Chapter 133 [MIA]
I woke up with the other side of the bed being empty and cold, and I stirred. I had fallen asleep last night when I excused myself to rest after dinner (courtesy of the medicines) in Alexâs bed.
He wasnât here.
How I woke up the last time I was here fills my memory, with his hand strangling me.
I missed his touch.
I missed my husbandâs touch.
My eyes flickered open to see him sprawled across the couch, and my heart fell a little bit. He was so big, literally. Taller than the length of the couch, his legs on the arm rest and his palm below his head because there was no space to rest it elsewhere.
He slept on the couch because of all the times I had screamed at him to get away from me when he tried to come closer. He hadnât even worn a blanket despite the freezing temperature the room was at.
I took the blanket I was wearing, softly spreading it over him, careful not to wake him.
I just stared at his peaceful face, no frown lines whatsoever, and jumped when his eyes snapped open.
âGood morning,â he wished me in a raspy voice.
My heart skipped a beat. âDid I wake you up?â
âNo. I was already awake.â
âYou looked asleep,â I say in a small voice. âI thought you might be feeling cold. Itâs freezing in here.â
âI tried raising the temperature when I came to the room, but you started stirring awake. I guess my wife likes the freezing temperature, huh?â He teased.
My wife.
Oh, dear heart, âIâm sorry you had to sleep on the couch because of me.â
âDonât be. I was working here and I fell asleep.â
Cheap 185 âOkay.â Thite my lower lip. âItâs pretty early still.
It was seven in the morning.
âAhm.â He buzzes, getting up and straightening his spine before cracking his knuckles. His bruised knuckles. How did I not notice them earlier?
âWhy do your knuckles have dried blood, Alex?â I ask in a smaller voice than earlier, contemplating if I should sit on the empty space beside him.
âwas working out back at home, and I took it too far.â He chuckles like itâs not a big deal. âAre you hungry? You barely had dinner last night.â
1 nod, my stomach rumbling a little.
âDo you want to go out?â He offers. âThereâs this breakfast place around the corner. We can go?â
I nod enthusiastically, a small smile breaking out on my face.
A half hour later, we were both showered, dressed and walking on the sidewalk.
âNo car and no guards?â I teased when we walked side by side. âDoes Alex King really do such mundane things?â
âI figured it would make you happy... to do âmundane thingsâ.â
âSo happy.â I smile, âSo, whatâs the story behind this breakfast place?â
âTheyâve got worldâfamous bagels,â Alex grins. He actually grins and itâs so sweet, I wanted to capture it. âWhen ! and Aurora were six and Ronan must be like one? We used to grab breakfast here before Dad left for work. Breakfast and dinners were mandatory together till we were fifteen. My parents were huge on family time. Checking out new restaurants, annual vacations.â
âWow.â I canât help but smile too. âThat must be such a lovely way to grow up.â
âIt was,â He replies. âI think I had some manufacturing defect, always had the knack for destruction. Loved watching things burn.
My parents werenât exactly shocked when I figured out what Uncle Damien actually did, or when I wanted to spend time with him over the my summer holidays. They were just terrified for my life, but they didnât want to lose me by trying to control me. Hence, I joined the mafia. You always ask, hereâs the reason.â
âThatâs it?â I would lie if I said I wasnât disappointed. âA knack for adventure?â
âWhat did you expect? A sob story?â
âYeah. Of sorts.â
2/4 âSome people are just born psychopaths, baby. I wasnât made.â
âYouâre not a psychopath.â I bite my lower lip. âYouâre crazy, but not psychopathic.â
âIs that a compliment, cupcake? Should I be flattered?â
1 blush while Alex pushes the glass doors of the cafe for me, holding it like a total gentleman.
âSeems like youâre not the only one who loves this place,â I mutter to Alex, and he blinks in confusion before following my gaze to see his twin sister sitting in one of the corner tables opposite a man.
The man, as good looking as he was with his broad shoulders, muscular arms and roughedâup appearance, looked older to Aurora. He must have a good sixâeight years on her, and he wasnât a stranger judging by my husbandâs stiffening posture.
âWhy donât you go order the bagels?â His hand lingers on my lower back subconsciously while his other hand digs inside his pocket to remove his card and he hands it over to me. âIâll be behind you in a sec.â
I freeze under his touch, nodding quietly and fleeing the spot to go towards the counter. There was a small queue, which was surprising considering how small the place was. I could see Alex walk up to his sisterâs table, who looked flustered upon seeing him. The man seemed unbothered.
Alex talked to them while looking at me every few seconds as if he was scared to take his eyes off me.
I was safe here, or at least I hoped I was, but Alexâs concern felt nice. Warm.
The queue cleared up and I stepped ahead to the counter when it was my chance, taking my eyes off my husband only then.
âGood morning. Can I take your order?â The voice was unfamiliar, but the ginger hair in front of me wasnât.
The ginger in his beard coincided with my kidnapperâs. I stood there, frozen, terrified, feeling his hands all over me like they had been.
Feeling his weight over my body. His erection pushing into my stomach while his hands held me down. His lips trying to land on mine while I kept shaking my head frantically.
Run. Mia, Run.
Scream for Alex.
Anything.
I couldnât.
16:30 Fri, 19 Jul Chapter 133 I hyperventilated, lips parted, staring at the man. Staring at my kidnapper. My abuser.