8. Chapter 8 The Fine Line Between Obsession And Overprotection.
Chapter 8: The Fine Line Between Obsession And Overprotection.
Killian
As she leaves my office, I'm left to my thoughts.
This is the second time she's made me lose control.
I don't get it.
"I shouldn't have done that?" I ask myself.
If she didn't want it to happen, then just like last night, why didn't she stop me?
Why must I be the only one to look like a fool in front of her?
It's frustrating and humiliating.
I blame myself as well.
All these years I've spent turning my parent's wealth into an empire for my hospitals, I haven't even considered tasting the fruit of women properly nor the distraction they offered.
Believe me. I've tried to date women, but most of them didn't really register in the memory banks or the heart.
It's almost like there's this sort of blandness that comes with each of them.
But Madison… now she's different.
The fire in her eyes always makes her look like she's inches away from blowing a fuse whenever she talks with me. Or those puppy eyes of innocence she has when she's cornered.
They've become registered in my mind.
And her taste…
The warm, wet nature of her tongue wriggling in my mouth and circling with my tongue was bliss, and I can still feel her in my mouth.
"I can't believe it," I chuckle to myself. Of all people, Madison has captured my interest.
She's stubborn, but she's a talented person. I've come across some of her works on social media or in short stories she has published on Medium.
If not for how irresponsible she tends to be, she has a good head on her shoulders.
In fact, Nathan praises her when he talks about her achievements and talents. I don't quite understand her rebellion, but I feel it's something I'd get later on.
Right now, I want to fix this weird vibe between us.
Speaking of vibe, I felt the same sensation I had experienced during the kiss at the club when I kissed her in my office a few minutes ago.
I don't want to admit it, but there's a possibility that I may have already fallen for her.
I want to protect her. Hold her close to me.
And judging by how she let me kiss her again, to the point I could lay on her and touch her, then maybe there's a chance that she also desires me.
But what if I'm wrong?
I can't be wrong.
There's a knock on the door, and Dr. Stuart opens.
"Is this a good time?" she asks.
"If he's alone, then it's probably not a bad time," Dr. Ramone says as he walks past her and gets in.
Both of them freeze as they see my face.
"What?" I raise a brow.
They exchange a glance with each other and back to me.
"Uh…" Dr. Stuart speaks up. "It's just that you're grinning to yourself."
"Me?" I touch my mouth. I am grinning… but why?
"Did something good happen?" Dr. Ramone asks. "Oh, that reminds me, I saw a beautiful girl leaving not too long ago. From what I hear, she was with you," he says, smiling.
"No way, an affair?" Dr. Stuart covers her mouth in surprise.
"You two must be tired," I reply. "How about you both take the box away and take a few minutes off?"
"Yeah, right back at you," Dr. Ramone says before opening the box. "My… my. These are quite expensive to get. I call dibs."
"Surgery knives? What's the difference with the ones we already have?" Dr. Stuart asks.
While I appreciate her rookie enthusiasm and need to learn new things, I just wish they could both leave me to my thoughts.
Dr. Ramone is about to explain the knives to Dr. Stuart, but he stops and looks at me, saying, "I don't know what's going on, and I'm not sure it's in my place to say anything. But considering that you're grinning from whatever thought you're having, I'd advise you act on it."
"Yeah, you're usually emotionally passive. If there's something that's gotten your interest, then follow it," Dr. Stuart adds and continues, "Besides, if the staff sees their boss smiling genuinely more often, maybe you'll infect them and transform this place from gloomy to happy."
I guess they have a point.
I don't have much of a choice but to pursue these new feelings. Who knows the new things I'll learn?
"You're both right," I say. "Thank you."
They nod and leave me to my thoughts.
Now, there's a question: How can I untangle this continuous web of awkwardness between myself and Madison?
***
As I return home, the house is quiet.
It's always quiet, but I expect it to be a little noisier, especially if someone is around. How can I still feel lonely despite having company?
"Did she leave the house again?" I murmur as I make my way upstairs and toward her room.
As I'm about to knock, the door opens, and she looks dressed to leave.
She's wearing some track pants and a sports hoodie open, revealing a black sports bra.
"Can I help you?" she asks.
"Oh, sorry about that. I thought you weren't home," I answer with relief as I turn and start heading toward my room. "Be sure to turn off the lights when you're done with the gym room," I add.
"I'm not using your gym room," she says.
I stop and turn around, questioning, "What?"
"I'm not using your gym," she repeats as she exits her room and shuts the door.
She's with a small duffel bag and a bottle of water.
"I don't get it, then where are you going with all that?" I ask.
"I already have a gym membership somewhere." The nonchalance in her tone annoys me.
"I don't understand why you can't just do it here," I say calmly.
"I don't understand why I can't go to where I already have a reservation," she says.
"What exactly is your problem?" I ask.
This is the person who had me worried over a kiss?
"I don't have any problems; I just want to go to my gym," she says. "I guess the problem is with you who doesn't want me to go."
In her last statement, she looks at the stairs I'm standing in front of and back at me, making it clear that she thinks I'm in her way.
"If you're going out then, just hold on. I'll change and go with you," I suggest.
"No, I don't need you to come with me," she says. "This isn't the club. I'm only going to the gym; I don't need your protection."
"Gym or club, it's not different to a stalker," I remind her. "It's not just about my protection; it's also the role your brother has asked me to take concerning you."
"Killian, I don't want you to follow me," she says. "I can handle myself."
"I don't doubt that. I just—"
She cuts me off, asking, "Why are you so insistent this time?" She continues, "Last time, you gave me the curfew, and I obeyed it. But now you're not letting me go out at all."
"That's not it. I—"
She cuts me off again, asking, "Do you know what time it is?"
I check my wristwatch, and it's a few minutes past 6 p.m.
"See, it's too early for any stalker to do anything," she says. "You're being paranoid."
"I'm not being paranoid; I just think you should be extra careful," I point out.
She stares at me with raw intent before looking away.
"You don't know how dangerous these things can be," I say softly. "I just want what's best for you."
"Is it because of the kisses?" she asks.
"What?"
"Did you become like this because of the kisses?" she asks again. "To be honest, you didn't care where I went, only if I came back early. But now, just because of a momentary weakness from both of us, you want to act like I belong to you or something."
"That's not it," I refute her words. "I'm just looking out for you, but if you're going to be a stubborn brat about it, then go ahead and do whatever you want."
She frowns, saying, "I will get back home safely. The gym isn't far from Nathan's house, located in a safe neighborhood. So, you don't have to worry about me."
"Still…" I murmur.
"Killian! Will you stop being overprotective?" she asks. "I'm sure you have some sort of imagination about us because of the kiss, but I would like my space to figure out what's going on with me and why I'm letting something as minor as this bother me. You getting in my way is distracting."
I'm being treated like a nuisance? By the bratty queen of all nuisances?
What an honor… Not!
"Fine, don't blame me if something actually ends up happening to you," I warn and make my way to my room, shutting my door behind me in fury.
I toss myself onto the bed in frustration.
"Why did she have to talk about the kisses like that?" I ask myself as my fist repeatedly makes contact with the bed.
Am I becoming obsessed with her?
I wouldn't even dream of it.
The feelings I thought I had for her are just my body being deprived of the affection of the opposite gender for too long.
I don't care if she's at any gym of her choice.
She's going to learn the hard way that most people are just plain sinister when obsessed with someone.
Hold on, I'm not supposed to be thinking that way. She may be a little misguided now, but I'm sure she'll come around soon.
As for me, maybe I was too quick to assume that I had found the right person.
Still… my heart aches, knowing that she isn't safe out there.
Should I follow her?
No, that'll be a little obsessive.
Maybe I should just trust her judgment. I can handle this. There's nothing quite like having the entire house to myself.
***
It's 8 p.m., and I'm restless.
I repeatedly check my wristwatch, worrying about her. I didn't care this much last time, so why am I bothered?
Or maybe….?
Is it because of the kiss , like she mentioned?
I don't think it is.
Anyway, it's late, and I need to go look for her.
As I get up and make my way to the door, it opens, and Madison comes in humming a song.
She stops as she notices me.
"I told you I can handle myself," she says with a smirk. "Where are you off to?" she asks.
"I'm going for a ride," I say as I walk past her.
"Peaceful journey then." She knows I'm lying, but she clearly wants to milk this opportunity.
I step out of the house and sigh with relief.
Maybe I should stop assuming about her feelings for me and continue watching over her as her brother has demanded.