Hellish Obsession

The practice room was large enough to dance about fifty people at once. It had cream coloured walls with a full mirror mounted on an entire side, reflecting the space and species.

Xavier who was sitting on the tidy base of the floor pursed his lips as his gaze hooked on the entrance door which hadn't been opened yet. Inhaling deeply, he got himself up and grabbed the water bottle from the small table before him.

He swung the bottle's cap open and right then, someone walked inside the room. Whilst taking sips from the bottle, he turned around and saw Ave staring at him blankly.

Aveline was in a daze. She had never seen such stunning existence before. She had to swallow her breath when he choked the water and the lump of his neck rolled down, then up back. He was so good looking that defining him as handsome would be less. It will be an understatement and almost insulting. His eyes colour that was changed to normal black had a dazzling effect, the glossy pink colour of his lips was alluring in its way. His silky hair that he coloured back to inky black was combed behind by his nice fingers, the few strands of hair that were stroking across his forehead made him look breathtaking.

Placing the bottle back to its place, Xavier cleared his throat, didn't let out his voice although he wanted to, aware of the deal they made together. He wasn't sure about what he saw on Ave's face was disappointment or not when she talked. "Ah... I think we should practice."

He just nodded and extended his hand to her. A soft smile appeared on her face as she held his hand and was pulled close to him. He had a straight face but his touches had already dissipated a magical feeling through her entire body, her entire mind. She couldn't help but stare at him whilst whirling, drawing herself away from him.

He knelt and she pulled himself up, resting her hand on his chest. "You are not that bad." She was again back to his closeness, his intimacy.

The corner of his lips quirked up. "At least... better than you." He taunted, even though he knew that the Princess was not less skilled than any dance master.

She glared but therefore both of them remained silent and stared at each other as if they were contacting through eyes for no reason. All of a sudden, he stepped back and shoved his hands inside his pockets as the expression on her face turned serious. He was sure that she will provoke the corniest topic now.

"I just want some simple answers." She said in the softest voice as if she could study him.

"You can't afford to." He replied.

Ave pursed her lips. "We did anything?" She just tried to toss questions at him, instead of bothering his statements.

"What if I say we didn't?" He tilted his head.

"You are hopeless." She sighed in defeat and walked away to grab the bottle. With her lips shoving the tip inside, she finished drinking the water and then realized Xavier's lips had touched the bottle's tip as well. Her eyes rounded as she glanced back at him. "Why didn't tell me?" He had been gazing at her all the time.

"Tell you what?" He resisted a sneer noticing the destruction of her expression.

She bit her lower lip and glanced at the bottle. "It's an.... indirect kiss. We kissed just now."

He let out a soft smile and grabbed her hand. She gasped as her body pressed against his and he leaned to whisper. "In your dreams." He paused as he moved back and looked at her. "But hazelnut, I want you to show me something."

"Show what?" She asked.

He hesitated for a while before bringing his index finger in front of her lips. "Your teeth."

"What?" She widened her eyes. Has he gone nuts?

He cleared his throat as he placed his hand on the tattoo of his neck. The bruise of the hickey made Ave almost shout in awe.

"It's still there?" Her mouth dropped open. She didn't bite him that hard. How come it's still there? It should have disappeared overnight. "Are you sure that you weren't bitten by anyone else after me?" She narrowed her eyes.

He frowned. "Stop talking. Just show me your teeth."

Ave nodded and with a smile, she opened her mouth, gritting her polished teeth to show him the exact pattern.

Xavier pressed her lips together as he shifted his gaze at her face. She looked unbelievably funny. "Don't call me hazelnut." She said with her teeth clasped together.

A smile urged to appear on his face, holding it back was impossible now. From the pocket, he brought his right hand close to his nose. Pretending to rub the edge, he hid his lips as he cleared his throat and let out a safe laugh silently, not letting her witness his smile.

"Why do you smile?" She shut her mouth closed, glaring at him. Looking at his crinkled eyes, it was obvious that he was smiling. Was it funny?

"You looked like a..."

"Does my brother know?" The sudden voice filled the room and cut Xavier's words off.

Ave sighed recognizing the voice. Without bothering to move away from each other, they both looked in the door's direction and saw Harriet, beside her was Peter, looking extremely annoyed.

Harriet looked at Ave with a sneer. "My brother should know that his lovely fiancee is dancing and having fun with another man."

Peter narrowed his eyes at her. "Why can't you mind your own business, Harriet?"

"Why can't you stop taking her side, Mr Flop Star?" She was glaring at him now.

Peter puzzled. "Mr What?"

"Flop Star." Harriet had a tight smile on her face.

Peter's blood raged inside. "If I am that, you are Miss Stinky Pinky."

"What did you say?" Harriet almost shouted.

"They are so noisy." Xavier massaged his temple and heaved a deep sigh before leaving the room.

This way three days passed by. He was the same, unchanged, determined, didn't bother to talk first to her no matter how emergency it was. He didn't get caught staring at her like she did several times. However, he was surely amazed at the fact that she was not too noisy, not too nosy. She didn't ask him any question, neither did she follow him. She behaved like a normal human, that's so unusual of her.

She almost gave up on making him talk first and on winning the challenge, still, she couldn't just give up on the curiosity of unearthing the answers to the unanswered questions. On the other side, Peter and Harriet were too hostile to each other. They started catfights for no reason.