Chapter 6

Asher came into the office with a frown.

"What is it, Ash? Did something happen?" Paul asked with concern.

"I was supposed to be entertaining the hybrid and make her to accept my proposal, but I think I made the hybrid sad,” Asher said with a frown on his face.

"Olivia?" Paul asked to which Asher nodded.

"Yes, How do I unsad her?" Asher asked Paul.

Does it matter if the hybrid is sad?" Adam, who was standing by the window, asked.

"No, I guess not," Asher said, looking confused.

"Ignore him, Ashy. Adam is being his usual bitter self for the same reasons as usual. Now tell me, what is it about Olivia?" Paul asked curiously.

Asher handed his phone to Paul. He read all the chats and could not help but ask, "Well, is she annoying?"

"Yes," Asher agreed.

Paul was speechless.

"I mean, she is annoying, but in a funny way somehow. But still annoying," Asher said.

Paul sighed and said, "Tell her that but be nice. Sugarcoat it a bit," Paul suggested. "Remember why we need her, Ash."

"All right," Asher said.

"If people knew the great charmer Ash could be socially inept when not wearing his mob boss cape, they would be endeared, Ashy," Paul grinned.

Asher glared at him and left the room with a huff.

Ash(?!): Not terribly so, thankfully

Olivia: Right

Ash(?!): I didn't mean that badly. You asked a question, and I replied sincerely

Olivia: I know. I can tell

Olivia: It's fine. It’s just echoing with the stuff I used to hear back in the days

Ash(?!):  When you were at the shelter?

Olivia: Yeah. Fun times :)

Ash(?!): I don't think you are that annoying

Olivia: Wow, Thank you

Ash(?!): You can be, from what I got so far

Olivia: Makes me feel so much better

Ash(?!): Not all the time. I’d say 75% of it

Olivia: Damn, you are truly the epitome of comfort

Ash(?!):  But in a somewhat entertaining way

Olivia: "Somewhat"

Ash(?!): shut up and stop interrupting me every five goddamn seconds

Ash(?!): F*ckng hell

Olivia: You snapped at me

Ash(?!): Only slightly

Olivia: am I annoying

Ash(?!): Yes

Olivia: But in a somewhat entertaining way?

Ash(?!): Yes

Olivia: Oh my god

Olivia: Does that mean I made Ash snort? Or even better... Laugh??

Ash(?!): You are exhausting

Olivia: I take that as a compliment

Olivia: Speaking of, I didn't sleep last night, as expected

Olivia: And work was tiring today, so I'll head to bed now

Ash(?!): Alright

Olivia: Will you tell me if I genuinely annoy you?

Ash(?!):  I will

Olivia: Okay. Also, you never replied

Ash(?!): Replied to what?

Olivia was now in her bed, looking at her phone. She wanted to ask him, but the answer was a bit spooky since she kinda wants to keep talking to him.

She has now reached a new low to feel less lonely speaking with the mob boss, and she doesn't want to lose it.

But she had to do it, so she asked anyway...

Olivia: If you want to use that two months period to get to know each other before the tournament or not

Ash(?!): I'm here, aren't I?

Olivia: That’s not a yes or no

Olivia: I'd like a yes or no, Please

Ash(?!): Yes, I do

Olivia: Even if I'm annoying in a somewhat entertaining way?

Asher looked at the message. Olivia sounded so insecure. Like everyone in this world is bound to leave her or disappear from her life.

Ash(?!): Even then

Olivia: Okay

Ash(?!): Go to bed

Olivia: Yeah will do that

Olivia: Falling asleep already

Olivia: You won't send someone to kill me, right?

Ash(?!): I won't, Olivia. Just sleep

Olivia: Had to make sure you never knjow

Olivia: Mnow*

Ash(?!): Know* Yes, I know

Olivia: You are finishing my sentences for me already <3

Ash(?!): Sleep

Olivia: Yes, Night

Ash(?!):  Good night

Olivia: You will be there tomorrow?

Ash(?!): I will, but I'll be busy

Olivia: That's all right, I'll be too

Olivia: Just wanted to know

Ash(?!):  Why?

Olivia: You are too noisy

Ash(?!): You are a f*cking brat

Olivia: I'm sure you laughed

Ash(?!): Sleep already before I send someone to knock you out

Olivia: You can send me a d*ck pic

Ash(?!): Olivia

Ash(?!): Yes, yes, Boss

Olivia: Night night

Ash(?!): Good night

Olivia was feeling giddy and sleepy. She whispered good night to the empty room and drifted to blissful slumber.

Asher looked at the message and wondered what exactly had happened. At first, Olivia sounded like she was sad, and then gradually, she sounded less sad and then different. He tried to analyze and understand, but his head started to throb. Human emotions and feelings make him too tired. It's best he ignores it and be his usual self.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next morning,

Olivia: Good morning <3<3<3

Asher looked at the dazzling message notification on his phone.

"This was all a mistake. What had he signed for?" Asher rubbed his forehead.

Ash(?!): It's 6 am

Olivia: Exactly!!

Olivia: You are not a morning person

Ash(?!): Depends

Olivia: Damn

Olivia: Keep being such a dry texter

Ash(?!): Ijusy woke up

Ash(?!): I just*

Olivia: And the first thing you did was text me?? Aww

Ash(?!): No. Being blinded by your text is the first thing I did

Olivia: I'll blind you in a more enjoyable way in a few, Don't worry. Did you sleep well?

Ash(?!): Surprisingly

Olivia: ?? Yes or no

Ash(?!): Yes

Olivia: I see I see

Olivia: Well???

Ash(?!): ?

Olivia: You're supposed to ask back if I slept well

Olivia: It's common courtesy if we want to bond

Asher was starting to get irritated. He had just woken up five minutes ago, and he was not equipped for this.

Ash(?!): Did yui sleep well

Olivia: You making typos is endearing for some reasons

Ash(?!): I just woke up, and you already tire me

Olivia: And no, I didn't sleep well

Ash(?!): Why?

Olivia: My neighbors thought it'd be a good idea to blast music until 3 am

Olivia: So I struck back

Olivia: I woke up at 5.30 am and decided to have a karaoke

Olivia: By the way, look [picture attached]

Olivia: May you have a great day mob boss Ash. You will certainly, be blessed after seeing my face and charming smile

Olivia: I might pass out at one point during work today, but at least I pissed off my a**hole neighbors :)

Olivia: A win in my book

Ash(?!): You said you didn't sleep yesterday

Olivia: I didn't yes

Ash(?!): How much did you sleep last night

Olivia: 1 or 1.30 hours, I think. Why?

Ash(?!): Do they often do that

Olivia: It varies

Olivia: They don't like hybrids, so if they can make my life difficult, they'll do it

Olivia: Last night, it was through music. Who knows what it'll be next

Ash(?!): I see

Olivia waited for the reply, but Ash was gone. Why did he ask all that questions if he was not about to ask her what exactly was going on with her? She sighs and knocks on the door to Mia's apartment.

Mia opened the door for her and let her in. A mug filled with fresh coffee in her hand, Mia guided Olivia towards the balcony.

It was a spacious place in Mia's apartment, giving a great view for them to enjoy the sunrise while having a coffee. Mia stood by the railing, watching people getting ready for their day.

Olivia flopped down on the chairs on the balcony. "I never knew a mob boss could be this endearing."

Mia shifted her eyes from the road to Olivia. She watched her silently for a second and turned her face back to the streets. "I'm not even gonna question this anymore. Also, why are you awake so early?"

"Neighbors," Olivia sighed.

"Again??" Mia frowned. Ever since Olivia shifted here, her neighbors have been targeting her. Mia has suggested Olivia to move in with her many times. But Olivia wants to stay independent. She wants to face the world on her own and is not afraid of anything.

So Olivia rejected her offer. But instead, whenever she is disturbed or frustrated, she comes to her apartment. Mia had even set up an extra room as Olivia's bedroom, just so one day if she changed her mind, she could move in or crash here anytime she wanted.

"Yeah, it was music this time. So I barely slept" Olivia rubbed her sleepy eyes. "I finish the work at 3 pm today, though, so it's fine. I will take a nap in the afternoon."

Mia nodded her head, her lips pressed into a thin line, and concern filled in her eyes.

* * * * * * * * * *

A: Are you awake?

S: Yep

S: Wassup Boss

A: I need you to do something

S: Yes Boss

* * * * * * * * * *

Olivia was supposed to finish her work by three, but a new member joined her class today, so she needed to give the man a run through the steps and procedures to follow. When she finished her work, it was already half an hour passed three.

Olivia came from work ready to pass out in her apartment. But when she reached her floor, what she saw made her furious, fearful, and frustrated.

"What the f*ck" Olivia screamed as she strode into her home.

Her door was wide open, she thought it was Mia at first, but it didn't smell like Mia. But just to confirm, Olivia called Mia.

"Mia, did you pass by my flat?" Olivia asked without greeting her.

"No, I didn't," Mia answered in confusion. "What happened?" she asked, trying to understand.

"My flat door is opened," Olivia said angrily.

"What?" Mia's high-pitched voice came through the receiver.

"Yeah, I was coming up through the stairs, and I could see the door ajar," Olivia said.

"You didn't leave it open when you left?" Mia asked, wondering.

"No. Mia, wtf? Why would I do that?" Olivia snapped.

Mia could understand Olivia was scared and was not in her right state of mind right now. "Oly, call the cops. Don't go inside. Someone might be inside waiting for you," Mia warned.

"It's fine. I'm already inside. It doesn't smell like there's anyone inside. But worry not, I'll shift into my Wolf form and check once," Olivia suggested.

"Be careful, Oly," Mia said before ending the call.

* * * * * * * * * *

Mia paced around in Walter's apartment. She was worried about Olivia, but she was not there in the building to reach her early.

Mia came to Walter's apartment because he was free tonight and how she wished she had stayed home. She could have been with Olivia instead of worrying about her here.

"Walter?" Mia called.

"Yes, precious?" Walter lifted his head from his phone and looked into her eyes.

Mia fiddled with the edge of her shirt and asked, "Has any of you or your man gone to Olivia's flat?"

Walter processed her words and tried to remember if anything like has happened before he shook his head. "Not that I know of. We have been busy the whole day. Something came up in the gang. Why are you asking?" he asked.

"Olivia called me just now. She came home only to see the door was already opened," Mia told Walter.

Walter frowned. "Steve was supposed to do something for the boss this morning, But I didn't have the time to go through it" He perused his lips. "I don't know if it's related to it or not, But I think it is related to this. Ash hasn't mentioned anything about Olivia so far," Walter said, thinking about it.

"This is worrisome... Olivia went to check on that on her own" Mia started to tug at her hair. "She should be fine, right, but still..."

Walter pulled Mia into his embrace and soothed her "shhh, don't worry. She will be fine. If you want, I can send someone there to check on her”

“No, it’s fine for now. Olivia said she would keep me updated” Mia rejected his offer.

“All right, my love.” Walter kissed her on her forehead. “Do you want me to confirm with my boss?” he asked.

“You can do that? I think it will be good just in case, perhaps if he is behind this in some ways,” Mia agreed.

“I’ll do that right away” Walter picked up his phone and dialed the number.