“I know what you want to ask and why you’re reacting this way,” Fayte said in a soft but sardonic voice. He could sense the melancholy in her gaze. “My funds are extremely limited right now. In fact, the last bit of money I had was used to set up the device that can cure Aris’s Mortems Disease.”
“It sounds like you’ve had a difficult time of things, and yet you still aren’t willing to give up,” Adam said at last.
“Of course not. I refuse to give up until the very end,” Fayte responded.
“Fayte, you are so cool.” Aris cast her an admiring glance. Adam could practically see the stars in her eyes. “You’re so strong and determined. I wish I could be like you.”
“I’m not that strong,” Fayte muttered in what sounded like bitter remorse. Adam was sure there was a story there, but now wasn’t the time to dig up her past.
Since there were only two seats in this convertible, Adam and Aris shared the passenger’s seat—not that either of them minded. He stowed the wheelchair in the trunk, then sat down with Aris on his lap. She leaned her back against his chest as he strapped them both in. Her warm body and the scent of her fragrant shampoo addled his mind, and the feeling of her soft butt resting against his crotch made him wonder if this was what people meant when they talked about being trapped between Heaven and Hell. Meanwhile, Fayte moved around to the other side, entered the driver’s seat, and pressed the ignition button that turned on the car.
As the car sputtered to life, Fayte put the car on drive and left the apartment that he and Aris had spent the last three years of their lives in behind.
Similar to the car she owned, the apartment complex that Fayte lived in did not impress. The apartment complex Adam and Aris were living in was actually a lot more impressive, being located in an expensive residential district just off Grand Central Parkway. Not only did this complex look a little rundown, but there was also a strange smell in the air, which caused Aris to cover her nose.
“I’m sorry about how terrible this place looks,” Fayte murmured in a soft voice.
“It’s fine,” Adam said, not bothered by the stink. Rotting corpses smelled a lot worse than this. “I understand your situation better now, so I expected something like this. Don’t worry. So long as you can cure Aris, nothing else matters. I’ll help you win that bet against Levon, no matter the cost.”
“Thank you. I feel a lot more confident with you onboard.”
Adam nodded at Fayte’s words as he lifted Aris into her wheelchair and followed the elegant woman clad in ugly clothing into the apartment complex.
The inside was just as bad as the outside. While the floors, walls, and ceiling were all clean, it was clear from how old everything looked that this building was in sore need of maintenance. If Adam were a betting man, he’d say this building was something that had existed since before World War III. There were a lot of old and unused buildings that remained because the government simply didn’t have the manpower required to renovate them.
Fayte’s apartment was on the second floor in Room 254. While the apartment was clearly old, the doors were at least the same automatic ones that every other building used. It slid open after she ran a keycard through the lock. She stepped inside, and Adam followed her, pushing Aris along.
“It smells much better in here,” Aris said with a smile as Fayte turned on the lights.
“That is because I prefer keeping it clean and used deodorizers when I first bought this place.” Fayte slipped out of her boots, set them aside, removed her coat to reveal a simple turtleneck sweater underneath, and hung it on the rack. She also removed her veil. Walking forward for several feet, she stopped and turned toward them before making a grand gesture. “Welcome to my home. I actually just moved in about one week ago, but I’ve done my best to clean it up.”
Adam followed Fayte’s actions by removing his shoes and putting them by the rack. He detached her life support system, lifted Aris into his arms, and followed Fayte as she walked further inside.
“It’s pretty nice. You’ve done a great job of cleaning the place up,” he complimented.
Adam had been expecting to see, while not a messy apartment, at least one that looked as rundown as the rest of this complex. What he got instead was a neat and tidy three-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and a living space that had several brand new amenities. There was a sliding glass door on the other side of the room. He could see the balcony outside, but it looked like Fayte was using the balcony to generate solar energy. Several solar panels were situated outside along with a small hanging garden that only had a few tiny sprouts.
She’s using solar power to save money on electricity? No, using solar power like this also means she’s off the grid. No one can track her through energy companies. Very smart.
The more he saw of this woman, the more impressed he became by her determination, intelligence, and mental fortitude.
“Thank you,” Fayte said, finally removing her veil and revealing a soft smile. “Anyway, the device for Aris is all set up, but perhaps we should wait at least until tomorrow before using it?” She focused on the girl in Adam’s arms. “The device we’ll be using is one that will put you to sleep until you’re cured of Mortems Disease. According to the research notes Grandfather left, it will take anywhere from two to three months, so you two will be separated for a little while.”
Adam glanced at Aris, wanting to hear her thoughts on the matter. This would affect her life even more than it affected his.
“I’d like to wait at least a day before doing this,” Aris said.
“I feel the same way,” Adam admitted.
“In that case, why don’t I get started on dinner?” asked Fayte, clapping her hands together.
“Actually, how about you let me cook?” Adam suggested.
“Adam is a really good cook,” Aris told Fayte. “He’s the best.”
“Is that so?” Fayte’s amused smile at Aris’s confidence in Adam’s cooking told him that she probably wasn’t as confident in his talents, or maybe she thought herself a better chef. It did feel a little like she was challenging him. “Well, I’m fairly confident in my cooking as well, but okay. After smelling what he made for dinner the day I met him, I am interested in seeing how well he can cook.”
“You won’t be disappointed,” Aris said, pride lacing her voice. It was almost like she was talking about herself.
Since it was decided that Adam would do the cooking, he left Aris in the living room with Fayte so the two could get to know each other. He thought this was a good idea.
Aris did not have any friends. After she and her family contracted Mortems Disease, all of their friends and relatives avoided them. The only person who had stayed by their side that entire time was Adam. He had spent the better part of six months caring for Aris and her parents, and when her mom and dad died, they moved to New York City because Adam had become desperate to find a cure.
It must have been… roughly four or maybe three and a half years since her parents died. He wondered where the time had gone.
Fayte’s fridge and cupboard was fortunately fully stocked with ingredients. He noticed she had a lot of pasta, so he decided to make spaghetti carbonara. It was easy to prepare, only taking about twenty minutes in total. He let the girls talk as he cooked dinner, set the coffee table, and brought out the food.
“Oh, wow. That really does smell delicious!” Fayte gasped in surprise.
“Hee-hee. I told you. Adam’s cooking is the best!”
The three of them sat on Fayte’s couch and used the coffee table as a dinner table. Fayte did not have a dinner table herself. She said there was no point in getting one since dinner tables were a place for family’s to eat, and she did not have a family to eat with.
They began eating, and once more Fayte complimented Adam on his cooking.
“You were right, Aris. Adam’s cooking really is incredible. I know how to cook myself, but I can’t make anything that’s this good.”
Whil
e Aris could not move much, she still puffed up like a peacock. It was like the one who had been complimented was Aris herself and not Adam.
“I love Adam’s cooking so much, though once I’m cured, I would like to begin making some of our meals,” she confessed.
“You are a very talented chef,” Adam admitted.
“Hee-hee. Of course I am. I was taught by the best.”
The one who taught Aris to cook was Adam. This was before she and her parents developed Mortems Disease. She had always been a fast learner. Had she not contracted that deadly virus, she might have surpassed him eventually since, unlike Adam, Aris actually enjoyed cooking.
Adam only knew how to cook because it was a great skill for assassins. Even without lacing the food with poison, knowing how to cook a delicious meal worthy of a five-star restaurant helped him get close to many of his targets. Most of them never suspected their head chef was out to kill them.
Adam swirled some spaghetti onto his fork, not too much, and lifted the fork to Aris’s mouth. The young woman’s eyes glistened as she opened her mouth and let him insert the fork. She closed her mouth around the fork before he removed it and slowly chewed the food.
He normally didn’t make solid foods. Aris’s muscles were in such a state that it was hard for her to eat solids, but it wasn’t like she couldn’t. It just took more effort.
He used the same fork to get a bigger portion for himself and stuck it in his mouth.
“It’s not hard to chew, is it?” he asked.
Aris swallowed and lightly shook her head. “It’s not. Don’t worry.”
“Okay. Want another bite?”
“Yes, please.”
Fayte watched as Adam fed Aris using his own fork and bit her lip. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but she was holding herself back for fear of seeming rude.
“Something on your mind?” asked Adam.
With a sigh at realizing she’d been caught, Fayte asked, “Are you sure that’s safe?”
“Are you sure it’s safe to have Aris live in the same apartment as you?” Adam asked back.
“I took the Mortems Vaccine last week.”
“I’m immune to Mortems Disease.”
“Immune?” Fayte’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t know that was possible. Even the vaccine isn’t one hundred percent foolproof.”
“Well, I’m kind of a freak of nature in that regard,” Adam admitted.
He continued feeding both himself and Aris. Fayte quieted down a bit and ate her food, though she also continued to watch them from the corner of her eye. Adam thought he saw a hint of jealousy in her eyes, but he couldn’t be sure, and even if there was, he didn’t know what she could be jealous of.
Once they were done eating, Adam took their plates, cleaned them off, and came back with a small vial of pinkish liquid.
“I know we’re here to cure you, but I would still like you to take this just in case.”
Adam held out the vial to Aris, who nodded. She understood how important this was to him.
Just as he was about to tip her head back and help her drink the contents, Aris asked, “Can you feed it to me with your mouth?”
Fayte had just been taking a sip from a glass of soda when she spewed the contents all over the coffee table. She stared wide-eyed at Aris. Her cheeks were stained bright red.
“Aris,” Adam said, a hint of warning in his tone.
“Hee-hee. I’m just kidding.”
Adam shook his head and smiled before helping Aris drink the medicine he made for her. While he did that, Fayte sputtered a little before heading into the kitchen and coming back with a towel to clean up the mess she’d made. Not only were her cheeks red, but her ears also had a vibrant blush.
After dinner, the three of them continued to sit on the couch. Adam took out his tablet and began going through the news feeds that contained any relevant information about Age of Gods. The girls talked to each other. They seemed to be getting along well, which he believed was because they were both kind people with likable personalities. Either way, he was incredibly grateful that Aris and Fayte already seemed to have built a rapport. Maybe after Aris was cured, they could become friends.
“Do you mind if I ask how long ago you contracted Mortems Disease?” Fayte suddenly asked.
“It was about three years ago,” Aris admitted. “I was fourteen at the time.”
“S-so young?” Fayte looked shocked. “H-how did you survive until now? I mean…”
“Hee-hee. I know no one else has ever lived this long after contracting Mortems Disease, but I have a reason I can’t die yet.” Aris’s soft smile was something no one could resist. Even Fayte found herself entranced by the girl’s gentle expression, eyes glazing over like she was staring at something mystical. “Adam and I promised we would marry when we came of legal age, so I can’t die until then.”
“And that’s the reason…?” Fayte didn’t look convinced.
“Well, it might also have something to do with Adam’s medicine,” Aris reluctantly admitted.
“You mean that stuff you just drank?”
“Yep. I don’t know what it is, but Adam began making it for me after we moved to New York City. It really helps. After I drink it, I feel like there’s energy rushing through my body and healing me. It’s hard to describe, but it’s a very warm feeling.”
Fayte didn’t say anything about that. However, the glance she gave Adam immediately after Aris spoke told him that she was incredibly curious about what kind of medicine he had Aris take.
Evening eventually became night, and Aris began nodding off. Mortems Disease sapped a person’s strength, making it so they had to sleep longer to maintain their body’s primary functions. Staying awake for more than two or three hours at a time was exhausting. What’s more, Aris had stayed up for a lot longer today than she normally did.
Adam helped Aris get ready for bed, which included brushing her teeth, washing her body, and changing her into a set of pajamas. Fayte had been surprised when she realized Adam bathed Aris. It was only after thinking about how they’d been living together for so long that she realized they had been doing this for years. After getting both himself and Aris ready for bed, Adam carried her into the bedroom that would be theirs for the foreseeable future.
The bedroom was not big, but it was not small either. A king-sized bed sat in the very center, looking brand new. Adam was certain Fayte had bought this immediately after he agreed to help her. There was very little in the way of decoration. The plain walls were unadorned, a simple dresser sat off to the side, and there was a window that granted them a view of New York City’s skyline.
Adam tucked Aris into bed and then climbed in himself. As always, they lay on their side, facing each other. He liked falling asleep this way because he knew there was always a chance Aris would go to sleep and never wake up. This fear of her dying without his knowledge caused his heart to constrict and made him decide that, if nothing else, he would make sure the last thing he saw every night before going to bed was Aris. Just in case.
Yes, just in case.
“Hey, Adam?” Aris said as she cuddled with him. Her head was tucked neatly underneath his chin, and her modest breasts could be felt caressing him through her pajamas
“Hmmm?” Adam blinked his eyes open and gazed at the girl’s head. All he could see was her beautiful brown hair.
“I have a request,” Aris said.
“What is it?”
There was a pronounced pause.
“If this really works and I’m cured, I want you to take my virginity.”
Adam took a deep breath, held it, and then released it.
There were very few things in this world that a man wanted to hear more than the woman he loved asking him to take her virginity. While Adam believed he had a stronger will than most men, even he could not deny that a pleasant hum ran through him when Aris asked this of him.
He held Aris tighter and said, “That’s not something you need to a
sk of me. I was already planning on having sex with you after you’re healed.”
After. Not if. Adam was going to think positively. He wanted—no, he needed to believe that she would get better. If Aris died, then he would have nothing left to live for.
“Hee-hee. I thought so, but I wanted to make sure.”
Once she finished speaking, Aris scooted a little closer to Adam, until her face was resting against his neck and collarbone, and slowly drifted to sleep. Adam remained awake for a few more minutes. He stroked Aris’s hair before, with a gentle exhale, he shut his eyes and also drifted off.
Going to Sleep
The next morning began the same as usual. After kissing Aris awake, Adam washed her body and hair, toweled her off, dressed her, and combed her hair before making breakfast. Since the process of curing Mortems Disease involved being put to sleep for a certain period of time, Adam made her favorite: red velvet cinnamon rolls with homemade frosting.
Fayte had also liked the cinnamon rolls.
In fact, Adam thought Fayte enjoyed the cinnamon rolls even more than Aris.
“Are you two ready?” Fayte asked after everyone was finished eating.
“Not really,” Adam admitted.
“I would like more time with Adam,” Aris confided.
“Then… do you want more time together?” asked Fayte in a cautious voice. “I can give you at least a week. Age of Gods doesn’t become playable until next week.”
Adam and Aris debated with each other the merits between going ahead now and waiting another week. If they went ahead and put Aris under now, and she was cured, then she would be cured that much faster. If they waited a week, she would be cured a week later. Both of them were eager to have the threat of her disease no longer hanging over their heads.
On the other hand, if they put her under and the process was not successful, then they would have wasted two or maybe even three months, and Aris would likely die shortly after. Another week of being together before she died was a small consolation, but it was still something.
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