BRANDONGod, no. What have I done?There is nothing else I could do but send her away. I’m only trying to bear the anguish I feel in my chest the moment she is close to me. I like the feeling of her skin, her warmth, the look on her face when she smiles...But damn it, it all burns me. I still can’t bear it. I thought I was getting better, but it is still there.I’m wrong. I’m only getting worse.I clench my fists over my chest. “Fuck! Not again,” I groan. It is burning, and it is too damned painful.Where is Oliver?“Ollie...”It hurts. My chest, my head, my face. God, it all hurts.I fall on my knees. I can’t feel anything but the scorching in my chest. I force myself to stand and grope the phone with all my remaining strength, pressing the speed dial.Oliver answers at the first ring. “Brandon?”“Where are you?” I ask, catching my breath.“Brandon, what’s wrong?”“I need you right now,” I grunt. “Please, brother...”“I’m on my way.”It is the last word I hear from him, and everythi
Cassius appears in the dining room a few minutes later and walks toward me. “That looks good,” he says, looking at the food on the table.“Thanks.” I smile. “Where’s Ollie?”“He’s still with Brandon.”“Is Brandon going to be okay? Is he unwell? Did he ask for something? I can prepare it for him and—”Cassius cuts me off and chuckles. “Relax. He’s fine, and he’s eating the breakfast you prepared. He’s doing great, so don’t worry,” he assures with a small smile.The thorn in my chest finally stops pricking. I sigh in relief. Last night, he didn’t seem very well when he asked me to leave him right away. “Thank you. I was so worried.”“He’ll be fine.” He grins once again and looks back at the food on the table. “Can I have a taste of this?” he says, pointing to the sweet side dish I made of mascarpone cream cheese laced with vanilla.I chuckle. “Of course, you can.” I offer him a fork, then he slices off a small portion, tasting the food.He hums in approval. “Wow, tiramisu crepes?”“Yes.
I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I desire him. I never wanted to kiss anyone like this in my life. I lean into him, so I can taste more of him, but he shifts his face away.He frowns. “But if I don’t send you away, you won’t have the life you deserve.”I ignore him and cup the unmasked side of his face, and he doesn’t seem to mind. I feel his warmth and the cold, metallic touch beneath my skin. No, he is burning... feverish.“You couldn’t know that.”Brandon shuts his eyes as if in pain. He grits his teeth, and his face turns bright red. Unexpectedly, he stands and holds his chest, suddenly panting.“Hey, are you all right? Oh my God!” I exclaim as he brusquely collapses on the floor. I instantly run to his side. “Brandon, what’s wrong?” I try to touch him, but his hand stops me.I back away, but he grasps my wrist and looks at me instead.“Alayna,” he whispers hoarsely. “I don’t want you to see me like this. I’m sorry, but you have to leave now.”I touch my mouth, preventing my te
It’s been three weeks since I last saw Brandon’s face, and Oliver told me he will be taking the food to him instead of me for now. After the night his illness struck, I gave him space. It was also Oliver’s advice since his cousin needs to heal again. I have no idea how this illness can affect people; I’m afraid that I might hurt him again, so I keep my distance.I told Brandon that I wasn’t bothered by any of the things I was told, but after learning about his situation, I have to be more careful around him. Any skin-to-skin contact with him can trigger pain. That is the reason he doesn’t want to be touched.But unwilling to cut our connection, we were sending each other notes about his meal or how our day had gone. I sometimes went to his now-less-creepy white room so I could hear his voice, his laughter... until he stopped answering me. No more notes and he doesn’t answer my calls anymore in the white room.It’s bothering me now, wondering what happened to him, and all I can do is w
BRANDONWhy the fuck is she still out at this hour?I emptied a bottle of whiskey, but I still feel nothing. The alcohol won’t affect me. I frown at my wristwatch to check the time, and it’s already past two o’clock in the morning.What else can I do? Is this the life Alayna’s hoping for? Going out, dancing in a club with someone else? Is this the price of everything I can’t do for her? Has she already chosen this path? I almost died by fighting against myself. Is everything I fought for the past month for nothing?A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I open it immediately, hoping to see Alayna.“Brandon?” It’s Oliver, but he’s alone. He steps inside and closes the door.“Where is Alayna? Is she in her room?”He doesn’t answer right away. “She’s with Cassius,” he breathes. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I had a small misunderstanding with my girlfriend.”I frown hard. “When did you get a girlfriend?” I start to ask, but that isn’t important. “She’s still there? Why did you leave her with
ALAYNA“Going somewhere?”I look up at the man blocking the way. It is that mask, the same gray eyes, and melodious baritone voice. I’m still not sure if I’m dreaming or if the alcohol has already affected me.How is this possible?“Brandon,” I say, still unsure. “No... It’s impossible.”A deep groan vibrates in his throat, and his chest tenses up. He grabs my wrist, his thumb pressing on my pulse. I can feel the warmth of his palm on my skin.“Do you not know when to stop or when to come home?” he asks, sounding furious.I shake my head. “This must be a dream,” I murmur. “I must be dreaming. You seem so real!”His jaw clenches. “Because I am!”I gawk at him, still astounded. It’s him. He’s really here.“Wait!” I jerk my hand away, but his grip tightens. “How are you here?”“Is that important?”I manage to pull my hand back and glare at him. “Why are you touching me? I thought you hated it so much.”He leans closer and shuts his eyes as he moves away. “Come on now. Let’s get you home.
Brandon stands, his eyes not leaving mine. Then he pulls off his black shirt over his head, exposing the scar on his chest. The scar covers almost half of his left chest. The dry, yellowish, dead skin around it is almost painful to see, but I don’t look away. I can’t. Instead, I stare at his imperfection.“Touch me, Alayna,” he says tenderly; it’s almost a whisper.I swallow hard. “Are you sure?”He doesn’t respond, but I lift my hand and begin tracing his oblique muscle with my finger. I slowly move to his rock-hard abdominals. I finally stand; my hands are still on the flatness of his stomach.Brandon lets out a hitched breath. I stop.“Are you okay?”He nods. “Don’t stop.”He holds my hands and brings my palms to his chest. I can slightly feel the texture of his scar against my fingertips.Gently, I trace the scar. The skin is oddly soft, but the surface feels thick. I shut my eyes and stop. I’m not sure anymore if I can carry on. He’s panting, and I can see that he’s trying to bea
I feel a bit refreshed after a cold bath, but my head is still throbbing. It’s my rest day, but I want to check my supplies. Ms. Lennie is in charge of Brandon’s meals on the weekend. I find her at my station with a new girl.She looks so young and charming. She has wavy, dark brown hair, pouty red lips, and curvy hips. She is wearing a similar uniform as a cook, only simpler. I can’t help but wonder: Did they hire new kitchen staff? If so, why is she at my station?“Good morning, Ms. Lennie,” I greet her. “I’m just going to check the supplies so I can ask the grocer for refills.” My attention wanders to the brunette beauty next to her. She’s slicing the salmon into thin strips.“Good morning, Alayna. No need, dear. I already asked someone to fill up the supplies,” she says. “And Alayna?”“Yes?”“I’d like you to meet Casey. She’s going to be your assistant, and she’s only in charge of cooking on the weekends. Oliver decided to leave the kitchen to you, and Casey will deliver the food