Still confused, if he didn't shoot Asher, who did?
I was completely exhausted—physically and emotionally. My head erupted in noise, yet my heart still as water. Almost like a lifeless tree, I moved with the pressure of the wind. I went through the dance floor before stepping out of the club with questions in my heart that I couldn't seem to get an answer to.
The minute I got out of the club, I was shocked to see Asher and Robin arguing on the red carpet. What were they doing here? Didn't I just leave his place? And why on earth is he here at this very moment? What if he is working with the same man I came to see to completely get rid of me to keep his status as the CEO? What if they both orchestrated the shooting to distract me from trying to ally with new people? For him to be here at the exact moment I was leaving, there was high possibility they knew one another.
These thoughts ravaged my mind like the whispers of madness. These thoughts might seem excessive, but I had always been a deep thinker who dwell more on my imaginations than words I speak. I couldn't seem to understand what was going on. Was I getting played? But he didn't strike me as someone who would do such... after all, he claimed he didn't want the title. Maybe I hadn't considered it yet, what if both Asher and I are being played by the same Berkscorp's rival? Then the company is as good as doomed.
Without hesitation, I looked away, trying to avoid catching his glance. I quickly walked the opposite way toward the road where my ride should have been waiting, but it wasn't there.
"I'm going to rate you one star," I mumbled in frustration.
I tried to hail a taxi just to get out of there before Asher would spot me and start asking me questions but unfortunately, he saw me before any taxi showed up. My stomach sank immediately, I could see him through the corner of my eyes, bouncing towards me arrogantly like a dog off-leash, but I still chose to pretend like I didn't see him until he called my name. I stumbled backwards, pretending to be startled so as to give him the impression that I hadn't noticed him earlier.
Just like I had thought, he started asking me questions as to why I was there at that hour, but I intelligently evaded them, answering only with what I believed wouldn't raise suspicion. Questions to answer questions. Robin later moved closer, greeting me in a French manner which I found akwardly creepy but I still faked a smile to pretend I was impressed.
While Asher spoke to me, my eyes remained on the horizon, hoping my ride would spawn out of thin air to bail me out of this awkward moment, but it didn't show up so I ended up taking Asher's offer to drop me at my place, even though I didn't want to.
On our way there, I was awkwardly silently, still stuck in the thoughts of my assumptions. He pulled over outside our building like he did the other time, but before I could understand what was going on, something led to the other, and he kissed me.
He kissed me?
Why did he kiss me? He couldn't possibly be falling in love with me, was he? I was rather stunned than angry. This immediately changed what I had been thinking about all throughout our drive to my place. Maybe he wasn't there to meet the guy. Maybe he tailed me. Maybe he was in love with me and had his way of finding me. There was no end to the possibilities.
He apologized promptly, but I could sense the sincerity brewing in his eyes. It wasn't a mistake but rather something he must have considered deeply in his heart. Without a word, I stepped out of the vehicle and watched him drive away, confused and happy at the same time. A warm smile curled up my chin and then I walked into our building.
That night, I rolled over my stomach, thinking about everything. Sleep fled my eyes completely like I was battling insomnia. I couldn't stop thinking how it would feel if he found out all these while I was still trying to stab him in the back. He seemed genuine and probably in love with me already. As weird as that might be given his aura as a playboy, it seemed totally possible he might be into me.
I felt like a terrible person whose obsession with power would get her to lose important people. I didn't know If I liked him up until now, but there was no doubt that I was starting to develop a soft spot for him. Maybe it was the kiss, or perhaps I had learned that it wasn't easy on him as it wasn't on me. Mr. Barney caused all of these, Asher shouldn't be the one to pay. Maybe it's about time we put the rivalry behind us and embrace the future.
Right before sleep could catch me off guard, I concluded in my heart that I was going to talk to him and confess everything I had been planning behind his back. I no longer cared what he would think about me, it would hurt him to find out I was planning on stabbing him in the back. It was the right thing to do.
The next morning, the ray of sunlight gleamed over me, filtering in through the tiny gap in the curtain, brightening up the room. It warmt rested on the naked parts of my skin, it's lights blinding my sight. My eyes opened slowly, dimmed from exhaustion. It was a Saturday morning, even though I had slept over time, it still wasn't enough to make up for the stress I had gone through that week since Asher got shot.
I got out of bed, squeezed my legs into my flip-flop before walking to the bathroom to brush. Not long after, I stepped out, feeling completely famished. I sincerely hoped those two bitches had prepared something for me to eat. When I walked into the living room, Aaliyah and Paige;her girlfriend were both in the couch while they left the television on.
I didn't want to disturb them, I scratched my head firmly before walking to the kitchen. While I was there making cereal, Aaliyah suddenly called out my name. It was completely alarming so I rushed out immediately only to see a picture taken of Asher kissing me from the previous night on the news. The head line read;
:. CEO of Berkscorp and board manager caught up in a scandal. Love or public display of immorality?
Nadia rushed out too and we all froze in place, staring at the television.
Damn it, I messed up.