UNWANTED DEVOTION

MADNESS OF LOVE...

The next day came, and Helen stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. As she walked out of the house after bidding her parents goodbye, she saw the empty spot where a bike used to be parked, with Aron sitting on it, smiling at her. Her eyes lingered on the space for a few seconds before shifting to the road. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the same bike parked a little further down from her house.

"Aron..." she whispered, running towards it, her eyes scanning the area for him. Finally, he appeared, looking into her puffy eyes, both already knowing they had been crying.

"I'm sorry..." Helen said, tears falling, and Aron just stood there, staring at her.

"I hate you... I hate that I love you so much that I'm still ready to accept everything—even when your body's been marked by him, even when I know your heart beats for him. So please, give me a chance, Helen..." Aron said, his eyes fixed on hers as he took a step back with each word.

"I can't. I love him..." Helen replied, moving closer to him.

"Then be ready, because I don't care anymore about this love. You have to be mine, just like I've dreamed every day," Aron said before starting the bike.

Helen looked at his back, and then her gaze caught Ryan's piercing eyes. She walked toward him with weak steps. Ryan sat in the car, his jaw clenched. His eyes betrayed nothing but anger as his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly.

Helen knew the cause of his anger. She didn't say anything, wiping away her tears, only glancing at Ryan through the window. No one could understand how love had suddenly twisted everything like this.

The door clicked open, and Helen slowly sat inside the car without saying a word, her eyes cast downward. Ryan started the car, his focus on the road, not sparing another glance at her. His hands clenched and unclenched on the wheel. The car sped up, and Helen quickly realized they weren't headed to the college.

Ryan stopped the car at someone's house, knocking on the door. A boy, around 25, came out wearing sleepwear. Ryan grabbed his collar and said, "I want your room for a few minutes."

"Easy, bro..." the boy chuckled awkwardly, glancing inside the car before nodding and walking toward the garden, leaving Ryan and Helen alone. Ryan opened the car door quickly, grabbed Helen's wrist, and pulled her toward the room.

The room was small and simple, like a hostel. Ryan pulled Helen inside and shut the door, his eyes still focused on the closed door while Helen nervously looked at his back.

"R...Ryan..." she started to speak, but before she could finish his name, Ryan turned toward her, taking slow, dangerous steps. He kissed her harshly, thrusting his tongue into her mouth with force. He held her arms tightly, keeping her in place. After pulling away, he marked her neck with fresh hickeys beside the old ones that hadn't healed yet.

Helen moaned, a mixture of pain and pleasure, her mind forgetting everything except Ryan. He kept marking her until his anger subsided. With heavy breaths, he finally stopped, resting his head against her neck as they both breathed heavily.

"Don't make me more angry, Helen, or it won't be good..." Ryan whispered, pulling her wrist and dragging her out of the room. He made her sit in the car before speeding off, not even bothering to inform his friend, who was still tending to the garden.

The car ride to college was silent. Ryan's hand held Helen's, caressing it softly. When they arrived, he turned to face her, his gaze cold.

"What is it, Helen?" Ryan asked, already knowing the reason for her sadness.

"Nothing..." Helen replied softly, and Ryan slammed his hand against the steering wheel. Helen quickly looked up, her teary eyes meeting his angry ones.