Page 56 of Chemistry: The Chemist

He’s hurting.

Tears grew thicker. I swiped them away before they had the chance to fall. I placed the note on the table, knowing it had taken great courage to write, and sprinted out of the room.

I rushed down the hall, finding Chem standing in the master suite. My presence confused him. He didn’t have time to deny me before my arms were around his body and my head was on his chest.

“Choc?”

Though he was confused, I felt him embrace me, hesitantly.

“For the things you don’t talk about, I’m sorry. For the things troubling you, I’m sorry. For the things that keep you up at night, I’m sorry. For the things that have hurt you, Chem, I’m sorry.”

He pulled away, unwilling to accept apologies that weren’t mine to give. Soundlessly, with a rising and falling chest, he stared at me, baffled.

A tilted head led me to believe my words had hit their target. Satisfied, I left him in the middle of the floor, hoping I’d soothed at least a few of his aches.

I swiped a fresh set of tears from my cheeks, speeding toward the dressing room where I shut the door behind me and released a heart-shattering sigh. It left me breathless and unsure of what was happening between me and the man in the next room.

Breathe, Egypt, I coached.

He doesn’t even know my name, I argued. He deserves that much, at least.

I inhaled.

I can– I can’t blow my cover.

Though I was after an entirely different group of people, sharing confidential information with Chem was not an option. He was, undoubtedly, a criminal and I was an agent. I had no business here. Our worlds weren’t supposed to mesh, under any circumstances.

I couldn’t dwell on the future or let it ruin the plans Chem had for us. I put my thoughts on the back burner and sat down in front of the vanity mirror. My hair had seen better days. My body, however, hadn’t. Chem was unbeatable.

I busied myself with the many purchases Chem had made. Either Jennie had good taste or he had another woman in his life who had expensive taste. I wasn’t complaining. They’d done a phenomenal job.

Lightly, I applied a full face of makeup. The layers were so thin it was hard to see the enhancements once I’d finished.

“Perfect.”

I checked the time on the clock on the wall. There were only twenty minutes left to spare. I used them to slip the dress on. Panties were not included, so I didn’t bother searching for them in the bags lining the room. Without a doubt, I knew the contents inside of each one belonged to me.

When my once-over was complete, I had four minutes left. I exited the room, feeling like I was the only woman on God’s green earth who had been assigned to Chem. Somehow, I felt as though he was specifically designed for me as well. We were tailored for one another.

I descended the steps, expecting to round the corner, enter the dining area, and find Chem. I didn’t make it that far. Black legs that went on forever and greeted me just as I rounded the staircase. My body tingled, watching from afar as Mister took me in.

Stopping mid-way, because I was certain the sight of him would cause me to lose my balance, I did the same. He was incredible. From his head to his toe.

His mother and father had made art. Fine, vintage art that was timeless and meant to be enjoyed and not captured to be locked in a frame on a lone wall.

“Eden.”

“Chem.”

“You are un-fucking-real, baby. Wondrous. Captivating.”

“Have you been captivated, yet?”

“I have.” He chuckled, nodding, simultaneously.

I’d never get over that smile. It wasn’t often exposed, making it monumental. Time stopped every time I witnessed that glorious part of history.

“Good, then. I’m not alone.”

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