Page 14 of Nemesync
Elijah stood without a word, swiftly taking me out of Nikolai’s grasp and lifting me up calmly in his arms. “Go get Ben.I’ll take care of her,” he ordered, his voice calm, serenity filling his words.
4
ZANAE
Iclung as best I could to the huge man carrying me, heading to the couch to lay me down. With the little strength left in me, I whispered softly, “Sugar.” I couldn’t even be sure if I said the word aloud or just thought about it, but all I knew was that I fell asleep on that couch as soon as he laid me down.
A few seconds later, he returned with a chocolate bar.
“Sugar,” he said loudly, approaching me. It was like he knew about my condition, because he was too calm, too prepared.
I felt his chest against my face, his scent a mixture of cigarettes and men’s cologne, both sweet and rugged.
He gently lifted my head and positioned me to sit up, opening the chocolate bar and placing it in my mouth. “Eat,” he instructed.
Wait… that’s my favorite brand? How…? He gave mePatchichocolate bars? But they’re Lebanese…
I met his gaze, dizzy and surprised. But his jaw clenched from impatience.
“Open your mouth, Zanae and eat that chocolate bar, now.”
I tried to comply, not having the strength to resist any longer. Our eyes locked, while I began eating the food. Despitemy efforts, my head felt so heavy, and even after finishing the chocolate bar, I remained weak. I was so tempted to drift back to sleep on the couch,just a little longer…
To my surprise, he said nothing, settling at the end of the couch and engrossing himself in his phone.
Though my eyes were closed, I still sensed his presence—suffocating.
Feeling dizzy, I eventually managed to rise after a few minutes. He said nothing but got up as well. I looked around, kind of lost, unsure of what to do. Just then, the elevator opened, revealing Nikolai and another man, slightly smaller, dressed similarly in a suit. The newcomer had dark skin, short curly hair framing his face, and a prominent scar around his neck.
“We’re here; how is she?” Nikolai said, genuinely worried.
“She is diabetic,” Elijah answered curtly, moving away as if annoyed and bored.
Nikolai followed him, instructing the other man, Ben, to check on me. He approached me and helped me back in a sitting position. “Hello, my name is Ben,” he greeted with a smile. “I may not look like I know what I’m doing, but trust me, you won’t have any more headaches in a few minutes. Okay?”
He handed me a glass of water and a fatigue medication and advised me to rest my head against the chair for a few more minutes. He was nice and genuine. I didn’t pay much attention to him because I was too tired, but his face just screamed ‘trust me’.
He smiled one last time, checked my pulse and got up. I began to feel better a few minutes after taking the pill. Ben joined the other two, and after a brief discussion, they emerged from the room.
Ben and Nikolai headed toward his office, while Elijah made his way to the elevator.
Before leaving, Nikolai approached me with a reassuring smile, “I’ll call you before the end of the week to tell you more. Rest, and you’ll give your answer at the same time. Elijah will take you back. Have a good day and be careful, Miss Dellé.”
I got up, feeling better, nodded and made my way towards the elevator, somewhat lost, and not entirely sure what just happened.
“Faster,Milaya, I hate to wait,” Elijah remarked, his tone cruel and cold.
I hurried into the elevator, stealing a glance at myself in the mirror. Pale, weak, and always with that giant psycho behind me, shooting death glares my way.
The elevator doors closed with a soft hum. Elijah leaned casually against the elevator wall; eyes fixed on me. “See, Miss Dellé, I must admit, seeing you in this weak state makes me wonder if I should just put you out of your misery.”
I shot him a dark look, my guard never fully down, you never know with men... “How considerate of you, Elijah, that’s your name right? I’ll be sure to send you a thank-you card if I survive, I promise.”
The same smirk appeared on his lips, as if it was amusing for him, even exciting. “I was thinking about saving that murderous urge for when you’re looking a bit more...alive. It would be a shame to waste such a fierce woman in her weakened state. It’s not even amusing.”
I raised an eyebrow, confused. I really didn’t like this man, why was he this irritating? “You think I’d feel flattered that you want to kill me when I’m at my best? Really?”
He shrugged casually and said, “Death is a gift, you know. You should actually be flattered that I’m offering it to you. Don’t be so capricious about it.”
