His Destructive, Toxic Love

The man had this aura, like he was really big on personal space.

Eliza was momentarily at a loss for words.

If she chose to sleep on the couch, would that imply she was muddying their relationship? Making it impure? Was that what he meant?

"Casper, you really are..."

"I really am looking out for you," he said with a grin, pushing her gently onto the big bed, their noses almost touching, their breaths mingling. His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Don't be so formal with me." Eliza couldn't stand his playful demeanor.

She shoved him away, "Keep your distance."

"Alright then, sleep tight." He leaned in to kiss her but was met with a piercing glare.

She got up, "I'm thirsty."

"Stay in bed, I'll get you some water." He hopped out of bed, quickly filled a glass with lukewarm water, and brought it back, holding it up to her lips with a look that screamed 'please like me'. "Here, drink up." Eliza rolled her eyes, taking the glass from him. "I can drink by myself, no need to play nurse."

"I just wanted to lend you a hand." He winked, trying to be charming.

Eliza thought: ...Ugh, that's nauseating.

She was seriously tired.

After drinking the water, she crashed and sank into a deep sleep.

Casper couldn't fall asleep. He lay on his side, propping his head up with one arm, quietly watching her peaceful face.

She was stunning.

When they met on the bridge all those years ago, she was just eighteen.

She was like a beacon of light piercing his world, and since then, he couldn't stop thinking about her.

The biggest mistake in his thirty-something years was letting her slip away.

From their first encounter to now, nine years had passed.

He tried to let go, to give her freedom, wanting to see her happy.

But...

Whenever another man entered her life, his heart couldn't stay calm.

No one else should have her but him.

He knew this wasn't possessiveness; it was love.

He loved her, and this feeling would bubble in his chest from time to time trying to squash it with logic, but it was pure agony.

At first, he thought winning her over would be tough.

But he later realized, letting her go was even tougher.

His slender fingers lightly traced her soft, fair face, making his heart skip a beat.

With her, he always felt an uncontrollable urge to be close.

He didn't know if this was some kind of sickness, but if it was, he didn't want a cure.

His lips slowly inched closer, close enough to feel her gentle breaths on his ear, sending ripples through his heart. "Mmm..."

A sudden feeling of suffocation made Eliza feel as if she was drowning.

She thought she had fallen into an abyss but opened her eyes to find Casper kissing her.

Raising her hand, she slapped him.

"Casper, are you for real? Did you forget the promise you made?" She tried to push him away.

But his eyes were filled with desire, and she could even feel his body pressing tightly against hers.

"Casper, you promised we'd just be

friends. What is this? Going back on

your word?" She was genuinely

angry. Could he not stick to his word? "You're just a jerk."

His large hand held her chin, his chest rising and falling with emotion.

With her, he couldn't be a

gentleman. "I've changed my mind. I

don't want to let you go anymore.

Let's get back together

Get back together?

Eliza was momentarily confused by his words.

QUMS

"Casper, what nonsense are you talking about? We were never together, what's there to get back to?"

"Eliza, I'm your man. Are you saying we were never together?" He gently kissed her lips, "Hmm?"