บท 8: Illness

Leticia sat on her bed, her head buried in her knees, feeling a sudden wave of sickness wash over her. Her head throbbed, and her nose began to tickle, a familiar sensation that made her heart race..

Her eyes widened in fear as she realized what was happening. " I totally forgot!" she muttered to herself, leaping up from the bed and rushing to the bathroom.

She needed her medicine, but it was in the bag Devon had never returned. The same bag she had brought with her that Friday night, containing all her belongings.

'How do I ask him? 'she pondered, frantically wiping the blood from her nose. She had been avoiding him since yesterday, locking herself in her room and trying to escape the misery that had become her life.

' Maybe Luis can help me. But i can't let him see me like this." she was still wiping the blood when the she heard a loud bang on her door. Her eyes opened in shock and fear.

" Leticia!!! "It was Devon and he sounded really mad. It seemed like he'd burst into the room and was searching for her. 'I'm definitely dying before my time.' She thought, wiping the blood that refused to stop flowing out of her nose.

The usually cleaned sink was stained with blood and despite her dizziness, Leticia could hear Devon's growl, "Come out now!"

She knew not doing so would spell more trouble so she wiped more of the blood before stepping out of the bathroom, trying to face him with courage she didn't feel. But before she could even process what was happening, her back hit the wall, and strong fingers curled around her neck, choking her.

"I called you endlessly, sent maids to fetch you, yet you dared me by not answering my calls. You're braver than I thought, bitch," Devon sneered, his grip tightening around her neck.

Leticia's eyes flashed with defiance, even as fear gripped her heart. "You can assault me all you want, but don't call me names that aren't mine! I'm not a bitch!" she spat, her voice hoarse from the pressure on her neck.

A surprised look crossed Devon's face, replaced by anger. He smirked. "Growing wings, I see."

Leticia closed her eyes, feeling the warm liquid rush out of her nose, her head spinning, and her vision blurring. 'Oh no, I'll pass out soon... Ugh...' was her last thought before her body went limp.

The fingers around her neck loosened as her body fell into his arms, her scent wrapping him like a shroud.

Devon frowned when he noticed her bleeding nose, and for a moment, his anger seemed to falter. 'Bleeding nose? Is she sick?' He thought to himself, realizing it couldn't have been because of his assault.

He carried her properly and walked to her bed, where he saw the bloodstain. There, he knew she'd been bleeding before he came in. 'Is that why she refused to come out since yesterday?' He wondered.

He placed his hand on her forehead and raised a brow at her temperature. She was as cold as ice. Her skin was pale and her brows had turn to a platinum color.

He then placed three fingers on her forehead and immediately, colour returned to her skin. His frown deepened. She was a daredevil, talking back despite her pain due to whatever was happening to her.

When he noticed her body had warmed up and she was already breathing, he stood up, glanced at her once and left her room.

***

Cecil frowned worriedly, approaching Devon. "Is she okay?"

Devon shrugged nonchalantly, his face a mask of indifference. Cecil rolled his eyes and went to his room because he was already such response.

Quynn stood up, about to leave, when Devon said, "I have something I want you to do for me if you're less busy." Quynn looked at Devon, and he added nonchalantly, "Check on Leticia and see if she has any illness. She was bleeding earlier." Quynn nodded and walked out.

Devon sighed, his expression thoughtful. 'Something is definitely wrong with her. '

***

Seraphim screamed internally, packing her bags in a fury. She snapped her fingers and the nearby vase wobbled before crashing on the floor. She didn't seem to care about the damaged vase though.

Devon had given her two days to apologize to Leticia or leave, and she was seething with anger because she wasn't expecting Devon to pick that pauper over her? Where did he get her anyways?!

As she placed her things into her luggage, she paused, "I can't stoop so low as to apologize to her. But I don't want to leave either. " She walked towards the broken vase and bent to pick a sharp piece.

Something flashed in her round red eyes and she smirked "Fine. I'll tell the bitch sorry. At least Brother Devon would let me stay. Then I'll find a way to get rid of that lowly human." She smiled at her brilliant plan.

"Now, to find that witch..." She murmured and left her room, making her way to Leticia's.

She ignored most of the servants that acknowledged her presence with a bow as she walked down the hall with haughtiness.

She reached Leticia's doorstep and rolled her eyes before knocking on the door. No reply. Annoyed, Seraphim knocked again, but still, no reply. She barged in, ready to yell at her, only to see her lying on her bed. At first, Seraphim thought she was asleep but when she paused, she realised Leticia was unconscious.

Seraphim smirked wickedly as she walked closer to Leticia. She stared at her face in contempt. "If I strangle her right now, no one would know. It's an opportunity to get rid of her."

She dropped vase piece that was in her hand on the bedside table and without thinking again, she curled her fingers around Leticia's neck and tightened her grip. Leticia stirred, and Seraphim grinned evilly.

She tightened her grip further, and Leticia began to choke. "Die, witch!" Seraphim growled as Leticia struggled to pry her hands off her neck, her face red and throat tight.

Just as Seraphim thought she was succeeding, the door was knocked. Her eyes widened as the knock came again. She quickly let go of Leticia and flashed into the bathroom.

Leticia was gasping for air, her throat dry and feeling suffocated. Her heart was pounding at what just happened. Was that a dream?

The knock came again and Leticia forced herself to sit up, her voice hoarse and unclear, "C...Come in." The person stepped inside, and Leticia gawked at him, shocked.