What About Now?

Chapter 18 - Liar Liar

The awkward breakfast meal with the royal family has me desperate to get away from Levi's prying eyes. I can see all of the unanswered questions swimming in those beautiful dark pools, but I'm not ready to answer them. I know it was cowardly of me to leave the breakfast table without so much as an explanation, but seeing as the royal guards barged inside the room requesting for his presence, I couldn't help but make my escape.

I wander into the storage room, hoping to hide from him. I sit on the marble floor in a crisscross position and gaze at the sleek grand piano. I want to play it but don't. There was something wrong. I can't explain it, but the minute I entered the storage room I feel something, something odd. 

I stare at the suns ray illuminating off the piano. It creates a broad light throughout the room and reflects off the luminescent mirrors. But, despite the serene feeling it exudes, I can't help but feel a foreboding presence linger in the air.

I can't discern what brought on this feeling as I move to hug my knees towards my chest. It feels like someone's mentally nudging me. I close my eyes and focus on the feeling, but it proves useless.

Whatever this strange feeling is, it's terrifying.

I shiver frightfully and breathe uneasily. Becoming too much, I quickly stand up and run out of the room. I hurriedly close the double doors behind me and fall to my knees, continuing to breathe heavily.

I attempt to calm my erratic heartbeat by taking deep breaths but it proves futile when my vision becomes blurry. I suddenly feel an ache in my chest and cough violently. I root my hands to the floor in an attempt to keep my balance but the coughing only seems to worsen. 

Every part of my body throbs in pain. My hands give out from the pain and I fall to the fall to the floor.

I  press my hands against my chest, attempting to stop the pain from escalating. 

"Kailani?"

I slightly raise my head to perceive a blurry figure running towards me. I squint my eyes in an attempt to distinguish the figure but quickly stop when I find that motion to be painful as well. Therefore, opting to keep my head lowered and focus on ceasing the pain spreading through my body. 

I flinch in surprise when rough calloused hands make contact with my face. I think the figure is trying to get my eyes to focus on theirs, but can't be sure. 

Immediately, electric bolts run through my body and extinguish the pain. My vision returns to normal and slowly focuses on Levi's concerned gaze rubbing his thumbs down my face. 

The frown etched on his face is evident.  His worried eyes travel down my body, as if making sure that I'm not physically harmed.

"We're going to see Dr. Collin's right now!" He says, picking me up in a bridal like fashion.

"No! Please Levi just put me down and I'll tell you what happened back there," I beg, gripping onto his shirt tightly and attempting to get his attention.

He stops momentarily, seeming to mull over my request and gazes directly into my eyes. He nods and  motions for me to explain, however never makes any movement towards setting me down, rather tightening his hold.

I rack my brain for an explanation, or better yet a lie. Because the truth is, I don't understand what happened back there myself. I'm  just as clueless as he is; and a simple "I don't know" isn't going to suffice. 

"I just got a little bit claustrophobic, it's been a while since I've went outside and I guess I was just feeling restless," I explain, averting my eyes from his.