Aide Me

Chapter Eighteen - Push Me

Aide sighed deeply and let go of her hands. "I function differently, Emaia. I don't do feelings. I never allow myself the pleasure of falling in love. It's what keeps me strong and focused, and everyone around me safe. If my enemies ever found I had a soft spot, they could use that person to blackmail me. I can never risk that."

Emaia frowned and looked at him confused. It didn't make any sense; He couldn't just decide not to fall in love with anyone. He might not be human, but he was a living creature. Didn't he get lonely? "What did you mean when you said 'you're only kissing me because I want you to'?"

"It's the way I work," Aide said. "I give people what they want."

"I still don't get it..."

"Let me explain it to you, then," Aide said and looked into her eyes. "If I hear someone screaming for help, I help. If someone asks me to fend for them, I fight. If someone wants me to kiss them, I kiss them. It's what I do," He whispered and watched her face as it dawned with what he was saying. "I aid."

Emaia felt like she had just been punched. It started to make sense in her head, and if it really was the truth... "So you're saying..."

"You've been wanting me to kiss you, so I did."

It seriously felt like a punch to her heart. With a log. Made out of led. With spikes.

Who was this person in front of her? The Aide she knew wouldn't do this. He wasn't like this. Was he?

"Emaia," Aide said when she didn't say anything. He gently lifted her chin. "I'm sorry. You didn't know this about me and I should've stopped you as soon as I felt it."

"Felt what?" She asked and looked hurt at him.

"Your feelings for me," He silently said.

This wasn't happening. It could be true. It was too much to absorb.

"God." Emaia jumped up and turned away from him, the sight of him sickening to her stomach. "I can't believe this!"

Aide slowly rose to his feet as well. "Please, Emaia. I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me," Aide continued, even if she refused to look at him. "But it's best you know exactly what I do."

"And what exactly is that?" Emaia said through clenched teeth. She could feel tears filling her eyes. "Is it a game to you? Some sort of sick thrill? Do you enchant women and make them fall for you?"

"Yes."

"What?" She whipped around and glared at him with an open mouth. She had been joking. At least, she thought she did.

Aide kept his eyes firm on her and took three steps closer. "The last part. I do whatever that is required."

"And what is that suppose to mean?" Emaia angrily snapped. Could he really be the same Aide who had rescued her in the alley? Her night in shining armor? If so, her first impression of him had been completely wrong.

Aide looked solidly at her. "It's an instinct to me, Emaia. I can't not help. I can't stop. I never allow myself to get emotionally attached, because it doesn't work with how I work. I only develop a physical relationship with someone if I find that it benefits something I'm working on or with."

His words swirled around in her head, making her dizzy. The person she thought was the most honest, kindhearted person she knew, turned out to be no better than a manipulator. Because that was exactly what he was.

"You manipulate people," Emaia said, balling up her fists. "You use them."

"Sometimes," Aide simply replied. "But I never use them more than they use me. It's an even trade."