CHAPTER 29
ALEXIA P. O. V
By the time I was done with work for the day, I was completely exhausted.
I opened my door, already expecting to be greeted by the chaotic mess from this morning—but instead…
Everything was spotless.
Sparkling clean.
"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath.
"Hey girl!" Clara squealed.
"Clara?" I blinked. "How… how did you get in?"
"With the keys, duh."
…Seriously, how many people had my keys?
"Oh. Okay… and to what do I owe this visit?"
"I ran away," she said dramatically, collapsing onto the couch.
I raised a brow. "From who?"
"My brother. Who else?"
I sighed and dropped beside her.
"And you ran away to the first place they'd look?"
She paused.
"…Hmm. I didn't quite think of that."
Of course you didn't.
"Fine," I sighed. "You can stay the night."
"Yay! Thanks, A! And by the way—don't you clean after cooking? Your kitchen was a disaster. If I hadn't stepped in, it would've been a crime scene."
I shrugged, not ready to explain Tyler's chaos, and headed to my room.
A warm shower later, I was finally ready to sleep—
"Hey! We're not done yet!"
Clara burst into my room just as I was about to close my eyes.
I groaned. "What now?"
"Don't you want to hear about my first day at work?" she pouted.
"…Fine. How was it?"
"Horrible!" she exclaimed, throwing herself onto the bed. "I don't know how you people do it. Typing, paperwork—my nails are ruined!"
I chuckled softly. "It's not that bad."
"No, Alexia. It's torture. I'm not going back tomorrow."
"What if your brother finds out?"
"He can eat bugs for all I care."
"Says the scared bunny."
"Who's a bunny?"
"No one."
She narrowed her eyes at me.
"Anyway! Have you seen the new Louis Vuitton handbag? We have to go shopping."
I smirked. "Didn't you say your cards got blocked?"
She froze.
"…Alexia, you have to save me."
"Is it compulsory?"
"Yes! It's my lifeline! If someone else gets it before me, I might actually die."
I laughed. "You're so dramatic."
"Please?" she gave me those ridiculous puppy eyes.
I sighed.
"Fine."
"Yay! You're the best!"
"Now can I sleep?"
"Nope. We still need to talk about the party."
"…What party?"
"Your birthday, dummy!"
I froze.
My birthday.
I had completely forgotten.
"Don't tell me you forgot," she groaned.
I gave a small, guilty smile.
"Unbelievable," she muttered. "So—what kind of party do you want?"
"…Can we not have one?"
"No."
"Clara—"
"We are throwing a party. End of discussion."
I sighed. "Fine. But keep it subtle. I don't want unnecessary attention."
"Girl, you're turning 19. You should show off."
"Clara."
"Fine," she huffed. "Subtle… but I'm organizing it."
"I didn't argue."
"Good! I'm calling Naomi!" she jumped up and ran out.
"Remember—keep it subtle!" I called after her.
The next morning—
The sound of the doorbell dragged me out of sleep.
Reluctantly, I made my way downstairs.
"Yes…" I yawned, opening the door.
And then—
That scent.
Fresh sandalwood.
My mind went blank.
Before I realized what I was doing, I stepped closer… inhaling it.
Clears throat.
I froze.
Slowly, I looked up—
Asher.
Standing there, cold and unreadable.
What the hell was I doing?!
I wanted to disappear.
"Where is she?" he asked, voice icy.
"Who?" I replied, playing dumb.
"Miss Williams, you know exactly what I mean."
That… stung.
"Miss Williams?"
Since when did he get so formal?
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Hey Alexia, who are you talking to—oh shit!"
Clara.
She bolted upstairs.
"Idiot," I muttered.
Asher's gaze darkened.
"So you still don't know what I'm talking about?"
"Stop with the surname," I snapped under my breath—before realizing I said it out loud.
He raised a brow.
"I mean… your sister doesn't want to talk to you."
"Stay out of it."
"And if I don't?"
We stared at each other.
Tension thick. Heavy.
Unyielding.
"Felix, bring her," he ordered.
"One more step and you won't like it," I warned.
Felix froze, unsure.
But Asher…
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't back down.
Neither did I.
"A… it's okay," Clara said softly. "I'll go."
"You don't have to," I said, still locked on Asher.
She touched my shoulder.
I finally looked at her.
She wanted to go.
"…Fine."
"You're always welcome here," I told her quietly.
Then I walked away.
An hour later, in my office—
My thoughts wouldn't stop circling back to him.
"Maybe I overreacted…" I muttered.
But then again—
Why was he acting like a stranger?
Cold. Distant.
Nothing like before.
"Miss, is something wrong?" Nadia asked.
"No."
I paused.
"Any updates from Nexus?"
"Not yet. Though their assistant stopped by this morning."
"Oh…"
"You sound disappointed."
"Do I?"
"If I'm guessing correctly… you're asking about Mr. Slade, not the company."
"What? No!"
She smiled.
"I think you like him."
I scoffed. "Impossible. I haven't liked anyone in years. Why would he be different?"
"You're in denial."
"I'm not."
She laughed.
"Don't you have work to do?" I muttered.
"Of course, Miss."
She left.
Silence filled the room.
Do I like him?
Does he feel the same?
Before I could think further—
That headache.
Sharp.
Relentless.
"I need a check-up," I muttered.
At the hospital—
After all the tests…
"Everything is normal," the doctor said.
I frowned. "That's not possible."
"I can prescribe painkillers, but medically… you're fine."
I sighed. "Alright."
He smiled. "Your grandfather was a good man."
I softened. "Yeah… he was."
"You were quite troublesome back then."
I laughed lightly. "I remember."
"He was proud of you."
"…Thank you."
"I heard your birthday is coming up."
I blinked. "From where?"
"A very loud blonde girl online."
Clara.
Of course.
"You're invited," I smiled.
"I'll think about it."
Outside—
I was about to leave when I saw him.
Asher.
I stepped forward—
Then stopped.
A girl ran up to him.
Wrapped her arms around him.
Kissed his cheek.
And he—
Smiled.
My chest tightened painfully.
He has never smiled at me like that.
Not even once.
I turned away quickly.
My vision blurred.
I got into my car and drove.
Fast.
Too fast.
Until I couldn't anymore.
I pulled over.
And broke.
Tears fell uncontrollably.
I wiped them angrily.
"Pathetic…"
Why did I think he liked me?
Because he saved me?
Because he was kind for a moment?
I laughed bitterly.
"I'm such an idiot…"
Maybe it was never real.
Maybe it was just pity.
I gripped the steering wheel.
"That ends now."
I drove home in silence.
Locked the door.
And shut the world out.