The Handsome Devil

Chapter 66 - The system

In the next weeks, Deya worked hard to perfect her system. During the day, she limited herself to small strategic sips of liquor every hour or two not to raise Patrick's suspicion should he unexpectedly drop by. However, once the dishes from her dinner were picked up, she was free to do as she pleases.

Well, except the curfew of roughly 1 AM she set because of the early morning trainings with Patrick. Again, something she forced herself to do to avoid suspicion.

Conveniently though, all the animosity that surfaced when she was sober seemed to result in significant improvements, and given that hangovers also boosted the girl's appetite, Patrick seemed to be exceptionally content with her. In fact, so much that he gave in to her pleading and snake her out for another two boxing matches that she managed to win.

Ensuring stable supply of alcohol required a little more planning. The cash she won was burning a hole in her pocket, yet, the opportunity to spend it wasn't coming. The first few night runs into the game room nearly got her a heart attack as she underestimated what time do the Bulldogs go to sleep. However, as she learned more about their schedule and started to recognize the different sounds of the doghouse, it slowly turned into a routine.

Now, she would confidently stride into the game room every couple of days acting pretty much as if it was a liquor store, and leaving with her arms full. As for the empty bottles, she was lining them up under the bed for a while, but then she accidently discovered where they store the recyclables when she duck into random door to avoid getting caught. From there, it wasn't that hard to start sneaking them one by one every morning as she went to meet Patrick in the gym.

Things were working out, and Deya found herself thinking of nothing for most of her days. A state that was strange to her.

However, there was one thing that managed to disrupt her bliss every time like a clockwork. And it was the fact that Max didn't stop mysteriously lingering behind her door every day before he went to sleep.

In fact, it was the only way she kept track of time these days. Sixteen. As of now, there were sixteen consecutive instances, and the theories of what he might be doing were countless.

Is he just checking his phone?

It was one of her first thoughts, and quite a plausible one.

But every day?

Perhaps it was all the accumulated curiousity or perhaps it was because they were out of absinth and she had to take tequila, but on day seventeen she could hold back no more and decided to act.

This time, as she sat on the floor and listened to the devil's nearly inaudible breathing, something made her jump up and throw the door open, forcing the culprit to freeze on the spot wide-eyed.

There was a minute of utter silence, but when she registered his attempt to turn around - undoubtedly to run away - her hand shot up and abruptly pulled him inside before closing the door.

Deya had no idea what she's doing, but the alcohol and Max's stunned reaction gave her courage enough to finish what her drunken ass started.

"Well, hello" She murmured as she took a step closer, making the man back away. Somehow, the familiarity forced the corners of her mouth to quiver as she took another step and repeated the process until the devil's frame was backed against a wall.

For a second, she considered returning his signature domineering gesture and cage him in between her arms, but it would probably end up looking ridiculous given their height difference.

And let's not act like he couldn't crush you like a snowball if he wanted.

If he wanted..