Chapter five
Alicia's POV
As much as I hated Tristan,I couldn't jilt my responsibilities as long as we were still together. Immediately I woke up,I had my bath,ate breakfast— although it was little,and got into the car to go see Tristan in the hospital.
More like I wanted to see the pain on his pale face. I hadn't gone far from the mansion when the car stopped. Fuck! I was tired of the damn car. The keys to the other cars were in Tristan's study,and he had locked the door already.
I parked by the road side and got down. I gently popped up the hood of the car to see what the problem was. I didn't even know what to do. I hated feeling so stranded.
I dug my fingers into my hair, pulling at the roots to vent my frustration.
Suddenly, a dark Rolls Royce pulled beside me. Before I had time to process anything,the windshield pulled down.
Malachi was sitting inside,his hair swept back and a silver chain around his neck. "Get in," he said. It sounded more like a command than an offer.
"What about the car?" I asked.
"Someone will come pick it up." He assured me.
I slowly opened the door and got in. The first thing I noticed was the scent of his cologne. It was intoxicating. "Thanks," I smiled.
"Where are you off to?" He asked,his eyes on the road. His side profile looked like a work of art. My eyes traced his jawline and his thin lips.
"A picture would last longer."
He looked at me.
I looked away, ashamed of my inappropriate thoughts.
"You haven't answered my question, Alicia."
God!
The way he spoke my name. It made me want to melt in front of him.
"I…"
I stammered.
"To see Travis… at the hospital."
I answered.
He went completely silent. His hold on the wheel tightened and his jaw clenched. I watched as his knuckles turned white and his lips came to a thin line.
His pressure on the pedal increased and the car accelerated. My heart beat faster and faster. I gripped the seatbelt tightly, holding on like it was the last shred of life.
We weren't in a damn race for crying out loud. My stomach twisted,and I almost threw up. But my eyes didn't miss the wrong turn he took.
"Malachi…" my voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "You missed the turn."
He didn't glance at me. His eyes stayed locked on the road.
"No," he smirked. "I didn't."
Panic crawled up my spine. "What the hell do you mean? You… you're going the wrong way."
He looked at me with a raised brow and a smirk.
"Do you really want to see him that badly?"
I…I couldn't answer.
His lips curved, "Relax, Alicia. You'll see Tristan… later. Right now, you're with me."
I froze, heart hammering so loudly I swore he could hear it. His words weren't a suggestion,they were a verdict.
I gulped down as he drove to God knows where. I wasn't that desperate to see Tristan,so I let it slide.
Malachi only pulled up when we reached a restaurant. I looked at him,confused.
"You only ate a little this morning. Figured you might be hungry." He smiled.
But his eyes were still cold like something was burning behind them.
"Come,let's eat." He got down from the car,went all the way round,and opened the other door for me. I was still too stunned to do anything.
He stretched out his hand and I grabbed it. Then slowly,he helped me get out. This restaurant was a five star restaurant. And I was dressed in jeans and an oversized hoodie. I looked like a rag compared to the dressing of the other customers.
Malachi seemed to have noticed my worry,but he told me not to worry.
"Let them stare," he murmured. "They've never seen beauty dressed this carelessly."
I struggled to believe that was a compliment.
He asked me to wait while he spoke with the manager. Five minutes later,all the customers were walking out of the restaurant. Some were throwing cuss words at rich people.
I wondered what was going on,but my eyes found Malachi. I slowly walked towards him.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Nothing. I just booked the whole room."
My eyes widened.
"You what?"
"I love eating in silence." He smirked at me and hooked our arms. When we walked in,my lips parted.
"Woah."
"I'm glad you like it."
The waiter walked over and asked us to take a seat. I hadn't been to such a high level restaurant before. Travis had never taken the initiative to take me anywhere,and I preferred staying at home.
"Make your order."
I heard him whisper.
I took the menu from the waiter, placed it on the table and looked through it. I placed my order, and looked at Malachi.
"Aren't you eating?"
He only smiled.
"You should eat."
I didn't push any further. After the waiter left, there was complete silence. I wondered just how powerful he was to get the other customers out of the restaurant.
"So, tell me Alicia. How did you meet him?" He asked.
I coughed before answering.
"It was all arranged."
"Oh…"
He trailed off.
Feeling the awkward moment,I slipped from the cup of coffee in front of me and looked out the window.
"Are you happy, Alicia?" He asked.
Happy? I was far from that.
"Yes," I lied.
He was a family member I just met. Who knew if he was a schemer like the rest of them. I knew I had to play slowly.
He only laughed at me.
He was about to say something when the food arrived.
I picked up the cutlery and ate slowly. I wondered what type of person he was. He didn't seem to be on a good side with the rest of the family. He seemed…detached. Like he was his own person.
"Eat. Don't think too much about me." He said.
I almost choked on my food. How did he know…
I nodded my head and continued eating. I could feel his eyes never leaving my figure as I ate. It was like he was studying me.
I ate quickly and wiped my lips when I was done. I looked up at him.
"I'm satisfied now."
"But are you happy, Alicia?" He asked.
My eyes widened a bit. Why was he asking so many questions?
I swallowed hard, avoiding his gaze. "You already asked me that."
"And you already lied." His tone was calm, but it cut like a blade. "You're not happy. I can see it in your eyes… in the way you grip your fork as though it's the only thing holding you together."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "You don't know me."
Malachi leaned back, tilting his head slightly, studying me the way a predator studies movement. "Not yet. But I will."
The words sent a shiver racing down my spine. I wanted to speak, to defend myself, but nothing came out.
He reached for his glass, swirling the red wine lazily before bringing it to his lips. "Tristan doesn't deserve you."
My throat tightened. I set the cutlery down with my hands trembling. "Don't talk about him."
Malachi's gaze sharpened, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "Why not? Because if I speak the truth, you'll have to admit you already know it?"
I stared at him, shocked by the sheer audacity. His words burrowed under my skin, threatening to crack the wall I'd built.
"Stop." My voice came out softer than I wanted.
He leaned forward this time, elbows resting lightly on the table. "You lie even to yourself, Alicia."
"Let's go."
I stood up and grabbed my bag.
I walked over to the counter and handed the waiter my card,but he said Malachi had already settled the bill.
I gulped down,my earlier anger fading away. Now replaced by guilt. I turned to look at him,but he was already gone. I thanked the waiter before leaving the restaurant.
Malachi was leaning on the car with a dark expression on his face. He looked intimidating,like even his shadow would weigh me down.
"Thank you," I smiled at him.
He didn't say anything,and we just ended up looking at each other for a while. I got lost in his eyes for a few seconds. His dark eyes that looked more like pain and long suffering hidden behind a dark smile.
I should move. But I couldn't. It was as if time itself had slowed down for this moment.
The moment my heels met the pavement as I moved forward,they snapped. I felt my body leave the ground. My fall was in evitable,but he was quick enough to snatch me from doom.
Our faces were just inches apart. His eyes searched mine. Filled with worry and something darker. I could feel his warm breath against my skin,and it made my lips part.
Before I knew it, his mouth was on mine—hungry and claiming every inch of mine. I should have pulled away, but instead I melted, I wanted him.
His tongue invaded my mouth, exploring every inch like it was his.
Reality crashed back when I tore my lips from his. Breathless, I whispered, "We shouldn't be doing this."
His grip on me tightened as he whispered.
"Then pray you find the strength to stop me… because I won't."