The Handsome Devil

Chapter 78 - The first, the last

(Warning - mature content)

"Come in" Max's raspy voice echoed from behind the door, and Deya suddenly couldn't remember if she actually knocked, or whether he just sensed her presence somehow.

If it wasn't for the cameras in the hallway, she'd most certainly be back in her room by now. However, seeing no option, her trembling fingers reached for the doorknob and in she walked.

It took her a bit before she located the devil, tucked on the floor right behind his desk and illuminated by the dim light of his lamp. However, the fact that she couldn't clearly see his face was unsettling, and so she slowly made her way closer, stopping just out of his reach.

Something about the scene didn't feel right, and so she let her eyes wander, taking in the disheveled state of his hair as if he ran his fingers through them about a thousand times. His eyes had a redness to them, and the bags under them made it clear he hadn't slept in a while, which made her internally curse Patrick for pushing her to come. Obviously, this wasn't the right time, and the fact that there was half empty bottle of whiskey at his side just confirmed that.

Drunk Maximón is an unpredictable one.

As if realising how long has passed in silence since his visitor entered, the devil raised his head suddenly, taking a second to settle his blurry gaze on her shaking frame.

Deya desperately tried to decipher his expression, but all that starred back at her was bone chilling emptiness.

"I-I'm sorry.. I just came to return this.." She blurted out under the breath, turning her eyes to the book in her hands and feeling silly for thinking it was a good excuse.

And what did you come to do here anyway? Her inner voice added mockingly.

Without looking up again, she gently placed the book on the top of his desk before turning on her heel and scurrying towards the door.

"Wait" His raspy voice cut through the silence, making her freeze on the spot.

As much as the thought of facing him again terrified her, not seeing what he's doing left her vulnerable, and so she slowly turned around just to found the man struggling to his feet and shuffling closer.

"Are you alright?" Deya peeped in, but all he did was return a faint nod, eyes firmly fixed on her.

"You?" His husky voice echoed as he stopped mere meter away, and she retuned his nod for a lack of better response, leaving them in a silent stare down.

Today was the first time she heard his voice since the day in Connor's mansion, and even longer since she last stood so close to him and looked into the endless depths of his eyes, the realisation filling her chest with mixed emotions.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come" She added eventually, desperately trying to escape the situation, but the devil ignored her statement entirely, taking a step closer and pushing the loose strand of raven hair behind her ear instead.

This whole time, he watched her with sad curiousity, leaving her more confused than ever.

"Are you sure you're--"

"Shh" He shushed her without missing a beat before sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her closer.

"You talk too much" His soft lips gently brushed against her ear as he said that, sending shivers down the girl's spine.

"Max.." She breathed out with a sense of urgency, unsure whether begging him to stop or go on.

However, despite the familiar ecstatic waves that ran through her body with every kiss he planted on her neck, she could not help but wonder whether he's just using her to deal with Connor's death. Besides, the closer he got, the harder it became to ignore the distinctive smell of whiskey on his breath, and so she forced herself to break out of the spell.