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I had so much fun writing this chapter. Hope you enjoy it. Do tell me what you think. Its a long one. ❤️

*Unedited*

Asher turned his attention to Clayton while I finished my meal. I didn't even know what even was on my plate. It was delicious so I didn't bother myself much to know about it. The room was pretty loud, they were still playing the same boring music. I found myself zoning out to a quiet place.

"What have you been doing lately, Grayson? Haven't heard from you in a while. Thought you went undercover. Then, you show up with a wife out of nowhere?" A man's voice said and a few laughs followed which made me frown. My head snapped in their direction. Some of them were looking at me. My gut turned into knots. They screamed trouble.

"I've been minding my own business. I hope that's not a problem, Charlie." Asher leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the man. The only word that came to my mind when I looked at him was, shabby. His appearance was nothing but shabby. He looked drunk to the brim. His eyes a little to dark. He had an insincere look on his face.

"Oh no, it's not. Was just wondering where my friend went." He let out a loud forced laugh then shoved some food into his mouth.

"Your friend? " Asher seemed disgusted and annoyed.

"Aren't we?" Charlie questioned, smiling. Asher just stared at him and Charlie's face dimmed under Asher's stern gaze.
"Relax Asher, I'm just joking." Charlie cleared his throat.

"Being pathetic and covering it up with your annoying laughter is not funny." Asher said and I smiled looking down at my food.

"Hey, Calm down!" Another voice said.

"How's Anton, Still in his den?" People were watching the two of them. I wondered why Clayton was so quiet. He was Asher's friend he should have been defending him.

Asher went quiet but his eyes never left Charlie. Charlie shouldn't have brought up Anton. I wanted to hold Asher's hand, I wanted to take him away from this sick crowd. They did nothing but fuel the darkness within him.

When Charlie noticed how his words affected Asher a cunning smile made it's way to his face.

"Your wife is very beautiful." Charlie stared at me, his eyes moving down my face. A few more eyes turned my way and I fidgeted, growing anxious every passing second.

"What's your name, sweet thing?" Charlie asked catching me off guard. I couldn't speak. My mind was an anxious mush and my heart was way too loud.

"You know, when a man loses his integrity he's meant to be destroyed." Asher spoke nonchalantly.

Charlie's face dropped for a second.
"Take it easy. It's just a fun conversation. I'm used to you having a whore hanging to your arm not a wife. Unless..."

It felt like someone stabbed me and was slowly twisting the knife. A whore? I didn't know why it hurt so much. I Tears stung in my eyes, I looked down at my unfinished food, inhaling deeply.

It's okay, Sophie.

It's okay.

It's-

"Charlie, you're going to leave this table." I raised my head as Asher spoke. He placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "Right now." He was in power. Everyone knew including Charlie.

Charlie stared at him. "Why-"

"The damage that I've planned to do is irreparable. And, as a friend you must know, I keep my word." Every word seemed way too menacing. I didn't know how to feel. My heart wasn't at ease, my chest felt hollow.

I'm used to having a whore hanging to your arm not a wife.

Charlie's word rang in my head like a pray.

"If you don't want these people to see it go down, leave. I won't laugh, they will.
Okay?" Asher nodded at him and Charlie nodded back dumbfounded.

"Fucking leave." Asher gritted out. The table went quiet.

Charlie stood up, cleared his throat. Sporting a fake smile as he looked at Asher. "Until next time." He straightened his tie.

Asher leaned back, folded his arms across his chest and nodded.

Charlie scurried away, people were watching him. Some laughing, some giving Asher weird looks. He didn't care at all, he was way too busy burning holes in Charlie's empty chair.

"That was quite a show." Clayton finally spoke. I frowned, gulping down a lump in my throat.

I bumped my knees against Asher's. I knew he liked patterns. So I did it thrice. I had no words just feeling I couldn't describe. I wanted to let him know that I was here for him. When I felt his knee bump against mine. I smiled so wide I forgot I was hurting.

Asher told me I was different. But it was him. He was the most striking man in this room. He stood out and most didn't like that. He was an unknown threat. Even I didn't know who Asher was but I knew he had power, it reflected in everything he did.

Conversations on the table started to normalise and while I finished the dessert, Asher sat beside me. Dr Clayton left after a while. Asher didn't talk to me. He was somewhere else.

I didn't want to stand in my heels, they we're the worst so I decided to stay put. I closed my eyes and pushed all the noises away, inhaling deeply.

"Hi...Sophie?"

My name brought me out of the dark happy place inside of my head , my gaze fell on the person who was now sitting beside me. I realised how tired I was, my eyes felt heavy. I looked to my other side and realised Asher was gone, my eyes widen a little looking at his empty seat and my jaw clenched. What the fuck? He left me.

"Uh, hello. That's me. " I turned back to woman sitting beside me, I didn't want to just leave her, it would be plain rude and Asher was rude enough on behalf of both of us.

"Yeah, I know, I've never met you before but people are talking about you, words float." She grinned at me. Her sequin dress shimmered under the bright lights. My eyes moved down her hands to the perfectly manicured tips of her fingers and I fisted my hand knowing how bad they looked. My nails were undone, my palms rough. I didn't want anyone to see them.

"Oh, what did you hear?" I asked trying to look engaged but my mind was in a different place. A place where my insecurities lived. I didn't like going there often-

"Are you pregnant?" Those words, they struck like lightening. Turning something painfully in my gut. My face dropped.

"What?" I coughed trying to cover up my shock, my eyes moved around the hall looking for Asher and I spotted him immediately, standing with Clayton. Both the men staring at me and my insides started to hurt. Things felt out of control. I turned my head back to Claire trying to smile but I couldn't even pretend. My heart was beating so hard against my chest. I wanted to dissapear in thin air.

"No, I'm not pregnant. What gave you that idea?" I composed myself.

"Well, you married Asher. I don't know what a woman could possibly do to stay in his bed for more than a night." She stated with confidence that reflected uncertainty which made me frown. I was confused. It felt like she was trying hard to not come off rude.

I don't know either. I wanted to say.

I didn't say anything. I waited for her to continue. Every passing moment I watched her getting more uncomfortable, her eyes moving over my head again and again looking at something.

"So you being pregnant seems like a legit reason. Oh! By the way, I'm Claire." Claire was way too chirpy for this conversation. I couldn't tell if she was innocent or not.

"It's nice to meet you Claire." I lied and smiled at her completely ignoring her assumption.

Before I could say anything , I felt a knee bump against mine under the table and a sigh of relief left my mouth immediately.

"Good evening Claire, what makes you bother my wife?" Asher stated, his tone was cool but I knew this conversation was going to have a bad end. It was his thing, to intimidate people until they felt insignificant.

"I- Asher...no I wasn't bothering her." Claire stammered, she looked scared.

"Well, it seems like it." Asher said.

"She wanted to know if I'm pregnant."I almost whispered feeling embarrassed.

"Not yet."

My eyes widen and I inhaled, his scent filling up my lungs. Goosebumps ran down my body like wildfire, I was warm all over. Red was creeping up my cheeks. Those words weren't supposed to mean something , they were just shallow, a way to shut Claire up. Then why was I shrinking and exploding at the same time?

"Oh ,okay." Clair blinked, smiling uncomfortably.

"Anything else?" Asher asked.

"No." Claire smiled at him.

"Then you shall leave." He was straight up rude and I didn't know if it was a good thing or bad. I watched Claire's features melt. It seemed like she was on the verge of crying. She scattered before I could blink. I immediately turned to him.

"You scared her!" I shouted keeping my voice low.

"Did I?"

"She was nice to me." I lied. She wasn't.

"It annoys me how you hold yourself at the lowest." His cold tone sent shivers up my body. He looked frustrated.

"What's your problem?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You're my problem, you let people walk over all over you, Callister." He gritted out. His jaw ticked as he glared at me. His patience was wearing down so was mine.

"Thanks for the reminder. Nobody knows that better than you." I snapped back and I watched his eyes push me away, I could see him floating away from me. And for once I hoped I reminded him of all the times he walked over me.

I didn't want to have this conversation. Only if he knew what I was fighting against. Only if he knew I could lose everything in a snap. I was quiet because I didn't want to get noticed but I failed. I had eyes on me the moment I stepped in the hall all because of him.

I picked up his flute, Asher was half way through with it. I stared at the amber liquid wondering how it tasted. I gulped it down, I wouldn't lie, it stung a bit but nothing unbearable. So, I finished every last bit of it.

I stood up and looked down at him.
"Do you wanna dance?"

"No." I was disappointed even though I knew he was going to say no.

"Okay." I pushed my chair in as I started to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?" The way he questioned me I could tell he wanted me to walk back and sit down.

"To dance," I folded my arms against my chest. I didn't wait for him to reply.

All the sudden adrenaline lead me to my worst mistake. His eyes found me walking towards him before I could even build up the courage to ask him to dance with me. Blue eyes lit up and a smile made it's way up to his face.

"Clayton." I smiled at him.

"Sophie, are you lost?" Clayton seemed surprised. Clayton was as tall as Asher, I knew he was a patient man considering he was Asher's bestfriend. I could tell he had a funny side not only that he was quite handsome. I wouldn't compare him to Asher. I had different eyes for Asher which I'd never have for anyone else.

"Not at all." I shook my head.

"Where's Asher?"

"He's sitting, probably watching us. Do you want to dance?" I asked.

Clayton raised an eyebrow at me.
"Of course. No harm in making my friend jealous, huh?" He grinned at me reflecting a boyish charm.

Jealous? Was I trying to make Asher jealous? I frowned at the thought.

Clayton gripped my wrist and for a second I thought it was a bold move but then I thought of what I'd just done.

He lead me to the dance floor, soft music playing in the background , I looked up, my eyes moving hurriedly over the beautiful mythical pattern on the dome shaped ceiling and the large chandelier which scared me a little, it looked too heavy to be hung that high. I didn't realise my mouth was open in awe, when I looked back at Clayton he was already staring. A look that I couldn't find the rights words to describe filled his warm eyes.

"Shall we?" His tone was playful. He seemed happy which made me happy.

I nodded , he placed a gentle hand on my back and then we were moving slowing. It just didn't feel right. It was all kind of wrong, I concluded.

The word traitor flashed into my mind.

Was I the traitor? Before I could even answer that question my eyes found him in the crowd, watching us, he looked dead, his eyes held nothing and his tall figure looked overpowering. He watched us like he didn't care. But I knew he did. At this point I wasn't even dancing, I was just moving along with Clayton. My body stiff in his arms. My eyes stayed on Asher's and he held my gaze like he could look past my skin and into my soul. A shiver ran down my spine.

When I thought things couldn't get worse. I saw Scarlett making her way towards him.

"Relax," Clayton whispered, his warm breath fanning my neck, he was way too close, it wasn't his fault, it was mine. I smiled pulling away a little.

"The music sucks." I sighed and my body relaxed ever so slightly.

"I'm glad you pointed that out. I almost judged you thinking you enjoyed this trash music." Clayton let out a dramatic sigh then smiled.

I laughed, shaking my head. It felt like something heavy was lifted off of my shoulders and then my eyes found Asher again. I wished death upon myself.

I was the traitor. The realisation made my stomach turn. He looked angry, his jaw was tight and his broad shoulders stiff as he stared down at his mother who was animatedly talking to him.

I did enough damage to our fragile relationship in those 10 minutes I spent dancing in another man's arm. I stopped abruptly, bumping into Clayton. Guilt settled like a thick layer of dust. "I need to go, I'm sorry-"

He didn't look offended. I could tell he saw the panic on my face.

I exhaled, I was turning into a mush of nerves with every steps I took towards Asher and Scarlett. The worst part, he was watching me and I couldn't dare to look up so I stared down as I walked.

"Sophie!" My head snapped up. Scarlett looked so happy. As soon as I reached close to her. She enveloped me in a hug that was over before I could even hug her back.

She turned back to Asher and her features changed, she looked mad.

"I don't think I have to say it again, you're here to represent your father, our company so act like it. You're a bran Asher." Scarlett said and something went off in my head. I didn't like the way she was speaking to Asher.

His eyes had no life and it made my chest tight.

He was quiet so was I.

"Claire told me what he did. I heard you threatened Charlie." Scarlett looked ashamed.

"I'm hoping Claire made you aware of her behaviour towards me aswell so did Charlie?" I said, my eyes from Scarlett to Asher.

His shoulders tensed under the weight of my words. He gave me a look which said he wanted me to get lost.

When scarlet didn't say anything I took that as a no.

"I'm sorry but Asher did nothing wrong and you can't tell your son how to behave, he's not a child." I continued, feeling a little confident. I wanted Scarlett to treat him like a man. I felt protective, I didn't know why but for some funny reason I thought I could protect Asher.

"He's turning you into himself. " Scarlett spat those words and my jaw clenched.

"No, he isn't. You know your son better than I do and you probably are aware of the fact that he hates the crowd for reasons I don't have to remind you of." She looked taken back, her eyes a little wide, filled with shock. They had no warmth.

"Are you saying my son is weak?" I didn't know Scarlett was capable of playing games but she was playing one right now. Twisting my words to make me look like the bad guy.

"I never implied that. He's not-"

"-Have a good evening, Mother." Asher said and then I was walking backwards, no I was being dragged, my words hanging in the air. I realised how angry I was. Scarlett had a disgusted look on her face. I didn't give a fuck about that. My mind was on his fingers digging in my arm. He released me when we were away from the crowd but didn't stop walking. He opened the first door he saw and pulled me inside with him. It was someone's cabin, littered with papers, fallen books, food wrappers, an overused couch sat in one corner. The place seemed untouched for long enough for dust to settle comfortably on almost everything.

"Are you okay?" I asked leaning against the closed door with my hands behind my back. He walked to the large desk and sat on the edge of it. It was crazy how I devoured his every move, every breath like I was running short on them. His hands reached inside his suit jacket, he looked at me for a second before he looked down drawing out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

"Absolutely." I didn't miss the sarcasm and frustration in his voice. He placed a cigarette between his lips and my heart thudded loudly in the quiet room. The lighter caught on fire and made his face glow. Suddenly, I wanted to leave this room.

He took a long puff all the while staring at the floor, looking deep in thoughts. "You're staring." He stated still looking down. Everything was overwhelming.

"I don't know what else to do." I shrugged. "I don't want to go out there, again." I said while my hand started to fidget with the door knob, absentmindedly. I wondered where would I run to if I could. The answer came almost immediately, nowhere.

He looked up at me and smiled, "Well, fuck you. Too late." His tone was cold, Asher was mad. I gulped looking away. My eyes ran over the random pictures on the walls, some framed newspaper articles. I wondered who this cabin belonged to. The person was quite messy.

"I'm just like him." He exhaled.

"Who?" I asked, slumping against the door.

"Anton." Asher paused when I unlocked the door mistakenly with a click. He stared at me for a second before taking in another long puff.

"I always saw a glimpse of him in me. I hate everyone out there not because I hold something against them. They remind me I'm not what they think I am. He stared at something over my head.
"And you, you make me feel the same and I will hate you if you even try to leave this room. Stay put, Callister."

I'll hate you if you leave my hand. My words rang through me. I remember saying it to him when we first entered the chaos tonight.

I opened my mouth and closed it. My eyes moved all over his face, down his body.

"It scares me when you open up to me." I confessed.

"It should." He tapped off the burnt bud on the ground.

He liked to hide himself behind high walls but I knew he wanted to get out of there, break those walls. I wish I could make him realise that. I wondered if he slept with easy or did he carry the world on his shoulders even in his dreams. I remember him sleeping so soundly in his old bedroom back at his parents place. His sleepy eyes were so warm like those of the little boy on the beach in one of the many Polaroids. I wish I knew what made him so cold. I gulped, feeling a sting in my eyes.

"The men out there they want to be you and the women they want to be with you. I saw it on their faces. But they are afraid, incompetent. And you, you just suffer from your thoughts. You don't see what I see." I stated, staring at him with determination. I wanted him to see it in my eyes how true my words were.

"What do you see?" His jaw ticked.

"You're not a slave to the world outside, you're a slave to your own mind. You're scared of yourself, you're scared to be vulnerable." I almost whispered the last words.

Asher stared at me for the longest time with eyes so dead and deep.

"-But I feel like if I touch you right now you'd crumble, not because you're like Anton, it would be all because of me and you can't deny that." I gulped. A part of me dreaded the words I had just said.

"You should touch me and see what would happen, let me remind you, I don't like being touched." He looked angry. Maybe he was trying to throw me off.

I pushed myself off of the door and clutched on my dress, nervously.

"You're not the person the world knows you for. I don't like that person."

He tilted his face sideways and blew a puff of smoke as I approached him. I wanted to tell him he was there most beautiful creature, wild yet caged.

"You don't know shit, Callister. If you knew, you'd run." He blinked in daze like he was high.

"You wouldn't let me."

"Maybe." I didn't know what to do. Everything was uncertain as I raised my shaky hand and gently placed it on his chest. Inhaling his scent and smoke that surrounded us. Asher paused, he looked down at my hand and then at me, I held his gaze and watched him burn alive under my touched. While his face remained void of any expressions his eyes screamed. My hands moved down feeling the material of his suit, then moved back up.

I didn't expect anything as I touched him, I couldn't feel his skin but I could feel his heat, out of nowhere, he gripped my waist with both hands. It was then I realised how hollow my words were, I realised it was me who was going to crumble under his touch. He squeezed my waist and then I was falling, falling onto him and he was there to hold me, keep me steady, strong arms snaked around me and held me in place, I gasped for air as he gripped my jaw tilting my head upwards, he was mere inches away from my face and I was dying.

"What's wrong, Soph." Asher raised a challenging eyebrow at me while I stared at him wide eyed , his grip on my jaw was hurting. He wanted me to take a step back but I didn't. I kept looking at him, my gaurds were down and I was melting under the warmth of his fingers.
When I thought it couldn't get any better he pressed his lips to mine.

Soph.

The word rang through my body and I wanted to cry. My face tilted as his mouth molded in mine and I sighed. His hands, they were everywhere, his body firmly pressed to mine and my hands, they courageously started moving, like they had a mind of their own, greedy lips kissed mine, his tongue slid over my lower lip and my mouty opened, his hand moved up my back and Tangled in my hair, gripping them tightly. I was weightless and he held me so tight like I was his most valuable possesion.

My hands moved to his face and I held it between my palms, I pulled back and looked up at him, his breath fanned my face and he stared down at me, eyes full of lust and determination.

I got on tip toes and kissed him again, this time I started moving backwards taking him with me and he followed. I gasped as he gripped the back of my neck, his other hand snaking around my waist pulling me closer, making me press my hips against him. He pressed himself into me. He wanted this, his body wanted it. When his fingers curled around my neck and his kiss deepened. I knew I'd do anything for this man in that moment. My hips rolled against him and a spark of want ran through my blood. My back hit the soft couch and I moaned as his body layed on mine. He was perfect.

Sometimes, poison is the cure. He was my poison.

I've always noticed a pattern. I liked all things bad. They made me feel a way the good, simple things never did. Just like his hands moving down my back, his tongue in my mouth, his body on mine and his other hand moving up dress. His fingers caressed the inside of my thighs and I moaned in his mouth.

When he pulled away I expected nothing more than his heavy breaths and eyes full of regret. All my doudts washed away. The heavy look in his eyes transfixed me. I pressed a hand to his chest and his eyes immediately snapped at my action. He was hyper aware again.

When I didn't say anything for long, he tilted his face sideways, studying me.

"Sophie." He said my name like he was testing how it felt on his tongue.

I nodded. My eyes running all over his face.

"Soph."

I took one of his hand in both my hands and brought it up to my lips.

"Don't." His words were stern. I paused, I've never felt so high.

"Why?"

"You don't get to touch me."

"All I've done is to touch you Asher." I whispered, my eyes welled up with unshed tears.

"Not like that," he yanked his hand back. Something inside me broke but like I said before, he was my poison, he was my cure. He rolled us over and pulled me into his arm like I was made to be there, he buried his face in my neck, I could feel his finger tips on my back.  I was on the verge of breaking down in his arms. I didn't know the night would turn out this way.

"This is the best I can do." he whispered in my ear and I shivered. Asher Grayson was trying. He was trying for me. My heart swelled up at that thought.

I smiled turning my face to look at him, his mouth came down on mine and that night I layed on top of him on that couch for long enough to fall asleep to the rythm of his heartbeat.

It felt right, everything felt right.

.

.

.

I woke up to the feeling of his fingers moving back and forth on my jaw. When my eyes blinked open he drew his hand away. He was hovering over me while I laid there on the couch feeling exposed even though I was fully dressed.

"How long I've been out?" my voice was sleep filled and rough.  My hand instinctively moved up to touch my lips and his eyes followed, they darkened like the deep waters.

"Forty minutes." He stated still staring at me.

"How long have you been touching me weirdly?" I asked raising a questioning brow.

"A while now." He laughed. I loved the way he laughed. Hesitant but full of happiness that was hidden deep within him.

"Next time don't pull away like you were doing something wrong." I cleared my throat realising what I had just said.

"There's no next time. I was trying to wake you up." He said.

I didn't say anything.

"Get up, we have somewhere to be."

I frowned at him. "I'm tired."

"You took a fucking nap." He folded his arms against his chest as he glared at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Still tired."

"Put your hands over your head." Asher took a step back and slipped his hands into the pockets of his slack. He gazed down at me and I stared up at him looking absolutely petrified.

"What?" I was almost taken back by his sudden request. No , it wasn't a request. It was a command.

Put your hands over your head?

Why the fuck?

"You heard me." He was waiting. He didn't seem patient at all.

"No-Why?" I frowned at him. This man was full of surprises.

"Now."

I realised I just had to do it so I did. I raised my hand over my head and held the armrest of the couch.

His featured darkened, his jaw cleanched, he tilted his face a little as he stared down at me like he was studying me, "You're Something, Sophie Callister."

he ran a hand through his hair, my lips parted when the same hand came down on me, his finger tips settled over my belly. I knew he wasn't touching my skin yet I was on fire. My spine tensed and my heart hammered against my chest. His feather touch was the most tormenting thing I've felt. Sometimes the worst ones makes you feel the best. He did that to me. I'd not call him a bad man but he wasn't good either. That's why I was drawn to him.

"You listen." He nodded to himself then stepped back. It felt like his fingers drew my soul out. I felt empty when his touch left my body.

"Come on, there's someone waiting for us." He walked to the table picked up his lighter and slipped it in his pocket. I blinked at him, staring at his back wondering what the fuck just happened. He turned around and frowned out of confusion.

"What now?" He sounded annoyed.

"What did you do to me?" I placed a hand on my belly where his hand was and butterflies invaded my body.

Asher smiled and I exploded under the weight of his gaze. A sigh escaped my mouth.

He unlocked the door and walked out. I got to my feet immediately and rushed out scared to lose him in the crowd. I crashed into a hard body and realised it was Asher.

"Easy." It felt like a command and I nodded.

He didn't waste time, his fingers curled around my wrist for a moment before they slipped down between my fingers. I gulped, thinking of everything that happened in the past hour. I hated that we were once again in that wretched ball room walking through the crowd. People were looking at us again, this time I held my head high cause fuck them.

All I wanted was to get back in that cabin and never come out. I wanted his hands on me. We walked down the several stairs instead of waiting for the limousine in the front, Asher turned left. I realised we were heading to the back of the building.

"You walk too fast, slow down!" I almost yelled, squeezing his hand.

"Speed up."

I grumbled incoherent under my breath as I sped up my pace. Asher was quiet and I was annoyed. Sometimes I thought he liked being around me other times he proved my thoughts wrong. I didn't know if enjoyed my company tonight or he was just babysitting me. I shook that thought away trying to focus on the good things.

We walked for a few minutes before
My eyes spotted the silhouette of three men, they were facing us. Something inside of me turned, I was suddenly alarmed. It seemed like they were waiting for us  I frowned trying to figure out the situation but none of it made sense to me. Asher kept walking like he was expecting those men.

"Wh-what's happening?" At this point Asher was dragging me with him, his grip was painful. My whole body was in a state of panic where I was literally frozen yet my legs moved. I couldn't think. I just knew something bad was about to happen. My gut knew. I blinked, taking in a deep breath, looking up at Asher but he kept walking, taking long strides towards the three strangers.
Tears welled up in my eyes.

He wouldn't do that to me. No he wouldn't.

My thoughts were dark and terrible. They made my spine stiff. They reminded me of Thomas and my heart squeezed painfully.

I looked everywhere trying to comprehend what was happening. My eyes widen as we neared the three men, I still couldn't see them it was way too dark. I could here the music playing inside the ball room. My chin quivered and my knees were giving up. There were a few cars parked in the area. I prayed someone would find us.

"Tell me!" this time I yelled at him. I was scared and he knew that.

"I intend to keep my word, Callister." With that his grip loosened on my hand and then it was gone, he was gone and I screamed as Asher launched himself at one of those three men, the other two stepped aside. I watched with wide eyes Asher turning into a beast. A loud agonizing scream which wasn't mine echoed in the empty place. It didn't do anything to stop Asher. He kept punching the man like he was a sand bag.

Tears ran down my cheeks, my body was numb, I just stared and stared at the sight before everything went blur. The cold quiet man I called my husband was nothing but untamed at that moment. I never thought I'd see him like that. I knew he was capable of hurting but never like this.

"Please don't," the man cried, my eyes widen and my legs shook, I gulped. It was Charlie.

Asher stopped and stepped back, Charlie immediately dragged himself away from him. Asher took of his suit jacket and passed it to one of the two men who just stood there patiently watching things go down.

"I thought you were a fucking man, Charlie." His taunting voice made a loud sob escape my mouth which caught his attention.

He looked at me and I wanted to curl up and hide. His eyes burned, his shoulders moved with the rhythm of his heavy breaths. He looked ferocious. He turned around, walked up to Charlie who was coughing out blood on himself.

"Asher, no." I whispered and his back tensed.

"He called you a whore." Asher bent down and grabbed a handful of Charlie's hair and he screamed in pain.

"Someone's a screamer." I could tell Asher was smiling and it scared me to death. Everything about him was lethal.

"Please, no." I cried, "—please, let him go. Don't do this for me."

"I wish I could fucking kill him." With that he blew another punch which led to another agonizing scream. My heart clenched.

"I'm sorry, Asher. I'm so sorry. I'm begging you. I'm sorry for the way I treated your wife." Charlie cried. I wiped my tears and closed my eyes. I couldn't stop myself from hearing this but I could stop myself from seeing this. I wanted to run but I had nowhere to go. In the end I'd find my way back to Asher.

"Listen to her, Ash." It was Clayton's voice. "Charlie boy definitely learned his lesson."

Everything went quiet for a moment. My heart drummed in my ears.

"Check on his injuries." He told Clayton. Make sure you blow some damn punches, Drew. Not that I haven't laid enough already. "

I opened my eyes and saw him walking towards me. 

"Look at me" Silent tears ran down my face as I stared at the ground, I was afraid to look at him. When I saw his hand reaching for mine, I stepped back. I didn't know this man. I never wanted to know him.

"He deserved it."

I shook my head.

"Look at me."

I shook my head again.

"Fuck, fine. Come on." I flinched at his tone.

My eyes fell on Charlie who was still on the ground, sobbing. "My name is Sophie." I told him, almost choking on my words. All the four men were staring at me.  I wasn't just Asher Grayson's wife. I had a damn name.

My eyes snapped up to Drew and he looked away. I turned around and started making my way towards the limousine, Asher followed. I could hear him walking close to me. I didn't even want to look at him.

I sat in the farthest corner. Asher didn't shy away from trying to reach for my hand. I didn't know if I was being ungrateful. But , I didn't know what to be grateful for. Beating the guy up only caused more pain to me. He didn't do any justice. It was all wrong.

"I'd do the same with any man who would disrespect you. You can't stop me. I'm not sorry, don't expect me to be."

The limousine wasn't moving. It was dead silent. I sniffled.

"Stop crying."

I nodded. I was afraid to go against him. I wish I could unsee everything I saw.  My hands were shaking as I rubbed my eyes, smudging everything on my face.

"Don't ever do that again." I almost yelled but my words turned into a cry of pain.

He didn't say anything. It was quiet again. The silence was a monster one of Asher's kind. That's why it was his companion.

"Promise me, you won't do it again." I tried so hard to compose myself but the tears didn't stop.

I sighed when he didn't say anything.

"Sophie."

He whispered my name carefully like it was something delicate and precious.

I kept staring out of the window at a rusty pole by the road side. I knew I had all the right to be mad. He messed up a guy because of me and I wasn't proud. Still there was something inside of me that loved him even more. My system couldn't take how my mind was working two ways. One part of me was a mush of everything warm and good and the other side of me was like ice and angry, so angry.

"I promise." As soon as those words left his mouth, I wave of relief and something warm ran through my body. All my morals went out of the window. I crawled up to him, he pulled me on top of him in one swift motion and I buried my face into his neck.

"Never." I whispered.

"Never." He wrapped his arms around me and everything was alright.

......

Hello!! I hope you guys liked this chapter. It is the longest chapter I've ever written. 6600+ words. 🥳

Please tell me what you think of it?

They kissedddd!! Ahahh

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Thank you for everything.

I'll see you soon.

-Garima ❤️❤️