Chapter 70 - Going Back

K slouched on the couch as he watched Alice work on her computer. Alice had converted her hotel room into a mini office for the past seven days as she helped him handle the hospital and everyone else. She had arranged tours for everyone, once I.M had been out of danger while organizing the logistics for the new show with apparent ease. And as he had watched her in action, these days, he realized that he had fallen even deeper for her. The first time together, they had become friends and he had yearned to be more but in a distant future. Then they met again, and his previous feelings for her intensified making him realize that he was willing to wait foe her as long as it took but he only wanted her. But this time, he had fallen for her so hard that waiting seemed like torture. He heard her say something and let her voice wash over him though he did not register a single word.

Alice looked up from her laptop screen when K did not reply to her, only to find him staring at her with a weird expression on his face. She touched her chin, wondering if there was something there. When she was sure that there was nothing embarrassing sticking to her face, she heaved a sigh of relief and spoke again," Adam? Are you listening?"

"Hmm?"

Shaking her head at the absent minded reply, this time Alice taunted curtly," I am an eight headed space alien. Don't you think so? You agree right?"

"Yes."

(Author: Adam! What are you doing? stop stop! You can't agree! Wake up!)

"And I need to get on my spaceship and return to my planet. I think you would be suitable for my harem.."

"Yes."

(Author: Adam is dead! I need to look for a new male lead.)

The next moment, an eraser came flying his way and hit him square in the middle of his forehead, making him wince.

Complaining and rubbing his head, he asked, "Hey! When will you stop choosing violence?"

"Did you listen to what I said?"

"Of course I did! You said that you are an eight headed al..." His voice tapered off and eyes widened in horror as he repeated the rest of the sentence in his head and then his subsequent agreement with this incriminating sentence..

"I meant that I am an eight headed alien and need to return to my.. I just realized I had some work with Gyeom. I'll be out for a minute to make a call. Please continue with your work."

"Adam Perry! Stop right there." Before he could slink out of the room, Alice's voice stopped him, making him curse himself. He had been planning to seduce her and then kicked himself on the foot at the same time!

Sulking at the misfortune of his own creation, he walked back to the couch and sat down. Smiling at his cuteness, Alice walked over and sat next to him before placing her palms on his cheeks.. Usually, she was not one for much skin ship. But she had seen that Adam was someone who communicated with touch. She had experienced this for herself and even noticed that he did the same to people he was comfortable with.. members of SKY. It is because of this that she felt just as comfortable touching him. Like a naughty kid who did not want to be scolded, Adam refused to look at her and she could only pinch his smooth cheeks as she said," Adam! Are you alright?"

A nod was the answer she received.

"Good! Then I want you to promise me that once everyone has shifted to the rehabilitation center, you will also receive treatment. Don't think, I have not noticed the dark circles under your eyes and the way you are usually hesitant to move your right arm. You are having trouble sleeping and your shoulder hurts right? You will consult the doctors at the resort alright?"

Adam felt touched when he realized that Alice really had been observing him. yes, he had been unable to sleep because the sounds of the accident would start playing again and again in his head making him have nightmares. 

Looking at her, he smiled and said," Are you worried for me?"

And against all his expectations, Alice nodded as she continued," Yes! And I don't want to worry more. So promise me you will take care of yourself also when I am gone?"

Just as he was about to nod his head, her words registered and his head stopped. He turned his eyes to her and asked," When you are gone?"

"Hmm. Now that all the arrangements for your show have been done and everyone will be shifted to the resort tomorrow, I will leave the day after tomorrow. Much of my work has been done while here but there are some things that need my personal attention. And I didn't intend to stay away that long."

A dull ache arose in his heart and he felt an illogical sense of betrayal. But he knew that she was right. They had been working hard to pull back the pieces together and she had been of great help. But the fight was theirs and she had her own battles. His heart hardened as he thought to himself that he needed to strengthen himself so that he would be able to stand by her when the time came. Controlling his emotions, he held her hands and assured her that he would get treatment for himself also. But before that," Everyone wants to thank you. Can you stay a day longer? Once everyone has moved into the resort, spend a day with us, let us treat you."

Unknown to Adam, Alice had been feeling herself soften towards him and that was why she had planned to go back. Her earlier resolve of never looking for him after the concert had crumbled to dust when she had known that he was in danger. This awareness had made her even more wary and she wanted to run back at the soonest. But even then she as unable to refuse him and agreed to staying one more day.

Happily, K caught her face and placed a smacking kiss on her forehead before holding her hand and pulling her along," Come then. Before everyone else, I also have to thank you. I will make a reservation at The Royal and then we can have a nice date... I mean dinner."

But Alice stopped him, tugging her hand," No need! Adam I don't need any thank you! And I need to work."

She pointed at her desk. Disappointed, Adam let go of her hand and went back to the couch. Amazed at his immediate acquiescence, Alice walked back to her desk perplexed. This was not like him at all...

From the corner of her, she watched him start playing on his phone even as she had trouble concentrating on her own work. She kept side eyeing him and then looked on with a frown as he walked out of the room without a word a little while later. Shaking her head, she turned back her head to the report in front of her. She had actually finished off her own work and was at present studying a report on the A P and Sons that she had received. It seemed that the old CEO had two sons, the younger of which wanted to become an idol. But what was confusing was that there was no mention of the eldest- the heir other than the fact that they were estranged. She wondered of she could use the estranged heir to subdue B P Entertainment when the time came that her mere name would fail to suppress them. At present, A P And Sons and not yet officially made any moves and she could only guess at their motives. She needed to find their weakness before they made a move."

Just as she was planning a deeper investigation, a succulent fragrance assaulted her senses making her stomach rumble. She looked up to see Adam pushing in a food cart laden with food from rice, dumplings, egg rolls, shrimp noodles and honey sesame chicken. Her mouth watering, she almost threw aside the file and jumped him.. as in jumped the food.

Recognizing the look, Adam handed her a plate and served the food himself urging her to eat and drink as he ate less and watched her eat more. Finally, emptying all the dishes on the table, Alice resisted the urge to pat her full stomach and almost groaned at the thought of moving from the couch. She was as full as a...But before she could complete the thought, Adam took out a slice of caramel toffee cheesecake for her and she immediately changed her mind. She was still hungry..

And very soon, the cheesecake had vanished making Adam's eyes go round. She did not even leave him a crumb?

Leaning forward, he extended his thumb and swiped at the little crumb that was stuck to her lips and licked it, nodding his head. It really was tasty.

Alice: "..."