I Miss You

I sat quietly on a the floor of the library with a voluminous book on my laps. I simply just stared at the words on the book, not making any meaning out of it. It's actually a Greek mythology book.

The library has now become my favorite place for the past one week. Drowning myself in the vast and different genres of books, which tends to distract me and keep my mind away from the outside world.

Alexander hasn't been home for a week now and I haven't heard from him either. As a matter of fact, I don't even know about his whereabouts. I had asked John and he said that he went on an important business trip.

He went on a business trip and he didn't deem it fit to let me know about it?

A brief text message would've helped sated my worries but he decided to leave me hanging.

Such an arrogant asshole!

The house had become quite boring since he left, with nobody else to talk to and nobody to annoy. Except a brief discussions with Claire and the other workers, I've literally kept to myself the whole week.

I had invited Ava over a few days ago to help kill my boredom, which helped a lot because we had lots of fun that day, making me forget Alexander's absence temporarily.

She left the next day because she still has an ongoing project - her bakery. 

I exhaled heavily as I lazily turned the page of the book. Not understanding another word yet, I kept turning the pages till I angrily clamped the book shut and tossed it aside in frustration.

When is he going to come back? I've badly wanted to call him several times but I'll always kick against it. If he didn't call me or text me about his whereabouts, why should I be the one to call him then?

If he wants to stay where ever he is for months, that's fine! At least, he's giving me more time to myself and I'm enjoying every bit of it.

'Keep deceiving yourself' my subconscious uttered and I grimaced inwardly with a shudder.

In as much as I hate to admit it but I miss him, I miss his presence, I miss annoying him and I miss getting on his nerves.

Gosh! I guess I'm being pathetic.

I stood up and picked the book that was laying haphazardly on the floor due to the way I threw it. I walked towards the shelf and dropped the book back into its position.

A knock resonated in my ears making me to turn towards the door. I gently opened the door to see the butler standing outside with his usual pointed look.

"You have a guest," he said lowly.

"A guest?" I asked in confusion and he nodded. 

I'm not expecting anybody today or did Ava decide to surprise me. She would've called me if she was coming over.

I followed the butler downstairs towards the living room. Expecting to see Ava....

Ava? This is not Ava. 

I halted on my steps when my eyes caught a bright electric blue eyes that was intently staring back at me.

The guest's familiar features kicked in and I took a step back.

Ezekiel??

What is he doing here? Oh, I forgot, he's Alexander's cousin. Maybe he's here to see him. Sadly, Alexander is nowhere to be found.

I'm not insinuating he's lost but since he didn't tell me where he is, then he's a lost husband to me.

"Hi. Ezekiel, right?" I asked, flashing him a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. He slowly approached me before standing a few feets away from me.

Now, the living room is suddenly feeling sophisticated, the air tight and sharp that you could hardly take a deep breathe.

"You're looking as beautiful as always. It's a pleasure meeting you again, Ivory," he said and took my right hand to his lips. I shuddered and cringed before gently taking my hand from his.

"Uhhm...Alexander isn't home actually, if he's the one you're looking for. He hasn't been home for a week now," I interjected and he smiled, his blue eyes dimming a little.

I really want to give him a hard knock on the head, because seeing him now reminded me of Alexander.

"And who says I'm here to see him. I came to see you. It's not a bad thing to visit my sister-in-law, is it?" I stared at him in awe, blinking my eyes repeatedly.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see John standing at a distance and also two bodyguards were standing at a corner, watching Ezekiel warily.

"I'm not saying it's bad, but....."

"Alexander has been very occupied for the past one week now and I know you've been bored to hell. So, I decided to come keep you company. You don't need to fret, sister-in-law," he uttered and went on to sit down, crossing his legs on the arm of the chair.

I gave him a scrupulous look before sitting down on the couch opposite him. I can't help but feel uneasy around me. He has this dangerous aura around him that makes me want to run to my room and hide myself.

He stared at me for a long time as if he's trying to read me or study me.

"I wonder what's so special about you. Are you some sort of a healing Angel?"

I gave him a puzzled look. What is he saying? What healing Angel?

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean." His mouth formed an 'O' shape and he shut his eyes for a few seconds before reopening them.

"I guess you don't even know what you blindly got yourself into. It was really lovely seeing your beautiful face again, Ivory." He abruptly stood up and adjusted his shirt. "I'll be on my way then. Make sure Alexander survives the heavy blow." He gave me a wink and left the house.

Why was he speaking in parables?

And what heavy blow was he talking about?

I flinched when a hand touched my shoulder. I turned to look at Claire who had a concerned look on her face.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" She asked looking me up and down.

"Yes, I'm fine." 

"He is definitely bad news. I couldn't even breathe properly when he was here", John said, after he got to where I and Claire was standing.

"It's a good thing he didn't try anything funny." My brows rapidly raised at Claire's words.

"Is Ezekiel as bad as you guys are painting him to be?" I asked in a confused tone. Claire and John shared a look and shrugged.

"You don't want to know. Just forget about him, ma'am. Anyways dinner is ready" Claire voiced out and gently led me towards the dinning room.

I laid quietly on my bed staring up at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and tossing from side to side, feeling so uneasy. From when I checked the time a few minutes ago, the time now should be, twenty minutes past eleven in the night.

I had tried singing myself lullabies and I even counted cow in my head, but all to no avail. It just seems like sleep completely eluded me. 

I felt my throat dry up and I sat up to pour myself a glass of water, to my utter dismay the glass jug on my bedside table was empty.

Can my night get any worse? 

I hopped down from the bed and sluggishly walked to the door. I opened it and stood outside my room, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit passageway and stairs. 

The whole house was so quiet, except for the little sound of my bare foot against the marble floors.

I halted on my steps when my eyes caught something on the floor and it seems like it's a trail.

Wait! Is that...Is that blood?! 

Oh my God! Whose blood can this be? Is one of the workers injured?

I was caught between running back to my room and dying of thirst or following the trail of blood. I sighed in defeat when my mind chose the latter.

I followed the trail of blood, making sure my feet doesn't make any single sound. The blood trail stopped in front of the library and the door was slightly open, with the lights turned on. 

I opened the door as quietly as I could and entered the library. I looked around the library not seeing anybody, till my eyes caught a bloody hand in a corner.

I swallowed hard at the fear that was rapidly rising up to my throat. I cautiously walked to the corner and came face to face with the owner of the bloody hand.

My breathe hitched in surprise and panic, as grey eyes stared back weakly at me.

Alexander?!