CHAPTER 26
ALEXIA P.O.V
The first thing that woke me up was the sunlight streaming through the window, hitting my eyes.
The second—
A white, fluffy creature curled up beside me.
"What the…?" I murmured.
I blinked.
Then gasped.
"It's you… from yesterday! But how did you get here?"
It purred softly and climbed onto my lap.
I smiled despite myself.
"You're so soft…"
Another purr.
"What should I call you?"
I tapped my chin thoughtfully.
"How about… Cherub?"
It hissed.
I blinked.
"…Okay, rude."
"What about Cookie?"
Silence.
"…Still no?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Hmm… Snowy? Since you're all white?"
It stayed still.
No protest.
I grinned.
"Alright then—Snowy it is!"
I scratched behind its ears.
"But seriously… where did you come from?"
The door opened.
Maddy walked in, carrying a tray of medicine.
"Hey, Maddy—do you know where this came from?" I asked, pointing at Snowy.
"No, Miss. I have no idea. Should I take her out?"
"No!" I said quickly. "Um… what are you doing?"
"Miss, it's time for your medication."
I stiffened.
"I don't want to. I'm already fine, as you can see."
"But Miss, you still need to complete the dose."
"No, thank you."
I immediately pulled the blanket over my head like it was a shield.
There was no way I was willingly putting that bitter thing in my mouth again.
"Miss—"
"What is going on here?"
My head snapped toward the door.
Asher.
"Nothing!" I said quickly, sitting up. "I was just telling Maddy how excited I am to take my medicine."
I grabbed the pills and swallowed them immediately, forcing a smile.
"But Miss, you—"
"Wasn't I, Maddy?" I cut in.
"…Yes, Miss."
"Excuse us," Asher said.
Maddy left.
I lowered my head, bracing myself.
For the scolding.
But it didn't come.
"How are you feeling?" he asked instead.
I looked up, surprised.
"I… I'm fine?" I said, unsure.
"Hm."
His gaze shifted to Snowy on my lap.
"I see you like your gift."
"This was your doing?"
He didn't answer.
But he didn't deny it either.
"I like it, but…"
"But?"
"H-how did you know I wanted it?"
"I didn't," he said calmly. "But it was stubborn… and beautiful when I first saw it."
His eyes met mine.
"It reminded me of you."
My breath caught.
Beautiful?
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"I… thank you," I said softly. "I really like it."
"Good."
Then, just like that—
"You can leave if you want. Since you've healed."
And he turned to walk away.
My chest tightened.
"Um… Asher?"
He stopped.
I froze.
Did I just—
"I mean—Mr. Slade—"
"You can call me Asher."
I nodded slowly.
"Thank you… for saving me. And for everything. I'm sorry for my attitude before."
He gave a small nod.
Then left.
I stared after him.
"That went well… didn't it, Snowy?"
The fox purred.
"Come on. Let's go."
—
Standing outside, I took one last look at the mansion.
"Strangely… I'm going to miss this place," I murmured. "Especially the ocean view…"
…and someone.
"You can come back anytime you want."
I turned.
Asher was walking toward me.
"Thank you," I said. "But that would be inappropriate. Maybe… just to visit the scenery."
"If you say so."
Just then, my phone rang.
"Oh—hey, I'm sending you my location now so you can—hey!"
He took my phone.
And ended the call.
"What was that for?"
"We haven't discussed your form of repayment yet."
"Repayment?"
He nodded.
I sighed.
"Fine. What do you want?"
A slow smirk appeared on his face.
"Get in the car first."
—
The ride was silent.
Too silent.
"How is your injury?" he asked suddenly.
"Oh… it's fine. I mean—it still hurts, but I'm okay."
A lie.
But I couldn't tell him the truth.
"Alexia."
"Yes?"
"You know you can tell me anything… right?"
I hesitated.
Then nodded slowly.
"Um… Asher?"
"Hm."
"Why are you suddenly being nice to me?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"Well… you're usually cold. Distant. You don't seem to care about people. And I thought you were angry with me… that's why you avoided me."
"I was never angry," he said. "I just had things to sort out."
A pause.
"And I'm not a man who expresses himself easily."
"Oh…"
We pulled up in front of my house.
He looked at me.
"Alexia… you can trust me."
Something in his tone made my chest tighten.
Did he know something?
"O…kay," I said slowly. "But I'm not a child. I can take care of myself. Thanks for the ride."
I got out.
"Alexia."
I turned.
"How is the project at your company going?"
My heart sank.
Oh.
That's what this was about.
Of course.
If something had happened to me, the project would've stalled.
That's all this was.
Not concern.
Just business.
I forced a smile.
"So far… so good, Mr. Slade."
A lie.
But I didn't wait.
I walked inside.
—
The moment I got to my room, I ripped off the bandage.
And threw it aside.
I dropped onto the bed.
Anger burned in my chest.
At him.
At myself.
Why did I think… that kiss meant something?
It clearly didn't.
I was the only one affected.
Pathetic.
I clenched my fists.
"No more," I muttered.
I got up immediately and headed to my office.
Work flooded my screen the moment I opened my laptop.
Snowy lay lazily on the floor, already asleep.
I glanced at it.
"…I still don't know why he gave you to me."
But something told me—
It wasn't as simple as it seemed.