Chains of Obsession

22

♤Alexander♤

"What happened?" My younger brother Alexei asked as I stepped out.

My left cheek cut open, and my lip splited.

When did he arrive?

I grimace, touching my fingers lightly to the split in my lip. "She got a few lucky hits in," I respond, my voice slightly edged with annoyance.

Alexei's eyebrows raise, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"She did that to you?" He asks, his tone slightly incredulous.

I give him a glare, not appreciating the amusement in his tone.

"Don't start," I mutter, stepping past him and heading towards the bathroom.

From the first day when she got here, I already told Alexei about her.

"Start with what?" He asked.

I pause, glancing over my shoulder at him, my expression still annoyed. "Don't start mocking me," I say gruffly. "She's a feisty little thing, alright? It's stronger than she looks."

I push open the bathroom door, entering the small room and turning on the tap. I splash some water on my face, rinsing away the blood from the open cut.

"Anyways. Is our little baby sister at school?" He asked.

I glance at him in the mirror as I dry my face with a towel. "Of course she is. Where else would she be?"

The mention of our younger sister, Annabell, brings a faint smile to my face. She's the only one in this family I genuinely care about.

"Where's Layla?" Alexei asked.

I roll my eyes, his predictable question drawing a sigh from me.

"She's out doing shopping for us," I reply, my tone mildly irritated. I know what he's really asking.

"Keep your pants on," I add with a grumble. "You'll have plenty of time to bother her later."

Alexei just grins, not even trying to hide his intentions. He's a womanizer through and through, has been since puberty hit. I, on the other hand, prefer to stay out of relationships. They're messy, complicated, and a waste of time.

"You're no fun," Alexei huffs, leaning against the wall. His expression shifts to an observant one as he eyes me.

"You know," he says, his tone amused again. "I don't think I've ever seen you as shaken up as you are right now. What's so special about this girl? You've dealt with much more feisty ones before, and they've never left a mark on you."

I wince slightly as the water stings the open wound on my cheek.

"It's nothing," I mutter, avoiding eye contact with him.

He wouldn't understand even if I explained. There's something about this girl that's gotten under my skin, something that makes me want to simultaneously strangle her and pin her to the floor again all at once. I can't explain it, and frankly, I don't even want to try.

"So, what are going do to now? Her parents are dead, so there's no way you can get all your stuff back that they took from you." He said.

His question causes me to pause, my expression turning more serious. Her parents are dead...

"Her parents are dead?" I repeat, my voice low. "When did this happen?"

Alexei gives me a surprised look, clearly assuming I already knew. "You didn't know?" He asks, his tone incredulous. "It was all over the news a few days ago. Car accident. Both were killed. No survivors."