Sadly I do not own CHLOE KING, this story is purely my own twist on an already amazing series.
"So what is it that you are exactly asking of me?" I asked Alek with a puzzled expression.
"I would like us to be together"
"We are together" he shook his head slightly as I motioned to our bodies.
"I need more than this." He let go of me walked to the other side of the room.
"I wouldn't have picked you for a 'lets tie ourselves together for eternity' kind of guy."
"And I wouldn't have picked you for a 'lets just muck around and see other people' kind of girl." I placed my hands on my hips.
"I am not that kind of girl… I just am too young to make any kind of real commitment."
"I'm not asking you to marry me Chloe…" he paused to scratch his head. My phone started to buzz. I reached into my pocket and I saw that Brian was trying to call me. Alek sighed. "Aren't you going to answer that?"
"Everything is happening so fast." I mumbled, looking down at my phone at Brian's flashing number. Maybe it was the distance from reality that made the thing between Alek and I seem real.
"You shouldn't ignore your human" Alek said through gritted teeth. "You wouldn't want to give him the wrong idea. Like maybe there was someone else in your life."
"Alek.." I said in a whispered tone, looking into his eyes. I could see the hurt in his face as he returned the gaze. Taking a deep breath I pressed decline on my phone.
"Well where does that leave us then?" He asked after moments of silence.
"I need to think things through.." I stated rather softly.
"So we are regressing then" Alek raised an eyebrow. "I knew this would happen."
"Alek..I.." I took a step towards him, but he moved backwards.
"You need to take sometime to get a bit of perspective on your situation!" His eyes switched to slits as he raised his voice. "Do whatever you need to do Chloe, but from now on you should consider me out of the equation." Alek moved too quickly for me to see him leave. As my curtains swung in the slight breeze, I sunk to the floor as a whole began to grow in my chest.
…..
"Is Alek going to be here?" I asked Jasmine casually as we rode the elevator to her apartment floor.
"Yes." She chucked a quick glance to me. "But I wouldn't try and talk to him Chloe, he isn't in the best mood." I nodded, feeling my heart begin to ache again. When we entered Jasmines apartment Valentina was sitting on the couch surrounded by three other Mai and Alek. I couldn't help but quickly flick my eyes in Aleks direction. He was standing with his arms crossed over his broad chest, with a hard expression on his face.
"Chloe!" Valentina exclaimed as she stood from her chair. "Welcome." Jasmine and I took a seat on the couch opposite from Valentina and the other Mai's. Introductions didn't seem to be necessary, as Valentina opened discussion on our next plan of action.
"The Order is at optimum force." She began, looking around the room. "We have already destroyed several members, however our numbers have been affected as well."
"Why are they all of a sudden increasing their attacks?" Jasmine asked.
"We think it has something to do with the prophecy." Valentina responded as the older Mai's standing around her nodded in agreement. I raised my hand.
"Um I think I need a better explanation?" I asked too the room.
"You are aware that the Uniters sole role is to unite the human race and Mai's once again so that we may become their protectors." I nodded, even though I didn't truly understand at Valentina's explanation. "It is the orders belief, however, that the Uniter will act solely as a warrior who will help the Mai seek revenge against the human race for the Mai's slaughter throughout history."
"The Order thinks that the 'Time of Retribution', as they like to call the day the Uniter's job is completed, is upon us." Jasmine added. "Which is why so many lives have already been lost."
"So what exactly is our plan of action? Are we supposed to expose ourselves to the human race, and say 'Hey we come in peace?'" I said, twisting my hand into the peace sign. From the corner of my eyes I saw Aleks lips twist into a quick smile, but then just as quickly as the smile was there it vanished.
"We aren't sure." Valentina began. "Leaders of the Mai, across the world, have been trying to destroy the head of the Order in their city, but only a few have had such luck." She looked at me with soft eyes. "I fear more bloodshed is to come, and our only action at the moment is to fight back. Exposing ourselves is not an option." The meeting seemed to die down, with the few non-talkative members of the Mai leaving with a slight bow in my direction.
"So we are to do nothing then?" I asked Jasmine when she returned from showing the other Mai out.
"At the moment we need to keep you safe." She exclaimed as we walked into the kitchen. Jasmine opened the freezer and grabbed the cookies and cream ice-cream out. I opened the kitchen drawer and took two spoons, before sitting on one of the kitchen stools. Jasmine sat next to me. We sat there in silence, as we let the soft creaminess of the ice cream slide down our throats. I watched Alek as he walked past us, completely ignoring my existence, and shut himself in his bedroom.
"What exactly happened between you two?" Jasmine asked motioning to Aleks shut bedroom door. I looked down at the tub of ice cream, and gave a slight shrug.
"We got into a fight." I mumbled, taking another mouthful.
"That part is clear." Jasmine paused. "You were all so chummy chummy, and half nakey nakey." I could feel my cheeks get redder "and now nothing."
"Nakey nakey?" I responded half smiling at Jasmine.
"You know what I mean" she rolled her eyes. I sighed.
"I messed things up." I started, not looking at her.
"I'm sure he'll forgive you Chloe. I see the way he looks at you." Jasmine gave me a slight nudge.
"I know, and I really like him but then there is this whole Brian thing. And I haven't gotten a chance to talk to Brian yet, but now I'm not so sure that I need to. And I don't want to put either of them in anymore danger…"
"Wo, wo, wo! You need to take a breath." Jasmine exclaimed, pulling me into a light hug.
"Alek wanted to make us 'official', but I got freaked out."
"Alek wanting to make a commitment never would have guessed." Jasmine said removing her arms.
"I know right!" we burst out laughing.
"Look Chloe. Alek is a really decent guy under his hard exterior…" Jasmine began
"mmm those muscles.." I sighed with adoration.
"And he would do absolutely anything for you.' Jasmine continued, ignoring my previous comment. You need to ask yourself whether he is the guy for you right now, or whether you think your future lies with someone else. I know that Brian cares for you, and I am sure that you could both find a way to work around the whole not touching thing. And there is a good chance that he will understand completely, even with the whole Mai thing."
"But Alek already does." Jasmine nodded.
"It's tough Chloe, but whatever decision you make just know that it is the right one for you at this moment in time." I thought over what Jasmine had just said.
"You're not much help, you know that." She chuckled slightly.
"I know." There was a moment of silence before Jasmine continued. "Just don't string him along Chloe." I nodded.
"I don't think ill have to worry about that anymore."
"How come?" She asked, taking another mouthful of ice cream.
"He pretty much cut all ties with me. Whatever we were is now over." I said licking my spoon.
"I don't think that it will ever be over between you two."
…
Brian looked as handsome as ever sitting outside our café. Our café... its funny how those words used to make me feel all giddy inside, and now that feeling is only a distant memory. He didn't look very pleased. It isn't like I could blame him, given how we had left things a few days ago. It's only been a few days and I feel like the world has rung me dry and spat me out.
"I'm sorry that I ran off," I said as I took the seat in front of him.
"I'm not sure that I completely understand why? I thought that we had something?" He asked sadly. My heart began to sink as I looked into his eyes, what beautiful eyes. If I told him what I am, then maybe everything would be better. I still wouldn't be able to touch him, but at least my feelings of guilt could die down a little. I'm being selfish again.
"Can we take a walk?" I asked. Brian nodded. We began to walk side by side down the street in silence. "Look Brian…" I didn't know where I was heading with this as I began to speak. I realized that my desire to tell Brian was repressed by my fear of his reaction. We were stopped outside a little brick house with a steel roof. I turned to face him but as I did he lightly placed his right hand on my cheek and brought his lips to mine. Quickly I pushed him away when I felt the contact.
"Brian..I..I" but nothing happened. He wasn't keeling over to die where we stood, or fall to the ground with a newfound paralysis. I guess being the Uniter has its benefits. I moved swiftly into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck and drawing his lips to mine. As his lips moved more urgently against mine, I was disappointed that my heart did not flutter at his touch. Every time I pulled us a part to make sure that Brian wouldn't die right there and then, the amazing fantasy of his touch was replaced with good feelings but not great.
…..
I ran the several blocks to Valentina's apartment, playing Brian's and my conversation over and over in my head. We were able to part as friends. He wasn't pleased, but there was no spark for him as well. I drew impatient waiting for the elevator and decided to climb the stairs. When I reached Alek's floor instead of my instinct to kick down the door, I settled for knocking continuously until I heard his voice on the other side.
"I will seriously kick your ass, if you don't stop knocking!" Alek shouted through the dark wooden door. I could hear the clicks of the lock on the other side being undone. "You had better be bleeding head to toe." Alek mumbled to himself as he slowly opened the door. I pushed it open the remainder of the way as I rushed into his arms and draped my arms around his neck. Feverishly I pushed my lips against his. He pulled me away slightly and held me at arms length.
"I'm still not going to talk to you." He mentioned with a slight smirk.
"Who said anything about talking?" I asked, returning with a devilish smile.
Hey Readers : ) I know, I know its quite long. But I just had so much I needed to get through in this chapter. I can't wait to hear what you think. Xx Happy reading.