Chains of Obsession

37

♤Alexander♤

As soon as jet was landed and it was time to go, then she was the first one to run out.

I rushed out after her as she practically flung herself out of the jet. She didn't get very far before she dropped to her knees, her body finally giving out.

I approached her slowly, concern etched on my face. She looked wrecked, her body trembling with exhaustion.

"Emilia...?" I called out her name softly, not wanting to startle her. She looked up at me, her eyes still wide, her breathing still a bit ragged.

"I...I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice small and shaky. "I...I don't do well with heights..."

I knelt down beside her, my expression a mixture of concern and understanding. The sight of her, so vulnerable and fragile, tugged at something deep within me.

"You have nothing to apologize for," I replied, my voice gentle. "You had a panic attack. They're not something you choose to have."

She looked up at me again, her eyes brimming with a mixture of shame and relief at my words. She seemed so fragile in that moment, so different from the feisty, defiant girl I had come to know.

"I...I lost control," she mumbled, her voice so soft I almost missed it. "I...I didn't want to...."

♤♤♤

"Antonio!" She called out in a happy voice as she ran towards Antonio. 

The good thing was that when I first found out what happened, Antonio called me quickly to informate me.

His bullet wound on his right leg has been patched up.

I watched as Emilia rushed towards Antonio. Her reaction was like a child's, filled with a joy and excitement that were almost intoxicating. Antonio, despite his leg wound and the bandage wrap on his thigh, managed to open his arms just in time and caught her as she nearly tackled him into a tight hug.

His pained grunt didn't dampen her enthusiasm, and she clung to him tightly, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. He laughed and winced at the same time, holding her just as tightly.

"Easy, easy," he said, his voice hoarse but amused. "Not too rough, kiddo."

"Not kid anymore, you dumbass." She said as she smacked back of his head.

Antonio let out a sharp hiss as her hand connected with the back of his head. He leaned back, a hand reaching to touch the spot where she'd hit him.

"Ow! Hey! That actually hurt!" he protested, a mixture of pain and mock indignance in his voice.

"Do I look like I care? Absolutely not." She said before letting him go. "I am gonna go take a shower and change. You. Make me something to eat." She told Antonio.

I could see that Antonio started to say no, but she quickly added, "I know where you are hiding your cookies."

Antonio's eyes widened at the mention of his precious cookies. He looked from Emilia back to me as if seeking support. But I just raised an eyebrow, silently enjoying the exchange.

"Alright, alright," he finally said, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'll make you something to eat. Just leave my cookies alone."

Emilia shot him a cheeky grin, her threat to reveal his cookie hiding spot effective.

"Good," she replied, clearly pleased. "And it better be something good, or your cookies are history."

With that, she whirled around and started heading towards her room. Antonio watched her go, still rubbing the spot where she'd hit him.