Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Is this a dream or is Alex really kissing me ?

I tried to pull away but Alex held a firm grip on my neck, his lips pressed firmly on mine. I gripped his shirt and finally pulled away but Alex pulled me towards him and wrapped an arm around my waist securely.

"Alex?!"

"Yes?" Alex turned to look at Rihana as she scoff in disbelief before glaring at me.

"Di-did you just-ki-" Rihana stopped, her eyes slightly glistening in tears, then Rihana disappeared from our sight.

"Wh-why did you do that?" I asked him.

"I don't know, I was just mad-" he stopped before inhaling deeply and I turned away, a lump forming in my throat.

"Are you messing around with me?"

"I wasn't." I stopped to look at him but he has a hard expression on his face.

"What do you "

"I'll handle her, go upstairs and sleep now."

"Are you going after her?" Alex froze before staring deep into my eyes, making my heart skip a beat.

"Please go and sleep, Rina." he whispered, my eyes completely getting drawn inside his as I nodded my head obediently. He compelled me, yet again. The next thing I knew, I was back upstairs and in my room, getting inside the sheets as I closed my eyes forcefully. I didn't want to sleep but I had to ,but I am grateful that he compelled me. If he hadn't, I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight at all.

"So you've been avoiding them both the whole week because of that?" Ana asked and I nodded slowly, hugging myself even tighter. "Don't you think that it's about time you claim what's yours? If you really want Alex then stop letting her take him so easily. He is getting easily swayed by her every time and that-"

"I know, Ana. But I can't keep indirectly begging him to choose me over her. It's his choice, not mine," I grumbled while hugging myself.

Why is Alex acting like this? One minute, he makes it seem like he actually wants to be with me but the next minute, it's vice versa.

"I can't let him see me like this." I was about to turn around but froze when the door opened and in came Alex, causing my heart to drop.

" She hasn't eaten anything today. " Danny rat me out.

" No, I ate. " I protested so that he won't come near me.

"Are you telling the truth?" Alex cut off my thoughts .

"Ye-yes! Why would I lie? Plus, why do you have to see whether I ate or slept -"

My confidence crumbled down as he took a step forward.

"What?" I choked out, slightly backing away as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Don't come any closer!" I suddenly blabbered when he took another step forward .

"What's going on with you?"

"Don't!" I snapped when I saw Alex walking towards me.

"And why not?" he grabbed my wrists and I gasped at his closeness.

"Wh-what?"

"Did you eat?" he asked softly to which I nodded slowly. He stepped in front of me again.

"You're not-"

"Don't act like you care." With that, I ran up to my room.

"Hey David?" I called him as David give me a smile .

"What's up?" he came up as I started fiddling with my fingers

"It's been a while since I've seen my parents and honestly, I'm starting to miss them. I want to see them, even if it's for a day" I started softly and looked up to meet his piercing gaze.

"Katy, you know that it's not up to me, Alex decide that."

I gave him a pleading look.

"I was wondering whether you could talk to him about it." I asked softly and his eyes widened a bit before he shook his head, a nervous chuckle escaping through his lips.

"I can't-"

"But-"

"I can't, Katy, it's Alex we're talking about, if anything, you're the only one who can convince him." He said and I gave him a disappointed look before nodding slowly, ready to leave when David let out a groan.

"What?" I asked him slowly as he took my hand, spinning me around before scratching his neck.

"Maybe I can talk to him," he started and I was about to say something when he pressed a finger on my lips. "But only if you promise to have your lunch right now." I quickly nodded before walking with him to the dining room where everyone was . I quickly sat on my seat, earning a scowl from Rihana . I started eating my food, ignoring the guys who were now engaged in their own conversation. I was excited right now, not to mention happy. I can finally see my parents after months, only if Alex agrees, of course, but he has no reason not to. The door opened shortly and Alex walked in, rolling up his sleeves as he sat down right next to me.

"Alex."

"Just eat." He said shortly, not even glancing at Rihana, who was now almost in tears and I couldn't help but feel bad for her somehow. Alex take a sip out of his wine before they continued their conversation, making me sigh in relief.

"Katy, I want to talk to you." Rihana's voice almost made me jump and everyone went silent as I slowly looked up at her, making me stiffen a little.

"Su-sure-"

"She's not going anywhere." Alex suddenly hold my hand that were now resting on my laps. Alex held a firm grip, almost as if he knew that I was going to yank them away any minute.

"I just want to talk to her about something. You need not worry." Rihana said before getting up . Alex was about to say something when I yanked his hand and he frowned as I got up and made my way outside.

"Put this on." Rihana said while taking out a Vervain chain with a green topaz, I stared at the familiar chain before putting it on.

"Why?"

"So that, Alex can't hear our talk," she said, narrowing her eyes at me before sighing. " you really don't care about how he feels, huh?"

"If you brought me here to accuse such things then-"

"I know, Katy. I know Alex and trust me , he is breaking down because of you," she stopped when I shot her a deadly glare. "Of us. Maybe it's hard for you to understand him but not me. How can you not see it?"

"See what?!" I huffed angrily, folding my hands across my chest.

"See that he's hurting because of you. Can't you see that you are holding him back? Whenever he tries to settle his feelings with me, you confuse him. He's going crazy because of you and yet you can't even see it, can you? But you claim to be in love with him."

"I never said-"

"You haven't said it. But Everyone in this mansion know other than Alex." her eyes flaring in anger as she spoke.

"Are you done?"

"No, are you? If so, then let him go . You have done enough already, Katy. I've seen him wide awake almost every night, restless, because of everything that's been going on. " Rihana cut me off .

"He told you that?"

"He doesn't have to say. Unlike you, I understand him. And last night? He almost lost it. He talked about how everything that's been going on lately has made him feel trapped and suffocated, almost driving him insane." I could feel my heart aching at her words.

"Rihana, I-"

"And the worst part is, he don't trust me because of you. He wants to be with you, without feeling guilty about it." Rihana let out another sigh . My heart drop at the thought of Alex suffering because of me.

"I-I'll stay away." I finally choked out

"Good. Just stay away. Now, can I have the chain back? " She asked me. I started to slip it off and my eyes widen . Terry had a vervain chain with the same green topaz embedded in it. Was it the same chain? No, no way.

"Hey, where did you get this bracelet?" I asked Rihana softly as she shrugged.

"I always had it with me." She replied as I handed it over to her. I inhaled deeply as she walks away.

**

"She said nothing, Alex." I said for the nth time . But Alex frowned not believing me. I ignored him, hoping he would leave. But no.

"You're lying."

"Well, she talked about how we don't get along well and wants to change." I said bitterly, disgusted with my own lie and held my breath when Alex sat down right in front of me on the bed.

"I don't-"

" don't you dare compel me. I'll never talk to you if you do." I gave him a deadly glare as he sigh.

"Whatever she said about you, don't believe her. You're not-"

"I have something I want to ask you." I cut him off, standing up and he raised a brow before getting up as well.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if I could visit my parents this weekend. It's been so long and-"

"David already told me about it. And the answer is no."

"But-"

"A firm no." he repeated and I glared at him, his words pricking my nerves.

"And why not? Do you plan to keep me here forever?"

"No, what I do plan to do is keep you safe." He hissed, taking a step forward but I held my ground as well.

"By keeping me here and not letting me see my parents? That's not keeping me safe, that's locking me in." I watched Alex give me a hard look before he let out a huff in frustration, running a hand through his hair as he did.

"Fine, you'll get a day. But you're coming back before it gets dark."

"What am I, a child?"

"That you are." I huffed but stopped thinking Alex might change his mind about letting me visit.

"Let's sleep." Alex took off his shirt and disappeared, causing my jaws to drop open. The door was now open and it didn't take a minute for him to reappear in front of me. He's in his sweatpants.

" why you sleep here?"

"Because it's the only way I can sleep these days." He barely mumbled but I heard it.

"Oh," I whispered stupidly, not really knowing what to say.

"So, Alex," I started softly, hiding the pain. "Do you still have feelings for Rihana?" I asked finally, turning to face him as he slightly flinched.

"Why ?" he asked as he turn back. But I grabbed his hand.

" Please, tell me?" I asked softly. He met my gaze before slowly licking his lips.

"I don't know. Probably not."

The way he hesitated to answer made it clear that he was lying right now.

"I-I see. Can I step out then?" He frowned as I took a few steps back, leaning against the nearest wall to support myself.

"What do you mean?"

"I want you to give her a chance. Make things work between you two again. The only way to do that is to let me go. Let me go, Alex. Let me go." I pleaded with him. His eyebrows furrowed together in disbelief.

"And who told you that? Rihana?" he started walking up to me but I shook my head as he closed in on my space.

"I am telling you because I know you're hurting," I stated softly . " I'm sorry for not seeing it earlier. I didn't think how hard this must be for you and I was thinking only about me but I was as hurt and confused as you were, if not more." I continued.

"Katy-"

" I'm sorry for holding you back, Alex." I stopped for a second when Alex wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "I'm sorry for not looking out the way I should have and--no, let me finish!" I raised my voice when his lips already brushing against my jawline. His lips trailing down to my neck and I held back a moan as he went straight to my soft spot, causing shivers down my spine.

"I'm serious, Alex." I pushed him and he let out a sigh.

"You're serious. But all I hear is you repeating what Rihana said." He stated bluntly.

"We're never going to work Alex. We're literally the definition of complicated."

"Got a nice touch to it, don't you think-" he stopped when I sent him a warning glare and he "tsked" before taking a step back. "Fine, but I'm not listening to you right now. That's Rihana talking not you."

"I'm serious, Alex. I am done trying to make us work."

"Well fuck that, I'm not, alright?" I let out a huff at his ignorance as he walked over to the bed, plopping down on it.

"Good for you." I said bitterly before marching up to him and crawling as far away from him from the bed. The light switched off shortly.

"About the vervain chains." I turned to face him and gasped when I realized how close he was to me now.

"What about it?" he asked as I narrowed my eyes at him before staring into his blue eyes.

"How many are there?" I asked softly. Rihana having the same type of chain Terry had did bother me but then again-

"Probably 13 or less. The color of the topaz would be different in each one." He said shortly and I could feel my heart race .

"What about the same color? Is there a chance that there are two chains with the same color?" I asked and my heart dropped when Alex shook his head.

"Why? Is something wrong?" he asked softly but his voice was so distant by now. If there is only one kind of chain for each color, then how Rihana able to get her hands on the chain Terry had?

"Hey, Katy?" Alex shook my shoulder and I gasped as I looked at him.

"I'm just curious."

"Your heartbeat is rapidly fast right now. Chances are either you're lying or trying to hide something from me and-"

"Alex, I'm serious. Trust me. I'm fine. I was just curious and you know what happens when I get curious." I somehow managed to convince him .

"Good, now sleep." He leaned to kiss me on the forehead . I didn't even bother to brush him away. How was Rihana able to get her hands on a chain Terry had given me once? What exactly is she hiding from us?