When Olivia went for dinner, Asher was busy working. And between his work, he suddenly realizes something. "Olivia called me by my name," he says to Paul, who was the only one working with him currently. "And?" He raises an eyebrow at Asher. "And?? She said, Asher. She never does that. I mean, she did a few times, but that's when I was bleeding out in an alley," Asher clarifies. "Okay. Why do you sound like you hated her saying your name?" Paul asks, confused. "I didn't hate it. And that is my problem," Asher says. "And why is it a problem?" "Because..." Asher struggles to get words out. "Because I said so. Now leave me alone," Asher huffs. "You are the one who started conversing with me...?" "It was a mistake." Paul gets offended by Asher's words, but he pits him because he said something he was feeling, which is a good thing. "I wonder how you will react once you hear it in real life," Paul sneakers. "Her typing your name already has you flustered and blushing." "I'm not '
"Right, My bad, Boss. Sorry" Steve apologizes."Apologies accepted. Either way, who the f*ck stole them from Olivia" Asher curses.Steve feels like Asher is about upturn the entire city for those pastries by the way he snapped at him. So, he cautiously says, "So someone had access to that information.""Yes," Asher agrees."Did you tell anyone about those pastries?" Steve asks."No. No one besides the company," Asher sighs."It could be someone at the company lying to you," Steve makes a comment."Or the neighbors," Asher says."Or the neighbors," Steve agrees."Or someone else entirely," Asher says."Or that... Yes. I'll take a look at the company first and then at Olivia's neighbors again, and it seems to be the most plausible cause," Steve says, thinking deeply."Sure. Keep me updated," Asher agrees."Yes, Boss. You should rest today" Steve looks at Asher with concern"I will" Asher nods with a smile, thinking about Olivia waiting for him.Steve leaves Asher to rest in his room, an
Asher wakes up when the alarm goes off. When he checks his mobile, he reads an unread message from Olivia.Olivia: MorningOlivia: Well, it's afternoonAsh: MorningOlivia: Slept well?Ash: Yeah, slept well too?Olivia: I did, needed that napAsh: Me tooAsh: Are you well awake?Olivia: I woke up two minutes ago, so more or lessAsh: Do you remember the important thing you wanted to tell me?Olivia: Huh, waitOlivia: Sh*t yeah f*ckOlivia: I should have told you earlier, but you disappeared, and then when we made up, I completely forgot until this morningOlivia: But couldn't recall what it was. My mind was fuzzyAsh: It's fine. What was it about?Olivia: HenryAsh: What about him?Olivia: He said something before I left the elevatorAsh: WhatOlivia: 'I know about the tournament.’* * * * * * * * * *Asher doesn’t see the Message Olivia sends because Steve texts Asher at that time, and it sounded serious…Steve: Boss, I f*cked upSteve: I'm sorrySteve: Paul told me you woke up, and
Ash: What is your brain saying to you?Olivia: That you are lying and will lie again, and I shouldn't try with youAsh: And your heart?Olivia: That you made a mistake but so have I beforeOlivia: That I'm lonely, and you are lonely too, and I think something in me can feel itOlivia: That I should try with youOlivia: So, we could maybe be lonely togetherOlivia: Even if it's scaryAsh: I would really like that, OliviaOlivia: You do?Ash: YesAsh: I'm sorryOlivia: I'm sorryAsh: Why are you sorryAsh: You have got nothing to apologize forOlivia: I overreactedOlivia: It wasn't even that big of a lieAsh: Don't invalidate your own feelingsAsh: You have every right to be mad at meOlivia: I'm not even madAsh: Or hurtOlivia: You weren't lying that night too?Ash: What night?Olivia: After the fightOlivia: When we came back to my apartment, I was helping you with your woundsAsh: I wasn't lyingAsh: That wasAsh: I don't think I've ever been so honest with someone beforeOlivia: I
Ash: Do you want me to introduce you to them?Olivia: Them? Your friends?Ash: Yeah, my familyAsh: They already know about you, and two of them have been dying to talk to you. One is more on the fence, but he's quite protective, and Walter is neutral.Olivia: The airheaded, I'm assumingAsh: HimselfAsh: Everything will be easier if we all have a way to communicate togetherAsh: If you want toOlivia: I would like that a lotOlivia: Would it be okay to add Mia too?Ash: I intended toAsh: Steve will take care of it later, but I have to speak with him beforehandOlivia: OkayAsh: I'll text you whenever I'm done or if something important comes up beforeOlivia: OkayAsh: Be careful in the meantime, Okay?Olivia: I will. I'll tell you if anything happensAsh: Especially with your neighbors and HenryOlivia: I'll keep an eye on themAsh: A careful oneOlivia: A careful oneAsh: All right, I'll be right back* * * * * * * * * *Asher calls Steve into the office once he is done talking wit
Olivia could fall asleep this way, she belatedly realizes. Cuddled up in her bed in the dark, however, not alone for once, Asher's voice being a presence that nudges away the loneliness."Can I push a little?" Asher asks."You can," Olivia says, and she blinks to chase away the drowsiness when her lids turn heavier."What is it that you like?" Asher asks softly.It takes a few seconds for Olivia to recall, but when she does, she curls her arms below her head, one underneath the pillow and the other atop the cushion, tucking the bottom of her face in her elbow. "Just us.""Is that so?" The way Asher speaks is so gentle and careful Olivia can only emit a small 'Mhm' in response, fearing that anything aloud may break their frail haven. "Can you say it full for me?"Not a sliver of reluctance exists in Olivia when she speaks, even less at the last part of Asher's request that probes at this want Olivia wants to have fulfilled. "I like just us."Asher hums, teasing, but before Olivia can f
Olivia: What Olivia: Why not? Ash: Because Ash: I'm gonna go shower Olivia: Okay Olivia: Did I upset you? Ash: No, you didn't Olivia: You are not lying, right? Ash: I'm not Olivia Olivia: Okay, see you later then Ash: You will Asher closes his phone and sighs. "There is a world apart between want and deserve, Olivia," He mumbles and dops the phone on his bed before going for the bath. On the other end, Olivia shakes her head and gets up from the couch, and moves to the other room where Mia is staying for the night. "Mia," she calls softly. "Yes," Mia stirs and looks up at Olivia standing at the door. When Olivia doesn't say anything, she opens her hand, and Olivia goes and falls in her embrace. "What happened?" Mia asks, pulling the girl into a hug. "I think Asher lied to me. Again," Olivia mumbles. "Are you sure, or are you assuming?" Mia asks sleepily. "A lot, actually." * * * * * * * * * * * "Is everyone okay with this?" Asher asks everyone around him. "Yes, bo
OF: That would have worked if we hadn't talkedAsh: YesAsh: I'm wondering several things, and one of them is how they ended up with the conclusion that this would work?Ash: How did they know that we were talking and getting along well?Ash: It sounds like they had an idea of how our relationship isOF: What if my phone is bugged?OF: Or my apartment?Olivia starts to panic and looks around her to see anything suspenseful. Ash: I had everything checked when you found your front door opened a few weeks agoOF: What if it happened in between?OF: Sh*t, what if they can see thisSL: I have been keeping an eye on everything OliviaSL: There are cameras in your building, and I can confirm you no one entered your flat and your phone is also safeOF: Then how the f*ckOF: There is also the fact that they somehow caught certain information I told to Mia onlyOF: Like pastries or Valentine's Day dateOF: I mean, not dateOF: Not date dateOF: Platonic-friendly Mob boss dateOF: LikeOF: Anyw