This is for @alexz-mich3 Thanks for taking your time out to message me ❤️ (Alex is a new writer so check them out :) )

I didn't even try to be discreet. From the way Dr Patel had pulled me aside quietly on Monday, he hadn't told anyone. And he told me to call in sick. So, I went in as normal, waved at the regular people, my heart pounding as I reached the basement.

Sam sneered at me when she saw me and turned her back. Honestly, apart from that tea spilling accident, why did she hate me so much? Even the guards were acting slightly off today, standing more attentively and there were more of them than usual on Malik's floor. Rather than making me feel at ease, it made me feel paranoid.

I quickly fumbled around for some papers I wasn't going to use and headed to the Viewing Room where Malik sat during patient times.

I opened the door hesitantly and peeked in. He was in handcuffs as usual but was that even strong enough to stop him?

Well, it would have to do. I had to get out of here before Dr Patel noticed me.

As I sat down, I noticed Malik's eyes never strayed from mine, in a desperate way I had never felt before. It seemed wild even and the sudden change in his demeanour piqued my curiosity.

"Normally, some might say that you're happy to see me, but today, it seems the opposite?"

"Go", he whispered in anger.

I jerked backwards in shock. He barely ever spoke to me and now he was telling me to go? Go home?

"What are you talking about?"

"You're not supposed to be here", he whispered again, his voice dangerously low.

"What?" I laughed. "Why are you talking now all of a sudden? The cameras are still there?"

It literally didn't make sense. He refused to talk to me and played this whole stupid secrecy game and now he was talking with abandon?

"Listen", he snarled. "You need to go".

I sat back. There was an urgency in his voice that I had never heard before. But should I listen to him, or should I get some answers?

Answers.

"Okay, if you want me to go so badly", I said, scowling. "Answer a few questions of mine. Then I'll 'go'. You don't have a choice".

He glared thoughtfully at me before shrugging.

"I don't care about the cameras anymore and neither do you from the way you're talking now. Do you know anything about Caleb Larom?"

His eyes although bright seemed so dark. He was staring at me with such intensity that I started to feel overwhelmed.

"No", he said.

I scoffed.

"Really? Because something I have says otherwise".

He said nothing.

"He was a little boy, who liked to carry his dad's camera around. And just by chance, he saw something he wasn't supposed to".

He stared at me impassively, giving nothing away. I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I noticed he had come slightly closer than before, his hands clenched tightly and his protruding.

"I went on a wild goose chase from the moment I met you, Malik", I spat. "And now, I have finally come to a conclusion. I had a feeling you were not normal but until I saw that footage, I didn't understand how far from normal you are. There are so many things about you that don't make sense. How you can hear and see things you shouldn't be able to hear and see. How you can take someone down with a simple look. And how, oddly, you have an effect on me".

His eyes glittered at my confession and there was a small smirk on his lips. Well, there was no need to hide it. Not anymore.

"I'm not going to delude myself when you know it as well", I sneered. "But, I do know it's not one-sided, is it Malik?"

"For some irrational, illogical reason you were after me before you even saw me. Why is that, Malik?"

At his silence, I continued.

"And the grand question, what are you, Malik?"

He didn't respond at all to my tirade which only angered me. From the way he sat, so unbothered to his silence, I had enough. I had enough of running in circles for someone who couldn't even be in my life.

"Well, it matters not. Today will be the last day you see me. Unlike you, I have a life out there and I intend to live it fully without bullshit. Goodbye Malik".

I stood up to leave when he yanked my hand and pulled me to his chest.

"What are you doing? Someone might see-" I asked hysterically.

"No one will", he rumbled. "I will know before someone comes".

"What about the cameras?"

"I don't care anymore", he said nuzzling my hair.

He gazed at me softly and wrapped his muscular arms around me tightly, encircling with his body heat. I was going to try to fight, but it was as though I was putty in his hands. It was strange, how my body responded to him. How it treated him as a familiar even though it had never felt his touch.

Professionalism. Maintain professiona-

"Who do you have a life out there with?" He asked, roughly. "Is it Karl?"

My brain wasn't functioning properly the moment he touched me so I just shrugged my shoulders. Sure I had noticed he was muscular before but up close, I fully realised the extent. I could literally feel the raw power in every movement he made. Gosh, he really made me feel flustered.

"Is it?" He asked, his voice dipping into a dangerous low.

"Maybe", I responded shrugging. "This- this isn't right-"

"I don't care", he interrupted. "And deep down, you don't either".

"You don't need him", he added, firmly. His hand clasped mine and interlocked our fingers like last time causing a rush of sensations to flow through my body.

The saddest bit is that he was right. About both things. My resolve flew out of the window.

"Why", I cleared my throat. "Do I feel so strongly for you?"

"The same reason I do for you".

"But-"

His hands grasped either side of my face softly and he pulled me closer, resting his forehead on mine. His eyes gazed deep into mine, luring me into his temptation.

"There will be time for your questions later", he whispered. "Deep down, you know the answers. For now, you need to go".

"Why?" I whispered, not wanting to break the spell I was under.

"Someone is coming, Arya", he said. "He is a very selfish, dangerous man".

"Who?"

"I cannot say", he whispered. He pulled me in even closer, so close that I was sure he could hear my heart beating furiously at his close proximity. I wanted to savour this moment forever.

"Please, tell me what you are", I begged.

His fingers ran through my hair, gently but harshly, tugging me closer yet.

"I am the worst thing that could have happened to you", he said tenderly. "But I will never let you go".

I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off with a sweet but rough kiss. It was quick as if by the time I blinked he had let me go, but the effect was long-lasting. There was a chain reaction of explosions along every nerve in my body and it felt like my brain short-circuited. I wanted to lean in for more but he held me back. His lips had been ever so soft but demanding, gentle but harsh, promising yet heart-breaking. I craved for more when I barely had a taste. He had set a standard so high that I knew if another man ever got the chance, he would disappoint.

"I-"

"You need to go", he said throatily. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and sniffed it, groaning. "Please, go".

"You smell-"

My heart dropped. Did I smell of something? I was quite a hygienic person. I felt tense with embarrassment and turned my face away.

"So good", he finished. The air I didn't realise I was holding was released. I took a little discrete sniff of myself. I smelt the same with a very faint hint of my shower gel. I guess because he was more sensitive he could smell it better?

Suddenly he was alert, his eyes shifting into something more predatorial.

"Arya, leave now", he growled.

I stumbled back from the intensity of his voice and winced. That same powerful heavy force I had felt that night had returned. I almost collapsed under the pressure. It was different and painful and I stung from the sudden rejection.

For once he refused to look at me and I felt my heart break in two.

Is he just using me then?

"Goodbye, Malik", I whispered with conviction. This was the last time. There could be no more illogicality. No more hidden secrets and drama. And no more danger.

Remember what he is, what you saw.

I picked my things up and half-ran out of the basement. The tears threatened to fall over but by some unknown miraculous force, they stayed put. Rather than going to see Dr Patel, I hand my resignation form to Emelia at the reception desk. She gave me a sad smile as she realised and I returned it - but for a different reason.

I was by the exit when I heard Dr Patel call out my name in surprise. Not wanting to talk, I speed-walked out not looking back, feigning ignorance.

"-It's not safe", I heard him say before the door slammed shut behind me. I let out a sigh of relief. I was out. I was safer than I had ever been. As I walked over to my car, I noticed the electric gates open. A black armoured car rolled in without stopping for security checks. I hastened my pace to my car and slid in as the other car came to a standstill.

Whoever it was that Malik and Dr Patel were worried about, they didn't see me right? Judging by the heavily tinted windows and the way the guards just let the car through, it must have been the very powerful guest everyone was cautious of.

I waited with bated breath as the exit was cleared and then stepped on the pedal, not stopping for a second. The same guard, as usual, did his checks and waved me through and the gates started to open. I let out a sigh of relief. So close.

Just as I was about to drive, there was a sharp rap at my window. A tall shadow loomed over my car and I shivered despite the warmth.

Just ignore it and drive off.

I was about to do just that when the knock sounded louder with enough force that I saw the window shake lightly. I jumped at the sound and peered out my window.

Staring in was a well-dressed man whose age I couldn't tell. He was a mirror image of Malik. Dark, rugged and handsome but in a sinister manner. He had the same light brown thick locks, full eyebrows and eyes that were not golden but a shade of brown which could nearly pass off as gold. Oddly, my pulse increased, not because of his stunningly good looks but rather, due to fear.

His long fingers gestured for me to open the window and hesitantly I did. He gave off the same powerful aura as Malik, that same force that could make anyone crumple to the floor and I nearly puked by its sheer intensity.

Was he the same kind of thing that Malik was?

He seemed to scan my whole body, in detail and I shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. As he made his way up to my head, his eyes stopped on my lips and he began to smirk.

He took a deep inhale, almost a sniff and his smirk deepened causing cold shivers to run down my spine.

"You", he said, in a deep, baritone voice. "Smell delicious".

So did you guys expect that?

Told you there was a plan lol.

Sorry, this is late but how was the chapter?

And mysticwolf mentioned the ship names so what do you guys think?

Aalik or Marya? (or something else)

Question for today:

What's your favourite day of the week? - Mine is a Friday :)

Well, hoped you enjoyed that. Next update is next week as I have work to do :(

Please, Vote, Comment and Share ❤️