m finding it hard not to believe, and you are not helping matters.” His grip on my hand loosened as he headed back to the chair, adjusting into it. 

“I understand, Alexander. These are times of difficulties for us; we have to learn how to trust each other and not end up bruised before we get started.” I held his hands, fitting his fingers in the gaps between mine. “Jamie and I are just business; you’re the real deal. I promise you that.”

His gaze flickered to me then back to the drawer. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

I waved up a smile, trying to change his complex look. He wasn’t the type to give in easily, just like Jamie, but he was quick to forgive and would never take the tight road, unlike Jamie. 

“I’m sorry you got injured because of me.” I said with sympathy in my eyes. “I had no idea who those men were, and I only heard the tale from my mom. As for why I was absent last night, I think someone spiked your drink, but I ended up taking it.”

“Spiked?” 

“We’ll talk about that later.” I grabbed my bag from the side cabinet, ready to leave despite waking minutes back. 

I was about to turn the knob when I remembered what I had heard before I fell unconscious. “Who were you fucking when I came in?”

He averted his gaze immediately, looking almost guilty of the accusation. About that…”