Disclaimer: I own nothing except Angela and Nick. The use of Harry Potter here is for convenience. I DO NOT OWN Harry Potter. It belongs to JK Rowling.
A/N: Another one for you Tasha! Enjoy! This is a SERPH/ARGILLA PAIR!
WARNING: AU, OOC, CRUDE LANGUAGE, LIME, LEMON, NON-CON LEMON.
Chapter 5: Egregore
She smiled at him politely, "Nick…I'm sorry. I've got a lot to deal with right now…I'm just not ready for a relationship. I hope you understand."
The blond man smiled tightly at her, "Not a problem Argilla. All of us can use a timeout from things like that. I'm not pressuring you though. But, should you change your mind, I'll be here." he said with a wink before leaning down to kiss her on her cheek politely.
Having done that, he turned and left the pink-haired woman in the hall.
She returned to her office and massaged her temples, "Men."
"You're too picky. You know that?" a female voice said sternly, almost scolding her.
Argilla opened her eyes and saw that it was her secretary, Angela. Argilla rolled her eyes playfully at her, "I'm not. I'm just taking my time; that's all."
Angela snorted at her, "Yeah right. The problem with you is that you're looking for Mr. Perfect. Argilla, if you keep thinking of that, then, you'll never meet the man for you! You'd be too busy screening him for flaws and mistakes that you won't have the time to appreciate him or his qualities!"
Argilla rolled her eyes once more and crossed her arms on her chest, "Hey; the company isn't paying you to give me love advice. So, please give me a cup of coffee and the list of my appointments today."
Angela sank at that; her boss would never change. At the rate that she was going about her love-life, she was afraid that her boss would remain forever single!
Oh well. It was such a loss if that were to happen. Her boss was young, talented in her job, a good person…intelligent and beautiful.
She was perfect.
It was just a shame that she was waiting for Mr. Perfect. Didn't she see that she should be realistic when having a goal? She was supposed to know that! Being the Vice President of the BoD of the company they worked for, she knew the definition and the importance of setting SMART goals.
Then, why the heck didn't she employ that upon herself?
Sheesh…
There was no such thing as Mr. Perfect.
xxxxx
Argilla fell on her couch wearily. She closed her eyes and sighed; today had been another tiring day and she merely wanted to relax her surging mind.
'Slow down…' she told herself, easing herself from the tension her body felt.
She took a deep breath and released it evenly.
In order to dispel the sensation of nothing but work-related topics from her head, she allowed her mind to meander over the other things that she and her secretary had discussed.
Mr. Perfect.
She scowled at that; Mr. Perfect did not exist.
Or did he?
'It just depends on how one perceives it. After all, married women or men who are totally in love with their spouses all testify that their aforesaid partners are perfect. Perfection in itself, per se, is subjective. I'm just…" she trailed off.
"I'm just taking my time. I don't want to be some airhead who marry and get pregnant at the first sight of 'love'…" she said, shivering a bit as she imagined herself with a logy body, a saggy chest and a dozen noisy children whose names she couldn't even begin to remember married to a lethargic drunken man.
"No way in hell…" she promised herself.
Wanting to remove such an abomination from her head, she switched her vision from that of a repugnant visage and to that of the source of all of this internal turmoil; Mr. Perfect.
"Mr. Perfect. I…" she hesitated, "I think I've seen the perfect man before…" She paused and willed her mind to remember. She blinked; no. It was a blank. She couldn't remember him but she knew that somewhere in her past, she had caught a glimpse of Mr. Perfect.
Well, that was then and this was now. It was time to make an all new Mr. Perfect wasn't it? There was no harm in it anyway.
She giggled at that, "Well…What would Mr. Perfect be like…?" she spoke aloud, her eyes still closed, smiling a bit.
Her mind took her in a faraway place as she thought about it. She suddenly found herself creasing her eyebrows in deep concentration.
"He should be…tall…with a pair of…tantalizing eyes…and kissable lips!" she told herself, giggling like a schoolgirl.
"He should be…honest, gentle, considerate…faithful…passionate…intelligent…and a good cook!" she laughed.
She focused her mind to provide her with a vision of her supposed perfect man. She frowned; what would he look like? She could feel her nerves pulse with energy, her muscles tightening in concentration. She gritted her teeth tightly, her jaws locked in a hard fashion, her muscles tensed.
She shot her eyes open a moment later, out of breath. She growled at herself; she couldn't even picture him! What was wrong with her?! Was she suffering from some case of mental-block? It was a fantasy…! A fantasy! That shouldn't be too hard right?!
Fantasizing about someone was supposed to be the easiest thing to do!
'No it's not!' she mentally defied, 'It's difficult! I have to start from scratch! I don't even know what he's supposed to look like!'
No.
Maybe the problem wasn't mental block.
'Maybe I just don't have any imagination.' she sneered mentally.
She moaned as she again, found herself surrounded with tension. She cursed herself; fantasizing about her perfect man was supposed to alleviate her of her stress from work! Not become another source of it!
Damn. Bloody damn.
xxxxx
She awoke with cold sweat glazing her skin. She had had the most intense dream that she had ever had in her life. She blinked several times, trying to get a feel of reality.
'This is reality…Right?' she thought to herself, as she sat up.
She felt the chilly prick of the air and there let her eyes travel over to the window and noticed that she had left the window open. With a small shiver, she walked over to her robe and put it on her. With having done that, she had walked over to the window and there, closed it firmly.
Hugging herself, she walked over to her bed again and lay back down. She focused her eyes on the ceiling and there recapped about her most interesting dream.
She suddenly found herself smiling; she had…seen him.
Him. Her perfect man.
She blushed as she remembered him. He was tall but not overly tall. He had rich and full silver hair and a pair of matching silver eyes that would stop a rampaging bull in his tracks. He had a pair of moist and luscious lips that she was just hungry to kiss.
She blushed at that. That was…unbecoming of her.
And then…he had the most mesmerizing smile that she had ever seen. She blushed harder as she remembered what else happened within her dream. She had dreamed that she and he had…
'I don't want to go there.'
Within the dream, she had never once felt so gratified in her life.
'He…He was good.' She blinked; the word "good" was an understatement.
'Hell…He was…amazing.'
She then frowned and curled her lips downwards, "If only…he were real…"
xxxxx
Another day had passed and now, she once more felt all the more stressed from her job.
'It just gets better and better doesn't it?' she scoffed at herself. Oh well; now, she was home. She was free to be whoever or whatever she wanted to be. She sighed once more, closing her eyes. She suddenly smiled; she wanted to think about her perfect man again.
And so, she let her mind wander over to his features…
She giggled the more she thought about him. Aah…If only he really did exist. It would be perfect.
She opened her eyes with a smile as she continued to fantasize and daydream, "If only…" she said wistfully.
xxxxx
Another month had passed and her performance at work had been superb. Her control on her stress had been good as well; she did not feel as tired and as distressed as she did before.
And she had but one person to thank.
Mr. Perfect.
By focusing her thoughts and dreams about him during what little time she had for herself and her leisure, she had been able to successfully eliminate the stress from her body, feeling nothing but optimism.
Clearly, he had become her inspiration.
xxxxx
A week had now passed and now she found herself seated in her chair at her office. Paperwork was just overwhelming. She sighed and looked to her left, on the chair in front of her. There, sat, her perfect man.
She smiled at him and he smiled back.
She knew that he wasn't really there; but, the power of the mind really was worth of anyone's awe.
"A lot of paperwork." she told "him".
He smiled at her and spoke, "…You can do it…" he trailed off. She laughed to herself as his visage faded from the chair. She had even imagined his voice.
'Oh my God…I do need a boyfriend.' she mentally told herself.
She then wrinkled her nose, 'Yeah but…the guys here…are nothing like him.' she thought dreamily, picturing his silver-haired crush.
Oh well.
One could only hope…
xxxxx
She trudged through her living room and there nearly collapsed on her couch. Her head hurt. Her hands flew to her temples to massage them when she suddenly felt a pair of hands on them, massaging her skin.
She froze and sat up, shooting open her eyes, "Who's there?!" she yelled.
Nothing.
She looked from left to right and saw that she was alone in her home. But still, she couldn't take chances. She stood up, ignoring the protest of her weary feet and back and walked over to her front door, double-checking the locks. They were in place.
She nodded in approval but once more froze as she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders, caressing them affectionately. She froze, feeling her hair stand on one end, "W-who are you…?" she asked a bit nervously.
The person chuckled and Argilla stiffened; she knew that voice.
She moved not and then felt a pair of lips by her ear, whispering to her seductively, "It's only me…" he told her. Yes; she knew it to be male.
Growling and totally displeased with this apparent game of charades, she turned around, having only a barrage of profanity set to unleash themselves upon the unsuspecting male behind her when she once more, found herself alone.
Her words died in her mouth as she stood there, totally stupefied.
She blinked several times and then pinched her arm, "Am I dreaming…?"
After a moment's thought, she sighed; no. It was her work. It was getting to her. Making up her mind, she walked over to her room. What she needed was a soothing bubble-bath. That was all.
A few minutes later, she found herself immersed in calm and warm water, her private parts concealed effectively by the bubbles on top of the water.
She moaned as she rested her head and back on the tub. Her olfactory nerves were attacked by the most amorous scents…Bathing oils were a godsend in her opinion.
She closed her eyes wearily, moaning as she sunk deeper within the bubbly water. The minutes ticked by and all that she could think of were nothing but serenity…and tranquility. She suddenly saw a flash of her silver-haired crush and there, she moaned as she imagined him…
How she imagined him touching her…letting him make his way through her legs…and then up to her flat belly and then upwards on her heaving chest.
She groaned at that.
She didn't know how long she had been lying in the tub, moaning and groaning as she pictured her perfect man…when she suddenly felt a distinctive sensation on her leg. Someone was touching her leg!
She immediately shot her eyes open, gasping, "Who's there?!"
Her breathing became labored and her heart raced at the thought of someone being there with her. She then shook her head as she remembered her fantasy; no. It was just her imagination.
Again.
'I think…I've had enough of this tub.' she told herself, pulling herself up, leaving the tub. She made for her robe and put it on herself.
A moment later, she entered her bedroom and took out her clothes for the night. Laying them on her bed, she made for the knot in between her robe and unfastened it, letting the robe fall on the floor uncouthly.
She stiffened as she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist, a warm body pressing itself against her from behind. She froze, "W-who are you…?" she asked, her voice shaking.
She looked down and saw that there were, in fact, flesh around her. She wasn't imagining things. There was a person right behind her.
She heard a familiar chuckle, "It's only me…" the male voice whispered; his lips right against her left ear, nipping at it lightly.
"Let me go." she told him firmly.
"Why?" he asked innocently.
She thrashed against him as he unheeded her words; what did he mean?! She struggled against him; her hands attempting to remove his arms from her naked waist but to no avail. He had her in an iron grip and wasn't about to let go.
"This is…" she trailed off, still struggling against strong arms, "This is trespassing…! And…sexual assault! I can have you arrested for this!" she yelled angrily at him; whoever he is.
He chuckled again, "You can't do that…"
"Oh?! And why not?!" she hissed.
"Because it was you who called me here." he said cryptically. She froze instantly, ceasing her incessant movements, with her eyes widening.
"It was a voluntary action…And being that, you cannot have me arrested…It was…consensual…" he told her seductively, drawling on the last word.
She relaxed in his arms and so did his grip on her. She slowly turned around, still in his arms and he had let her. And there, their eyes locked gazes. Her heart stopped at what she saw…
It was…
"You…you are…my…"
"I am your innermost desire." he finished for her, smiling affectionately at her, one of his hands caressing her cheek.
She felt her heart then resume its pumping of blood but then found the sudden onset of the blood's surge throughout her system to be overwhelming that she swore she would faint.
And faint, she did.
xxxxx
She awoke to a nice feeling…She yawned and stretched her legs. She had had a very pleasant dream. She had dreamt that her perfect man had come to visit her the other night…within her very home.
"Good morning." a cheerful male voice said.
Argilla immediately sat up and pressed the blanket against her chest protectively. Her eyes met his silver ones and she froze, not being able to say anything.
"Don't tell me that you're going to faint again…" he trailed off, chuckling a bit.
She blushed at that. That was right; she had fainted in his arms…But she had thought…that it was merely a…a…
"A dream?" he asked, cutting through her messy thoughts gently, "No…It wasn't…" he said softly, shaking his head.
Taking in her shocked countenance, he walked over to her and set down her breakfast's tray, on the empty side of her bed and sat down beside her, "No…That wasn't a dream. This isn't a dream either Argilla…"
The sound of her name had broken her from her reverie. Up to that point, she had done nothing but watch him in awe. He was really there. He really did exist…But…How could that be…? She had just created him, hadn't she?
"I'm really here." he told her in the most gentlest of voices…
Silver met pink and there he saw the questions within her eyes. He nodded, "I am here to make you happy Argilla…Just to make you happy…" he told her cryptically…
Her mouth hung agape and there remained stupefied on her bed. Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted and there found herself to be within his strong arms, "Come on." he told her, "Let's get you washed and cleaned up…"
Too shocked to say anything, she let him do what he pleased.
A few minutes later, she found herself in her bed once more, fully awake and drinking her orange juice; juice that her perfect man had undoubtedly made for her.
She set the glass on the tray once more with trembling fingers when his hand immediately came up to assist hers in setting the glass down. Their eyes met once again and he smiled, "Be careful. We don't want to have a spill on your bed, now would we?"
A light tinge of pink graced her cheeks and she cleared her throat, "I…I still can't believe that you're here; that you're real."
He smiled, "I am real Argilla. As real as you want me to be…" he told her gently, touching her face lightly. She instinctively leaned in towards his touch, still relishing in the feel of him. She really had created him to her specific specifications…His hand felt the way she imagined and wanted it to feel.
And at that moment, she wondered if…if he would be as good as her dream about him had insinuated. Her face flushed red at that. Her eyes then wandered to the rest of his body. He was completely nude. Had he always been nude…? She didn't even notice…
Fighting the intense blush creeping up her face, she then blinked, focusing on the more important things about her…friend.
She looked at him firmly, remembering that he was now a full-fledged entity and not merely a picture in her head and spoke, "You know my name…but…I have yet to know yours."
He nodded, "My name…I don't have one. You didn't give me one." he finished innocently, his silver eyes gazing hopefully at her.
She blinked, "Oh…Well…What…what sort of name would you like?" She felt really stupid asking him that. It felt really stupid to be asking one's imaginary friend for his preferred name. But alas, she had no choice. From the looks of things, he wasn't a mere imaginary friend…
He blinked, bemused, "I don't have any preference…I want what you want."
She let out a breath; well, he was perfect alright…but his perfection could only be so much. At the moment, he seemed to have no individualistic characteristics. He seemed so dependent on what she wanted and what she thought was best…
"Hm…" she thought, "What about…Anthony…?"
He looked at her blankly and she sweat-dropped, "Right. What I want. Anthony does seem…unfit for you…Hm…"
"Ben…? Dennis…? Mark…? Michael…?" she didn't know how many names she had uttered but no matter how many names she thought of, nothing seemed to fit.
She was beginning to feel frustrated.
She focused her thoughts on the aforesaid names and there furrowed her eyebrows together. She then caught sight of the newspaper that he had brought along with her breakfast and there saw an interesting word…
"Surfing…" she trailed off, "Isn't that fun? I love surfing! I like having the waves beneath my feet…just letting me ride them…" she suddenly stiffened, "That's it! Surf! That'll be your new name!"
She raised her head and found herself alone. She looked left and right and realized that he had indeed left. She blinked several times, "Hey…! You there?!"
No one.
She frowned; was she really going crazy…?
xxxxx
It had been a few hours since her encounter with her strange friend. He had not appeared to her again…and she could only wonder why. She frowned and thought about him once more…She had been lucky that it had been her day-off.
Otherwise, her life would have been in shambles…if it wasn't already.
"Argilla…"
She froze and turned around, only to be met by her man's appearance. She blushed as she looked at the whole of him. He was still completely nude. She covered her eyes with her palm, "You need…clothes…" she said, stammering a bit.
"Is this to your liking?"
She removed her palm from her eyes and opened them. She looked at him and saw that he was now wearing a black polo shirt with a pair of white pants. And over the polo was a white coat. He looked like…
Like a doctor.
He grinned at her, as if he read her thoughts, and spoke, "You are fond of men in uniform?"
She blushed at that and then cleared her throat, "Ahem…well, we still have to decide on your name. And um, I think I've come up with a suitable one."
He blinked at her blankly. She nodded, "I think I'll call you Surf."
"Surf." he deadpanned. She smiled, "Yes. I love to surf! And…well, I think it suits you. You are like the sea…Endless in potential…The source of life…and in my case, my happiness. You are…perfect."
He smiled, "If that's what you have decided, then that's what I want as well."
She chuckled, "Uh huh. But, I think we have to spell it differently. I don't want your name to be…common. Hm…Ah! I think I'll spell your name this way: S-E-R-P-H!"
"Serph it is then." he told her.
"Right. Serph it is…"
xxxxx
It had been a week now since Serph's first materialization. Argilla had been happy; not only had she been able to understand the realm of spirits and such occult themes, but she had come to understand the nature of Serph's existence as well.
She had discovered that he himself wasn't a complete individual as he seemed to be. He was dependent on her…and her thoughts. She had noticed that when she would focus on something else, he would disappear and reappear once more when she willed it.
She understood now; he was a product of her brain…No; her mind.
His existence was tied to her whims…She felt bad for a while there. He had no life. His depended on what she wanted; there was no freedom…no self thought…no nothing. He was a mere puppet.
"Argilla."
She froze; he kept doing that. She looked at him and smiled, "Hey Serph. I was just wondering where you went."
"I go where you want me to."
She furrowed her eyebrows, "Is that…right?"
"Yes."
"Then," she began, "you'd…do what I ask of you?"
He nodded, "Anything you want."
She blushed as she pondered about what it was she…wanted.
Serph blinked and walked over to her and there sat beside her. He then pulled her to him and leaned down, closing his eyes. He captured her lips in his…She lightly protested as she was caught by surprise. But after a few passionate strokes of his tongue on her firmly shut lips, all objections died within her.
She parted her lips and granted him access within her warm mouth. He took her invitation and ventured within, his hands gripping her face firmly as he continued to kiss her. His tongue darted within her mouth amorously, teasing hers so that it may join his in his passionate dance…and join it, her tongue did…
A moment later, it was over. He drew back and looked at her shining pink eyes and whispered, "I would make love to you Argilla; if it's what you want…" he told her seductively, his voice husky, desire evident in his thinly veiled silver eyes.
She froze and leaned back, "No…! You…you got me all wrong…!" she openly denied. He smirked at her and trapped her within her couch, his palms on the cushion on either side of her body. He leaned towards her, "You're lying…I can see it in your eyes…"
"See what…?"
"The want in them…is profound…"
She opened her mouth to defend herself by was unable to as she once more found his lips clamped onto hers, kissing her passionately, hungrily…Finally giving in to her desires, she had let him kiss her…and kissed him back with the same intensity…the same urgent fervor.
Very soon, he had freed her body from the confines of her apparel…His hands traced her skin, his long and slender fingers curling by her waist, tickling her a bit as his lips kissed her neck, nipping at it.
She moaned as he kissed her neck but at the same time, giggled as he tickled her. She could feel herself stiffen quite a bit as she felt him, skin on skin, against her…He too had become completely naked against her, nestled in between her parted legs…
His kisses then made a beeline over to her ample chest, feeling in his hands, the smooth swell of her breasts. His hungry mouth took one of her peaks within and suckled her gently…firmly. She moaned as she felt him there…
Her body was rising in temperature as her desires, her inner desires were beginning to be fulfilled…to be brought into fruition…
To be unleashed.
Soon, her eyes were glazed with nothing but lust and pleasure as she found his manhood buried deep within her sacred passage. She bucked her hips feverishly; matching his swift and hard thrusts, savoring the feeling of drunken euphoria as they continued to rock together.
Argilla was convinced now…It wasn't a dream. It was the cold reality. He was there. Serph was real and he was making love to her.
Like a hurricane, her climax had arrived swiftly. Her body convulsed uncontrollably as she came.
She arched her back towards him one last time as he too had arrived at nirvana. Their essences had mixed together in one common pool; she could feel him…his seed surging through her.
She didn't know how…but then, perhaps it was the will of her mind, hence it existed.
Whatever the exact explanation was about his essence still continued to elude her…But at the moment, when she was in the very verge of mere exhaustion, she supposed that her thoughts about it could be postponed.
There was nothing to comprehend at that moment but inescapable and unfathomable ecstasy.
He pressed himself closer to her and she held him tightly. His lips came close to her ear and whispered, "See…? That was what you wanted…"
She closed her eyes, weary. She then let sleep…overtake her.
xxxxx
Another few months had passed. She still continued to have Serph visit her regularly. She needed him, she reckoned.
She felt guilty at one time at what she was doing. Her perfect man…yet he was really nothing to her. Nothing. She was just using him for her own benefits. His own thoughts, feelings mattered not.
But why should they anyway?
After all, it was he who said that he was depended on what she wanted; on what she desired. No more, no less. So, the way she figured, there was nothing to be guilty about. He wasn't an individual. He wasn't human either; he was a figment of her imagination. He was an object; a commodity.
"He is mine. That's all." she told herself nonchalantly.
He had no thoughts or feelings. There was nothing to be guilty about. She could dismiss him as swiftly as she could conjure him back.
That was all that he was. Nothing more.
xxxxx
"Serph?"
"Hm?"
"Would you like some dinner?"
"I would love to." he responded politely, smiling at her tightly. She knew he would; she wanted him to join her for dinner.
The two ate in silence but Argilla kept her eyes on him. He was there, eating like an aristocrat would. He didn't slouch, his fingers were poised grandiosely upon the fork and knife…He was…
"Perfect…"
"Hm?" He raised his eyes from his plate and up at hers. She blushed and he looked at her questioningly, "What's wrong?"
She shook her head, "Nothing's wrong. I just want to know…How do you like my cooking?"
He blinked, looking confused. She felt her heart sink at that. She forgot…He wanted what she wanted. He had no free thought…or opinions for that matter. Hence, that question was completely alien to him.
"Never mind."
Their aforesaid dinner had come to an end an hour later and they now found themselves sitting in front of the television. Serph had his arm around her protectively while she snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his shoulder, taking in his amorous scent.
She sighed; this was the life. This was how it was to be…
Her job was getting easier as she found herself managing her stress levels effectively. With Serph beside her, she felt all the more inspired…and a lot less lethargic, both mentally and physically.
She no longer felt lonely either as Serph had been there and was still there to fulfill her social and physical desires. She had a friend and an amazing lover at the same time. Life couldn't get any better than that.
Oh how she wished that life would stand still…
xxxxx
Another two months had passed and now, Argilla found herself within her bed once more, completely naked, having just made love with Serph. She gripped the blanket around her naked body tightly; she had just sent Serph away…
And now, she was alone.
He had done everything to her exact specifications…Nothing had been overlooked. He had been…totally obedient and subservient to her.
She was happy that he was loyal; really.
Really…?
She sighed; her life with him had been thus far perfect. Everything was done for her pleasure and for her pleasure alone.
But that was what bothered her.
It was…too perfect.
Life wasn't like that…Not by a long shot. That was what bothered her. This, whatever it was that Serph and she had, was not possible. It wasn't possible to have such a perfect life…such a perfect life. To have such a life would be…monotonous and…tiresome.
She frowned at herself as she realized her problem. She was beginning to tire of him; not because of his mediocre performance…but because of his consistently outstanding performance.
All was perfect alright; but none of it was…thrilling.
That was the missing part; the thrill of not knowing what would happen. The thrill of making a mistake and learning from it. The thrill of having incompatible personalities and the effort to make it work…
No…Her relationship with Serph contained none of that…
And what was more was that…she felt as if she were making love to a dead man. Not that Serph was lacking enthusiasm or exuberance. It was just that…Serph was her puppet; nothing more. He did only what was asked of him.
And there, she fully understood what it was she had with him. It was just her in the relationship and him being the silent and dead partner.
And that…was only desirable for only so long…
Now, she was beginning to tire of it.
For the first time in months, she felt her stomach churn in displeasure. Her stress levels were climbing once more.
For the first time, its cause had not been her work…but the object that was supposed to eliminate it.
xxxxx
"Argilla, you're too stressed. Why don't you go out or something…?"
She groaned at that; go out? She was too tired to go out. She closed her eyes. Her secretary, Angela looked at her concernedly, taking in her worn-out look, "Maybe you should see a doctor."
Argilla blinked, "A what?"
Angela nodded, "A doctor. You need to get yourself checked. Maybe they're ulcers…or something else." she said worriedly.
Argilla sighed; she had been feeling all the more drained of energy as the days went by. When she would awaken in the mornings, her body would feel so heavy that she found it a daunting task just to leave the bed.
Of course, it was probably because of Serph and their lovemaking…but she had a gut feeling that aside from that, there was something else.
A trip to the doctors just might do the trick.
xxxxx
She grumbled. She didn't really like hospitals. Not really. There had been a time in her life when she would have been a nurse but…she had decided to change her career paths…
Oh well.
She shivered as she imagined herself within a nurse's outfit…
'Eww…definitely not me…' she told herself.
She snapped out of her daze as she sat within a physical exam room, dressed in a white hospital gown. She had had this doctor for over a year now. He had been recommended by a friend but she had never really met him. She didn't interest herself in going for regular checkups.
Why?
'No time for that crap.' she reasoned with herself.
What was his name again…?
O'Reilly…?
O'Grady…?
O'Connor…?
'No. Too far.' she thought dejectedly.
'O'Brien!' she thought stupidly as she finally found within her memory banks, his really vexing and elusive name.
"Hello there." she heard a gentle yet strong voice from behind her. She turned her torso from where she sat and there laid eyes on her physician.
A rosette tinge slowly found itself hanging onto her cheeks. Her pink eyes met his red orbs and there time froze.
He was young…and clearly handsome.
He blinked, "Is there something wrong?"
She snapped out of her foolhardy gazing and straightened her back, looking at him with firm but internally swooning eyes, "Not at all."
He walked over to her and there stood in front of her.
He nodded, "Alright then. Hm…" he said, lowering his eyes from hers and onto the patient file that he held in his hands, "You've been registered to me…Ms. Windsor, but…this is the first time that you've visited me." he told her, smiling as his eyes rose once more in order to seek hers.
She blushed, "Well…that's…aa…" she stammered. She cursed herself mentally; she was making a fool out of herself! And it was because she was too tongue-tied at seeing some handsome dude. This was going against every rule that she had ever concocted in her book.
Love at first sight…?
She internally puked at that. Not at all. But, this unsightly feeling of overwhelming attraction was close enough. And needless to say, she didn't like it. Not one bit.
"Let me guess. No time from work?" he asked playfully, his eyes peering into hers intently, his body slightly leaning towards her.
She sweat-dropped, "Am I to assume that you get that justification often?"
He laughed, "Justification…? Hardly…As an excuse, maybe."
She felt her stomach churn as she heard him laugh; it sounded…so…melodious to her ears. She bit her lip and turned her gaze elsewhere, avoiding his eyes, "Well…excuse or no, justification or not, let's just get this over with. I really don't have much time." she told him impassively.
He nodded, "Of course. Are you ready?"
She nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."
"So, what seems to be the problem that you had actually found time to visit me?" he asked, playfulness evident in his voice.
She wanted to smile right there; he was teasing her? But remembering her insanely conservative rules about men and relationships; she kept her cool and replied impassively, "My back is really irritating me. I seem to be having some sort of back spasms…Just take a look at it."
He nodded and walked behind her and there let his hands inspect her pearly-white spotless skin. She suddenly stiffened as she felt his gentle fingers on her skin. His touch was sending electric waves throughout her entire body!
'Why…why is that so?' she asked in utter disbelief.
"Something wrong?"
She blushed, letting the pink tinge run amuck on her face; there was no harm anyway. He was there behind her and hence cannot see her embarrassment.
"Um…no!" she suddenly blurted out as he touched a stressed part of her back.
He chuckled and she raised an eyebrow in question, "Something wrong?" she asked, mimicking him.
"No." he replied, removing his fingers from her back altogether. He moved in front of her and looked at her with a cheerful polite smile, "There's nothing wrong. Your back is just stressed."
She resisted the strong urge to roll her eyes. She already knew that!
"Any recommendations?"
He nodded, "Rest. A good massage…and don't let your back meet cold surfaces…like the wall. Don't let your back be bare and exposed to the wind. The cause of stress could merely be the cold seeping from the air and within your skin and onto the muscles."
Argilla blushed harder at that as she remembered herself with Serph…up against the wall…
Well, that probably did it.
He smiled again, "There are nerves on your back that seemed to be…tied in a knot, so to speak. It's causing irregularities in your blood flow. "
She blushed; it was those things that were really annoying…She wanted to ask him to unbound them and soothe them, but the proud side of her wouldn't let her do it. After all, she didn't want him to think that she was…flirting with him or was desperate to receive his attention.
Before she could ponder over it, she found his fingers on her back once more and there, let his magic work on her stressed back. She stiffened and there whimpered as pleasure engulfed her senses.
She snapped back into reality as she heard his chuckle, "Better?"
She wanted to growl at him. She had lowered her guard momentarily as she lost herself in his touch…
Damn.
She was getting soft.
She nodded, "Yes. It's…a lot better. Thank you."
He walked in front of her again and there smiled, "Glad I could help. Now, is that all?"
She nodded, "Yes. That's it."
He nodded in return, "Just don't forget to visit regularly Ms. Windsor."
'Yeah, yeah…'
xxxxx
Argilla lay on her bed comfortably, trying her best to remove thoughts of her doctor from her mind with little success.
She growled; why couldn't she get him off her mind?!
'Maybe because he was…handsome…polite…young…' her inner self snickered.
She frowned; yes. Here, alone in her home, she could admit that he was handsome and she found herself attracted to him. But…
So what?
It didn't mean anything.
It wasn't as if she were going to do something about it either. Dr. O'Brien was just her physician; nothing more.
And so, she focused her thoughts on something else.
She found herself smiling; her doctor did say that she needed a massage right…? Well, she could get one.
"Serph…?"
"I'm here." he told her affectionately, draping a hand over her thin waist.
She smiled, "Give me a massage?"
"If it's what you want."
xxxxx
Argilla walked within the bookshop. It was another weekend. She sighed as she scanned through the shelves. She hadn't read in a while.
She was tired of politics and contemporary issues…
She was into more…occulted themes. That was why she had been staring at a book about Wicca and witchcraft in front of her.
Demonology had interested her too. Granted she wouldn't have any use for it, but…it was a good read, in her opinion, nonetheless.
"I didn't know you were into those."
She stiffened and turned around and saw that it was her doctor, "Dr. O'Brien."
He smiled tightly at her, "Please, call me Heat. We're not at the hospital."
She suppressed a blush coming on and there just focused on his face. Bad choice; he was as handsome as ever and gazing at him only fueled her desire…
Wait a minute! Desire…?
No! It was…
"Something wrong?"
"You keep asking me that." she told him, almost irritated. He sweat-dropped, "Sorry. It's a habit."
She sneered, "Well, we're not at the hospital now. So, I suppose you could lay off from all that now."
Heat sighed; she was full of spitfire, wasn't she?
Well, he always befriended all of his patients, and Ms. Windsor wouldn't be any different; no matter how difficult she seemed to be.
"So, are you here by yourself?" he asked, changing the subject. Her heart was beginning to race, much to her dismay. Why was that so?
'Because you like him. Stupid.' her inner self told her.
She suppressed a growl from her throat, "Yes. But I was just leaving. I'll see you around Dr. O'Brien." she said indifferently.
"Well, I'll go with you. I was just leaving too." he told her cheerfully.
Her face fell mentally; couldn't he just leave her alone? Couldn't he tell when a woman was uninterested?
She shrugged her shoulders and headed for the counter. She paid for her book and there didn't bother to wait for him as she headed out of the store.
"Hey. Ms. Windsor."
She stopped; why oh why can't he just get the picture?
She turned, "Dr. O'Brien?"
He smiled at her, "It's Heat. Remember?"
She smiled tightly, "Yes…Well…what can I do for you?"
"I just want to know how your back is. Is it feeling alright now?"
She wanted to strangle him at that moment. He was asking her about her…back? Now? At this particular moment in time? Well, she had to admit that he was persistent…But on the other side of the mirror, he had completely lame pickup lines.
"I'm fine. My back is alright. Thanks for your concern. But, I have to go now. Take care of yourself doctor."
She turned and quickly walked away from him before he could correct her in saying his name. He smiled even after she was gone. She really was…a captivating woman…
xxxxx
Serph ran his hand along her bare flesh as gently as he could, making her writhe beneath him as he did so. He chuckled as he looked at her…She was flushed with a deep blush on her face…exhausted from his ministrations…
But they weren't done yet…
Not by a long shot.
At that moment, as he continued to look at her…he felt…desire within him. He blinked; he never used to feel anything before. Back then, he did as he was asked; no more and no less. But now…he found himself…musing about things; things that he never considered important and about things that he didn't quite understand…
Unlike then…
"Serph…" the woman beneath him moaned.
He smiled, "Argilla…I want you…"
Her eyes suddenly opened, "What?"
"I said I want you." he told her firmly, his eyes never leaving hers. She gulped, "W-what…?"
He clamped his mouth over hers before she could utter another syllable. He couldn't have her questioning right now. That could wait…but his desire for fulfillment cannot.
Her hand came up to his chest, pushing him away…There was a part of him telling him to stop and listen to what it was she was to say. But there was also another part of him that yelled at him to continue and take her…
'Take her…?'
'Yes…' a voice within replied, 'She's yours…Just take her…'
'Would she like that…?'
'She would like it in the end.'
Making up his mind, he listened to his demon and grabbed the woman's hands in his and there pinned her hands above her head while his strong legs trapped hers, making her struggles all the more futile.
His lips and tongue continued to plunder and pillage her mouth without mercy, rendering her struggles completely futile.
Soon, as he suspected, all forms of protest died within her.
He growled pleasurably as he felt his lover become still. She was now compliant to him…There, his lips left hers and dove for her neck, biting her skin without reserve as his hands let hers free and parted her legs, nestling himself in between.
Without warning, he let his manhood surge within her. She moaned and had her arms go around his neck, pulling him close to her as he dove wildly within her world.
She arched her back to him, adding to their passion…
Serph was smiling then…This was how it was supposed to feel. It was supposed to be…fulfilling…
The hours had gone by and within her room only their voices…their moans echoed. They were but performers to an invisible audience…
But like all renditions, their play had to come to an end.
Serph grabbed her shoulders tightly as he thrust one last time within her, spilling within his warm seed.
She stiffened as she too felt her climax.
And then…a moment later, he collapsed on her.
Argilla panted as she lay there, with him still within her, still on her. She couldn't think. She was too exhausted to think at the moment that she couldn't will him away.
Her moments with him over the last hours were…the most thrilling that she had ever had with him. He had been…rough with her that she felt sore in many parts of her body. He had grabbed her non-too-gently and there it would cause bruises on her skin.
She closed her eyes though, feeling nothing but euphoria from their most passionate coupling yet.
She did nothing as she felt him still kissing her neck, licking her bruises and still suckling on her torn skin.
She stiffened suddenly as she thought of it. She had not asked for him to do that. Why was he doing it…? Come to think of it…she had not asked him to make love to her in that fashion…!
Then…why?
xxxxx
Serph kissed her neck while his hands still fondled her breasts. He was still amazed to the feel of her. He had been with her for months but it was only now that he had been able to fully understand the meaning and the feel the pleasurable sensations that their act bestowed upon them…
Only now did he realize that he wanted the woman beneath him. He wanted her and he wanted her badly…
"Serph?"
He stopped as he heard her speak.
"Argilla."
He suddenly got off of her and she gave him a confused look, "I had not asked you to get off from me Serph." she told him seriously as she sat up, bringing with her, her blanket.
"What's going on?" she asked firmly, her eyes never leaving his.
Serph didn't know how to answer that. Not really. From what he knew, he understood that he had…evolved. He had begun to have…consciousness…
He blinked as he remembered her exhausted form every time she would summon him. From there, he understood that it was to her thoughts, her mental strength that he relied upon. Without her thought, he would not exist.
He needed her to sustain himself…
But now…it was changing. He was having a will of his own, no longer just obeying blindly…but possessing the ability to think for himself and form opinions and feel human sensation.
Aside from that, he realized that he had developed his preconceived intelligence; intelligence that she had preconceived.
She was having doubts about him now.
He had considered telling her about his latest development…But…he decided against it. He needed to gauge her first. He was guessing that he still needed her in order to exist in this plane, on this dimension.
If she knew what had become of him, she would get rid of him.
Why?
'Because she'd feel threatened. Before, I was in her control…well, not anymore.' he thought knowingly.
People with power were desperate to keep it. And when that power, that control was taken from them, they become…dangerous.
No.
For now, he would continue to play his part as "puppet".
"Nothing." he replied nonchalantly, "I do what I am asked to do."
She frowned, "I had not asked for you to…do…what we had done."
'Aa…That's where you're wrong Argilla.' he thought with an evil grin.
"On the contrary Argilla. It was you who had commented that our relationship is too perfect, was it not? You long for thrill…I gave it to you. I merely did it in such a fashion that it resembled individual thought. Does it frighten you?" he asked frankly, his silver eyes gazing at her deeply.
Argilla shuddered a bit as her creation continued to appraise her in such a manner, "No." she replied curtly, trying to mask the fear and nervousness within.
She understood and nodded. So, he knew about that too huh? It would mean that they were linked together…mentally…emotionally…spiritually.
But still, it almost frightened her. She had thought that perhaps…he had developed into a real human being.
She was glad that he had been the same as before.
She nodded, "Very well…"
She lay back down and then, a moment later, found him lying beside her, pulling her naked body for a tight and warm embrace. She nuzzled her face in his chest; yes, there was nothing to worry about.
She had wanted it; she had wanted what was transpiring now.
She was still in control.
xxxxx
Three days had now passed since her incident with Serph. Argilla smelled the apple in her hand. Aa, at times, even the most trivial of activities such as smelling an apple proved fulfilling.
"An apple everyday. That's sure to keep the doctor away."
Whatever serene feeling she had suddenly evaporated into thin air as she was rudely awakened from her trance by none other than…
"Heat…" she smiled tightly, gripping the apple in her hand tightly on her side, "What a pleasant surprise." she told him with a feigned sense of cheerfulness.
He nodded, "Aa…well, it's nice to see you Ms. Windsor."
"Please, call me Argilla…" she told him; bored.
"Alright then; Argilla. Well," he paused, "it was nice seeing you again. Take care of yourself." with a small nod, he left.
Argilla felt bad; was it possible that he felt…offended…? She didn't mean to be rude but…she just didn't like men who were persistent enough to become freaky. And to her, Heat was beginning to be freaky.
Their meetings together were becoming more and more coincidental that it was becoming quite vexing.
She then shrugged her shoulders; oh well…
xxxxx
Argilla walked over to her car with her bags still in her hands. They were quite a handful…When suddenly…
"Crap!" she squealed as she dropped one of them.
"Here. Let me help you with that."
She looked up and met the red orbs of her physician. She wanted to tear her gaze from his but found herself…unable…
His eyes were fixed on hers and she found it impossible to look away. Heat smiled at her, "Come on Argilla. Let's get these in the car…"
xxxxx
Argilla didn't know how it came to be, but the next thing she knew was that she was having lunch with Heat at a restaurant.
"So," she began, "do you do this often?"
"Do what often?" he asked innocently, his eyes conveying truth.
She shook her head, closing her eyes before opening them once more, "Wait for honeys in the parking-lot and wait for them to make a mistake, save the day and then ask them for a date?" she told him nonchalantly, her eyes telling him that she was not impressed by his antics.
He was taken aback by what she said and was quite surprised at the degree of sharpness of her tongue and there laughed, "Hahah…is that…how you saw it…?" he finished; his voice firm and serious, his eyes boring into hers.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel…threatened Ms. Windsor. I can assure you that…I meant no offense…I was merely putting my bags within my car when I saw you. When I met you at the bookstore it was by chance since my niece was asking me to get her the latest Harry Potter book. I did not mean to make you feel stalked. I…well, if that's the way you feel…" he then stood, making Argilla raise her eyebrow, "then, I had best be going. It was nice to see you again Ms. Windsor."
Argilla said nothing as he gathered his things and there began to walk away. Argilla felt bad now. It was…just in her head then? The whole stalking thing? Oh boy…
If that was the case, then, he deserved an apology.
Her hand shot up and grabbed onto his, gripping it firmly. He looked down at her with a puzzled expression while she gave him a pleading look, "Wait Heat. Please stay…"
He looked at her with uncertain red orbs, "Ms. Windsor…"
She sighed, "I'm sorry Heat…Please…stay."
He saw the truth and the warmth in her eyes and so, he smiled warmly at her, "Thank you Ms. Windsor."
For the first time since their meeting, she smiled back at him genuinely, "No. It's Argilla…Heat."
"Argilla…"
xxxxx
Serph frowned as he watched Argilla within her living room. It had been a week now since she had last summoned him. But outside her knowledge, she had been unaware that he was now capable of projecting himself within her world…
But it was…incomplete.
He had no substance and merely hovered around her home like a common poltergeist. He could not leave the house either. What sustained him within the house were her lingering thoughts of him that clung to the walls and windows of her home.
Her whole house was bathed in his essence…his sense of being…his existence. Without it, he would not have been able to do now what he was doing.
He sighed as he began to feel…unpleasant at his current situation. His lover was no longer summoning him. It could mean only one thing. She had met someone else and was discarding him.
His heart stung painfully at that; he hated feeling…unwanted.
'But why…?' he asked himself, confused.
He moved away from the shadows and moved closer to her, studying her more closely. He felt his heart beating faster as he continued to appraise her.
She was…captivating. She was enchanting.
'Beautiful…' he thought in lightheadedness. He could feel his body begin to burn up as he suddenly found the familiar urge within him; the urge to make her his once more…
But alas, she had not summoned him. He thought for a moment, 'Perhaps it is time to remind her of me…'
Without another thought, his proceeded to touch her. He wasn't physically there but he knew that she could feel him nonetheless. And feel him, she did.
She stiffened, "Who's there?!"
The air had gone cold but she felt a presence. She smiled though as she had an idea of who it might be.
Serph.
She had not seen him at all the previous week…It had all been because of Heat. He had been taking a lot of her time lately…She blushed as she thought of him. Finally. Finally she was having a normal relationship.
And he wasn't like any other guy either. He was everything that she could want in a man…Even more. And what made him the best was that he was real. Unlike Serph who was an imaginary "yes ma'am" male, Heat was a bag of different flavors. He was unpredictable in comparison to Serph.
Yes, there were some similarities; both were charismatic, chivalrous…young, handsome, intelligent…
But there were some differences. Serph was rigid, curt…overly polite…and totally incapable of independence…
Heat had a sense of humor; he was lively, fun to be with…and was highly opinionated. Serph was dead in comparison to Heat's lively countenance.
And what took the cake was that…
"Serph's in my head…and Heat's real."
That was why she had decided to meet with her doctor not as a patient…but as a steady girlfriend. The two had hit it off and had decided to give dating a chance…Argilla blushed as she finally realized…that she had indeed fallen in love with Heat.
"Argilla."
She froze and turned around, "Serph…I…I have not summoned for you."
He shook his head, "No. You have not…but you thought about me…So, here I am."
She nodded, "Oh…"
She opened her mouth to speak when suddenly, her phone rang. She flew from her couch and rummaged through her bag to retrieve it.
"Hello…? Oh! Hi Heat…" she said, giggling.
Serph watched her with narrowed eyes. Heat…?
He felt another sting in his chest as he thought about it. His silver eyes blazed in anger and jealousy that he had never before known as he continued to watch her talk away at the phone.
She was his…No one was to take her from him…
They had been together long before she had met this "Heat" person. He had possessed her long before this man. Serph felt nothing but insane possessiveness as he continued to watch her…Despite of what he felt, he knew he must endure.
But still, he was glad that she had summoned him once more. The process was complete. He was completely free of her now. Now, he was himself; he was whole. He was complete. He wasn't the concoction that she thought she had made all those months ago.
She hadn't noticed that every time that she would summon him that her body began to feel drained; robbed of its strength…It had been him. He needed her physical and mental prowess to exist and sustain himself…at least, until he would be able to generate power on his own.
And that was what had done. He was fully evolved now. He was a real person now…
And like before, he wouldn't tell her about it. He had the element of surprise on his side. He can't afford to waste it.
Right now, he read her easily. She desired and coveted another. He narrowed his eyes into slits as he was paralyzed with rage at that moment, thinking only of how he could tear them apart.
From the look in her eyes and the sound of her voice, it would seem that…she was fond of this man.
Well, he had an idea of what he will do…
He vanished within the shadows as she ended the call. She looked around for him, "Serph?"
He didn't want to respond to that; he wanted to know what she would do. To his surprise and displeasure, she merely shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
His heart stopped once more. She wasn't…concerned about him any longer. She didn't care! He growled at that; she would care about him once more…
All he had to do was get rid of that other…man of hers.
xxxxx
It had been their fourth week together now. And for Argilla, it had been like a whirlwind; a whirlwind of emotions. Yes, she was quite aware of the rules that she had set up upon herself when she was younger when it came to dating.
But she deemed that she was now ready for a serious relationship.
Heat had been a total gentleman with her and had not pressured her directly or indirectly for sex.
He had been patient and had not even brought the subject up. She was glad…She hadn't even invited him over to her home…yet.
Well, until tonight that is.
They had just come back from their dinner at their favorite restaurant and there she was, on her porch, holding his hand.
"Hey…" she whispered playfully at him, grinning. He returned her grin and encircled her waist with his strong arms and leaned in closer, their faces almost touching, "What…?" he asked in a throaty purr.
She giggled, "I think…doctor…that I'm having those back spasms again…" she insinuated suggestively.
He chuckled and there leaned in closer, whispering against her lips, "Then…I suppose I should give you a…thorough…physical…?"
She giggled, "Yea…I'd like that…"
She closed her eyes and pulled his face down to hers, letting their lips intertwine in an amorous kiss…
After a few minutes' passionate strokes, they two pulled back, out of breath. Heat smiled, "Well, goodnight Argilla. I had a great time. I'll see you tomorrow night then…?" he asked, hopeful.
She shook her head and refused to let his hand go, "No…Heat…Stay with me…"
"What?"
"I want you…tonight…Heat…" she rasped huskily, her pink eyes being hazy with lust…
Heat could only let himself be led away by her persuasive hands and her even more persuasive eyes as she unlocked the door to her home…
She walked inside and pulled him in, "Come on in…"
She looked at him and there saw him looking at her, "Are…you…sure that I should be here…?" he asked, uncertain, his arms around her petite waist.
"I don't want to impose…" he told her seriously, leaning in slightly, his eyes boring into hers.
Argilla, laughed, pressing her hands to his chest, "Nonsense Heat. You wouldn't be imposing…I-"
"Honey?"
The two froze; who was that?
Argilla's hair stood on one end as she recognized the voice. They both turned their heads to the source of the voice and there, they saw a silver-haired man with a black robe with a gentle smile on his face.
His eyes were directed at Argilla, "Honey? Is that your cousin? I thought he wouldn't be here for another week!" he said convivially.
Argilla's blood froze within her veins. She immediately flew to Heat who had a shocked expression on his face.
Heat tore his gaze from the other man and looked Argilla, growling with his eyes burning in anger, "You're…you're married…?" he asked, his voice shaking a bit.
Argilla shook her head, her eyes pleading with his, "Heat please…No…It's not what you think…"
Heat's eyes narrowed at her and there he shoved her away from him and altogether left her home. Argilla followed suit and ran after him, completely ignoring the silver-haired man in her living-room, "Heat wait! Please!" she begged, her tears running down her face.
She ran and grabbed his arm, forcing him to halt. He looked at her coldly, "I've been nothing but honest with you Argilla. Please; I already know. You don't have to keep lying." he seethed, prying her hands from his arm.
She watched with a heavy heart as he drove away from her life…
"Heat…"
xxxxx
Serph smirked within as he watched her…other man disappear from her life. He wasn't going to come back and if he did, he'd make sure to take care of the other male, permanently. Now, things would return to the way they used to be. He would be the only man in Argilla's life.
'I'm the only one she'll ever have…' he thought darkly.
He watched with dead eyes as the woman of his desires, his creator had walked within the house. She looked quite livid but Serph was unfazed. On her cheeks were streaming tears. Her lips were parted and were letting out a staggering breath and her eyes…burned with utter anger.
"You…" she whispered darkly, "What are you doing here?!" she suddenly yelled, "You're not…! You're not supposed to exist…!"
She suddenly lunged herself at him but he caught her and grabbed her arms in a death-grip and proceeded to embrace her, relishing in her arousing scent, ignoring her cries.
She growled and twisted her body left and right, "Let me go! Let go!" she screamed. He shushed her, cooing in her ear, "He's gone now…There's just you and me…" he told her happily.
She squealed as she felt his tongue on her earlobe, "S-stop! Serph! Let me go…! I command you!"
He chuckled and she froze.
"W-what are you doing?! I am your creator! Do as I say…!" she half-yelled, her voice ending in another squeal as he licked her ear.
"Do as you say…?" he asked seductively, backing her against the wall. She whimpered as she felt her back hit the wall and he continued, "I don't think so…I'm free from your silly control woman. Now, I am my own person…I believe it's time that our roles were reversed…no?"
Argilla's hair stood on one end; she was…no longer in control. He was…free…? Since when!? When did that happen?!
She didn't care though; she just needed to get out of there and follow Heat. She let out a muffled cry though as she suddenly found his hungry mouth sealed on hers, with his tongue gagging her.
She whimpered but he did not relinquish control. This was what he had waited for…Now, she was his again. This time, it wouldn't be him doing what she wanted. This time, it would be her doing what it was he wanted.
She belonged to him. There was no changing it.
His hands slammed her arms on the wall and there put the care of both her wrists to his one hand while his other free hand now roamed her inviting body freely. She squirmed against him as she felt his intruding hand meander to the slit of her dress…bringing his fingers upwards and with it, the hemline of her clothing.
She let her tears fall as she continued to be helpless against him while took advantage of her. Serph wasn't supposed to do this to her. He wasn't supposed to be able to do this to her. He had been her creation; no more, no less.
He was supposed to be just for a matter of her convenience…
She continued to cry, limp against him as he greedily took her…
xxxxx
Argilla lay there on her bed, on her back, fully awake. She had not been able to sleep. She looked beside her and saw her lover.
She had been watching him.
He had been asleep for the last hour.
Her heart raced; there has to be a way for her to will him away. And so, she focused her thoughts, 'Go away Serph…! I…I don't want you to exist!'
Her head began to hurt as she concentrated and concentrated but nothing seemed to work. When she opened her eyes, he would continue to be there.
She let out her tears; what had she gotten herself into?
She calmed herself soon after, 'No…It'll be like a common relationship. I'll tell him…'
xxxxx
The two sat on the dinner table without words. Serph continued to eat without a sound, as poised and dignified as his creator had designed him to be.
However, he could feel her eyes on him and it was just begging for him to entertain it. He looked up at her, smiling, "What is it Argilla…?"
She had been gazing up at him curiously, "Serph…? What, what do you want from me?"
"Hm?" he asked back, not understanding her question.
"You said that you are free of me…Then, why are you still here?" she asked, "Do whatever it is that you want. You don't have to remain here."
Serph smirked, "I am doing what I want Argilla. I want to remain with you." He stood and walked over to her, holding her hands and tugging at them so that she stood, "I love you."
She stiffened and turned her gaze away, "Serph…What we had…was fun…But…that's all it is. I…I never counted on you being real." She looked at him once more, bravely now, "I just…don't feel that way about you…"
His heart stopped, "You can't mean that. I…I've been created to your specifications Argilla. I am all that you could ever want in a man!" he finished, gripping her tightly, his eyes now losing their look of utter surprise, possessing now, anger.
She winced as he grabbed her, "Let me go Serph…! Yes…I've created you for that purpose…! But…perfection isn't what I'm after Serph! Qualities like that of a perfect man are not what I want…!"
"Then what is it!?" he hissed, "Tell me…So that I may give it to you…"
She stiffened, "Serph…! You don't have a heart!"
Serph was taken aback by what she had said. A heart. He didn't have a heart. What was the heart anyway? Why couldn't he have one…?
No. She was lying.
It was that other man…
"It's him isn't it?" he asked bitterly through gritted teeth, his eyes continuing to burn holes at her face, "He's keeping you from me…isn't he?" he asked angrily…Argilla froze; there was much more than the angry countenance that he was showing her.
Within his silver pools, she saw the desperation. There was nothing but the raw, unadulterated need. Her eyes softened at that; he needed her…
He wanted to be with her…To be sure, she felt sympathetic. But what else could be done? He was a mere creation of her mind…She did not count on him existing for real…She wasn't prepared for this eventuality! She wanted to store him away…like a common object; because that was what he was. But the rules of the game had changed now. He had become human and had developed his own feelings and thoughts.
With him being that way, she knew that it wasn't right for her to treat him like a common object. That was why she was sympathizing…
She held him close to her and embraced him tightly, nuzzling her face in his chest. Serph could feel the sensation of jealous rage beginning to ebb away as she held him to her protectively. He smiled; she loved him didn't she?
"It'll be alright…Serph…" she told him affectionately. She didn't know what she would do…but she was confident that they'd find a way to sort things out.
xxxxx
Serph looked at her as she slept. He knew that she meant what she said back in the dining room only a few hours ago…
She wanted things to be alright…And he wanted that too…
But…as long as the other one existed, he would never really come to possess her fully. Even now as she slept, she dreamt of that other man…
No.
That was why he had summoned the other to her home. Serph knew that he wouldn't be able to resist.
Pressing a warm kiss on her forehead, he left her bedroom and there waited in her living room for her other lover.
Serph stood; his eyes unfazed as he felt the other's presence.
A moment later, the two men met.
Serph let his eyes meander to his rival's features. Heat was wearing his lab coat; it looked like he had been in a hurry to get there. He sneered, "She does like a man in uniform."
Heat scowled at him, "I could say the same thing about you. What did she design you to be…? A shrink? A psychologist?"
Serph smirked, ignoring his question, "What did she name you…? Aa…Heat…No?" he drawled.
Heat clenched his jaw, "What of it?"
Serph laughed, "She is talented…Isn't she…? To be able to create the both of us…"
Heat sneered, "I didn't know that you were…Aa…" he paused. No; he didn't know that Serph was an egregore. He didn't suspect; not even in the least.
"How long had you been freed from her control hm?"
"A few years." Heat replied nonchalantly. Serph nodded, "Decided to become fully human before coming back eh…? Well, your efforts are futile. She doesn't need you; she has me now."
Heat clenched his jaw, "I had her first."
Serph narrowed his eyes, "She discarded you. You are no longer wanted here." He paused and laughed, "She had even forgotten all about you! How pitiful a creation you are…! Not even worth remembering eh…?"
Heat said nothing, ignoring him. Serph was attempting to psyche him out. He really was designed to be a psychologist.
Serph frowned, "Enough of this banter. Only one can have her Heat. Only one."
Heat's muscles tightened, "I am quite aware of that. I would have her Serph. I won't let you have her."
Serph gritted his teeth, "I can make her happy more than you ever could…!"
"We'll see…"
xxxxx
Serph cackled at his fallen rival. He looked down on his body with mockery, "You are of an older design Heat…No wonder you are weaker…I may be weaker physically…but I am stronger mentally…"
Heat growled, "It isn't over…!"
Serph raised an eyebrow, "Oh…?"
At that moment, Serph felt a prick of a needle on his leg. A moment later he collapsed on the floor and pulled out the needle. His silver eyes widened, "Poison…?"
Heat narrowed his eyes at him, "Goodbye rival."
Picking himself up from the scene, Heat began to walk away. Silver eyes watched him as he left.
'Foolish rival…Don't you know…that you are obsolete…?' Serph thought malevolently.
xxxxx
Argilla awoke lazily. She looked around and saw the bed empty.
'Where is Serph…?' she thought.
'Maybe he left…'
She frowned at that. She felt mixed feelings towards him. She wanted him to leave so that she may have a comfortable and free life with Heat. But at the same time, she wanted him to stay. She still felt that she had a sort of responsibility towards him.
She, after all, created him. It wasn't his fault completely that he felt what he felt and did what he did. It was just, after all, natural.
"The desire for survival." she said knowingly.
Argilla was the only thing that Serph had ever known. She was his mother, his lover…his friend and wife. And then, suddenly…Heat entered her life…Naturally, Serph felt threatened by Heat and had acted accordingly.
She sighed; well, she would figure it out.
With that thought, she hopped out of bed and into the lavatory. An hour later, she was ready. She felt refreshed.
She walked towards the door and there heard light shuffling outside. She smiled languidly; it was Serph.
She walked out and looked for him. He wasn't there. He was probably in the dining room. She walked over to it, "Serph…? Are you here…?"
She froze as she saw the man within. He smiled at her cheerfully, "Good morning Argilla. Come on, let's get some breakfast?"
She blushed, "W-what are you doing here…?"
"Cooking." he replied.
She shook her head, "That's not what I meant Heat. Where is Serph?"
The redhead shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know Argilla…He called me here the other night, telling me that he's leaving. I came to check on you and well, I saw your doors unlocked. So, I hope you don't mind but I spent the night here. I couldn't leave you alone…"
Argilla's eyes softened, "Of course I don't mind…I'm just happy that…you're back. But Heat…?"
"Hm?"
"Serph isn't…my husband."
"Oh I know."
"He's not my boyfriend either…"
He chuckled, "I know that too."
"You do?"
He nodded, "Serph told me. He told me that before he left." He smiled tightly and walked over to her, taking her hand in his, "Don't worry about Serph now Argilla…There's just you and me now…" he whispered to her, his voice seductive.
She sighed; she supposed so. Right now, she didn't want to think of Serph…She just wanted to be with Heat…Wordlessly, she embraced him, nuzzling her face in his chest.
Heat smiled as he held her tight. She was his now. His rival was no more. His silver eyes flashed dangerously for but a moment before turning red once more. She was not to see that. Ever.
'Foolish rival…Don't you know…that you are obsolete…?' he thought malevolently.
xxxxx
FIN
A/N:
Egregore: An entity formed by pure thought, concentration, meditation and powerful will. It is usually created by a group or collective effort; however, it is also possible to create an egregore by an individual. It could also be created by very intense fantasizing and daydreaming. The egregore is known as a "thought-form" entity; a thought that had, over time, developed substance or form that can develop will of its own.
Egregores can be very sensual lovers and can be very jealous. They had been known to turn on their creators and even possess them, assuming their identities in society.
BoD: Board of Directors
SMARTGoals: A technical term in Human Resource Management courses. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely Goals.