CHAPTER 14
ASHER P.O.V
"Take me directly to the office."
"Of course, sir."
The day had been… uneventful.
Meetings. Numbers. Signatures.
Pointless.
Once, I preferred it this way—controlled, predictable.
But today—
Something felt off.
Like something I wasn't aware of… was missing.
"Hm… looks like Miss Williams is receiving a love confession," Felix said casually as we drove past her company. "I mean, who wouldn't confess to a beauty like her?"
My gaze shifted to the window.
And there she was.
Alexia.
Even from a distance… she stood out.
Unavoidable.
Recently, she had been avoiding me.
I remembered the way she flushed the last time we spoke.
The way her composure cracked for just a second.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at my lips—
Then disappeared.
Because she wasn't alone.
A man stood beside her.
Tall.
Too close.
I couldn't see his face—
But I saw enough.
He leaned in.
And kissed her cheek.
…
Something cold and sharp twisted in my chest.
My hand tightened slowly into a fist.
Then tighter.
The air in the car seemed to shift.
Drop.
"…Sir?"
Felix's voice sounded distant.
"Felix," I said quietly, my eyes still locked on them, "do you find her attractive?"
"Of course," he replied easily. "Only a fool wouldn't. That guy is lucky—having someone like her. Actually… is it just me, or is it suddenly cold? Should I turn down the AC—sir?"
"Turn the car around."
He froze.
"Sir… is everything alright?"
I turned my head slowly.
Very slowly.
"It seems I've allowed you too much freedom… to question me."
His expression stiffened instantly.
"My apologies, sir. I won't overstep again."
"I dislike apologies."
"…Understood."
Silence.
Heavy.
"We're here, sir."
Her voice carried through the air—
"What kind of man takes a girl out at 11?!"
My jaw tightened.
So she agreed.
Of course she did.
The man had already driven off.
A pity.
The tension in my fist eased slightly as I stepped out of the car and walked toward her.
"I didn't know a reputable company condoned such… behavior."
My tone was calm.
Too calm.
"It doesn't, Mr. Slade," she said quickly. "I assure you, it won't happen again."
Mr. Slade.
That formality again.
Good.
"I hope so," I replied coolly. "Or I might begin to question the seriousness of this company."
She forced a smile.
"If I may ask… what brings you here, Mr. Slade?"
I paused.
What did bring me here?
My gaze flickered briefly to where the man had stood moments ago.
Then back to her.
"I would like a report on the company's progress and achievements."
A weak excuse.
But it served its purpose.
Confusion flashed across her face.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
"No," she said, slightly hesitant. "I just don't understand why you would come here personally… when you could've sent your assistant. You've already reviewed everything before signing."
Her voice.
Her presence.
Annoyingly—
It steadied something in me.
Something that had been unsettled the moment I saw him near her.
This…
This was what had been missing.
And I didn't like that realization.
Not one bit.
"You will prepare the report," I said.
Her brows furrowed. "My secretary can—"
"No."
My tone sharpened.
"I want you to do it."
A brief silence.
"And you will deliver it to me personally."
At night.
At my place.
Where she was supposed to be with him.
The thought alone—
Was enough.
"I'll have it ready tomorrow," she said.
"11 p.m. sharp."
Her eyes widened. "That's almost midnight—"
"I don't care."
I turned before she could argue further.
Because if I stayed any longer—
I might say something worse.
Back in the car—
"Take me home."
A pause.
"And send my address to Miss Williams."
Felix blinked. "Yes, sir…"
Inside Felix's thoughts…
Sir is going home? On a weekday?
And inviting Miss Williams?
…Isn't she already taken?
This… this is new.
"Sir… do you think that's a good idea?" Felix asked carefully.
I looked at him.
"Why wouldn't it be?"
He hesitated. "I overheard Miss Williams earlier… she mentioned a date with that man. I didn't realize she also had to deliver a report. And… if I may ask, sir… what report exactly?"
"That is none of your concern."
"But sir—your well-being—"
"Less talking. More driving."
"…Yes, sir."
Silence returned.
But not to my mind.
What is wrong with me?
I made him turn the car around.
I noticed the man.
I watched him touch her.
And I—
My jaw tightened.
I didn't like it.
I didn't like it at all.
Then I heard about the date.
And instead of ignoring it—
I interfered.
Deliberately.
Calculated.
Ensuring she would be somewhere else.
With me.
My fingers tapped slowly against the armrest.
Controlled.
Measured.
This is unnecessary.
I don't care who she meets.
It's irrelevant.
…
Then why did the image of his hand on her refuse to leave my mind?
Why did it irritate me—
More than it should?
I exhaled slowly.
No.
This isn't what I think it is.
It can't be.
Someone like me—
Doesn't get distracted.
Doesn't get attached.
Doesn't—
My thoughts cut off abruptly.
A quiet, dangerous realization creeping in.
Unwanted.
Unacceptable.
I shut my eyes briefly.
Stop.
This ends here.
Because if it doesn't—
Then this feeling…
Whatever it is—
Might become something far worse.