Timeless - Mark Tuan

Chapter 12

"What do you mean?" I ask, clearly surprised. Jinyoung has followed me around? How? Why? 

"Well, I met him in Russia fifty years ago. Just like me and you, he's been around for quite some time. He told me he was interested in you. I don't how he got to know you, or when ... He said he wanted to help." 

I just realized something. "How do warlocks stay alive for so long? Is ... He ...?"

She smirks. "Like me?" She raises an eyebrow. "Of course, darling. I was actually the one who introduced him to this lifestyle. He said he wanted to live as long as you're alive."

I stare at her, trying to absorb everything she just said. Jinyoung. The kind-hearted, smiley-faced, sweet Jinyoung I know, feasts on children's hearts to stay alive for me? "It's not what I think it is, is it?" I ask Lady Ealasaid. 

"What do you think?" She giggles. "He's in love with you, my dear."

"No." 

"Yes." She smiles at me, taking my hands over the table. "You know what that means, right?"

"I can't La... Liz. I can't afford to have someone sticking to me like that. You know that. Not when Gillian is still alive." Horror shows on my face as I remember the past two men I loved after Luke. 

Her smile turns down to a frown. "Jinyoung knows that. Maybe that's why he kept his distance before."

"But, why now? Why would he suddenly show up now?"

"You said it yourself, Arnisa, so many things has happened since you came here. Maybe he thinks he needs to stay close now."

"But, what happens to him if I can't give back?"

"Can't you?"

"You know I can't.... right now." I lean back on the chair. "The curse ... No." I shake my head. "He's helped me enough. What would I think of myself if he dies because of me?"

"Don't think of that yet, Arnisa. Just, focus on finding Gillian and getting the spell off of you. Just think of Jinyoung as a friend for now, ok?"

"But... Can we talk about something else for now." I say, massaging my temples. I feel headaches more often nowadays. Maybe it's because of what has been happening ... or something else. 

"You need some fix for that, though." She points at my hands covered with gloves. "C'mon." She takes one of them and pulls me up to my feet. 

"Where are we going?" 

"Since you can't seem to find someone to fuck you? Let's go back to our old ways, shall we?"

"No." I yank my hand away. "I can't go back to that, Liz. I've..."

"So, you prefer to deteriorate slowly like this?" She pulls the glove from my hand, exposing my hand that seems to be aging faster than usual. "Ok." She throws her hands in the air. "Just wait 'til Gillian gets to you in this state. Let's see what  you can do."

"Fine." I say, resignedly. I take my purse from the table and follow her out. 

I don't get that far though. Before I reach the door, I get knocked down to the floor by a guy rushing in the cafe. Lady Ealasaid is instantly over me, pulling up. "Watch where you're fuckin' goin', dude!" She shouts. Since when did this lady start talking trash?

"Not my fault she's too skinny to stay on her feet." The man comments, giving her just a glance.

I have to look at him when I heard his voice. "Oh dear!"

"What?" Lady Ealasaid is red in anger now. "Wait 'til I get my hands on that..." 

"No." I stop her from throwing a spell at the guy. I shake my head when she looks at me questioningly.