Chapter 7 Distressed
983 Words
"Allison, I don't want to pressure you. It's your decision whether to take your mother's stuff or not."
Allison grew agitated. Byron said he didn't mean to pressure her, but what choice did she have?
She couldn't fight him, but she desperately needed that item.
Since childhood, a mysterious toxin plagued her body, flaring up almost yearly and causing unbearable pain. Any intimate encounter would trigger the toxin's effects.
If she didn't clear it, she wouldn't live past twenty-five.
Allison had discovered her mother also had this toxin and had been working on an antidote before she died. She had already made some progress, but her research notes and other items had been taken by Byron. To understand the toxin, she needed those notes.
Allison had snuck into Cresswell Villa but found nothing. Without Byron's cooperation, she wouldn't possibly succeed.
"Fine, I agree!" The toxin's effects flared up again like a painful reminder.
When Allison left the study, the pain that had been circling her chest spread throughout her body.
It was all because she hadn't been sober enough and had succumbed to that man's temptation.
Now, she could barely hold on. Allison leaned against the wall, calling Felicia.
"I can't hold on much longer. Come get me."
After the call, Allison staggered to the agreed meeting point and saw a black car, thinking it was her ride. She got in but immediately felt something was wrong.
A pair of hawk-like eyes locked onto her. It was the same man she had slept with.
Allison began to suspect he had planned to approach her all along.
But why would he? For her status as a nominal socialite?
He had chosen the wrong person...
Allison tried to get out, but he was quicker, grabbing her wrist.
His grip was firm and strong. Allison, weakened by the toxin, couldn't break free.
Her voice was weak but filled with anger. "Let go of me!"
"How did you end up like this?"
Soon, Allison saw his stunningly handsome face, his expression filled with concern.
That familiar look of worry was just like when they first met.
Seeing his concern almost made her trust him.
Why was he doing this? They weren't even close.
Was this just a standard client-care act for male escorts?
The thought made Allison resist. "I said, let go of me!"
Just as she finished, her body gave out, and she collapsed into his arms.
Tristan held her, his expression darkening as he saw her pale face. "Drive! To the hospital!"
"No, I can't go to the hospital!" Allison's voice was weak but urgent. "I can't go to the hospital!"
Then, she fainted before she could explain.
Tristan frowned and ordered, "Go to Marine Apartment!"
*****
Soon, they arrived at the Marine Apartment.
Tristan carried Allison into the bedroom, sitting by the bed, watching her pasty face. Even unconscious, her brow was furrowed in pain, her clothes soaked in sweat. It seemed she was in unbearable agony.
Not long ago, she had arrogantly slept with him and then dismissed him with a credit card. Now, she seemed utterly fragile.
Feeling her weakening breath, Tristan felt slightly distressed.
He dialed a number, but before he could speak, his phone was snatched away, and her soft lips suddenly pressed against his.
Why was she kissing him? Was she seeking comfort?
She must be in great pain. Who did this to her?
If he found out, he wouldn't let them go!
Tristan was stunned by the sudden kiss, his heart fluttering uncontrollably. This kiss awakened some passionate memories, and his eyes darkened as he deepened the kiss.
Feeling Allison's urgent movements, Tristan was surprised. Just as he planned to proceed, her hands, which had been clinging to his shoulders, fell limp.
Just then, a voice from his phone said, "Speak up, or I'll hang up."
Tristan looked down and saw Allison had fainted again. What was going on?
"You need to come to Marine Apartment immediately," he said into the phone.
Soon, someone knocked on the apartment door, and Leonard Benz rushed in with a medical bag.
Tristan led him to the bedroom. "She's been unconscious for twenty minutes."
Leonard examined Allison with his equipment, his expression serious.
After a while, he explained, "She has a chronic toxin in her body. It's flaring up now. She's taken suppressive medicine, so she's not in life-threatening danger. However, this toxin is potent. Even with the medicine, she'll endure ten hours of excruciating pain."
Ten hours of excruciating pain!
No wonder her palms were covered in nail marks.
Tristan frowned at Allison's pale face, feeling even more distressed.
Leonard continued, "I've read about this toxin. It's a type of love toxin... Did you two just have s*x?"
Tristan's heart sank, and he immediately understood. Was her flare-up because of him?
His fists clenched with regret. It was his fault... He wouldn't leave her side for the next ten hours.
"But she's still unconscious," Tristan said worriedly.
"Being unconscious spares her some pain," Leonard explained, packing up his bag.
Tristan stared at Allison, his eyes darkening. "Can you cure her?"
Leonard shook his head. "This toxin is congenital. I took some blood samples, and I'll research further to see if there's another solution."
"Okay, thank you." Tristan's seriousness surprised Leonard. He asked, "Is she the one you mentioned..."
"Yes." Leonard looked at Allison and then back at Tristan, a puzzled expression on his face.
When Allison woke, she found herself in an unfamiliar bedroom. Tristan held her hand tightly, his arm covered in bite marks.
Allison's memory was foggy. At last, she remembered biting his arm when she had failed to restrain herself last night. That must be a nasty bite.
But he hadn't pushed her away, just frowned and endured.
He seemed very patient with clients, which made Allison lower her guard.
"You're awake?" Tristan's deep voice broke the silence.
- Writer
