Adira's eyes expanded like saucers, betraying her astonishment. Was this a joke? For a moment, she was dumbstruck and just watched him approach her, a wry smile on his lips. "What is the meaning of this?" She finally found her words, her eyes holding so much disbelief. "You... you're the one behind this?" Lancelot shrugged, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets. "You look shocked. Aren't you happy to see me?" His words dripped with sarcasm. Adira was losing her mind. The whole thing sounded insane. The whole time, she thought it was someone deadly, but it was actually Lancelot? Hold on, Lancelot had every right to be deadly, considering what she did to him. But he'll never...do something drastic, will he? She snaked her fingers into her hair and looked at him. "Look, I don't know what you have running through your mind, but trust me, this is a mistake. Le me go, and I promise I won't say a word. We can act like this whole shit didn't happen." Lancelot's lips curved in a smile. His smile was darker, not warm like it used to be. Adira knew something had definitely changed about him. "Well, where's the fun in that, Adira?" He retrieved his left hand from his pocket, bringing a syringe along. Adira shuddered with fear, and before she could run away from him, he grabbed her hand and stabbed the syringe right into her neck. "What're you doing?!" She cried out. It didn't take long before dizziness overwhelmed her, making her reach for the floor. **** Ophelia was taking a nap in her room when the dreams came as usual. Thankfully, Joyce was passing by when she heard her whimpers and struggles, and immediately, ran into the room to find her daughter in the state she's always in. Beads of sweats covered her forehead as she panted heavily on the bed, shaking from side to side. "Ophelia! Ophelia!" She jerked her continuously until her eyes snapped open. Right there, she seemed like one that had escaped a terrible death. "Mum..." She sobbed, leaning into the woman's opened arms. "I'm so scared. I'm so scared. He used me. He used me." "Hey... it's okay. It's okay." Joyce patted her back. Joyce was deeply concerned about the whole thing. She was happy her daughter was back, but there was something strangely different about her. Every day since she returned, she wouldn't stop having nightmares and mumblings things like 'he used me.' No matter how Joyce asked her to explain, she never did. She couldn't understand if she was referring to Nikolai using her, or someone else. It was confusing. And the young lady has refused seeing a therapist. Joyce didn't know what else to do. But whatever was wrong with her daughter, was tormenting her greatly. ****†****†****†****† Adira didn't know for how long she slept. But by the time she woke up, she could tell it was late. Her entire body was so weak. She moved her hands around and felt she was lying on a bed. A bed. She gasped and sat up at once, recalling what had happened. Lancelot! He drugged her. He induced sleep on her! Fear crept underneath her skin, her eyes seemed like they'd fall out of her sockets at any time. Why would Lancelot drug her? Did he...do something to her? Something stupid? The light in the room was dim, but she was still able to see through. She checked herself and realized her clothes were still intact. Not fully convinced, she slipped a hand into her panties and was most relieved when she discovered she wasn't wet or sore. He definitely didn't touch her. So, why the hell did he drug her? She heard footsteps, and looking in the direction, she found Lancelot walking in from the other room. Instantly, she sprang out of bed, rushed to him and slapped him hard across the face. The slap caused his face to turn away, then a dark smile crawled into his lips. "What did you do?" She asked lowly. "Why did you drug me?" Lancelot walked pass her and took a seat. "Would it be strange if I told you I just wanted to watch you sleep?" Adira ambled to where he was. "You've lost your mind." "Of course, I have. Do I look normal to you?" Lapping his leg on the other, he reclined in his seat. "You did this to me, Adira. You ruined my business, ruined my name, ruined my home. I have nothing else but you." She scoffed. "I don't remember asking you to leave Jardine. So, if you did, that's on you." "Well, you gave me every reason to!" Lancelot yelled. That was when it dawned on Adira that he's been trying so hard to hold his anger in. Just as if he realized he had risen his voice, he took a deep breath. "I know I wasn't entirely good to you, but we grew up as lovers, you know? It amazes me how every love you had for me turned into total hatred." He stated. Adira didn't like the tone of things any more. That wasn't the right time or place for an argument. She needed to leave. She looked around the room for her phone and found it on a table. "Earlier on, you said you'd walk out of here and pretend this never happened. I believe you should stick to that. Besides, we didn't do anything fun, did we?" Lancelot chuckled as she reached for her phone. She totally ignored him, unlocking her phone and going nuts when she discovered she missed several calls from Nikolai. Damn it. She turned back at Lancelot. "It's obvious you've lost your senses beyond recovery." She spat out. "You seriously brought me here just to... watch me sleep?" Lancelot shrugged. "You won't get away with this. I promise you, if this causes me harm of any sort, I'll come back for you. And I'll make you pay." She tried heading for the door, but Lancelot stood up quickly and grabbed her hand. Her brows furrowed as she struggled to break free from his grasp, but he didn't let her. "Why don't we go back to the way we used to be?" He whispered. "Remember, I used to be the only man that mattered in your life, likewise you. We can still make it work, Adi. I can be that man, still.""Never!" Adira gritted. "To be honest, I regret every single moment I spent with you and pray you suffer like I did. You have no idea, do you? The whole time you were there, Nikolai was around as well, watching me. That's the reason he came running to hold me when you pushed me. He was always around. So, I regret being blind to his presence and wasting my time on a loser like you. Now, let me go and never show your disgusting face to me again." With a hard pull, she pushed him off and got free from his grasp. Or perhaps, it was Lancelot who had gotten weak and gave her up. Her words stabbed his hurting heart, he couldn't do a thing as he watched her leave. Immediately, she ran out and got into her car, driving out of the premises first. She tried calling Nikolai afterwards, but he didn't pick up. Why did something feel off? Her clothes were still intact, and she was certain Lancelot didn't have sex with her. Still, why did something feel strange? Did Lancelot really bring her over just to play with her feelings? Was she to tell Nikolai about it?*** The entire ride home, Adira continued calling Nikolai and trying to reach him. And at some point, his line was no longer connecting. Was he fine? What if he's gotten mad at her for staying out too late? The thoughts worried her. As soon as she got home, she alighted the car and hurried into the house. She needed to see Nikolai, make sure everything was fine with him. Her heart raced faster as she approached her door. She got into the room and froze instantly at what she saw. Fear enveloped her, and she knew at that moment that something bad was about to happen.