"Just like every rose we all have our thorns. But in the end, the pain is worth the fragrance."

《~●●●~》

Alexis was stuck between the office table and August. She was afraid of his anger but she liked it too. The only thought she had in mind at that time was she wanted to use Zohra to get out of the lodge as soon as possible. She didn't love him the way he loved her.

August came closer and leaned forward. He planted a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm sorry Alexis. I didn't mean to hurt you." He muttered.

She didn't say a word. She clearly looked hurt. His grasp on her wrist minutes ago was enough to make her yelp with pain.

He held both of her hands gently and brought them close to his lips. He gently kissed her hands with love and affection. The touch of his lips on her hands made her spine shiver and she couldn't deny she liked it.

"I want to say something August." She muttered.

"What is it." He softly asked.

"I-I don't have these feeling for you. I am sorry but I don't think of you the way you think of me. I mean I don't love you August." She bluntly said then looked at his face for any signs of emotions.

"What?". He muttered. The impact of realization hit hard on him. He was still confused. " I don't get it but why?" His voice was hurt.

"August! I appreciate your feelings for me but I really don't think I can develop these feelings for you too. I like you as a true friend but I cannot love you. I simply don't." She lowered her gaze and told him the most heartbreaking truth.

August's heart had shattered into a million pieces on her statement. Although he was coldblooded, merciless but his heart was in her hands and getting his heart shattered by the hands of his love was the most painful thing happened to him.

"Why is that Alexis? What's wrong with me that you don't love me. Look into my eyes." He tilted her head up and made her look into his eyes.

August's eyes were her weakness. She couldn't stand looking into them. "What made you not love me?" His hoarse voice echoed.

"Because I cannot live in that new world of yours August. Yes! I went through all of these papers. The violence, the gore. I am petrified of you August. Is this going on in your mind all these years. I am sorry but I cannot fall in love with a monster." She spat in anger.

He squeezed her shoulders. "This is just a drama. I am not gonna do this. It is just a part of a plan to please someone. Alexis!" He held her by her shoulders gently. "I am not a bad guy. I hunt people. I kill them but only those who deserve to die. If I was a killer I would have killed you in the first place." He tried to explain.

"You are not the one to decide who deserves to live and who doesn't and you aren't the one to decide my fate either." She said and paused for a moment. "I'm sorry August but please leave me alone. Thats the least you can do for me." She brought both of her palms together in a pleading way.

"I cannot. I simply cannot do this. I am sorry." August let go off her shoulders, took a step back and clenched his jaw.

"Yes you can. You don't need me August. You need someone else. I cannot fill the void in your life but someone else can." She said.

"Who else do I need when you are around me? You are my life Alexis." This time he nearly yelled with frustration. Alexis' eyes flinched and she sort of shook on his loud tone.

"Zohra!. Yes! August, You need Zohra not me." She went and stood close to him. August's eyes widened on her name.

"She loves you unconditionally. She really does. I have seen it in her eyes. She told me August. All these years she was waiting for you to come back to her." Alexis took hold of his hands.

"I don't think of her in the way I think of you Alexis. She is not a match for me. I don't have feelings for her now moreover she is completely different in terms of religion and culture." He frowned.

Alexis started to walk around him clapping slowly."Wow! Just wow Mr Walker. You were the one who initiated love between you and her. You were the one who claimed her as yours and now what? You suddenly changed your mind after looking at me."

"Alexis! I didn't love her. I didn't even touch her. Yes! I changed my mind and nobody can stop me from loving you Alexis." He pointed at her and spat.

"I can stop you from loving me August. Yes! I don't want you to love me. Zohra loved you truly and love doesn't need someone to be physical. Atleast she isn't the slave of lust like me." Alexis yelled.

"What are you even saying. Do you even know you are uttering gibberish?" He cupped her face in his hands. "I can't let you go with someone else. I can't see you be someone else's Alexis. I will tear that person apart. " His voice was furious. His face was red with anger.

Alexis hadn't seen him so much angry this entire time she had spent with him. Even more furious he looked devilishly handsome. Everytime his beauty made her weak on her knees but she contained herself that time.

"I am going with Zohra. She is coming to take me." She said.

"What?" He couldn't believe what he heard.

"Yes. I called her and she agreed to take me from here. I cannot live here with you like a hostage. Forget about me August." She spat.

"I fucking care who is coming to take you." His jaw was clenched tightly. "You are going to stay here thats all I know for sure." He grabbed her wrist tightly.

"August! What are you doing? You are hurting me. Please just fucking leave me." She screamed.

"You are coming with me to your room." She fell and he nearly dragged her on the floor. She started to scream. He lifted her on his shoulder and started to carry her to her room.

"August! You can't do this to me. Just fucking leave me. Let go off me you bastard." She cussed at him.

"Scream as hard as you can but I won't let you go." He continued to carry her to the room.

He reached inside and threw her on her bed and went out. She ran to the door but he locked it from outside.

"August please. Please let me go." She started to bang on the door with both her hands. She was screaming and crying and pleading.

He placed his forehead on the door. His hands balled into fists. He didn't want to do it with her but he was compulsive. She was his addiction. His biggest weakness.

He never cried his entire life but his eyes were wet with agony at that time. It was agonizing to watch her suffer but she was his life, his everything and he wasn't letting her go at any cost.

"I'm sorry Alexis. Please forgive me." He whispered to himself.

She had given up screaming but her sobbing can be heard. He sat leaning against the wall beside the door. Her sobbing stopped after sometime.

He went to his room like a defeated lion. He was angry on himself for doing this to her. She didn't care if she will forgive him or not but one thing he knew for sure that he won't forgive himself for life.

Furiously he punched the wall in all his might. His knuckles were bruised and there was a hole left in the wall. He fell on the couch and closed his eyes. He slipped into sleep.

He woke up on the banging on the door. His eyes flew open suddenly. He heard her coughing. She was having an asthma attack.

"August!" Her weak voice echoed from the other side of the door.

He rushed to the door and opened it. The next thing he remembered was she was on the floor. Partly unconsious, trying to breath and gasping for air. He ran to her and took her into his arms.

"Alexis!" Open your eyes.

"My puffer. Bring it to me. Oh my God I can't breath." She could hardly talk. Tears were flowing from her eyes.

He remembered he saw it in the kitchen. He ran to get it. When he got to the kitchen, he heard the main door opening and closing.

"Alexis!" He knew she was trying to escape.

He ran to the door. It was made of glass. She was standing outside gazing at him. As soon as he reached to open the door, she locked it. He looked at her furiously.

"Alexis!" He yelled. "Don't you dare run from me." He warned as he punched on the glass door.

She didn't say a word. She took a step back and ran as fast as she could.

"Alexis!" He yelled out her name.

He took a chair from a corner and broke the glass. It shattered in a minute. Just as he ran out after her he saw her running barefeet on the road. He ran after her when he heard tyres screeching on the road.

It was a jeep who pulled over near her. He saw Alexis running and climbing in its back.

"Alexis!" He yelled out her name one more time when he saw someone appearing from behind her.

Her Black shawl waving in the air. Her long black hairs fiddeling with her face. Her brother Akbar was on the driver seat.

"Zohra!" He whispered.

"Chalo!" She ordered him loudly. The jeep started to move away.

He ran as fast as he could but the jeep took speed and vanished in the dark of the night.