Olivia was a f*cking brat. That is why Asher never tries to befriend anyone.Asher stormed toward Steven's desk and slammed his hands on the table. "Look for another hybrid.""What?" Steven jerked back with fright."Olivia won't do it," Asher said with an angry huff."Boss?" Steven swallowed. "Why? What happened?""Nothing" Asher turned his back to Steven, trying to calm his temper."Boss, are you sure?" Steven asked with uncertainty."I am," Asher said, turning around and glaring at Steven. "And tell others to only contact me if something important comes up.""Will do," Steven said, blinking his eyes, trying to understand if this was real or if he was dreaming.* * * * * * * * * *"Hmm, what's up with Asher?" Steven asked his gang members when they were all sat to have lunch."What is it?" Paul asked on behalf of all since they were in the dark."Well, he just told me to look for another hybrid, and that 'Olivia won't do it,'" Steven said, stuffing a burger into his mouth."What?" Wa
Steven thinks about what he can do to make both Olivia and Asher talk to each other, Unblocking Asher from Olivia's phone is not a big deal, but Asher says no to that.Even though he wants to take the risk, he is not stupid enough to do something Asher denied of doing, so Steve does the only thing that comes to his mind - to create a group chat where he can monitor the flow of the conversation and can interrupt if they start to fight again. It sounds like a good plan.Stupid, idiotic stubborn dumbassess*Unknown Number added Ash**Unknown Number added Olivia*Unknown Number: You two talkUnknown Number: I'll come back in half an hour to see how it went and if you're not virtually making out by that time, I'll have people sent to take the both of you and lock you inside a room*Unknown number left the chat*Olivia: What?Ash: Steve, wait until I find youOlivia: Who is SteveAsh: I'm not talking to youOlivia: Yeah, all right bye*Olivia left the channel*Olivia was hurt by how blunt A
"Paul, do me a favor. I can't attend tonight's meeting with Alter. Can you cover for me? Feed them a story as to why I'll be absent from the meeting?" Asher said to Paul, who was sitting next to him in the meeting room. Paul looked at Asher with worry. "You don't usually miss the meeting with other gangs. All good?" "Yeah," Asher said but didn't give any further explanation. "Are you sure you're not attending the meeting, Boss?" Steven asked Asher. "Yes, I am," Asher said nonchalantly. "What about Olivia," Walter asked. "Is she okay?" "That's why I can’t attend," Asher said, looking at Walter. "I'm taking care of her, so attend the meeting for me." "Holy f*ck," Adam cursed. "Wow," Paul looked surprised. "This is a first," Steven muttered, to which everyone nodded their head. "F*cking hell" Asher looked at their overreaction and asked, "What did I say?" Paul was one to answer him this time, "I don't know. Perhaps the fact that you're putting something or someone above your w
Ash: What is wrong with youOlivia: Is that a no?Ash: I've blocked people for less than that?Olivia: Well, you are buying me food, so I assumed we entered a sugar daddy/ sugar baby relationship?Ash: And you think I would want you to call me daddy if that was the case?Olivia: Not anymore!Olivia: How should I address you?Olivia: Sir?Ash: NoOlivia: Your legal name?Ash: NoOlivia: Or Master, perhaps?"Sh*t, how do I restrain myself from saying something I shouldn't" Asher curses without thinking about where he is.And Adam, who stood beside him waiting for his instructions, replies, "By pressing your lips together or," he looks at the mobile in Asher's hand, "By not typing on your phone, Boss."Asher looks up, startled. He then noticed that he was in the lobby. Adam was fully dressed in black and was ready to leave any minute for his task."24," Asher says.Adam looks confused. He is going to receive the goods delivery today night? But why was he informed to break into Alter's ho
Ash: Olivia, are you awake Olivia: Just woke up Olivia: Pee Ash: You could have gone to the toilet directly instead of telling me Olivia: You asked??? Ash: Why is the first thing you want to do when you wake up is annoy me Olivia: You deserve it Olivia: Can I pee now Ash: No, I don’t deserve it Ash: And yes, yes, go but text me when you are back. It’s about your appointment with the doctor Olivia: Okay After half an hour later... Olivia: Back and more awake Olivia: Slept well? Ash: Yes, you? Olivia: Better than those past days Ash: [address sent] Ash: You'll have to go here for your appointment Olivia: When is it? Ash: Now, preferably, at least before the time you're supposed to arrive at work Olivia: I'll drive there now Ash: You shouldn't drive Olivia: Well, I'm not walking there Ash: I'll get you a taxi Olivia: I can drive there -_- Ash: Not with your ribs Olivia: Oh my God, you're so annoying Ash: That I always think about you, yes Olivia: You always thi
Olivia doesn't say anything after that. Asher could sense the sadness in her world. He knows she sounded sad, and he wants to make her less sad.Asher doesn't know why he wants to do that, and that's annoying. Human emotions are annoying…Ash: WellAsh: Either way, it's their lossOlivia: Their loss?Olivia: Whose loss?Asher doesn’t know how to comfort someone who is sad. So, he goes to the only person who can help him.Ashy: Brother, how do you comfort someoneAshy: I'm bad at itAshy: I don't even know why I want to comfort her, but I do because she sounded sad, but I don't know how to unsadden herPaul: Unsad isn't a wordAshy: I'm made it oneAshy: *Ash: Well Ash: Either way, it's their loss Olivia: Their loss? Olivia: Whose loss?*Ashy: what do I even say to her?Ashy: God, this is why I don't touch human feelings with a ten-foot pollPaul: Why do you think it's 'their' loss? (Whoever that is)Ashy: Because Olivia isn't as bad as she seems to
Olivia: I'm backOlivia: And ready to give you my report, BossAsher reads the notification. Olivia was already back from her doctor’s appointment. It’s good. Now everyone was out at work, and Walter took a day off to be with his girlfriend. Asher had all the time to talk to Olivia without anyone disturbing him.But he is still busy today to do the talking :(Ash: How did it go?Olivia: GoodOlivia: I do have one cracked rib, but that’s all. The doctor said it will take around five weeks to healOlivia: He also made me a sick leave of four weeks, and I have another appointment a few days before the endAsh: Which date?Olivia: March 10thAsh: All rightOlivia: Did you note it down on your little calendar? 😀Ash: I did, actuallyOlivia: Oh, okay I wasn’t expecting thatOlivia: All rightOlivia: But yes, that’s the gist of itAsh: Did he give you anything medication-wise?Olivia: Yes, some painkillers and another ointmentAsh: All good, thenOlivia: AlthoughAsh: What is it?Ash: Olivi
Olivia was freaking out thinking about meeting the Mob Boss today. She calls Mia first thing in the morning."Mia," Olivia whines when the call connects."What happened?" Mia asked alertly."I'm so nervous I'm gonna sh*t my skeleton," Olivia blurts."huh""I can't believe I'm gonna spend Valentine's Day with someone that isn't you or myself. Oh my god, I can't do this" Olivia starts to pace around the room, biting her nails."Come on, why are you freaking out?" Mia asks, amused."Because I'm an idiot, why did I think it'd be a good idea? I'm canceling it," Olivia says determinedly."No, you're not.""Yes, I am. I can't do this," Olivia whines."Ash will be sad if you cancel," Mia reminds Olivia."This is emotional manipulation.""I know. Don't cancel, Olivia, you'll have a good time," Mia assures Olivia softly."But, what if He cancels? Then what? Then I'll cry. Again" Olivia says sadly, "My croissants tasted salty yesterday because of my tears, and I don't want this to happen once mo
Group chatAsh: Is everyone here?Ash: We need to talk about the tournament nowAsh: Olivia received the invitationAJ: What?PS: You received yours as well Asher?Ash: I didn'tSL: You're not even her adopter yetAJ: That's weirdAsh: It may be because of NicolasAsh: Either way it happened and Olivia is participating in the tournamentAsh: I need everyone to be here so we can talk about itAsh: Olivia got the letter along with her keycard and a phoneWG: What did the letter say?OF: A summary of what TSM is and the rules about itOF: The fact that they kept using 'it' while talking about the hybrids pissed me offOF: F*cking a*sholesAsh: Hybrids are nothing to them aside from a source of money and entertainmentWG: What's TSM?Ash: The name of the tournament aka The Scarlet Masquerade, TSM for shortAsh: As I said previously TSM is a match to death with, more often than not, only one survivorAsh: It's brutal and unforgiving and no one ever comes out unscathed from itMC: Are you s
Ash: Olivia??Ash: What's happening?Ash: OliviaAsh: Members of the clan are on the wayAsh: They'll be there in less than thirty minutesOlivia: No Don'tOlivia: Call them backOlivia: I'm fineAsh: What the fuck do you mean you're fineOlivia: I made it sound worse than what it actually was and then I lost track of time dancingAsh: You'reOlivia: Don't be mean worried AsherAsh: I need a minuteOlivia: SorryOlivia: I should have sent another text to say I'm fine but it slipped my mindAsh: I thought something bad happened to you OliviaAsh: You can't do shit like thatAsh: Fucking hellAsh: I was a moment away from upturning the cityOlivia: I'm sorry...Olivia: I just wanted to distract myself from the creepy letter I gotAsh: A letter?Ash: This is what it's about?Olivia: YeahOlivia: There was a letter in my mailbox but the very creepy kindOlivia: There isn't even a returning or my own address on itAsh: Does it have a logo on it?Olivia: YesAsh: Red?Olivia: YesOlivia: Ho
Both stare at each other silently. Asher’s words ring in the silent room. His face is filled with uncertainty and hesitation but also assurance. He is willing to do that only if Olivia will accompany him during those nights.Olivia without even hearing his words understands the turmoil in Asher’s heart. “Of course, Asher. we can call, facetime, or text whenever there's one. I’ll always be there with you”“Thank you.” Asher’s face breaks into a smile.The genuine smile makes Olivia’s heart tingle “We'll make a bunch of good memories about storms so that the bad ones are gone.” She says with a smile.Asher looks surprised and delighted with the suggestion “I'd love that.”“Me too.”Olivia looks at Asher and suddenly she remembers something “Also, I'm learning how to bake.”“What? Why?” Asher looks confused and surprised.“I was supposed to give you a gift some time ago but it slipped my mind with all the mess that had been happening. And now I changed the present I want to give you.” Ol
They both go silent after that, looking at each other's faces not knowing what to say."What?” Olivia starts, she was offended by the silence from Asher “Did I say something wrong?" she asks Asher with a smile.Asher’s face lit up and he shook his head "No, not at all."His answer made Olivia satisfied, she nodded her head with a happy smile on her face. "Was there a thunder on your side?""Yeah, something like that." Asher’s face dims remembering the situation he was trying to ignore.Olivia notices and asks with a soft voice "Do you want to talk about it?"Asher looks startled "About what?" he asks with confusion."Why you're scared of storms."Asher peruses his lips and goes silent. His tongue comes out to lick his dry lips. He shifts on his bed curling on to himself "There's nothing much to say.""I'm still listening if you want to share." Olivia doesn’t prob, but still tries to talk to him.Asher is not someone who opens up to someone about his shortcomings. He has been trained t
Oly: What bad blood?Mia: I don’t know and Walter doesn’t know eitherOly: That’s weirdMia: A little yesMia: Plus he seems to really antagonize me for some reasonsOly: I seeMia: You’re starting to speak like himOly: Who?Mia: Ash -.-Oly: That’s because we’re rubbing off on each other :(Oly: I like him so much Mia he’s amazingOly: He has trouble understanding feelings and emotions and human relationships but he tries to despite everything he went throughOly: He could have given up, you know?Oly: If I were in his place I would have and I wouldn’t care about understandingMia: He’s an intelligent manOly: He isOly: I really like him a lotMia: Have you been testing the waters?Oly: A little? I don’t know how to do thatOly: I don’t flirt MiaOly: But maybeMia: Maybe?Oly: Maybe he likes me tooOly: MaybeOly: We’ll seeMia: That’s progress it’s okayMia: Anyway, I have to studyOly: Yes, yes, good luck and/or have funMia: Bye, will talk to you later* * * * * * * * * * * *A
Mia: He is a human Olivia, he's not a hybridMia was so confused about how did Olivia even got that thought in her pea-sized brain. She was still contemplating when Olivia replied to her message.Oly: What if he's just hiding it?Mia: He can adopt a hybridMia: Hybrids can't adopt another hybridMia tries to talk sense into Olivia who is very stubborn to listen to any of her explanations.Oly: Unless they falsified their documents and make themselves pass as a humanOly: Steve could have done thatMia: This is insaneOly: You didn't see him the way I didMia: Is it bothering you?Mia: Is this what it's about?Olivia is quick to rejectOly: NoOly: It's about how he behaved and the fact that I know he's hiding a secret from meOly: Which is fineOly: But I can't stop myself from wondering, my mind keeps circling back to thisMia: Olivia that'sMia: OkayMia: Let's say that hypothetically Ash is a hybrid, what would he be?Oly: I'm not sureOly: A predator one I guess?Mia: Hypothetical
Olivia: Are you being an a*shole or genuinely asking?Ash: The latterOlivia: Because I like the idea of us having matching pics and contact nameAsh: Why is that?Olivia: Because It's hmmOlivia: It's comforting?Olivia: And it's a little intimate and just usOlivia: Which I like a lotAsh: [Picture attached]Ash: Like that?Olivia: ...Olivia: I'm okay it's making me feel weird to actually see itAsh: Do you like it?Olivia: I doAsh: How do you feel seeing it?Olivia: HappyOlivia: Very happyOlivia: And then it is ticking inside my chestOlivia: [Picture attached]Olivia: How do you feel?Ash: The same as you, I like it a lotOlivia: Me too but we can barely see the heart because of the dark mode :(Olivia: AnywayOlivia: I suppose you have work to doAsh: I'll be busy until later tonightAsh: You've nothing planned today?Olivia: Nothing at allAsh: MC will also be freeOlivia: What about her?Ash: It's time to talk about the tournament and it'll happen tonightAsh: Everyone wil
“I could live in this car.” Olivia sighs into the leather seat.“I don’t think Mini would appreciate that,” Asher says from where he’s bent over, his arms propped on the edge of the rolled-down window.“Good point. She’s tiny but needs a lot of space, a bit like Steve.” Olivia snickers at her own joke, two duffle bags brimming with Asher’s clothes thrown over the seat next to where she’s installed at the back of the car.“I’ll tell him you say that.”“Go ahead, I’ve been meaning to fight him after Airhead.”“Brat.”Olivia peers up at Asher, catching the fond smile on the boss’ lips. “Thank you for the date.”“You’re welcome, and thank you too,” Asher says, his face close to Olivia. “You enjoyed yourself?”“Mhm, the most,” Olivia grins as she fastens her belt when the driver enters the vehicle“Me too,” Asher whispers, and with his index, he brushes a strand of hair away from Olivia’s forehead. “I won’t be able to text you much today, but I’ll do what I can to try.”“It’s fine, don’t w
When Olivia wakes up a few hours later, it’s to an empty bed, Asher’s side on the mattress tidied up, the phone and iPad on the nightstand gone.It doesn’t take long for Olivia to figure out where the mob boss went when, and after relieving herself in the restroom, she climbs down the stairs to make her way to the dining room.Asher is seated at the end of the table installed in the corner of the bay windows and Olivia trudges up to the mob boss.Hands shoved in her pants pockets, Olivia knocks her foot on the leg of the chair Adam is occupying, the one directly on Asher’s left.“Move,” Olivia orders when Adam does not budge.Adam swivels around. “Say that again, GaintDog?”“That’s my seat. Move.”“How about you f*ck off before I shoot you in the knee?” Adam snaps when Olivia kicks the chair again. “It’s no one’s seat, however right now it’s mine because my a*s is on it.”“Adam, come on,” Walter intervenes from where he’s lounged further down the table, Mia by his sides. “They’re in t