Fatal Love

Chapter # 8

"Irene. I am sorry." I told her the origin of my remorse for my deed of holding unreasonable abhor for those lifeless eyes which invoked unwanted memories from my heart, better to feel the needle of pain and heartbreak, to sink in the vast ocean of agony- I apologized before the guilt could intoxicate my mind. I don’t want anymore regrets. If I had faults, I shall redeem them. I had enough regrets and she saved my life and I have to thank and apologize to her. 

"Huh? What?" She asked, putting down the water bottle and raising a brow at me in confusion, not making my simple words in her mind. 

"I am sorry for placing wrong judgement on you.” I apologized, repeating my words, not raising my head but the sharped gaze over my made my heart race in nervousness. Staring at me for a few seconds, contemplating my form, her direness faltered as a chuckle escaped her lips. It wasn’t of amusement but rather mock, the sound was laced with scorn. I raised my head and I looked at her smirking at me, “It doesn’t suit someone like you to be like this.” She snickered, ending her laugh with a sigh and shaking her head.

Compelled to hear this, I couldn’t move my eyes from her. For once, even as a jeer, she showed a shred of emotion and I was instantly appealed by the sound. Drawn to the tiny drop of emotion she showed, a smile crept upon my lips, “If it’s my fault, then I should apologize.” I told her ,taking a step closer.

“I don’t need it. You are my Boss. Such words meant nothing.” She replied with a shrug. “But-” I tried to speak but she cut me off, “I have endured worse. Don’t attach your mere words to my non-existent emotions. It would be better.” Her amusement faded and she was back to her old dead self again. Blinking and shaking my head to break the rhythm of her emotions created in my mind vanished and her reality struck me hard that she is still the emotionless soul inducing aversion in my heart.

With a sigh, I moved back. “I only wanted to apologize for my mistake. Take care of yourself. See you at work.” I said, my steps retreated, leaving her to have some rest but before I could leave, she called me, “Mr Eryx.” 

“Yes?” I asked, stopping in my tracks and turning to her. “They have bandaged my leg, I am fine now. Could you make preparations for my discharge?” She asked. My brows furrowed at her not-so-absurd words. “You are shot.” I told her. 

“Hmm. I know. Doctors took out the bullet, the wound shall heal, staying here any longer is a waste of time.” I narrowed my eyes at her, not believing she is still an unaffected soul. “Don’t you feel pain?” I asked in a low yet dismayed tone. 

She blinked with her hardened expressions and didn’t reply. Shaking my head in disappointment, knowing there’s no use in trying to evoke emotions in a stone. “I will talk to the doctor.” I said, leaving but stopped at the door frame. “Irene.” I called her. She looked at me, waiting for me to continue, I looked at her over my shoulder and said with a faint smile, “Good job.” And walked out with a certain thought stirring my mind, causing a disruption which unwillingly elicit pain in me, 

How can someone be so dead inside? But deep down, on the verge of the darkest sides, I do have seen someone with more lifeless eyes than hers…

The next day, Irene came back home. I thought about going to work late, I waited for Irene to come home. I don’t know why but I did. When she came, the first question to escape her lips was, “Why did  you take me here?” She asked, leaning on Lucas’s arm. “You are working for me.” I informed her, leaning on the wall, closing my arms at my chest. “I could return from the agency.” She reasoned. “I want to see how you will recover in five days with my very own eyes.” I smirked cockily. She hummed as Lucas made her sit on the couch and let her go in the air as she fell on the couch with a slight wince of applying weight on her leg. “Careful.” I said worriedly, I involuntarily took a step closer, bringing my hand close to help only to realize she never needed my help. 

Biting my lips in slight embarrassment, I moved back, curling my hands in a fist, looking away. Scolding myself at my stupidity. Irene sat down and raised a brow at me, “What do you consider me, Sir?” She asked. “Huh? What do you mean?” I asked, being obvious, as if I don’t understand the context of her words. 

“I am not a porcelain doll. Getting shot or hurt is not a big deal, they mean nothing.” She said coldly. “Enough Irene. Take her to the room.” Johnson said sternly, helping her to stand again. They were about to take her to the room but it was upstairs so I stopped them and told her, “You are right, Irene. You must have borne such sufferings but I am not inhumane, I still have some humanity in me.” I told her. I looked away, putting my hand in my pocket, mumbling, “Besides, it must be inconvenient with stairs, stay here.” 

An invisible smile came to her lips, lowering her head, “I see. Thank you…” She said, I hummed, “I.. am leaving for work.” I said, taking my briefcase and leaving for work, leaving Irene with my maid Amy.  

I went home after work, getting Irene’s medicines. “Sir, The cops need you to identify the corpses, doubting they must be someone known. You need to visit the police station tomorrow.” Freddy told me. “I see. Okay.” I hummed, going home. 

I entered, putting the medicines on the table, “How are you?” I asked Irene who was laying on the couch. “Good work, Amy. You can leave now.” I smiled at her. She smiled back and left with a bow. “Good Night, Sir.” She said and left. 

“Welcome home.” Irene said, sitting up but I motioned with my hand for her to stop and rest. “You don’t have to. Just rest.” I told her, loosening my tie. “Did you have dinner?” I asked. “Yes.” She answered. 

“Good, then take these medicines, they are tagged when to eat which.” I told her and went to freshen up, had dinner and went to sleep but it seems like my sleep has been deprived of me and I couldn't find any source of comfort. Eerie stress roamed freely in my mind and the more I tried to divert my mind from the things wrecking my mind, it was getting not to tangle in it. 

Why are they so… familiar? 

Shaking my head to let out any undesirable thoughts, I walked out and went to the kitchen to refill my jug but when I went down, I saw Irene, wide awake, pulling her lips with her fingers while staring devoid. 

“Are you still awake?” I asked, putting the jug on the counter and turning to her. She stared at me for a few seconds, opening her mouth to speak something but closed it. I walked close to catch a clear glimpse of her face. Her face was glistening with an affliction turning her devoid, pushing her into a black hole which sucked her emotions but concealing the devastation she professionally put her facade over but now, the deep sorrow gleamed in her eyes as if… she is tired. Tired of what, I am ignorant of that yet but anguish, ravaged and exhaustion shone like a crystal on her eyes. 

My lips parted, taking a step further to study her grieved eyes but she closed her eyes for a second and flawlessly broke the interlude of exposure again and looked at me. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked. “I came to get some water but saw you were awake.. So…” I trailed off. 

“I see.” She hummed, “I couldn’t sleep.” She replied and the question of my heart released from my lips, “Since when?” her eyes widened for a second, looking at me in disbelief and a glint of.. Fright? And broke the gaze. “It doesn’t concern you.” She muttered, looking down. I sat on the other couch and asked, “Are you alright?” My voice came out softly and she replied with a nod, turning to look at me slowly. “I am fine.” She whispered and my heart was not convinced by her words. I hummed and remained like this as a silence came in between. 

“Sir…” She called me after a moment. “Yeah?” 

“Which scars evoke humanity in you?” She asked. Stiffing at her question a rush of apprehension send a shiver to my core, leaving my inability to react for a few moment but then I opened my mouth and replied with the words deceptive enough to convince both her and mine heart, “You don’t need scars to realize the importance of a life.” I smiled faintly, joining my fingers together. 

“I see… Sorry for asking something like this.” She mumbled. “Why do I think I am heartless?” I asked teasingly. “Most billionaires are. Arrogant, hiding behind their stacks of dollars and sins.” She replied bitterly. 

“I tried to be one of them but I believe running away from my identity was never a part of my soul.” I replied in a whisper. She stared at me, blinking with an innocent gaze but I could see her clutching her blanket tightly in tension and hiding the bursting emotions. “And what is your identity?” She asked in a barely audible tone. 

Chuckling, I sat up, stretching my hands, walking away without a reply. My smile not leaving my lips. I refilled my jug, she didn't ask further watching me. I was about to leave but stopped and turned to her for the last time, telling her my answer wrapped in agony and the untold mysteries before leaving her baffled under the weight of my words, “The one made with dust, shall become one; one day.”