Later that nightAfter talking with Adam, Asher found his heart calmed down a bit. Once he was sure Adam was not against the idea of him talking to Olivia, Asher couldn’t help but miss Olivia.It has been four days, and he hasn't had the time to talk to Olivia. With a little hesitation, Asher texts Olivia late at nightAsh: Are you awake?Olivia, who just came back from the wild after an intense fight with wild boars, was panting hard sitting on the couch.Her phone chimes with a notification and she takes it and opens the lock expecting a message from Mia. To her surprise, she sees a text from the Mob Boss, who was disappeared for days.Olivia wants to talk to him so badly, but she is still a bit upset at him for ghosting her these days. She contemplates for two minutes before deciding to reply to the mob boss.Olivia: I don't know if you're still awake, but I'll go shower, and we can talk in twenty if you're hereAsh: I'm still awake, and take your time. I'll waitOlivia suddenly fe
Ash: Listen to meAsh: You're the worst distraction I've ever hadAsh: And I wouldn't have it any other wayAsh: It'sAsh: I can't get you off my mind, OliviaAsh: It's always been workAsh: Work, work, workAsh: Nothing else, and no one elseAsh: But then you arrive, and suddenly, amidst work, I'd think about you or wonder about what you're doing, and I'm not used to thatAsh: I'm not used to having someone occupy my mind this wayAsh: I wanted to text you so badly those past days, but I knew that if I did, I'd lose myself talking to youAsh: So, what I'm saying is that it's the sameAsh: You're attached to me, and I can't get you off my mindOlivia: This sounds a lot like usAsh: It does, right?Olivia: Does it annoy you?Ash: Does what annoy me?Olivia: That you can't get me off your mindAsh: It shouldAsh: It really should, but it doesn't because it's youOlivia: Being attached to you should annoy me, but it doesn'tAsh: Really?Ash: Do you like it?Olivia: It feels really nice a
Olivia: What?Olivia: I received pastries thoughOlivia: They're from a different company than usual, but I assumed you picked another since I changed location?Ash: I never f*cking didOlivia: Don't start snapping at me. I don't know what's going on eitherAsh: Did you eat some of themOlivia: I ate one...Ash: Are you joking OliviaOlivia: I didn't think there were from someone elseAsh: You didn't think at all clearlyOlivia: Oh, f*ck youAsh: Group chat* * * * * * * * * *Ash: Has any of you sent pastries to OliviaSL: Huh, noSL: Why are you asking?MC: I didn'tPS: I haven't eitherWG: Me eitherAsh: AJ?Ash: Where is AJ?AJ: I didn'tAJ: What's happening?OF: Ash has been sending me pastries, and I got some this morningAsh: Except I didn't get anything delivered to herAsh: So, who sent them to herMC: Olivia, please tell me you didn't eat themOF: I ate oneMC: Are you out of your mindOF: How the f*ck was I supposed to know they weren't from Ash?MC: How long ago did you ea
Ash: I'd tear him apart before he doesAsh: It's only a matter of time and how before I rain hell on his clan and have it gone once and for allAsh: Let's just hope it's not participated by him doing anything to OliviaPS: Alright, Ashy, let's not recklessly throw oil on the fireAsh: I'll do more than that if our scientist finds anythingOF: What did I come back toAsh: What did she sayOF: That the chances of me being poisoned are basically non-existent but still there, so she'll run some tests on the pastriesOF: She gave me her number in case I start feeling unwellAsh: Are you?OF: No, I'm goodOF: I really don't think I got poisonedAJ: Me tooAsh: If Nicolas is behind thisAJ: He isAJ: I know he is BossAsh: I'll trust you on thisAJ: You canAJ: I know himSL: Why would he do that?Ash: To prove a pointWG: What pointAsh: That his knowledge overpasses oursAsh: He may also be testing OliviaAsh: If she's scared of him or not, for exampleOF: I wouldn't be scared of some stup
Olivia is oddly not bothered by Asher calling her puppy. Instead, she feels it’s hot. If it were anyone else, she would have clawed their faces until she was satisfied. Why was it different this time? She shouldn’t feel differently about Asher’s words. This is not correct. Ash: I can hear you hiss from where I am Olivia: First of all: you don’t get yourself anything Ash: Right Olivia: You did not Olivia: Second of all: I’m not a puppy Ash: You’re a canine hybrid Ash: And Puppy is quick to type and also cuter Olivia: Third of all: I don’t sulk when you don’t give me attention Ash: Earlier would beg to differ Olivia: I wasn't sulking Ash: You were annoyed Ash: Same difference Olivia: I want to claw your face Olivia: That's the fact Ash: You were jealous Ash: That's also a fact Olivia: Oh my god Olivia: Yes, I was Olivia: I said it Olivia: I was jealous. What about it Olivia: Leave me alone now Ash: I could make it better Olivia: How Ash: I don't know. You tell me
Ash: Olivia, you're there?Ash: I'm back from my night with AJOlivia: Mob Boss Ash, hiOlivia: How was it?Ash: Really funAsh: We went to an old abandoned complex building and trashed itOlivia: WhatAsh: We brought stuff to break and throw, and we also smashed down a few wallsOlivia: What?? part 2Olivia: Why would you do that?Ash: You never have?Olivia: No, I don't go around and do that kind of thingAsh: You should. It’s catharticAsh: It's nice to relieve tension and stress as wellAsh: I could bring you to someplace like that if you want, I know anotherOlivia: Is this another date offer?Ash: It is if you want toOlivia: I'd like thatOlivia: Hammering down a wall was never on my bucket list, but now it isAsh: I'll make sure it'll happen thenAsh: How was your day?Olivia: I just restedOlivia: Played some games and watched some streams.Olivia: I occasionally missed you, but that's not importantAsh: I'm here now, yeah?Ash: I've showered and everything, so I'm all yours
Once the call ends, Olivia lies in her bed and thinks about whether she should be truthful to Asher. Then she remembers the promise she made to Asher about how she would never lie to him, so she texts him.Olivia: You know I waited for you?Ash: Did you now?Olivia: Mhm, is that good?Ash: No, because you should sleep instead of waiting for me, but yes, because I'm happy you didOlivia: So...?Ash: So you did good and waited patientlyOlivia: I didOlivia: We barely stayed on the phone for a few minutesAsh: You said you were sleepy, so I cut shortOlivia: Ah, of course, that's why you hang upOlivia: So selfless of youAsh: Shush alreadyOlivia: heheAsh: We can talk tomorrowOlivia: Really?Ash: Yes OliviaOlivia: AlrightOlivia: Goodnight, Mob Boss AshOlivia: Technically, it's still tonight, so you're all mine until the morningAsh: You're still all mine too, then?Olivia: I amAsh: Goodnight, my bratOlivia: Im yeah, night
In the morning... Olivia gets up at her usual time and goes for a run in the forest behind her house. After that, she freshens up and gets ready for the day without any interruptions. Once she was done with her morning routine, she took her mobile and opened Mia's chat box ignoring all her other notifications. Oly: Hey Mia Oly: Good Morning Mia: Morning Oly Oly: Do you have something planned for today? Mia: Gonna meet up with some friends Mia: I was supposed to be with Walter, but he hasn't been replying to my texts since last night Oly: Oh Oly: We have the group chat with them, right Oly: You could ask in the group chat? Oly: Someone may reply Mia: Oh no, it's fine Mia: He does that sometimes with work Mia: Plus, if something happened, they would have told us in said group chat Oly: Yeah true. He must be alright Oly: Have fun with your friends Mia: Will do, have fun doing absolutely nothing this Sunday Oly: You know I will Once she is done with talking to Mia, she
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