Theo grips the bedsheet like his life depends on it. He crosses his legs tightly, trying to stop the urge.
I can't! No! Please! Let me fight demons instead!
In his past life, Theo never had a relationship with women. And his world was very old-fashioned when it came to relationships between men and women. So Theo doesn't really know much about female anatomy.
However, Thea… is an expert.
Images and memories flash through his mind, making it ache. But physical need is physical need. No one can deny it—or stop it.
Theo feels like he's being tortured. As a man, he knew how difficult it was to hold it in. But he never thought that, as a woman, it would be equally difficult. Especially since his mind is fighting it. The more he resists, the stronger the urge becomes.
Oh my King, help me!
Theo fidgets and wriggles. The bedsheet is wrinkled into a sorry state.
Oh dear Heavens above! Lead me not into temptation!
Fidgets.
Give me the strength to hold on!
Fidgets.
I beg you, please, my Lord!
Theo cannot hold on any longer. He flips the blanket open, jumps down from the bed, grabs the IV stand, and pushes it toward the bathroom—still praying the entire way.
He enters the bathroom and locks the door.
The second he sees the toilet, the urge becomes five times stronger, to the point where he is literally fighting it with his life. [Author: All women know this!]
The next thing he knows, Thea's reflexes take over.
As he sits on the toilet, clutching the IV stand, he apologizes a thousand times to Thea.
But the moment he releases, the greatest relief he has ever known overwhelms him—so much that tears spring to his eyes.
Oh my Lord! What is this feeling? Is this how women feel when they pee?
Theo closes his eyes and cannot help but enjoy the sensation. He exhales long and slow when he's finished.
He follows Thea's memories as closely as possible—using the bidet, flushing the toilet—while feeling both relieved and amazed at the technology at the same time.
He exhales again, pulls up his pink, laced, girly underwear, and stands.
He turns to the bathroom door, opens it, and stops.
Directly opposite the door is a full-length mirror.
The first thing Theo notices is his long, slightly wavy, pure snow-white hair.
Oh my Gods!
He slowly approaches the mirror.
You're Thea?
He stops at arm's length in front of it. He touches his hair, feeling how soft and silky it is. He touches his face. Thea in the mirror also touches her face.
She has her father's eyes. And the hair is whiter than Arthur's. She's beautiful. We finally meet, Theodora Leira Montrose. I am Theo.
I am sorry that I am here and you're not. Your family is wonderful and they love you so much. If they know that you're gone, they'd be devastated.
Theo cannot help but feels sorry for Thea. Her life has been cut short by selfish people. Thea is looking back at him, with pleading in her eyes.
I am truly sorry, Thea. But what do you want me to do? I don't belong here.
"Live for me," Thea pleads. "Don't let my family know I'm dead."
How do I do that?
"Live for me," Thea repeats.
You want me to continue living as you? How is that possible?
"There's a reason why it's you and not anyone else. It means you can."
What is it that you want me to do?
But Thea doesn't respond anymore. Just tears in her eyes, rolling down.
Theo wipes her tears away. I am truly sorry. Please, don't cry. Theo touches the mirror.
Thea's tears don't stop. "Promise me." The tears are now flowing freely.
I… I… Theo's heart is like being cut to thousand pieces. He can feel Thea's heartbreak and sadness.
I promise. Theo looks deeply into Thea's eyes. Hand still on the mirror.
Thea touches his hand. Thank you, she whispers.
Feeling overwhelming by emotions, Theo closes his eyes and tries to regulate his breathing. And he slowly makes his way back to the bed.
What did I just do?Did I just have a conversation with a dead girl? Is this sign that I'm losing my mind?
He tries to climb back up his bed, but finds that he doesn't have the strength. The bathroom incident and meeting Thea has drained his already little strength.
Hah, he smiles. Being in coma for weeks, it's only natural that the muscles are weaker. And I had to ran to the bathroom. Stupid Theo.
Theo still struggling to climb back up when his knees give out and he slumps to the floor. The only thing keeping him from hitting the floor hard, is that his hand is still holding the IV stand tightly.
Theo doesn't notice that the door is being opened.
He hears the gasp and the hasty steps.
Next thing he knows, he is being lifted off of the floor and settles in… Arthur's arms.
"What do you think you're doing? Why are you on the floor? Did you fall? Did you hit anything? Are you hurt anywhere?" Arthur rapidly shoots the questions.
Theo recognizes panic and concern in Arthur's eyes and voice.
He sighs.
"Why aren't answering? Do your head hurt?"
When Theo is still silent and staring at him, Arthur pales, "Thea?!"
Suddenly Theo chuckles, "Relax, dear brother." Thea's pleading face flashes in his mind.
"I wanted to pee. I just got back from the bathroom. I was on the floor not because I fell, but because my legs are not strong enough. I didn't hit anything and I'm not hurt anywhere." Theo answers all Arthur's questions in one breath.
He takes a deep breath and continues, "I'm not answering because you didn't give me the chance to."