Page 115 of Poison Aches

As a matter of fact, Ivy Marie Irving is a hot red button that I should, by all means, avoid as if my life depends on it, because my life actually does.

But then, this conniving, lying, two-faced girl is just the right button I need to press.

“How have you been, Angel?” I ask softly, turning to look at her. “I never got a chance to really ask.”

“Because you care?” she bites back. I deserved that.

“I care just as much as you do.”

She shoots me a look, but I can just about see the haunted emotions she’s trying to hold back.

She hates me, this girl.

Hates me for hurting her, but I won’t apologize for helping a delusional girl break out of her fantasy.

This isn’t a fantasy.

This isn’t one of those fairy tales that will end with a happily ever after. She should know that better than anyone else.

The truth is, my life will end in the same manner it started… as a nightmare.

Why would I want to subject her to that?

Well, not that part, but I am about to subject her to another entirely different game where, if she plays her part well, will benefit her more than she thinks.

“You care as much as I care?” she scoffs. “Wow.”

“It’s the truth,” I say simply. “Don’t you care for me?”

Her eyes, flashing with anger and now slightly alive, widen as she looks at me.

“Are you mocking me now?” she demands, her chest heaving…her tell that tears are close by.

Feeling like shit, I reach for her hand as the plane begins to taxi on the runway.

I hear a slightly audible gasp from her when our skin gets in contact, and it takes some considerable effort for me to keep myself in check.

I grab the champagne flute she’s been holding precariously from her and then place it on my tray table. I reach for her seat belt from one side, then the other, and buckle her in… all the while our eyes remain connected.

“No,” I mutter, almost as if I’m about to drown. “I would never mock you.”

Her eyes widen and I swear they get darker.

“Then what?”

“I care about you,” I whisper.

Her lips drop open slightly and immediately an insane image I’ve had one too many times pops in my head.

Angel of Death!

Don’t forget yourself and who she is! Snap out of it, idiot!

I watch her for a bit.

I wanted to drag this on, play her, see how far she lies but then, just being close to her scatters every inch of me, so…

“I care about you so much that I’m here to ask.”

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