Chapter 64: Chapter 64

Chapter 64

ASH

The moment our eyes clash, I realize there are worse things in life than death.

It's the hereafter. . .

The fear of hell.

Staring into the eyes of Ash's look-alike is like gazing into the depths of hell. It's cold as ice, yet devoid of warmth. It's scorching as a furnace.

As I said, it's hell.

He's a hairs breath away from me now. I watch as the smirk slides off his face and I can almost imagine it's another person standing before me, another pair of eyes pinning me with his gaze as he stares down at me with warmth and tenderness, his mouth parted open, ready to bestow a kiss on me, that is. . . until his hand curl around my elbow, and his fingers dig into my skin.

"Move!"

That one command shatters all my fantasies and unfreezes my frozen limbs. He drags me away - a predator and his unwilling prey. A hunter and his almost-lamb. Tears sting my eyes as I realize what will befall me, what is going to befall me if I willingly follow him to wherever he wants.

Fight, sis. You must fight.

That voice.

"Tanya?" I look around, but when his long fingernails dig into my skin once more, it drags me back to my current situation.

I can't do this. I can't allow myself to be led willy-nilly to my demise, not when the spirit of mother, and Tanya, are with me. I look back, desperation clawing its way into my throat, but Ash is still surrounded by those gargantuan women so I decide to take matters into my own hands.

I didn't see it coming, I didn't expect things to go so fast. How could I?

As I open my mouth to let out a scream, other screams borne out of joy, ring out, overshadowing mine. I watch in horror as a large crowd of people rushes toward us. My mouth parts because the mob is massive. At first, I'm afraid, scared for my life and my baby's, but as they rush close to us, it hits me - this is my chance.

It's the only one I'm going to get, and so I seize it.

I kick out at the first person that passes me and she stumbles. Yes! She falls flat onto the ground, and so does the next person, and the next, and the next. They all fall like a pack of dominoes and guess what - Ash's look-alike's hand slips, and I twist away from him.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize the repercussions of my actions when I first started this stampede.

I try to move, to get away from the madman who's realizing what I'm doing but I fall onto the wriggling mass of bodies struggling to get up.

Help! Somebody - Anybody!

I don't know where the strength comes from, but I press into the body of an unknown person and hoist myself up. I see the madman standing a short distance looking around for me in the mass of bodies, that's when I look behind me and see money being sprayed, like confetti, in the air.

The women previously surrounding Ash are busy picking money from the ground, money that I see is coming from Ash's fingers. As if there's a telepathic connection between us, he turns around and our eyes clash. Never have I seen someone so relieved to see me before.

The look on his face will forever remain with me for the rest of my life.

He continues dropping money from a bundle in his hand - this time, onto the ground, and he walks, leaving a trail of money behind him, but not once does he break eye contact with me.

Not once.

And then he's before me, and the money in his hand is all gone as well as all the shampoos he was previously holding. I don't know where Pantene Pro-V I was holding is, and I'm a little disappointed but I stifle the feeling. "Let's get out of here."

I nod, relief soaring through me. Once again, he interlaces his fingers in-between mine, and we head toward the door. People are still scrambling around on the floor picking up money. I turn around as we get to the sliding doors, scanning the tightly-packed aisles, and the pack of people milling around and holding money in the air with wide smiles on their faces, but Ash's look-alike is nowhere to be seen.

I'm beginning to think he's a scepter or an evil fiend conjured up from my overactive imagination, but when I realize my sister is dead because he killed her, I know he's as real as a human being can get.

@

ASH

Fuck.

One minute, Hazel eyes' fingers were wrapped around mine, and the next, they were gone. I almost lost my shit then. Those women were out for my blood, oohing and aahing words to me, words they didn't know did me no favors.

At one point, one of them removed her tee and she wasn't wearing a bra. She told me to sign my name on her boobs. If I didn't do something fast, I knew I was going to be a dead man the moment Hazel eyes set eyes on her. Me. Us.

No - first, she, then me. Or maybe she'll kill both of us at the same time.

I didn't hear shit of what she or any of them said thereafter. I had to figure out a way to lose all of them, and fast, so I looked around wildly, turning this way and that, and I saw him. . .

The face-imposter.

His hand was on Hazel eyes, dragging her away. For one split second, I saw red. I weighed my options, but all of them fell flat because I knew I wouldn't be able to get to her on time. It was a damned if you do, damned if you don't, kinda situation I faced.

The bright idea to throw money in the air sailed into my head. It was risky, but it sealed the deal. I watched as it caused an avalanche as people raced toward me, but they had to pass through Hazel eyes and face-imposter first.

Damn!

I watched my plan implode right before my eyes, until. . .

Hazel eyes brought a leg out, and one by one, they fell right beside her, stacked on top of each other. She twisted from the face-imposter's grasp and fell - right into the stacked-up bodies. For the second time, my heart almost seized, and then I watched as she got herself up and looked around.

Our eyes clashed and I didn't know what happened after that. All I know is that I'm holding on to her right now and not letting go. That's all that matters.

I exhale the crisp LA air as I practically drag Hazel eyes through the doors of the supermarket, realizing this whole episode must have tired her out. Shit! It's tired me out not to talk about her. I know this is probably the only chance I get to show her a bit of romance, so I sweep her off her feet - bridal style - into my arms.

"And they say chivalry is dead." She croons against my chest as she throws her arms around my neck and nestles even closer.

"Well, don't get used to it." I hold her tighter to my chest, noting she's put on a bit of weight ever since our new addition began growing inside of her.

Our new addition. . .

A baby.

My baby.

Our baby girl.

It's so surreal My princess is blooming inside of her. It's like a fucking miracle.

Correction: It is a fucking miracle that I've not been able to wrap my head around it ever since. This is why I have to do everything and anything to keep both my Queen and Princessa safe. No matter what it takes.

Face-imposter is going down.