We drink the poison
our minds pour for us
and wonder
why we feel so sick.
-Atticus

•••

"Where is Mr Grayson?" the maid asked.

"He is not home", I replied, she pouted her lips . I bit my lower lips and narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously. She didn't look a maid at all.
 
Now what? I thought.

A smirk was making its way up my face.

I know what.

"You're the maid right?"

"Eh.. Yes." she said in a 'duh' tone.

"Then come in, I have loads of work for you."  I grinned at her, and stepped aside for her to come inside.

She didn't move. "Work? what work?" she raised an eyebrow at me. I stopped and looked over my shoulder and smiled at her.

"Nothing much". I said and walked inside, I expected her to follow me, which she did.

I lead her to the kitchen all the way smirking, poor her. I thought as I turned to her and my eyes fell on her heels.

She is going to work wearing that?

I smiled up at her. "There are some dishes in the sink, wash and dry them. Clean the platform. You must be knowing where the vaccum cleaner is, after you're done here, vaccum the living room properly, I hope you know whats the meaning of properly,"  I smiled at her while she gaped at me with wide eyes. "You can start working, tell me once you're done the lawn needs to be mowed". I placed my hands on my hips and huffed. Hardwork.

"What?" She almost screeched and I winced. The look on her face was priceless. She was utterly shocked.

"The dishes, there." I pointed towards the sink, "Get started."

I turned around before she could say anything and walked into the living room, I plopped myself on the couch and sighed.

I heard the dishes clattering against each other and then the faucet turning on. She listens.

I decided to go up the room and freshen up.

After brushing my teeth and taking a quick shower. I dried myself and slipped into a beige knee-length dress. I parted my hair from the centre ,twisted  and pinned them at the back of my head with a few bobby pins.

I padded down the steps but stopped dead in track when I saw Asher walking towards the staircase, my mouth opened a little in surprise, he was wearing grey track pants and a black hoodies which moulded perfectly around his shoulders

His forehead was lined with sweat, his already black hair looked darker as they stuck on his forehead. I gulped feeling something funny in my stomach.

Cold showers works for women too?

I asked myself.  Unfortunately his eyes met mine, I froze,
he opened his mouth to say something but was cut off.

"Mr Grayson!!"

That voice. Ugh. I grumbled incoherents under my breath and padded down the last two steps and stood there.

My eyes swept over Asher. He looked shocked? He frowned deepened.

"Mr Grayson." she smiled.

"She's the maid, right?" I asked.

"She made me clean the dishes! "
She whined and my eyes widen for someone reason.

His head turned towards me. "What did you made her do?!"

To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

I immediately looked down and gulped on the lump forming in my throat. My heart thudded loudly.

He just raised his voice at me because of her.

He hit you last night.

Chills ran down my spine as I reminded myself what happened last night.

"If she isn't your maid then what?" I looked up at him, staring right in his blues.

"I don't have to provide you with any kind of explanation, Callister." He spat and grabbed the girl by her elbow. I gasped at his action, my chest clenched and my jaw tightened.

Her face lit up and Asher started walking, his hand still holding onto her elbow, he walked past me, I moved which caused his shoulder to bump into mine, a airy sob left my mouth. How hard I tried to stop it, but I couldn't. My eyes met his for a second before they blurred, his eyes were blank as they gazed into mine.

Hold on, Sophie... Hold on.

A lone tear rolled down my cheek. My legs were giving up, I wobbled towards the sofa, my eyes filled with the sound of loud giggling. My shoulders started shaking and tears never stopped. How could he do that to me?!

I pulled onto the hem of my dress again and again biting on my lower lip trying to hold back whatever was left.

Sea was right Sophie, all men are arseholes.

I looked towards the stairs and another sob left my mouth.

I rubbed my face, what will Scarlett think of him if she finds out?

No, no that cannot happen.

I couldn't tell her. I didn't want to do anything to hurt her.

No, I just couldn't. I closed my eyes and dumped my head in my hands , letting myself fall back on the couch.

.

.

.

I didn't know for how long I was laying on the couch, looking up at the ceiling, my eyes were sore and sticky. Sleep never came and he never left my thoughts.

Asher was everywhere and at the same time nowhere.

My breath hitched and my eyes widen as I heard footsteps. I immediately squeezed my eyes shut and tried to calm my breathing. I didn't want him to know that I was awake.

I heard heels thudding against the floor. And then I heard the main door open and then it was slammed shut. I didn't realise that my eyes were filled with new tears. I couldn't let that bastard affect me, no I just couldn't.

My face grew warm and red.

You're better than this Sophie.

Stronger than this.

I sighed and opened my eyes, 

"I-ah-AHHHHH!" A blood curling scream left my mouth as  I opened my eyes and saw Asher's figure looming over me. My breath quickened, I almost lost it for a minute. I looked at him with wide eyes, my mouth slightly open in shock. His dark shadow covered me.

A prominent frown was plastered on his face as he looked down upon me. My eyes roamed all over his face, his chiselled jaw had light stubble, his eyes as always blue and mysterious. I heart felt like it was just going to explode. I gulped.

What the fuck?

His eyes narrowed at me. "Any problem, Callister?"

My breath hitched. I blinked, 
"No."  I shook my head violently. My stomach formed knots. Fear creeped inside me, my spine tensed up.

"You're shaking "

"No. "

"No? "

"No."

I saw his hands reaching towards my face.

"No!" Pushed myself back, "I'm fine, just a bit sick. " I tried my best to distance myself from him. I tried my best to look strong, I tried my best to do everything in my power to not show any signs of weakness.

"Is that so?"

"No!" I shook my head, "Um, yes!" I nodded.

What was wrong with me?

He inhaled deeply and backed off. Asher sat on the other couch across me. His eyes never left me.

I sat up straight and ran my fingers through my hair.

He was watching me I could feel his gaze burning into the side of my head. I gulped.

"I'm going out will be back soon."

"Where are you going? "

I ignored his question and rushed up the stairs, I took my jacket and stuffed my books in my small backpack.

"Be back soon." I told him as I reached down the stairs.

"Tell me where are you going? "

I ignored him.

"Don't wait for me." And I was out of the house.

I didn't realise I was crying until the cool air hit my damp face, I started running. My feet hit hard on the ground, there were chances of me twisting my ankles, but I didn't stop. By backpack bobbed up and down as I ran and my scarf stuck on my neck.

I didn't want to admit it to myself, that Asher slept with another woman while I was still in the house. I hated him for doing that!

I stopped suddenly. I was breathing heavily, my lungs were on fire, my eyes wet and my skin blushed crimson. I bend forward and cupped my knees.

Fuck Sophie!

I was standing right in front of Bits and Bites.

I wiped my face with my scarf and pushed open the door. It was warm inside, I was burning, I needed something to cool myself. I threw my backpack over the counter to the other side and quickly hurried to the kitchen , I splashed some water on my face. Opening the fridge I took out a cartoon of orange juice and filled a glass up.

I took a long swig, and immediately sighed. Good God.

Another, then another.

"Are you trying to get high on orange juice?"

I almost jumped out of my skin at that sound.

I turned around to see Thomas looking at me with a raised eyebrow. A smirk set on his face.

I sighed and inched away from him. "No, I'm not. I was just thirsty." I felt so hollow, I didn't know how to feel or what to say. The feeling of the juice rushing down my throat was nice enough to calm my nerves.

"And peachy too, I guess" He added.

"No, I'm fine, I'm not peachy. Just tired."

He took a step forward and I took a step back immediately. Thomas was not the same for me anymore after what he did that night in the club. Even how hard I tried to be normal around him I couldn't.

"You need to rest, Tiger."

He took another step forward.

"Stop!" I paused and looked up at him, "Stop right there, you need to maintain a proper distance while talking to me, okay? And I don't need rest, just-just stay away and move out of my way, I need to work." I glared at him

I saw how his lips set in a thin line and how his eyes narrowed. They were menacingly. He paused for a minute before he moved to his left.

I huffed in frustration.

He needs to fuck off.
I thought as I made my way out of the kitchen.

.

.

.

The cafe was not that busy today. It was seven already. My jar was empty. My mood was off the whole time. I took off my apron. And folded it neatly before placing it under the counter.

"I'm leaving." I raised my voice a bit and told Alina.

"Take care, Tiger". I froze for a second.

I looked at Thomas and gave him a tight smile. "Don't make me puncture your balls."

His smile didn't drop for even a second, it just widen  which made me angry. Disgusting!

"Until next time then."

I shrugged my shoulders and ignored him. I walked out and the cold air nibbled my face I hissed slightly and tucked my chin into my scarf. I'm not a fan of Winter. The sun makes me feel so beautiful. The warmth of the summer time breeze leaves behind a soft blush. I sighed, my shoulders felt so heavy. I was walking back to his place. I avoided calling it my home, because it wasn't.

I would have to face him again. He still had the guts to look me in the eye, after all the things he did, after what he made me go through. Why did I even care? why was I hurt when I knew we had nothing in between us?

I shook my head as soon as I realised that my chest started feeling tight and my eyes stung. Never in my life before had I cried over someone as much as I cried over him. And it felt bad.

Taking a long breath I reached for the door knob. I told him that I would be late, I was planning on not coming back, but that wasn't an option.

I told him not to wait for me. I know he didn't care but still.

I turned the knob and pushed open the door. My eyes squinted as the only thing I could see was black. The house was dark. My nose scrunched up , he was smoking, the smell was all over the place mixed with a tint of sandal wood. I hate smokers.
I reached for the switch near the door and turned on the lights. My eyes darted towards the couch but he wasn't there . I walked in and placed my bag on the couch.

Was he home?

I got my answer as soon as I heard noises from the kitchen. Strange noise of someone breathing and it almost made me run up to my room.

I was light on my feet as I walked towards the kitchen the first thing I saw was a broken sugar jar. I inhaled deeply. Did someone break into the house? Chills ran down my spine.

The broken Crystal pieces were mixed so well with the sugar that it was hard to make out if it was just sugar or glass too.

And then I heard it, goosebumps spread over my body like wildfire, and my ears perked up, the sound of someone breathing heavily. Almost struggling.

No, no, no.  I chanted.

He was there, to my right, he was breathing. I didn't turn my face to him but I could sense him right there, I looked straight. He was watching me and then I did the biggest mistake of looking at him .

My hands flew up to my mouth and my eyes widen. It felt like the blood in my veins froze.  I paled.

He was, where I found him the first morning.

Blood on his hands, on his shirt, smudged on the floor. My mouth was ajar. He didn't care, he was just breathing and the worst part of it all was, he was looking at me, straight at my face, the look on his face knocked the air out of me.  When I met his eyes I jerked back, red and watery they were, it scared me, I saw his lips curving upwards. His eyes filled with indescribable intense emotions. I just couldn't make my legs to move. I was watching him bleed.

I tried to say something but only air came out of my mouth. He blinked at me and my lips started trembling, I couldn't see him like that , and then he looked down, he moved this right hand towards his left and placed two fingers against his wrist.

My eyes filled with tears and my heart broke for him.

And then he shook his head looking at his wrist.

At that very moment I realised where this story was heading to.

It was leading to the Death of Asher Grayson.

THE END OF PART- 1

Hey there!!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Tell me what you feel about it, I love hearing from y'all.

I'll update the next part in two days.

I'm free af and I have 2 stories to update, so please have patience (lol I shouldn't even say that after making you wait for a month )

I'll update TBP next.

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-Garima 🌸