Previously (Recollection)Henry: What the hellWilliam: HowHenry: How the f*ckHenry: sh*tHenry: Who the f*ck are youCaden: If you want money, we can arrange somethingHenry: Nah, I ain't giving a sh*t to that f*cking kid thinking he can try to scare us like thatHenry: We haven't stolen or sold anything to anyoneHenry: You don't know a sh*tRestricted number: Oh? Is that so?Henry: Yeah, you f*cking creep* * * * *“Five?” Olivia stupidly parrots.“Henry included, obviously.”Oh, yeah. Obviously.“Should we find out?” Asher resumes.Henry’s abrasiveness deflects at his unexpected predicament. Caden and William are framing him, the former seeming out of place and terrified as he avoids eye contact with both Olivia and Asher.“Let’s see for how long you can gloat,” Henry says. “Nicolas won’t let his plan fail because you refuse to learn your place and understand that my boss and his clan are the ones ruling over the city’s underground.”* * * * * * * * * * * * Back to Earlier that
Ash is genuinely having fun and he could end the fight now but he makes it last longer, granting brief moments of respite for Henry to somewhat catch his breath before the two clash again.Another thing Olivia cannot ignore is the way Asher moves.How adept and agile he is, swift yet always controlled, the experience and skills he honed throughout the years evident. It makes sense for a mob boss to know how to physically fight and defend themselves aside from firing a gun, but it also does not.Not to this extent.Olivia can tell Asher was put through self-defense classes, along with boxing and martial arts ones, among other things, and it’s strange. It has her tilting her head in wonder as she observes the one-sided battle, the questions that fleetingly arose flashing back in her head.An umpteenth element that Olivia muses about is how Ash circles Henry every now and then, tapping the sole of his naked foot on Henry’s immobile body before the latter moves again, shakily standing on
“Tournament. This is when he’ll reveal everything about you,” Henry says to Asher. “Dozens of bosses from around the world will be present, and almost every boss from the near city.”Ash falls quiet for a moment. Olivia peers at him, at Asher’s profile embellished with smudges of blood, and even like this Ash is pretty, Olivia muses, wishing to clean the skin of the carmine traces and drops.“I see,” Asher ultimately says and Olivia stands up, backtracking a couple of steps separating her from the wall.“That’s… That’s all I know. I don’t know what else you want but—”“This is enough,” Asher cuts Henry and retrieves the knife, blood seeping through the wound and trickling down Henry’s forearm. “You earned it.”“Earned wh—”Asher bores the blade’s sharp point on the side of the neck. “A peaceful death.”“You’ll start a war you can’t come back from, if you kill me.”“Let it be war,” Asher rasps, his gaze dropped on the way the knife slashes a path on the throat. “I’ll burn Nicolas’s cla
“Without an ounce of remorse or hesitation,” Asher immediately says. “You have to understand that I don’t let people cross my clan or me more than once. Ash does not. The only reason why Henry left the building alive the day of your moving out was because you were there. If you had not, Henry would be dead or held in my headquarters.”“Why did I make you change your mind?”Asher reclines and retracts his hand. “Because I wanted to hide Ash from you for a little longer.”Olivia curls her hand around Asher’s wrist. “You don’t have to hide Ash from me.”Asher opens his mouth to reply but Adam interrupts them.“Boss, any instruction for the body?” Adam asks and crouches to rummage through Henry’s pocket, retrieving a phone.“Get rid of it as usual and clean the place as well. Have some bribing at the ready in case the police get involved in some ways,” Asher says, the lollipop back in his mouth.“The car’s ready,” Walter adds after joining them. “We have a team checking Olivia’s apartment
Olivia often thought that a rejection could be the worst answer she could get, however the complete silence that trails after her question is suffocating and she wants to renege on her word but before she does, Asher finally speaks.“Because he must believe love and sentiments like those would make someone weak and vulnerable, and to some extent he was right,” Asher says, the nails of Olivia’s fingers boring into her palms. “In my world, loving someone puts a target on their back. They can become leverage against you or have you question your own decisions.”“Do you think the same as him?” Olivia wonders.“I used to.”Olivia straightens up at the words, unfolding her fingers to grip at her joggers. “What changed?”Asher stares at Olivia, as though pondering on his response and the gaze is the same as before, Olivia recognizes. The muted adoration Asher had looked at Olivia when they were in her bed is here again, and the hope ignites alive.“I did,” Asher says, eyes never straying awa
When Asher hears Olivia argue with Adam and whine to him to back her up a faint smile tug on his lips. He wets his lips with an amused smile and starts answering her questions.“One: if you mean on an everyday basis, only me and my family live here. People working for me are given an apartment or house when they do so they can live outside of the headquarters if they wish to,” Asher begins.Olivia’s smile grows into a grin when Adam glares at her after Olivia whispers an ‘I told you so’ to him.“Some come to stay here for a while if their safety is at stake or if they simply want to, it’s an open house for the clan’s members. We have a second one like this but deeper in the forest and closer to the mountains, a couple of hours away from the main base.”“What is that second house used for?” Olivia inquires as she fully curls her arm around Asher’s when the latter makes no objection at his elbow being held.“We use that second one as a temporary home for the hybrids we help until all th
Their gazes meet and Mia interlocks her and Olivia’s fingers together as she would always do whenever Olivia would be upset or scared.“They don’t, Olivia. They really don’t,” Mia says and a reassuring smile curves her mouth. “Even close friends. You wouldn’t let me do that with you.”“No, of course not,” Olivia says and the relief that rushes through her is dizzying.“There you have your answer.”“This is… This is kinda scary,” Olivia mumbles, and tears well up in her eyes, the fear laced with her earlier realization clawing at her chest again.“It’s not—” She draws in a sharp breath, struggling to breathe past the lump clogging, her throat. “I don’t think it’s just a crush, Mia.”The admission is as terrifying as it is relieving and it blows away at the nebulous confusion surrounding it while leaving in its path a flurry of wonder and dread and ‘What if's.“Oly it’s okay, breathe you, idiot,” Mia says and she twists around to cup Olivia’s cheeks who bobs her head with a trembling si
More people arrived while she was outside and Olivia quickly scans the place brimming with life and festivity. It’s a little awkward and daunting to be surrounded by so many strangers, even more with her, she is certain, swollen eyes, and Olivia moves closer to Asher to find some comfort and support.Thankfully, as Asher and Olivia make their way through the living room and to the impromptu buffet, no one seems to care about Olivia’s state, the people around them are busy conversing, some even dancing on the makeshift dance floor.A few stop them here and there with a brief greeting or to welcome Olivia to the clan but they eventually reach their destination. “Sorry, they’re a tad too enthusiastic sometimes.”“It’s fine,” Olivia chuckles, feeling more comfortable.“Feel free to tell them to f*ck off if they annoy you, they won’t take it to heart.” Asher grabs a glass for himself and fills it with water. “Here,” he says and hands it to Olivia. “Drink some water before anything else.”“
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