Chasing Merina

e air; his deep voice low and ins

him blankly, her lips in a thin line. The quiet was long between them, thick enough to choke them both. Adam f

h. "Fine," he murmured. "You d

s voice more composed but no less firm. "I've already spoken t

opened her mouth to protest, but before the words could escape, he added, "

ared. She clenched her fists at her sides, wanting to argue, bu

ou," Adam said, motioning t

l posture, and the unflinching expression on his face, suggested she would be wasting h

and toothpaste. She didn't meet Adam's eyes as she hunched beside her broken dresser, pulling out a small pile of clothes in a total of five pieces. The materi

is eyes followed sharply as she gathered her belongings, his face expressionless. As she drew

id, suddenly st

rd, his hands wrapped around her handbag strap. He quickly whipped it off her shoulder

ed shout, as she yelled, "What are

cutting. "I'll get you new clothes. Better ones. And makeu

r veins as she snatched the bag back from him, hugging it tight a

hem back to the floor regardless of her protesting. "You're coming with me, Merina. I told

aimed in a voice trem

med her more. "You are stubborn, I'll give you

ugged back and forth. The tension in the room was pal

ed, her knuckles white

n!" Adam returned, h

ch for her to overcome. The momentum caused something small to fall out,

" Adam asked,

eyes. "Don't- " she star

l packet of that all-too-familiar white powder. Immediately, his face

very low and dangerous. "Why

ged for it, desperation in her ey

is anger boiled over. Without a word, he flung the packet

d, her voice cracking

yes bored into hers, full of anger and anguish. "D

er, her lips press

his frustration breaking t

vering. Slowly, she shook her head, the m

," he muttered. "Because you're never touch

face tinted with shame a

. "I have people who will help you quit," he said matt

whispered, her voice straine

He clenched his teeth, turned her aroun

hurt. "What the hell are you doing?!"

ake her all the angrier. "You're stubborn, you know that?

e yelled, her fists

ischief. "Why can't I take care of my woman, hm

ad lost his mind. "Your woman?

rious. "And I'm not letting you go

ds free. She turned away from h

into the driveway of his mansion, and the two of them stepped out without a word. Inside,

across the table Adam watched her. Later on, he gave her the

om, where he had her get sett

pressive. Merina lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She hadn't t

athing uneven. Pain surged through her limbs, her

she told herself.

she fought against these unbearable cravings. Her nails dug into her arms, bringing forth

urling into herself as sobs convulsed her frame.

otsteps outside her do

d, his tone filled with concern. "Baby, p

ding lip firm to stifle her cries. The footsteps sto

rst open with a

es landing on the form of her shaking