Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Chapter 46

ALICIA

Something is wrong.

I can feel it.

My body can testify to it.

Bile rises to my throat and I know a second round of vomit is on its way. I won't allow it take me by surprise this time around.

I vault up and rush to the bathroom, and just in time too, because the moment my head is bent over the toilet bowl, it all comes gushing out. The remains of my dinner last night, or whatever the first round of vomit didn't bring out. After a few minutes, when it's obvious my stomach is a bit settled, I stagger to the tap and splash some water on my face. The coolness of it helps to reduce the quiziness I'm feeling. After splashing a little more onto my face, I feel a shade better, and even manage to walk without stumbling back into the bedroom.

What did I eat last night?

I close my eyes as I try to recall. Ash took me to Parched for the night, to celebrate Chucho's passing.

Actually, his murder.

When Ash told me he won't bother me anymore, I had felt pure relief and a piercing joy. Does it make me a bad person that I know Ash had him murdered and I don't feel bad about it?

Well, I don't care.

Ash spoiled me silly with too much food, most of which I don't even know their names, except that it was sea food. He brought me back home and ravaged my body, taking me to unknown heights and bringing me back down to earth once again. After that, we lay cuddled in each other's arms, and I'd slept off to the sound of his heart beat against my ear. Before I woke this morning, his side of the bed was cold, but a note was left on it telling me not to worry because he had gone to the mines.

It's just as well he's not here. I don't want him to worry.

A shrill sound rents the air, rendering me immobile for a few seconds. It stops and starts almost immediately. That's when I realize it's my phone. I reach for it on the bedside table, and answer the call without even checking who the caller is.

"Hello!" My voice sounds raspy. Whoever is on the line would think I'm a lazy bum who's just waking.

"I thought moving to LA would make us see each other often, but the reverse is the case."

I would recognize her voice anywhere. Relief floods me as I squeeze my phone tightly. "I missed you too, Clar."

I smile weakly, even though she can't see me.

"I'm in front of your door and been knocking like it's going out of fashion, and you're still sleeping."

"I'm not at home, but you can still come see me."

She's silent for a few seconds and I can almost hear the gears in her head shifting.

"You wicked, wicked girl. Who is this man that keeps you at his place on a weekday. Doesn't he have work to go to and money to make?"

I roll my eyes and sigh tiredly as I put it on speaker and begin typing out Ash's address.

"I've sent you the address of where I am, please come now, and please, be nice."

"Ohhh! Richford Estate? This man must be fucking rich. I just have to see this for myself. I'm on my way."

Trust Clarissa to already have put Ash's address on the map. She cuts the call with promises of getting here soon. That's when I realize I made a mistake by inviting her over. I should have asked Ash first, I don't think he'll like her coming over without being told about it. I pick up my phone and call him.

He picks immediately. "Kitten, everything okay?"

The obvious worry in his voice makes my heart warm towards him.

"I. . . I'm fine, Ash, It's just. . . I wanted to tell you my best friend is coming over to see me at your place. I hope you don't mind, I just don't want to be alone."

There's silence at my admission and a knot begins to form in my throat, that is, until he lets out a chuckle.

"Hazel eyes. . . kitten, have I not shown it already?" He sighs tiredly. "You can invite whoever the fuck you want, baby, just. . . don't invite any of your guy friends."

It's my turn to turn quiet. Guy friends? What is he talking about, I don't have any-

A guffaw explodes over the phone and I know it, I just know he's laughing.

"Hahahaha! Very funny, laugh all you like at my expense."

"Kitten. . . " He says in between laughs. "That house is as much mine as it's yours. Enjoy yourself with Clarissa, and you girls be good. Kisses."

It's not until he rings off that I realize I never mentioned Clarissa's name.

How did he know?

This is Ash we're talking about here. A voice whispers in my ear.

I sigh and lay back on the bed, because at this point, I'm exhausted. I must have drifted off because some few minutes later, a beep echoes in the room waking me up. The intercom flashes red, so I press a button and Smith's voice fills the room, informing me Clarissa is here to see me. After telling him to let her in, I wear one of Ash's tee and meet her in the foyer.

"Daaaaaamn!" She whistles like a train wreck as she swivels her head this way and that. "I suspected mystery man is rich, but this place is on a whole different level."

"Yeah!" I look around, trying to see it from her eyes. "He's not doing too badly."

"Are you kidding me, Lis, this place is a fucking mansion and look at these chandeliers." She lets go of my hand and surges to one of the leather chairs. "I could orgasm just looking at these." She caresses it, but it looks like she's worshipping it instead.

I take a hold of her hand and feebly drag her towards the stairs.

"Hold up, what's the rush? What happened to me feeding my eyes with these gorgeous pieces. It's not everyday I see such fine decor."

All the way upstairs, and even to Ash's private sitting room, she yaps away. I love this girl, but she's got a serious case of mouth diarrhea. Unfortunately, it gets worse when she sets eyes on the sitting room. I take it for one good minute before I tell her to put a sock in it.

She sighs dramatically before turning to look at me and staring for longer than is necessary. "Oh, my God, Lis, are you okay?"

I sink into a chair before shaking my head. "I don't feel well, I've been spewing my guts out like there's no tomorrow."

A glimmer enters her eyes and her lips coil into a smile. I know I'm not going to like what she's about to say. "I have a theory, one you might not particularly like." She purses for emphasis before spilling what's on her mind. "You're pregnant."

I laugh. I can't help myself. "I'm not pregnant, I can't be." I shake my head emphatically. "I just finished my period a few days ago."

"Ah! But I hear some women, a small percentage of them, see their period while pregnant."

I shake my head in denial, and the movement causes a surge of dizziness.

She notices.

"Alright, why don't you get decently dressed and then we can find out what the problem is at the hospital."

I nod weakly, before standing and almost falling. Clarissa helps me to the room and begins the ogling of the furniture once again. While I dress, she lies on the bed and caresses it with reverent sighs. I roll my eyes and hasten my dressing.

*

"I told you I wasn't pregnant." I shrug, throwing my bag onto a chair.

"Careful with that chair, it has no grievances towards you," Clarissa says caressing the leather couch, yet again.

I let out an exasperated sigh and sink into a chair. We just got back from the hospital and several tests were carried out. Turns out I'm allergic to seafood, which was the reason for all my vomit.

"Here!" She hands me a small vial of tabs and a bottle of spring water. "The doc expressly said you should take one immediately you get home."

"Excuse me, ma'am." One of Ash's men comes into the sitting room holding my phone. "You left this in the car."

"Thanks, Night eyes." I collect it from him and his gaze lands on Clarissa for a few seconds before he walks away.

Once he's out of earshot, Clarissa fans herself dramatically. "I've been meaning to ask you - who is that hunk that took us to the hospital? He's so hot. Those eyes of his are so bright, and deep-set, and check out his body. I can just imagine him lifting me up in those strong arms of his."

I hide the laughter threatening to spill. "He works for my boyfriend."

"Is he a driver or something?"

"I honestly don't know, Clar, but a word of warning. Please stay away from him, and any other man lurking around this house."

"What do you mean? Why's that?" She turns to look at me, a frown marring her face.

How can I tell her it's because she changes men like she changes her clothes. They're always left heartbroken after the brief fling she has with them.

"Just stay away from him because you can't just toy with him and leave him."

She bites her lower lips and looks at the door from which he left as if expecting him to walk inside any moment.

"What makes you think I'd want to toy with him?" A smile coils her lips. "I'll allow him to do all the toying."

I know she's going to ask Night eyes out. I'm just going to have to warn him about the type of person she is. Something tells me he's not a pushover and won't allow himself to be used and dumped.

"Changing the subject." She says, turning to look at me with a keen intensity. "Who is mystery man, and when am I going to meet him."

"He's right here in the flesh!"

I whip round to see Ash stalking inside the sitting room, a glimmer in his eyes as he spares me with an intense look that warms me. He walks to Clarissa and takes her hand and kisses the top of it. "Ash Thunder at your service."

Clarissa almost swoons. She blinks rapidly, whether from sheer surprise or something else, I can't quite tell. What I do know is cat has definitely got her tongue. Now her mouth has dropped open as she watches Ash walk over to me and swoops down. I can't see what expression she has on her face, because Ash is kissing me senseless, tongue and all.

By the time he lets me up for air, Clarissa is fanning herself with her hand rigorously.