Asher was tongue-tied at Olivia's accusations. What she said was true. He did work when he was injured. Asher pursed his lips and looked away, feeling embarrassed and annoyed at the same time.Olivia looked at him with a victorious smile. "Exactly, You suck at taking care of yourself. Just accept it. No need to look so annoyed."Asher has nothing to say, so he blames Olivia on the same point "You suck at it too.""Not as much as you do," Olivia says mockingly."Shut up."Olivia goes silent and looks at Asher with wide eyes."You're finally looking at me," Asher states with a mischievous smile on his lips.This time it’s Olivia who asks him to "Shut up" with a flustered face."Ahh, you're looking away again." Asher continues teasing her when Olivia tries to hide her face in her palms."Shut up!" Olivia repeated, embarrassed for being called out.Asher looked at his notification and looks at Olivia. "I got you the food. It’ll be there in twenty minutes.""Okay, Thanks," Olivia says bash
Olivia's eyes light up when Asher says that, "That means you like praising a lot." she comments, her eyes twinkling with delight."I do when it comes to you," Asher confirms. It is something only specific to Olivia, Asher doesn’t praise others as much as he does for Olivia.Olivia squirms in her seat. "Asher, I'm starting to feel really weird." Her eyes are a little hazy."Can you describe it to me?" Asher asks with concern-filled eyes. Olivia looks like she is not alert at the moment.Olivia frowns and tries to form words in her head to explain it to Asher, but Olivia is not sure. "I don't know how to explain," she mumbles quietly.Asher doesn’t force her to say it immediately, "Take your time. You can tell me. However, it comes to you, don't overthink it."Olivia nods at Asher's words and tries to explain what she is feeling. She slowly starts, "Okay. Then... I'm just... It's like that night at the sleepover." she says finally after a little struggle."Oh..." Understanding dawns on
The next day a big fight about Adam and Asher's secret goes on in the main group, and Asher tells his concerns about others' disloyalty towards him to Adam. Asher is cornered in the chat, with everyone bombarding him with their doubts and questions.In the other group...Steve: Sorry, Boss, we pushed too muchPaul: You didAS: It's fineAS: I'll tell you soon, just don't push too much with this subjectAS: On another noteAS: AJ, WG, and I will meet with the Dericks, they have my trust, and I have theirs. They want Nicolas out of the way as much as we doAS: They know our meeting tonight is staged and that we're expecting Nicolas and his men to show upAS: We'll be using that meeting as a way for Nicolas to not only underestimate the Dericks but also make him believe we're losing power and influence over smaller clansAS: If he attacks, I'll also pretend in the group chat. After that, I'm starting to question everyone's loyalty for me in the clan* * * * * * * * * * *After the attack
AS: Olivia? Are you awake? Olivia receives the message from Asher that morning, and she starts to freak out. She was the one who suggested that the date to postpone to today, but now she is not ready to meet Asher directly. Oly 2.0: IM FREAKING OUT Oly 2.0: I'm freaking out. This isn't good Oly 2.0: Mia, you are of no help l0l Mia 2.0: You never asked? -.- Mia 2.0: What's going on? Oly 2.0: I'm going on date with Ash Mia 2.0: You absolute b*tch, why am I only hearing about this now Oly 2.0: Well, you see, it happened last night, and it was a very spontaneous mutual decision Oly 2.0: I also may have stayed on the phone with him until past 3 am Oly 2.0: I also had a sudden revelation at 4 am? Oly 2.0: It's a bit strange what he and I said before Mia 2.0: About... Oly 2.0: About us not wanting to date anyone Oly 2.0: It sounded like we were going exclusive Oly 2.0: As if we were dating Oly 2.0: Weird XDD Mia 2.0: I need a moment Mia 2.0: Yeah, weird, haha Mia 2.0: I me
As she locks her door, the smile vanishes from Olivia’s face. She snaps her glare at Asher, and she’s about to let out a litany of well craft and creative curses when she notices the smile Asher struggles to bite back. “F*ck you!”“Your face,” Asher chuckles and swivels, strutting down the corridor because Mob Boss Ash is strutting while wearing goddamn sweatpants, and Olivia has to repress an eye roll at the sight. “Thought I was one blink away from meeting Death itself.”“You forgetting about my child warrants an early departure to your grave, a*shole,” Olivia says after catching up to Asher.“How long have you been raising that child of yours?” Asher wonders, and after a short while of waiting for the elevator, the two climb inside the cabin, the boss pressing on the ‘0’.“I don’t remember, years,” Olivia shrugs.“You don’t recall how old your child is?” Asher asks with amusement filled face.An impulse to punch Asher’s arm surges inside Olivia’s, and the latter does not fight it,
When Asher retracts his arm Olivia’s own stretches to brush the curls to their original place on Asher’s forehead, enjoying the feeling of the silky locks flowing between her fingers. Olivia’s pace is measured, appreciating the closeness the boss allows, the span in which he lets it happen without any contest, and, more importantly, without the guilt that had marred Asher’s face at the sleepover.Olivia becomes a little selfish and pushy, perhaps, but Asher says naught, and so she carries on, cupping Asher’s cheek with her hand. What takes her breath away then is how the boss, hand trembling the slightest tremors, loosely holds onto Olivia’s wrist before he nuzzles the core of the palm, closing his eyes as he respires.His lips brush on the lines here, and Olivia wonders if Asher can sense the faint aroma of the hand cream she used if the boss likes it, if this is why he presses his nose further against the skin as though trying to burrow his face there.“Good?” Asher asks after a w
“You better eat what I get you,” Olivia warns and peers at Asher above the menu.Olivia has held on well so far.She kept her gushing over Asher’s gushing over the pups to a bare, internal minimum. However, the mob boss’ eyes aimed low at where the puppy is tousling the fur in his hood; Asher’s fond smile not even breaking when he blows at his hoods fur, the pup trying to catch the strands; Asher’s laugh, quiet and only for Olivia’s ears to catch; is what sunders her resolve.Olivia discreetly fumbles in her jeans’ pockets, plucks out her phone that she unlocks to access the camera, and, after leaning backward to have a broader view, she snaps photo after photo after video after more photos of the mob boss playing with the pups while talking with Teacup and petting the other pups, Asher’s hands flying up and left and right, unable to settle on a single Canine.Olivia’s camera roll quickly fills with pictures, some rivaling in quality and composition with a professional photographer,
“Okay. First question,” Olivia says, eager to dive straight into the subject she has been especially curious about lately. “Something is tickling my mind.”“You don’t say.” Asher lifts an eyebrow.“How many lovers did you really have? You weren’t very specific last time I asked.”“Damn, not even easing myself into it. You’re ruthless,” Asher teases once more like he has been since he arrived at the apartment, and Olivia feels stupid at her inability to repress her grin, the giddiness spreading within her, untamed and carefree.“I am. Now answer me.”“If we get into technical details,” Asher begins and raises a hand on his head to secure the wild bangs up there as he reclines against the seat, “I never really had a lover per se. Just flings. I went out with three in total.”“For how long?” Olivia probes, but her interest is denied by the mob boss.“My turn,” Asher says, and Olivia is the one rolling her eyes. “You told me you only had one boyfriend. How did he become your ex?”Olivia c
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