82 - Her First Victim

When the door opened, Aster smiled at her. He was carrying a tray with water and food. He set the tray down on a table nearby. "How are you feeling, Annie?" he asked with a bright smile. Annie grimaced and looked down at her hands. She felt the bed shift. Aster had sat down next to her. "You must be thirsty?"

She accepted the cup of water he handed her without a word. She could feel his emerald gaze on her. Sipping slowly the water, she turned to look out the window. "Annie?" Aster's voice came off hesitant, awkward.

Turning to look at him, she watched his eyes shift to the bed and then back at her. Did he want her to respond? She set the cup down and cleared her throat exaggeratedly. "Yes, I am fine. Kieran told me I was asleep for three days."

He smiled in relief. "Yes. I was able to tell your sister. Then, we were able to bring you here."

"Sister?"

Aster smile drooped down a little. Her reactions weremaking him feel more awkward. "Yeah, your sister Poppy. She was really worried over you."

Annie looked down at her hands that clenched the blanket. She hadn't wanted Poppy to worry. The twins must've been worried also. She'll have to make this up somehow. Aster was watching her facial expressions.

"I was also worried about you," he drawled out, his hand reaching to touch her face. Her eyes narrowed at him and she grabbed his wrist. "Ow! Hey, Annie!"

"What do you think you are doing?" she asked, visibly upset. Her grip tightened.

"N-no!" He tried to remove her hand but it wouldn't budge. "Why are you so strong?" he muttered.

"You brought me back here? Were you two here the whole time I was unconscious?" she demanded.

"Not the whole time but we were here some times. Annie, le-let go," he winced in pain. She released her grip on his wrist. He rubbed his wrist. "Are you sure you are okay?"

She glared at him. "You're a playboy. I don't need your sorts around my family."

His eyes widened at her words. "I'm not... a..." He thought about it for a moment. "Playboy?"

"Yes, you are. Thinking you can get everything with your good looks and charm," she retorted.

A slow smile spread on his lips. "You think I am good looking?" he asked. His hand reached out for hers. Flustered, she realized what she said. He slowly leaned towards her face. "I think... you are really good looking too." His hand moved to her shoulder, pushing her down gently. "Oh, Annie..."

She slapped him and screamed. "You pervert! What are you trying to do!"

He held a hand to his red cheek. "I was only trying to kiss you! Do you not like me?"

"Like you?" she asked, incredulous. "I don't like you at all! How dare you take advantage of me!" She pushed him down on the bed and gripped his wrist.

Surprised, Aster tried to pull her hand away. "Now Annie, let's talk this out..."

Her eyes narrowed at him furiously. "You need to learn my family and I are off limits for your playboy ways!" She applied pressure and broke one of his fingers. Crack. Surprised, he was speechless for a moment. Then, he screamed in agony at the pain.