Sinful

6- Determination

After my confrontation with that weird and strange woman, I cannot bear to stay at the hospital for the time being and her attraction towards me was unsettling too, so I cannot remain silent either.

I will do whatever I can to ensure she maintains her distance with me from I don’t want her shadow anywhere near me. I would never allow myself to become a toy of a demonic creature.

She can’t have me. I won’t let it.

With a fuming rage, I kept all the information I could find together in one place and locked it for the time being. Shut Anna’s mouth as well and, since I didn’t have another of her victims coming to me yet, I decided to go home.

Furious, I went home, a snarl was lingering on my features. Her words echoed in my mind, disrupting it. I won’t let her ruin my life.

“You will surrender yourself to me, Ace~”

No, I won’t!

“Ace? Is it you?” Aubrey’s voice called, but I ignored it, not wanting to say something in a spur of anger which I might regret, and went to my room.

“Ace? What happened? Is everything okay?” She called again, coming after me, arching a brow at my demeanor, but I began to take off my shirt roughly.

“I wouldn’t be like this if anything was.” Muttering, I hung my shirt, ruffled my hair to make it messy, and went to the bathroom to wash my face and regain my senses.

“You haven’t been home for five days and this is how you act after coming?” She frowned, coming after me, leaning on the doorframe, not liking my cold tone.

Submerging my face in the water in my hand, I remained like this for a few seconds.

What should I say to you? That some vampires have taken residence in our land and their leader probably wants me as a toy? That people are dying because some creatures are sucking their blood?

“Great. Ignore me now. Who am I to matter in the first place huh?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes, grabbing the towel,

Gasping, I pulled back, sighing, giving her an exhausted and sad look, “Aubrey, don’t, please.” I whispered heavily, taking the towel and wiped my face before putting it back and sitting down.

“What did I do? It’s you who is always frustrated and never has any time for me.” She shrugged, taunting me, but I was already mentally tired to pay attention to ridicule from my wife too.

“Leave me.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes off, sitting on the bed for the time being to regain my senses and act accordingly.

“Forget it. Tell me, what happened? Did you get into a fight?” She sighed in disappointment, taking out my casual clothes and sitting next to me.

“No, it's-” I almost told her in distress but stopped, sighing deeply, “Miya died too.” I told her sorrowfully, lowering my gaze in dejection, gripping the sheets firmly.

“I would still tell you to move out of the city but I doubt my opinion matters.” She mumbled, leaning back, but I glanced at her. I couldn’t keep her happy. For the past months, all I have received were complaints and disappointments.

We can’t continue like this anymore, and besides, It has become necessary to show that woman that I belong to my Aubrey and no one else.

“Aubrey… I know you have many complaints from me…” I began to say, lowering my head.

“I have been failing everyone. But, believe me, please, I am trying my best.” I whispered sadly, and her anger was vanished instantly.

“Ace, I know and I feel hurt whenever I see you trying so hard when you don’t have to either.” She whispered, resting her hand over mine.

“Do you want to go on a date night tomorrow?” I asked, leaning back as well, arching an eyebrow perfectly at her.

She blinked, unable to comprehend my abrupt offer, “What? Where is this coming from?” She chuckled nervously, considering it a joke.

“I am exhausted from work. I need a break, I need you right next to me and tell the world I am yours.” I shrugged, taking her hand and putting it around my exposed neck, curling my lips upwards lovingly.

“I want my woman next to me so no evil eye is cast upon me.” I whispered.

“Ace, are you okay? You’re acting weird. You don’t like intimacy in public.” She asked, pulling her hand away and sitting up. My behavior was only making her concerned about my health now.

“I do. Now.” I replied immediately.

“Listen, you are tired. Freshen up, I will make something for you to relax your mind.” She said timidly, getting up and left me to freshen up as we had dinner in silence and went to sleep.

But, I was deprived of sleep. When I closed my eyes, I felt Cress breathing in my ears, expressing her yearning to have me. No matter how strong I show myself, I am just a human in the end.

She can kill me easily. I doubt I will make it and it’s scaring me. I don’t want to die yet. I want to live, I want to start a family with Aubrey.

Sighing, I turned and saw her sleeping peacefully, which brought a smile to my lips. Looking at her evoked instant serenity. Exhaling, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her right near my chest, closing my eyes and falling asleep in the proximity of my beloved wife.

The next day, I took a day off. Now, I have the most answers near me, plus the daytime is safe unless they are carrying an umbrella. I went to see my best friend.

He is the mayor of Glaze. People adore him. In fact, we were both the most desirable men in our teenage years. Thankfully, I got married but he hasn’t, so girls still drool over me.

We are childhood friends. In fact, my mansion is close to his too.

“Hayden!” I called, entering his yard, hands in my pockets, finally tranquilized after some devilish time.

“Ace? Woah, fancy seeing you here. What brought you to my measly place?” He chuckled when he saw me, coming to greet me, giving me a side hug.

“Drop the act.” I chuckled, patting his back and pulled away, taking a seat.

“Okay, okay, so, did you find anything behind the deaths?” He asked with a shrug, sitting down as well.

Exhaling, my amusement faded, unsure whether to tell him about what I faced or not, “I am working on it.” I mumbled, leaning back with a stoic expression.

“You couldn’t save a single one of them. What exactly are you working on? Failure?” He asked, arching a brow at me, almost mocking me but it pissed me off.

Is that so then work your ass off for days in the hospital, having no cure because there isn’t one. I truly wanted to retort with that but I didn’t.

“I understand your anger, I am frustrated too. I have to bear the responsibility anyway.” I muttered, frowning at his statements about my lack of information.

“So, why are you here? Is the weight killing you? Do you want to run away like before?” He asked seriously, hitting where it hurts the most. I understand he has his duties as the mayor to assure people, but I am also trying my best.

“Don’t bring this, Hayden. Aubrey is already over my head about going back to the city. You don’t start too.” I warned him direly, not wanting to bring back old regrets. I cannot change the past. Let me fix my future. I cannot stand my failure, I must move on from whatever happened and grasp my obligations now.

“Are you going to leave again? Abandon Glaze again?” He asked, teasing me, but he has no idea how his words are affecting me negatively. But, upholding my facade, I sighed, “No.”

Another voice came from my heart, hurting me immensely, ‘You have disappointed me, Ace.’

Don't worry, I won't do it again, Father.

My jaw clenched when I heard this voice and enunciated firmly, willing to do whatever it takes but not give up, “I won’t run this time.”

“Glad to hear it.” Hayden smiled, slightly taken aback at my determination, but he felt relieved, getting up and giving my shoulder a pat.

“Good luck, Pal.” He said before walking away. I smiled, curling my hands in a fist, determined, “Thanks, I needed it.”