Eyes Like Ice by Radia Al Rashid (the false prince .TXT) 📖

“Um yeah! I-I think I’m doing okay. Julia is still in coma, it’s never too late to wake up, I believe.” I struggle to halt my tears. He slightly cocks his head to one side. I break the eye contact and look away from him. How time can change people, I sigh. If this similar conversation took place two weeks back, I’d be on cloud nine. My adrenaline rush would make me do every possible stupidity in response to Mr. Alluring.

“Right! Are you going to hospital now? I can give you a ride if you want.” He says keeping his eyes stuck on my face. I think he is not attracting me like crazy right now but somehow his voice moves something inside me.

“I’ll be fine taking the bus, it’s just, doesn’t matter anymore. I think I’m becoming somewhat frigid after these sinister accidents.” I smile dryly without looking at his eyes.

“I am sorry Miss Lawrence at your parents’ death. This is the first time I get the chance to talk to you. I think I should’ve conveyed my condolence earlier.” He shoves the hands in his pockets.

“It’s ok Mr.?” I am confused as to call him Ted or Richard. I stare up at his perfect face.

“Richard, it’s Richard Miller.” He holds out a hand to me. I shake the hand after a brief pause.

“Pleasure talking to you finally, Miss Lawrence.” he says sternly.

Finally! What does that mean? Again, how can he know a lot about me! Pfft! Of course, he is well aware of his neighbors.

I purse my lips to give him a grin, which ends up in a plain expression.

“And, I can understand the hard time you’re going through right now. I hope things will get easier for you Miss Lawrence. Human life is tough, I’ve been through worse.” He leaves the hold on my hand in a chivalrous manner before giving me a little nod. I nod back and start walking towards the bus stop.

I’ve been through worse! Did he mean he faced worse or made other people face worse! Whatever! I don’t think I’m in any position to be threatened by anything anymore. Only if William did not vanish all of a sudden, I would’ve ended my life after Jules’ accident. I am just surviving as I feel my sister needs me, WILL NEED me when she’ll wake up.

I head to the cabin with a flickering light of hope inside my heart that the nurse will give me the good news today. The smell, the neat and bland view of hospital churn my stomach every single time. It brings in all the hurtful experiences from before. I get in the cabin after inhaling deeply. Julia is sleeping like a dead person. Suddenly, I’m not feeling desperate to get her back anymore. My eyes are not brimming with tears like before. I cannot quite understand what just came over me as it was less than an hour back when I struggled hard to stop tears from streaming down my face while talking with Richard Miller. Maybe finally I’m actually losing all emotions, maybe finally, I’m becoming complete numb. I take Jules’ phone to check if anyone called and as usual, no call, no message!

I don’t understand where the hell did William dive into? I mean, since after Jules’ accident, he is nowhere to be found. How can a person get lost out of the thin air? What actually is wrong with our family! Are we chronics? Are we prone to all possible dangers of the world? if yes, why us? Why it should be me who is there to witness every tragedy while being wrecked bit by bit inside? but seriously! Where the hell did Will go? Doesn’t he know about his fiancé’s accident? I tried to connect with him over phone thousands of times since then. It’s switched off every single time. Argh! I am tired...really tired.

I decided to take this semester off as it is impossible to study apart from having so much on my plate right now. My nose has been bleeding with brief pauses since this morning. I silently wipe off the blood as if it’s nothing to worry about. My breaths have become much shakier, my knees feel extremely weak after only standing for 5 minutes max, I’m becoming skinnier day by day. Everything about my appearance is screaming the end of me but unfortunately, I’m still stuck in the rut, SURVIVING!

“Hey, honey! how are you doing? How is she now?” a familiar voice catches my attention to the door. My aunt Kate is standing there with a sullen expression on her face.

“Kate! O my God! when did you come? Who told you we’re here? I’m so sorry I didn’t even have the thought of letting you know.” I let out all the words rapidly with a single breath.

“It’s okay sweetie! I know how hard it’s been for you since your accident.” She advances to pull me in for a hug.

I stiffly rest my head on her shoulder. I feel like crying my eyes out but not a single droplet comes out. My aunt brushes her fingers through my hair when I clasp her arms tight as the fear of losing the near ones gets the hold of me.

“You’re not looking quite right Eve! Are you taking your meds and meals regularly? I don’t think so!” she asks holding me at arm’s length, she looks dead anxious.

“No worries, Kate! I’m fine, it’s just the worries got over my being. I sigh sharply to gather tears in my eyes but fail. Tell me about you, how have you been? How’s your job going on? How’s Rob?” I try to sound genuine.

“Everything’s going okay! And...um... about Rob, we just broke up last month.” She shrugs.

“Oh why? Did anything bad happen?” I stare at her.

“Nah! Nothing bad, it’s just not so easy to maintain a long-distance relationship. Ever since he moved to London, I couldn’t feel the connection or spark anymore. I mean, come to think of it, the distance between London and LA is not nothing, right?” she waves off the matter.

“Right! Hope you are not struggling to get over the 5 years old relationship. Anyway, for how long are you planning to stay here?” I change the topic to shake off the tension growing on Kate’s face at mentioning the name of Rob.

“I was thinking for a month, but now looking at you I think I’ll be staying longer than that. Eve, darling, you need proper rest. You really are wearing out.” She put her arm around my shoulder. In reply, I put a hand on the hand of hers resting on my arm and purse my lips.

Kate is staying here with me and Serena for two days now. She is being very caring but somehow it is bothering me a little. I’m not sure whether it’s her being away from us for long or the stress, her constant concern about my physical condition is not feeling quite right to me. Still I try to shove the irritation off of my face as she is being genuine in her concern.

“Eve, honey! did you take the night meds? Did you finish your dinner?” Kate’s voice floats across the hallway.

“Yes, Kate, I just had the dinner. I think I’ll walk outside a little before taking the night meds.”

“Why? Are you feeling suffocated? O God! What is it that triggered the irritation? Is it Broccoli?” she rushes towards my room.

“Ow No! no, no! Kate, I think you’re overthinking a lot. I really don’t need that much supervision, I’m not a cancer patient or something!” I blurt out before even giving it a second thought. Her face suddenly turns dark as she gets hurt clearly at my words.

“I mean, I’m sorry Kate! I didn’t mean to sound too bitchy! I just am too distressed to behave normally. I shouldn’t have told you all these.” I wring my hands.

“No Evelyn, it’s completely fine. You’re going through a lot, I just wanted to make sure you’re doing okay in this depressing situation.” She gives a dry smile before silently leaving the room.

Holy shit! What did I just do? Why did I react in such a way when she was just trying to be good to me? Evelyn! You are such a mean, ungrateful bitch! I cover my face with both hands. My breathing quickens. I cannot even recognize my own self as all my reactions and emotions are getting so messed up lately. I leap on my feet from the bed and the door starts to shrink to a little point. I widen my gaze and shake my head hoping to get the normal view back. To my horror, I see all the furniture around me start to move and distort like a Surrealistic artwork. I rub my eyes firmly when I feel the loss of control over my RIGHT hand again! The hand falls involuntarily to my side. I struggle to move the hand with my left one as it already begins to move on its own. To worsen the scene, I don’t even have a clear vision of my surrounding. Everything seems to flow like waves of an ocean. I part my lips to inhale but instead, my tongue comes in contact with a tangy tasted liquid. It takes a while for me to realize my nose is bleeding like crazy. My head is feeling extremely light at this point. Suddenly, in the right thigh, I feel a ting of pain. Soon the pain spreads to the entire body. I can feel the cold sweat rolling down my cheeks and a chill going down my spine. My knees feel too weak to stand anymore and I fall down on my face. I squint at the door as my head is throbbing with the excruciating pang.

“What happened?” two voices ask at the same time after opening the door wide open.

“I-I fell down...” I murmur.

“Jesus! Serena, please, bring the ice-bag NOW!” Kate sits down by my side.

“Holy freaking moly! What did you do to your...?” she slaps her hands on her mouth. My vision starts being cleared out a little. The horror in her eyes is apparent.

“what?” my voice is slowly trailing off.

“It’s a fucking knife! It’s inside... inside the... Jesus!” she starts dialing the phone.

I cannot understand anything until my eyes catch the knife sticking out of my right thigh. The white trousers are crimson now, totally soaked up in blood. My breathing becomes heavier and heavier until I cannot feel anything.

When I wake up, I find myself on my bed surrounded by Kate, Serena and what? Is it Mr. Miller? What the heck is he doing here?

“How are you feeling hon?” Kate gently brushes her fingers through my hair.

I nod in response; the pain cannot be felt right now as probably some kind of painkilling med has been injected. I look at Ted Bundy with the side of my eyes. He is staring in this way with as usual no expressions whatsoever. I am feeling a little uncomfortable lying before an almost unknown guy, and in this case, it’s the TED who was the center of my fascination few days back and well, I still have some unknown reason to feel a bit gravitated to him. To my relief, Ted slash Richard moves from his stern position.

“So, I think Miss Lawrence is out of danger now. If anything, further happens, do not hesitate to let me know,” he looks at Kate, “Miss Smith” he nods.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Miller. It’s been a really huge help at that moment of fright. You’re such a good soul.” Kate pours all the sweetness in her tone.

“It’s my pleasure. Miss Smith. What are neighbors for if they can’t be useful in time of needs.” His collected voice sounds even sexier. I keep waiting impatiently underneath my breath to know what exactly happened after my so not pleasant episode. He steals a quick gaze at me