Asher wakes up when the alarm goes off. When he checks his mobile, he reads an unread message from Olivia.Olivia: MorningOlivia: Well, it's afternoonAsh: MorningOlivia: Slept well?Ash: Yeah, slept well too?Olivia: I did, needed that napAsh: Me tooAsh: Are you well awake?Olivia: I woke up two minutes ago, so more or lessAsh: Do you remember the important thing you wanted to tell me?Olivia: Huh, waitOlivia: Sh*t yeah f*ckOlivia: I should have told you earlier, but you disappeared, and then when we made up, I completely forgot until this morningOlivia: But couldn't recall what it was. My mind was fuzzyAsh: It's fine. What was it about?Olivia: HenryAsh: What about him?Olivia: He said something before I left the elevatorAsh: WhatOlivia: 'I know about the tournament.’* * * * * * * * * *Asher doesn’t see the Message Olivia sends because Steve texts Asher at that time, and it sounded serious…Steve: Boss, I f*cked upSteve: I'm sorrySteve: Paul told me you woke up, and
Ash: What is your brain saying to you?Olivia: That you are lying and will lie again, and I shouldn't try with youAsh: And your heart?Olivia: That you made a mistake but so have I beforeOlivia: That I'm lonely, and you are lonely too, and I think something in me can feel itOlivia: That I should try with youOlivia: So, we could maybe be lonely togetherOlivia: Even if it's scaryAsh: I would really like that, OliviaOlivia: You do?Ash: YesAsh: I'm sorryOlivia: I'm sorryAsh: Why are you sorryAsh: You have got nothing to apologize forOlivia: I overreactedOlivia: It wasn't even that big of a lieAsh: Don't invalidate your own feelingsAsh: You have every right to be mad at meOlivia: I'm not even madAsh: Or hurtOlivia: You weren't lying that night too?Ash: What night?Olivia: After the fightOlivia: When we came back to my apartment, I was helping you with your woundsAsh: I wasn't lyingAsh: That wasAsh: I don't think I've ever been so honest with someone beforeOlivia: I
Ash: Do you want me to introduce you to them?Olivia: Them? Your friends?Ash: Yeah, my familyAsh: They already know about you, and two of them have been dying to talk to you. One is more on the fence, but he's quite protective, and Walter is neutral.Olivia: The airheaded, I'm assumingAsh: HimselfAsh: Everything will be easier if we all have a way to communicate togetherAsh: If you want toOlivia: I would like that a lotOlivia: Would it be okay to add Mia too?Ash: I intended toAsh: Steve will take care of it later, but I have to speak with him beforehandOlivia: OkayAsh: I'll text you whenever I'm done or if something important comes up beforeOlivia: OkayAsh: Be careful in the meantime, Okay?Olivia: I will. I'll tell you if anything happensAsh: Especially with your neighbors and HenryOlivia: I'll keep an eye on themAsh: A careful oneOlivia: A careful oneAsh: All right, I'll be right back* * * * * * * * * *Asher calls Steve into the office once he is done talking wit
Olivia could fall asleep this way, she belatedly realizes. Cuddled up in her bed in the dark, however, not alone for once, Asher's voice being a presence that nudges away the loneliness."Can I push a little?" Asher asks."You can," Olivia says, and she blinks to chase away the drowsiness when her lids turn heavier."What is it that you like?" Asher asks softly.It takes a few seconds for Olivia to recall, but when she does, she curls her arms below her head, one underneath the pillow and the other atop the cushion, tucking the bottom of her face in her elbow. "Just us.""Is that so?" The way Asher speaks is so gentle and careful Olivia can only emit a small 'Mhm' in response, fearing that anything aloud may break their frail haven. "Can you say it full for me?"Not a sliver of reluctance exists in Olivia when she speaks, even less at the last part of Asher's request that probes at this want Olivia wants to have fulfilled. "I like just us."Asher hums, teasing, but before Olivia can f
Olivia: What Olivia: Why not? Ash: Because Ash: I'm gonna go shower Olivia: Okay Olivia: Did I upset you? Ash: No, you didn't Olivia: You are not lying, right? Ash: I'm not Olivia Olivia: Okay, see you later then Ash: You will Asher closes his phone and sighs. "There is a world apart between want and deserve, Olivia," He mumbles and dops the phone on his bed before going for the bath. On the other end, Olivia shakes her head and gets up from the couch, and moves to the other room where Mia is staying for the night. "Mia," she calls softly. "Yes," Mia stirs and looks up at Olivia standing at the door. When Olivia doesn't say anything, she opens her hand, and Olivia goes and falls in her embrace. "What happened?" Mia asks, pulling the girl into a hug. "I think Asher lied to me. Again," Olivia mumbles. "Are you sure, or are you assuming?" Mia asks sleepily. "A lot, actually." * * * * * * * * * * * "Is everyone okay with this?" Asher asks everyone around him. "Yes, bo
OF: That would have worked if we hadn't talkedAsh: YesAsh: I'm wondering several things, and one of them is how they ended up with the conclusion that this would work?Ash: How did they know that we were talking and getting along well?Ash: It sounds like they had an idea of how our relationship isOF: What if my phone is bugged?OF: Or my apartment?Olivia starts to panic and looks around her to see anything suspenseful. Ash: I had everything checked when you found your front door opened a few weeks agoOF: What if it happened in between?OF: Sh*t, what if they can see thisSL: I have been keeping an eye on everything OliviaSL: There are cameras in your building, and I can confirm you no one entered your flat and your phone is also safeOF: Then how the f*ckOF: There is also the fact that they somehow caught certain information I told to Mia onlyOF: Like pastries or Valentine's Day dateOF: I mean, not dateOF: Not date dateOF: Platonic-friendly Mob boss dateOF: LikeOF: Anyw
"Mia, I'm so happy," Olivia says, keeping her phone down, and smiles at Mia, who is sitting across her."What's going on?" Mia asks, looking at Olivia with confusion."You know I have never talked to so many people at once. They all seem nice. You know, even Airheaded guy, he is funny to rile up," Olivia laughs, remembering her conversation in the chat.Mia hums in agreement. "It is fun. Even I never talked to that many people at once.""You know, the more I think about it, and the more I think I'll accept it," Olivia admits."Accept what?""The adoption. I won't say anything yet because I need more time, but yeah," Olivia plays with her dress with her eyes on her hand, "I have a clear idea of all it'd entail entering this kind of world, and it's not frightening me the way it should" She finally looks up to meet Mia's gaze.Mia looks at her with pride. "Maybe because your own world is similar to theirs in some ways."Olivia nods. "That's what I said to Asher. I'm a bit scared about it
Olivia: I'm sorry Ash: I'm not castigating you for it Ash: I'm telling you Ash: There is a difference here Ash: You pushed too much Ash: What do you say? Olivia: What? Ash: Reread what I just said Olivia: ... Ash: It's something I have replied to you in occasions like those Ash: I even did a few minutes ago Olivia: OH Olivia: Oh, I got it Olivia: I got it :) Ash: Yes? Olivia: Mhm, say it again Ash: You pushed too much Olivia: I'll keep it in mind Ash: Exactly Ash: It's not about berating you for not knowing my boundaries but telling you instead where they stand and when you cross them, understood? Olivia: Yes, understood Ash: Good Ash: Try not to be upset when it happens because I wouldn't be reprimanding you Ash: Just being honest Ash: And if you upset me, I'll let you know about you have to tell me as well because I can't read your mind Olivia: Okay Olivia: I will Olivia: Thank you, Asher Ash: I don't know why you saying or typing my name entirely wrecks m
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