Chapter 17 - Alice Liddell-5 (2/2)
”Yes. And Dor says she misses you.”
Truthfully, that was the reason he was here. SoYoon hesitated but nodded.
”Morning will be tough...but I'll stop by in the afternoon.”
”Sure. Um. Are all Outhouse people like that?”
”Why? Are you infatuated with her?”
SoYoon smiled teasingly. She had always thought of him as a little kid, but he was all grown. She had already known that March would fall for Alice at first sight, but knowing that was different from actually witnessing it. As she said this, March looked at her in exasperation.
”I knew you were a little weird, but have you decided to go all the way with it? I told you to stop hanging out with the weirdos.”
”What's with the sudden nagging?”
”Cuz you are speaking nonsense.”
SoYoon expected this embarrassed reaction. March had warned SoYoon to be careful around Baby, Mad Hatter, and Duke.
”Okay. I understand. So you just take Dor and Alice to Doctor.”
”Are you sure you understand?”
”I understand. I'm busy. I have to go see Heart.”
”You wouldn't be making up a fake appointment so you could get rid of me, would you? You better come see Dor in the afternoon.”
After March left, SoYoon got ready. She had made up a fake appointment, but she did have business to attend to. She had to tell Heart about Alice.
When SoYoon arrived at Heart's house, she was led not to his office but his bedroom. Heart was wearing black silk pajama pants, lying on the sofa, and eating a late breakfast.
She sat across from Heart. He was still a bit drowsy, so he smiled more dreamily than normal.
”What a surprise. I would have never expected you so early.
”In seven minutes, it will be ten.”
SoYoon removed her mask and pinned her hair back with the pin Heart handed her.
A few moments later, the same breakfast as Heart's was set in front of SoYoon. She had missed breakfast due to March's arrival, so she took it gratefully. Heart had finished before her and got up to make coffee, then brought it to her.
”It must be important for you to show up here without even calling.”
”Two nights ago, a girl came here from Outhouse. Her name is Alice Liddell. She has the ability to heal.”
”Healing powers? Not magic?”
”That's what I believe. She healed Dor.”
Illnesses could not be cured by magic. Hence, Alice's powers were not magic. SoYoon knew that Alice did not have magical powers and so beat around the bush, thinking of an excuse.
Heart got up from his seat and approached her. Anticipating his next move, SoYoon put down her mug. As expected, he sat on the arms of the armchair and buried his face into her neck. Taking in a deep breath, he whispered.
”What is your relation to her?”
”I've never met her.”
”Really?”
His seductive voice and breath on her neck aroused her sensitive skin. SoYoon flinched.
”Stop. It tickles.”
”You're just sensitive.”
”I doubt it.”
Baby always criticized her for being oblivious. When she said this, Heart laughed quietly...because it tickled.
”You must be close to Baby. What about the girl?”
”Why are you so obsessed with this Alice you've never met before?” Heart whispered. His voice pulled at her insides, making her hot.
”When you said her name, you smiled.”
Heart's unclothed arm embraced her shoulders. She turned her head to find that his face was inches away from hers.
SoYoon pretended to look at the ruby piercing on his lips and turned away. But Heart grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest where his heart was and slowly swept it across.