CHAPTER 15
ALEXIA P.O.V
"Hey, Tyl… plans changed. I can't make it," I said into the phone.
"What? Why?" he asked immediately.
"I have work to do—unlike you."
"Hey," he scoffed, "I do work sometimes. I just thought you could make time for me today. Besides, aren't you a CEO or something? Can't you hand things over? I don't even get why you started a company in the first place. It's not like you need the money. Can't you just make time for your old pal?"
I rolled my eyes.
"I started the company so I wouldn't be meddlesome and jobless like you," I shot back. "And we can have dinner another time."
"What's so important that you can't ditch it?" he pressed. "It's not like you to reject me when I'm practically begging."
"You weren't begging," I corrected. "And it's not my choice to be stuck indoors working on some dumb report. I was forced into this."
Silence.
Then—
"By who?"
His tone changed instantly.
Serious.
Dangerous.
I stiffened.
"No one," I said quickly. "I wasn't forced. Forget I said anything."
I mentally slapped myself.
Tyler wasn't someone you joked with—especially when it came to me.
He could be… unpredictable.
Deadly.
"Alexia," he said slowly, "if someone is bothering you… you can tell me, right?"
I let out a small laugh. "So you can dip them in hot oil again? No, thank you. I learned my lesson last time. Besides, there's nothing I can't handle—have you forgotten?"
He chuckled softly.
"Of course not, sweet cheeks… but promise me—if anything happens, you'll tell me."
His tone wasn't playful anymore.
It was firm.
Unyielding.
"Of course," I said lightly, trying to ease the tension. "I promise. No need to get all serious."
A pause.
Then—
"Hm. Text me when you're free."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
"Odd…"
That wasn't like Tyler.
No teasing.
No dramatic goodbye.
Nothing.
Was it because of what I said?
…No.
It felt like something more.
A faint unease settled in my chest.
Maybe I should check on him later.
Just then—
A message popped up.
Unknown number.
An address.
I blinked.
"…Mr. Slade."
Instantly, my worry for Tyler vanished—replaced by pure irritation.
That robot.
And then—
A thought crossed my mind.
Slowly… a smirk formed.
"Time to have some fun."
I dialed Clara.
"Heyyy, what's up girl?" her cheerful voice came through.
"Oh, nothing much," I said casually. "Just that your brother suggested we have a little get-together tonight… if you're up for it."
"Of course I am! But… which brother?"
"Asher."
Silence.
Then—
"ASHER?!"
I pulled the phone away slightly.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Well… no—yes—it's just… Asher isn't exactly a party person. I barely even go to his house. Are you sure he said that?"
I smiled.
"Why would I lie?"
"…Hmm."
"And if you can," I added smoothly, "invite your other brother—and Naomi too. The more, the merrier."
"…Alright," she said slowly. "I'll invite them. Meet you there?"
"Meet you there."
I hung up, grinning.
Time for payback.
From everything I'd observed about Mr. Robot these past few weeks—
He couldn't refuse his sister.
No matter what.
And his relationship with his brother?
Tense at best.
Perfect.
I rubbed my palms together mischievously before returning to my laptop.
If I was going to deliver that report—
I might as well make the night… unforgettable.
Hours later—
I was driving.
Still driving.
And driving.
"My hand is starting to hurt…" I muttered, flexing my fingers. "Who even chooses to live this far out?"
Finally—
I arrived.
The place was locked.
I was about to call when—
"You are welcome, Miss Williams."
I froze.
An automated voice.
The gates slowly opened, revealing the property beyond.
"…That was easy."
I stepped out of the car.
And then—
I saw it.
The mansion stood tall before me, grand yet unsettling. Its golden walls seemed to swallow the light around them, casting an eerie, cold aura over the entire place.
Beautiful.
But lonely.
Dark.
"Why would anyone want to live somewhere this isolated?" I muttered. "No wonder he's a robot."
I walked further in, my heels echoing softly against the ground.
"What was that, Miss Williams?"
His voice.
Right behind me.
Deep.
Cold.
Startling.
I turned—
And instantly regretted it.
Asher.
But… not the Asher I was used to.
No suit.
No tie.
Just a black t-shirt and blue jeans.
Casual.
Effortless.
Dangerous.
His hair was slightly messy, softer than his usual perfect style.
And somehow—
That made him look even more—
My breath hitched.
His eyes.
His lips.
The way he stood—
It felt like everything about him was pulling me in.
Calling me.
Without permission.
A strand of hair fell across his forehead.
And before I could stop myself—
My hand lifted.
Slowly.
As if drawn by something I couldn't control.
My fingers moved closer—
Closer—
Then—
Reality snapped back.
I jerked my hand away like I'd been electrocuted, stepping back immediately.
"Um… I—" I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry, Mr. Slade."
My face burned.
Embarrassment flooding through me.
"Hm."
His voice was low.
Unreadable.
But when I looked up—
His eyes had darkened.
Locked onto mine.
Intense.
Unmoving.
A shiver ran down my spine.
The air between us shifted.
Heavy.
Charged.
Like something invisible had just been pulled too tight—
And was seconds away from snapping.