Eden’s Point of View 

“Eden!” I heard my name in the distance, ignoring it, I pulled the pillow even closer to my face.

I jolted up when I heard a loud bang against my bedroom door.

“Eden, open the damned door!” The voice was nearer and it sounded like father, and I wonder why he is outside my door, yelling my name.

“Eden!” It came again and the bang with more force.

“What the hell!” I yelled in annoyance as I hopped down the bed, can’t a woman even sleep in peace? I swung the door. “If you are about to ask me why I haven’t gone to work today, I need you to remember that you suspended me. I will be in my room until my suspension is over!”

Father stood before me helplessly.

“Is Eva in here?” He asked curiously, and my eyes darted back to my empty room.

“Your daughter Evangeline and I are not best of friends, what the hell would she be doing in my room?” I retorted and his hands swept through his hair, frustration evident in his movements. “What’s going on?”

“The Adlers will be here any minute now,” He confessed. “Evangeline is nowhere to be found. I have looked everywhere; there is nothing but this small note.”

He handed me the paper, and my eyes quickly flickered through her hazardous handwriting.

“She ran away?” I scoffed; this is so damned funny. “She couldn’t have gone far; I am sure if you start looking you will find her before the Adlers come.”

I grabbed the knob, about to close the door again, when Father’s shoes came in between.

“I don’t have time. If I was aware of her disappearance earlier, I would have looked for her, but they will be here any minute now, and when they come, I need to present them a girl Theron can marry.” He seemed desperate and I rolled my eyes.

“So, what do you want me to do then? Go look for Evangeline, even after everything she has done to me?” I asked curiously, and the expression in his eyes remained unchanging. “I don’t think I am that generous. I need to catch up on some sleep. Goodnight father.”

“Eden!” He called my name, a certain urgency in his voice. “You do know this is the last chance to save the hospital, right? If this doesn’t work then at the end of the month, we will be left with nothing but the Dr. in our names.”

He really does make some sense, because the love I have for my grandma does outweighs the hatred I have for my sister.

I have basically lived my whole life for her dying wish.

“Fine, I will grab my keys and go find her.” I muttered, but he stopped me again before I could slam the door. “What now?”

“You don’t need to look for anyone.” He insisted and I frowned. “Just get dressed, instead of Evangeline, you will be presented to the Adlers.”

I scoffed.

“Iris and Evangeline said this person is a psychopath.” I complained.

“That’s why I think you are the right one for the job.” He answered unflinching. “You have a nerve of steel.”

I chuckled, father really loves to test me.

“Just because I am able to deal with you, doesn’t mean I can deal with every other psychopaths.” I slammed in. “I have had a very rough upbringing and childhood, the least I deserve is a man who loves me.”

“Please, Eden. We don’t have time.” He seemed earnest, and I bit down on my lips. This was the first time father is requesting something from me. “You just called of your engagement, moving on quickly is also another means of revenge.”

The silence between us stretched.

“I have one condition.” I answered.

“Whatever it is you want.”

“The director of the hospital should be selected based on merit, and not your favoritism. I need you to remember that I sacrificed my happiness for this to work.” He knew exactly what I was talking about, he paused for a while, staring into my eyes. “If you can’t do that, then I suggest you start looking for Evangeline.”

“Mr. Montclair!” Gia, the housekeeper rushed up the stairs in a panic. “They are here.”

And I raised my eyebrows at father whose lips pursed, and then he nodded stiffly.

“Fine. If that’s what it would take.”

“I will need it in writing; spoken promises can’t be trusted.” I then slammed the door shut.

What the hell did I just agree to? I leaned into the door; the world spinning around, fuck, I need to get ready.

I could hear them exchanging pleasantries. The only thing I know about these people was that they were the founder of the Adler Medical Foundation, the best healthcare specialist hospital in the whole country.

I heard a loud bang on the door, and I jolted, almost smearing my lip gloss.

“Who is it?” I called.

“It’s Gia. Your father requests your presence downstairs.” The calm voice announced and I sighed, I guess I have to go now.

My heart raced as I climbed down the stairs, I could see them vaguely from where I stood. My eyes locked on father’s icy blue eyes, and then a small smile spread across his lips.

“There she is. My princess.” He chuckled pointing towards me, and I ambled towards the table. My eyes flickered towards the elderly man, who was clad in a deep blue McQueen tuxedo, his silver eyes glanced at me.

Cold and cutting, but then the steel-like expression dissolved when he smiled.

“Good day, sir...” My eyes flickered to the woman seated besides him, probably his wife, her skin was pale and flawless, like porcelain, her youthful beauty made me so jealous.

Despite being old, her skin was radiant like glass, and her poise was nothing short of elegant.

Her eyes lifted to meet mine, then she stared down at me, like I was worth nothing. “…and madam Alder. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I remained polite.

“Dr. Adler…This is my beautiful daughter, Eden,” Father introduced with a big smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eden.” Mr. Alder said quite humbly, while his wife simply nodded, and my searching eyes darted to the man who was seated at the farthest seat on the table. “Please meet my son, Dr Theron Adler.”

Only then did he lift his eyes from the phone in his ridiculously large hands, and then his resting gaze narrowed at me.

It was silver as well, but they were different from his father’s gaze…

His eyes held no warmth, no life, yet impossibly familiar.

Just empty silver pools staring back at me, and I became lost in them; his nose was high and lordy, and the thin lines of his lips tugged into a smirk.

A dark, sadistic one.

His frame was big and towering even though he was seated, he stretched even bigger than the chair.

“N-Nice to meet you, Dr. Theron.” I stammered.

“Please have your seat.” He answered instead, motioning for a chair closest to him, and his parent gasps, both sharing a glance.

“Is there anything wrong?” I asked curiously as I pulled down my chair to sit.

“Uhm.” Mrs. Adler cleared her throat, still unwilling to speak to me. “Nothing serious, it’s just that, Theron usually likes to keep his distance away from other people.” Mr. Adler regarded me with hope. “This is the first time he is asking a complete stranger to sit close to him.”

“But we are not complete strangers now, are we?” His voice made the hairs on my skin stood, and goosebumps sprouted out from my skin. It was a whisper, but loud enough to make me paralyzed, my eyes darted back towards him, the memories flooding in, and my eyes widened in realization. “Your hair looks longer to me.”

Shit…. It’s this psychopath.

Theron’s Point of View 

After finishing a fourteen-hour surgery, the only thing I wanted from my parents was for them to let me sleep in peace. It’s bad enough that a grown man like me isn’t allowed to move out of the house and have my privacy.

They believe I needed constant supervision, because they fear I might give into the darkness and I will hurt someone.

I am not the regular human, or rather the normal one.

Fear. Guilt. Pain. Love.

These four are but a myth to me, so father tried all he could to cure me, but all he did was make me into a science experiment.

Instead of letting me sleep, they asked me to dress up for a meeting with their possible in-laws, seems like my dear old father now has plans to marry me off.

I didn’t protest, I never had to.

My life has been the same repeated pattern which now makes living boring, with nothing fun or nothing to look forward too, and since I get bored pretty easily, I didn’t mind getting married, who know if I would find my wife fun?

And when I saw the woman father intended me to marry, I felt something for the first time since this year… Excitement.

On the other hand, she didn’t share my excitement.

My eyes were unable to leave her petite frame, I was focused on the way the muscle in her neck tightened and released, she trembled terribly underneath my watchful gaze.

I stifled another laugh, she remined me of a mouse cornered by a cat.

“So, Eden dear, what do you do?” Mother asked curiously.

“I-I’m currently working in my father’s hospital, I am a surgeon, specialized in cardio-surgery, and in some dire cases, I can also perform general surgeries.” She answered in a small voice, who would have thought that insignificant girl from before will turn out to be a hot shot doctor.

Though there is still something that hasn’t changed about her, that was the way she packed up her hair, and the boring way she dresses.

The light from the chandelier hit her hair, and they glowed like honey in the sun.

“That’s commendable.” Father answered, chewing carefully. “What about your other daughter? Didn’t you say you have two daughters?”

“Uh… Yes.” Dr. Montclair shared a glance with his daughter who looked away briefly. “Evangeline is in school presently, she has tests coming up, she finds it easier to concentrate away from home.”

I could tell that was a lie, even though his voice was controlled, the way he suddenly began to tap his fingers on the table gave him away.

“So, what do you do for fun?” Mother asked again, she seemed openly displeased by my little mouse here.

“Um… there is nothing much to do, I read one or two book when I am free,” She cleared her throat as she proceeded, doing everything she can to avoid my eyes, her fingers slid underneath the table, and she kneaded her dress. “They are mostly on anatomy, and I use to watch some Dr. Linda Grey videos on MI Tube, she is my role model.”

Mother didn’t seem impressed, she simply nodded.

“Well, is there something, Dr. Theron would like to ask? Or add?” Dr. Montclair suggested and Father nodded in support, I straightened up.

“Yes, of course, if I may.” I dropped the cutlery, “The seasoning of this food is too strong to suit my taste.”

“Theron?” Father called me warningly, and I smirked, ignoring him, I continued.

“But I noticed the Montclair family has a lovely garden as we drove in, if you will allow me to check out the garden…” I glanced in her direction; she looked everywhere else but mine. “…with my fiancée?”

I needed some time alone with her, judging by her reaction, she can’t exactly have forgotten me.

Dr. Montclair chuckled from relief, I don’t know what deal father had with this man but I could tell everything was relying on this marriage.

“That’s lovely… we will continue the rest of the dinner.” He dismissed. “We have a lot of things to discuss as parents.”

’Well, isn’t that rude?” Father asked him, displeasure written all over his face, I could tell he was worried about the girl. If he didn’t think she was safe, why did he suggest a marriage to begin with.

“No, the children need to get to know each other,” Gladly, Dr. Montclair didn’t seem to mind. “Dr. Theron is so eager.”

My smile spread noticing how her grip on her dress had tightened, I pushed my chair back standing up, I outstretched my hands for her, and she glanced up at me, and then her eyes darted towards our parents.

Hesitantly, she reached for my hands, her small and warm palm locking in mine, and I felt a sudden sense of ownership flood me.

“I want to believe you didn’t know it was me, since you are this stunned.” I teased as we stepped to the porch, and almost immediately she snatched her hands away from mime.

I stared at my hand; emptiness suddenly consumed me from the absent of her touch.

“This cannot work.” She complained, creating space between us, and I smirked, slipping my now empty hands into my pocket.

“And why not?”

“You are Thorne’s brother.” She snapped and I nodded.

“And what does Thorne have to do with all of this?” I wondered, stepping further into the garden. “He never really liked you; he always cheated on you, he thinks you are dumb, stupid and ugly.”

She winced at the honesty in my voice.

“And what makes it worse is that I am getting engaged to his psychopath older brother, who nearly killed me.” She seethed, and I took a dramatic step towards her, she scooted backwards immediately, almost falling to the ground.

“You hurt me, darling.” I pouted. “Come to think of it, I didn’t even push you into the pool. You were clumsy, and you fell into it all by yourself.”

“But you were right there, and you saw me drowning, I called for your help.” She accused pointedly.

“I had no reason to save you.” I confessed. “You were trespassing on my property, you were not my responsibility, and I was wearing my new Zegna suit, first in its collection, I am sorry I didn’t want to ruin my outfit?”

“You are fucking crazy.”

“And I want to marry you.” I muttered casually and her eyes widened, shock evident in her beautiful honey brown eyes that makes me so thirsty.

She shakes her head. “If you think you can’t do it, then tell them when we get back, that you are my little brother’s ex-girlfriend, and I will tell father you were the one who advised Thorne to follow his dreams.” I muttered and her eyes narrowed. “Now the little rascal has ran away from home, and won’t come back.”

“You are so childish.”

“And trust me, I can be way more despicable if I don’t get what I want.” I neared her again, and once again she created distance. “And I want you.”

In the blink of an eye, I caught her upper arm, bringing her even closer to me, and I ripped the rubber from her hair, her honey blonde hair fell down in waves around her shoulders to her back.

“Well, it’s better let down.” I muttered, she pushed at my chest, getting out of my grip.

“Who are you to decide how I pack up my hair?” She seemed very livid about what I just did, but I don’t feel anything towards her reaction. She ran her fingers into her hair, pushing them back.

“Your future husband.” Catching her hands once again, she stiffened. I locked eyes with her, and pressed a kiss to the back of her fingers.

Eden’s Point of View

It happened on a quiet and sunny day… the first time I met the mad man that was supposed to be my husband.

Thorne, my then boyfriend and I had just graduated high school and our relationship was on the edge. Communication hadn’t been so strong and I felt him drifting away from me, so he suggested we go on a date, something that would probably improve our relationship.  

    I was elated because I wanted everything to work out between us, Thorne was my first love. He was also the most popular guy in school; a lot of people wanted to be with him.

Girls, and boys alike.

 He was beautiful, his dark hair always falls to his silver eyes that resembled like melted steel, and a seductive gaze that can make even a dead heart beat again.

My hands tightened against the straps of my bags as I looked around again waiting for him underneath the scorching sun, I was sweating so bad that I thought I would melt.

“Fuck.” I cursed, already frustrated with waiting for too long. “Don’t tell me that son of a gun left me out here to die from dehydration.”

I was about to call him for like the twentieth time when I saw his car approaching in the distant, a blue Bugatti Chiron super sport, and I felt myself freeze, I knew he was rich, because he was arrogant and prideful most of the time, but I never knew he would be rich enough to fucking drive a Bugatti?   

He stopped right beside me and wound down the side window; I was frozen with my mouth hanging open.

“Hop in.” he smirked, titling the rounded rose-colored glasses he was wearing, and my trembling hands fumbled for the knob, getting in.

“Where did you get this?” I asked referring to the car, and he simply smiled.

“Relax, and just go with the flow.” He dismissed, this was the issue, he is never real with me. But I guess, he is just trying to look cool for me, he probably borrowed it to impress me or something.

I clutched the seat belts even tighter

“Where are we going?” I asked when I noticed he passed the usual route, and this highway leads outside town.

“Well, you are my girlfriend.” He muttered throwing me a lazy glance as he stepped on the throttle. “Things have gone quite dull between us, so I am trying to make it spicy.”

My heart raced, that is the most responsible thing he had said all month, in fact all year, seeing that my very nonchalant boyfriend was willing to make an effort for us puts me at ease, and fills me with so much hope.

“Is it a surprise?” I asked curiously, tapping my fingers on the car seat.

“No… my older brother has a cabin house at the outskirts of the city.” He muttered smugly. “It’s about 30 minutes from here, so don’t worry you can catch a nap, we will be there soon.”

“We are going to your older brother’s cabin house?” I remember he mentioned his older brother some few times, but the way he described it, they never really have a good relationship. “What if he—”

He interrupts me immediately, glancing at me that seductive gaze that just shut me up.

“Don’t worry no one is there, he is in a conference meeting in India, and he won’t be back until the end of the month, I have been staying there since last week.” Only then did my heart calmed a little. I bit down on my lips, this means, Thorne had planned for a romantic stay over at this cabin, I wonder how long we will be staying together.

A narrow path leads to the cabin, line with huge pine trees on each side of the road house, the sun was already setting, I could see the beautiful sunset from the car as we approached the gates.

His phone beeped continuously, so loudly that I darted my eyes towards his, and he fingered it out of his pockets.

 “Fuck…It’s my mom” He mumbled underneath his breath, and my eyes followed his every movement. “Hello… Mom…”

He said into the phone, he paused for a while, and then sighed.

“Well, how was I supposed to know it was there? This is your fault, Mom.” He gritted his teeth and my eyes narrowed in confusion. “Fine. I will be there shortly.”

He ended the phone call and my eyes widened.

“Are you okay?” I asked curiously. “Does this mean we are leaving?”

“No, you go inside.” He handed me some keys. “Mom wants me to bring her some files, I didn’t know she forgot to take them and she needs it in her meeting today.”

He stretched towards me, opening the compartment, and pulling out a brown envelope.

“I am sorry my love.” He muttered as he pecked me on the cheek. “I will be back soon, just go in and wait for me.”

I hesitated for a minute.

“But what if your brother—” Before I could finish the statement, he interrupted me sharply.

“Don’t worry about him, he won’t be coming until the end of the month.” He held my hands as he reassured me. “I have prepared the place for us. Go on in.”

The car zoomed off and I turned back to the house.

This was the first time I was seeing a cabin house in real life, I had only seen them in movies and read about them in books, the surroundings were made with natural materials, like wood, logs and stones.

I stepped onto the wooden patio, staring down at the clear pool in amazement, and then my eyes darted towards the sofa arrangement underneath a shade, and finally flickering towards the two-story cabin before me.

My eyes then darted towards the black car that was parked at the end of the premises.

“Is that his car?” I wondered, just how many cars does Thorne have? And how rich is this guy exactly. For his older brother to have such expensive looking cabin house in the middle of nowhere.

I figured the family must be loaded with cash.

My eyes widened in awe as I stepped into the living room, the wooden walls stretched out magnificently, the set of expensive grey sofas that contrast the brown color of the well-polished wooden furniture. The subtle conversations that I heard from outside was from the TV, and I let out a sign from relief, wondering if Thorne had left the TV on intentionally.

I dropped my bag on the couch and sat down, my eyes darting around in awe, I then suddenly heard sounds coming up the stairs, I stared up at the wooden stairs listening to water rushing.

“That boy can be so forgetful sometimes…” I muttered as I got up, there would be nothing wrong with taking a tour round the house. I mean he brought me here knowing I would look… around.

I peered into the passage, a different scent lingered in the air, like cinnamon mixed with sweet musk, but I couldn’t be too worried because I knew this wasn’t Thorne’s house, so it’s right if there are strange scents in the air.

I carefully pushed the door open, I could hear the sound of rushing water intensify, so I made my way into the room, I should probably turn it off.

Before I could reach the bathroom, the sound of water gushing stopped suddenly.  

My feet stopped abruptly, and I felt my heart skipped a beat, because he definitely said no one was in the house.

How the hell… I paused when the door opened suddenly and I gasped when I noticed the head that bent out of the doorway and a man emerged from the bathroom, wet from head to toe, and standing before me completely naked.

I stood there frozen in both shock and panic, I didn’t know if I should bolt for the door or stay.

The man before me was very tall, even taller than Thorne, and Thorne was about 6’2ft, his hair was dark and fell in wet waves to his neck, his cutting silver eyes lifted from the floor and stared straight at me.

There was no urgency… no panic in his eyes, no surprise, just nothing. It was almost as if he wasn’t even a human being.

His face was hard like stone, and without any emotion.

“Hmmm… seems like I have an intruder.” He muttered lazily, wiping his legs clean on the rug before walking up to me even though he was naked. I was too stunned to even move. “What is a girl like you doing in my house?”

Only then did I stumble back as I realized this was Thorne’s older brother, the owner of the house, and the one who is supposed to be in India until the end of the month!

Fuck! I was panicking inside… and what makes it even worse is that Thorne isn’t even here, and now it looks like I was a thief or I am trespassing.