Unedited.

You know the strange feeling you get when someone is watching you from afar or when you're being followed.

One...

Two...

Three...

My stomach turned into knots and my chest became heavy. I concentrated on my steps as I walked on the cold streets to work. My hands held on to my bag tightly.

A familiar sleek black sedan followed behind me closely as if the driver wanted to make it obvious that he was following me.

Even though I knew who was inside the car a part of me was still scared. Another part of me was confused.

What if someone stole Asher's car?

Why was Asher following me like a creepy stalker?

Gathering all the courage I had, I stopped dead in track and turned around to face the car which had already come to a halt. A lump formed in my throat thinking of all the things that could go wrong. If I was being kidnapped I'd better go with a fight.

At this point courage was nowhere to be seen, I felt completely stupid following my instincts.

The windows rolled down and a distraught looking Asher stared at me. I sighed in relief, a faint smile making it's way up to my face.

"Is stalking your new passion?" The dark bags under his eyes told me Asher had his fair share of sleepless nights.

"I don't want to go back to the house." He said running a hand through his already messy hair.

"Why?"

"None of your business."

"You can't follow me around, it isn't normal." I said rolling my eyes.
"Go home Asher."

He leaned his head against the steering wheel and murmured faintly. "No."

"Do you want to come to my place?" I asked out of nowhere.

"No."

"Oh come on, I'll cook for you. Plus I have a big stack of cookies. I'll take the day off early today if you want." At the moment, it felt right. Only time would tell me if I fucked up again or not by inviting Asher to my place.

I reached in my bag and retrieved my tiny notepad and pen, quickly writing down my address on a piece of paper I extended my arm holding the apartment keys and the paper.

Asher stared at it as if I was handing him random rock out of nowhere.
"What's this?"

"My address." I resisted rolling my eyes. "Go and sleep I'll see you in a few hours."

"No." Concern was creeping in my chest and I wanted to ask him what was wrong, a part of me knew the answer another part of me wanted to ignore the fact that Asher was suffering because of me.

"Don't be stubborn now." I said dropping the paper and keys on the passenger seat from the window.

"I'll wait outside the restaurant." Asher spoke blankly staring straight ahead.

"Are you sure?"

"Just go now and get done with work already." There was a hint of irritation in his voice and I knew it was time to leave him alone.

"Fine." I said turning away and stomping my way inside the restaurant. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with his grumpy self.

The restaurant As usual was hustling with people, I got to work immediately.

My mind was constantly set on Asher. I knew he was waiting for me, as much as I knew him I was pretty sure he was hungry.

Time went by cruelly slow, the clock ticked slower than it usually did.
By the time it was five on the clock, I was mentally and physically exhausted from over thinking and over working myself trying to keep my thoughts away from Asher.

I still had two hours left but I needed to leave early.

I eyed Sasha, my manager from afar trying to study her mood. Sasha was unpredictable and haughty always trying to get on someone's nerves.

She was the kind of person who could see through your bullshit.

If I told her I had a stomach bug she would come up with 10 different theories to prove me wrong and call me a lazy liar.

I couldn't tell her I was under the weather she'd come up with a thermometer shove it in my mouth, check my temperature and send me back to work.

Sasha's laser sharp focus was on the computer, typing away something. Her Asian genes were shining through, she had thick straight black hair and the prettiest brown eyes. Her bangs were straight with no layers, which suited her.

I cleared my throat trying to catch her attention.

"Speak." She murmured, entirely focused on her computer.

"I- I need to go home." I said clearing my throat.

Her head snapped in my direction.
"Why, may I ask?" She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Before going home I need to stop by to get a pregnancy test?" I blurted out and almost cringed at those words. Crimson creeped up my neck as my face turned warm under her skeptic gaze.

"That can be done after your shift, Sophie." Sasha said, turning her focus back to the computer screen.

"It can be but my anxiety is going to hit the ceiling anytime now and when that happens and I mess up in the kitchen or in front of the guests I will blame you. I'm afraid I'd drop the food, break dishes or what not. You need to understand." My words held a lot of emotions, mostly it was a threat but I still had to play it out sweetly.

Sasha scanned me from top to bottom and I fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Why do you think you're pregnant?"

My eyes widened as those words left her mouth. "You're being rude Sasha."

Sasha blushed under my mean stare and at that point I knew I won.

Sasha paused, her gazing moving frantically between her computer and me. I bet she was cussing me for disturbing her peace, she didn't even want to spend a single second on me.

"Okay fine. Can you send me a picture of the pregnancy test so I know you're not lying."

"You're being rude again. There's something known as privacy." I tried to act as if I was embarrassed by her words, if I wasn't lying I would have been embarrassed. But I was nothing but excited to get out of here.

"Okay okay fine. You can go. But just this one time." Sasha murmured incoherently under her breath as I sighed with relief.

"Yes I promise this won't happen again."

"Thank you so much. I owe you big time." She turned her head back to the computer and ignored me like I never existed.

As soon as I stepped out of the restaurant I spotted Asher, sitting inside the car with the window rolled down.

"I didn't think Sasha would let you go, what did you tell her?" Asher said looking nothing but amused.

"Nothing much, she's very sweet.I Just told her I'm feeling under the weather." I grinned at Asher sliding into the passenger seat.

"I don't believe you."

I shook my head and let out a small laugh. My eyes fell on the screen in front of me, the GPS indicating the way to my apartment.

"Let's go."

We reached the apartment building and Asher parked in someone else's designated parking. I sighed in disbelief and shook my head but didn't say anything.

The moment he stepped out of the car I could sense his judgmental eyes scanning the place. Asher remained quiet as we walked up stairs to the third floor.

The only sound I could hear was of our footsteps.

His steps followed mine closely. The closer we got to the apartment the more nervous I became. I could hear my heart beat in my ears, cold sweat broke throughout my body as I felt his heat on my back. The brimming anticipation within me was going to spill anytime. My hands shook as I turned the key in the lock. I pushed open the door and rushed inside, walking in quickly to create some distance between us. I took a long breath and realised I was breathless for no reason.

I turned to look at him, goosebumps invading my body like wildfire as I stared at the man in front of me, standing by the door, his hands tucked in the pockets of his pants, his face marred with something so deep rooted yet so unknown. I wondered if he was judging me, the whole place screamed that I was barely surviving, living on pennies most days, the place called me poor in a hundred different ways.

Asher looked around with amusement, as if he had just entered a circus. My apartment was nothing but plain. The walls were painted white with a few scribbles here and there. The previous tenant was a single mother with a son and her son did a pretty good job with the walls.

The window had pale blue curtains which were here already.

Asher looked like a giant standing inside these four walls. He was wearing a grey button up shirt and black pants. The first two buttons of his shirts were undone and the hem haphazardly tucked in. His hair was messed up to perfection and I hated that after so many months I was still swooning over him like I was seeing him for the first time.

He stood there frowning, looking over my shoulder at something.

My fingers itched to rub off the frown on his forehead.

Before I knew I was standing right in front of him, my fingers reaching up to his face as if they had a mind of their own, I rubbed my thumb slightly in between his eyebrows and the frown disappeared, Asher stiffened under my touch but didn't stop me, his shoulders relaxed and his eyes slowly closed as my fingers moved down the slant of his nose to his lips, he pursed his lips gently as I touched them for a brief moment, a wave of electricity ran through my body.

Taking a step back I sighed. I could feel my legs shake, if I touched him anymore I'd crumbled into pieces.

Asher blinked at me, coming out of a trance as he looked around with curiosity. Clearing his throat he walked past me inside the apartment as if he owned the place.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"I already know Callister, tell me something new." Asher said turning to me. He looked larger than life within the four walls.

"I missed you."

"I know that as well. Come again." I could see amusement on his face. He was enjoying my discomfort.

"I want to hug you." I blurted out.

Asher turned around looking completely surprised.

"Is that something new?" I asked, looking down at my feet.

"It was expected."  He said nonchalantly. Asher tried to look unaffected but I knew it was otherwise.

"Are you here to embarrass me?" I asked, I could feel myself getting irritated under his gaze.

"Not at all, you've embarrassed yourself enough." Giving me a tight smile Asher flicked me off like I was dirt.

"Then talk to be like you used to."

As soon as those words left my mouth something changed in those eyes.

"Nothing is as it used to be , Callister." There was sadness in his voice hidden beneath his strong facade.

"That's not true, I'm the same." I said defensively.

"Still deceiving people for money? I hope you're not trying to steal from my restaurant."

My cheeks turned red and my face dropped at his words. "I thought I was doing the right thing but I wasn't'."

"I'm not convinced." He smiled at me playfully and for a second I saw the man I had lost in the crowd of lies, deception and traitors.

"I have said it before, I didn't stay with you for money."

"Then why were you with me?" Asher folded his arms across his chest and raised a questioning eyebrow.

I remained quiet, looking around everywhere trying to avoid his eyes.

"You can't go around trying to save people, Sophie. You're no fucking superhero. It's not working. That cape of yours only drags around dust, nothing else." In the blink of an eye Asher was in front of me, standing so close I could smell his aftershave. He gripped my shoulders and I winced but he didn't let go. I stared at him with wide eyes all I saw was anger, so much anger that I wasn't ready to see but I knew I had to face it.

I opened my mouth and closed it, unable to say anything.

Taking a deep breath Asher let go of my shoulders only to wrap his arms around me.

I yelped in surprise, falling forward into him. His arms went around my body like a needy vine around a tree bark like he needed me as much as I needed him. With his face buried in my neck and my fingers digging in his back we stood there for an eternity. I loved this man, loving him was all I knew. Nothing else mattered. I may be silly, delusional but with him there were no maybe. Everything was definite. Everything was known. I found myself in his arms again only to be lost when he pulled away suddenly.

I blinked up at him as Asher took a step back.

My legs started moving on their own towards him but asher stepped back again quickly.

"You said you'd cook for me." He said eyeing the little kitchen counter by the window.

"Uh, yes. Sorry, I'll get on with that."

I could feel red creeping up my face as I walked to the window where the kitchen was. Squatting down I quickly opened the mini fridge and fetched everything I needed.

This was the last of the groceries I had for the week.

"Do you want to take a shower?" I asked a very curious Asher who was looming over me, observing everything I did.

"No, I'm fine. Your fridge is empty." A very concerned looking Asher said.

"Yes, I'll fill it up later this evening."

"It took me a while to understand you but now I do. Now, I know when you're lying and when you're not. Quit lying Sophie. You're hardly surviving here." His stern gaze sent shivers down my spine.

"You don't have to worry about that Asher." I said dismissively.

Asher paused and frowned at the floor before nodding. "You're right." Dragging the only chair I had near the window he sat on it.

"You don't have to live here, Callister." He said looking out of the window.

"Where will I go?" My words weighed heavily upon him, I could tell. Inhaling deeply he decided he was going to ignore me for a while in my own house. The room turned quiet, tension laid upon us and I didn't know how to break it.

For a minute, I was Asher's wife and he was my husband, simply. There was no one between us, it was just him and I on a Friday afternoon making lunch.

We ate quietly, I sat on the kitchen platform while Asher was still sitting by the window.

"How is it?" I asked looking at his plate, it was nothing special just a quick pasta recipe I picked from the internet the other day.

"Edible." He said dismissively.

"That's high praise." I shrugged, smiling.

"Do you plan on getting sick again." He said eyeing me from top to bottom.

"No, why?"

"It's cold and there's no heating system here."

"It's not that bad." I lied, to be honest it was bad, I've spent a few nights shaking with a cold. No matter how many comforters I had on it was never enough.

"If you say so, Callister."

Asher insisted on washing the dishes, I had nothing else to do so I did the next best thing, get into my warm comforter. The sun was out today and the weather had been bearable for the past few days.

I sighed snuggling into it catching Asher's attention. He stood there in the middle of their room looking down at me.

"I have space for you." I said looking at the space beside me.

Asher remained quiet. Staring at me with laser focus as if trying to figure something out.

"I won't bite. Let's just sleep for a while."

He nodded and I couldn't help but smile. Moving closer to the mattress his large frame loomed over me for a second, I could see him contemplate.

Scooting to my side I turned
Away from him facing the wall, just when I closed my eyes a strong arm wrapped around my waist pulling me close.

Sighing, I turned around in his arms, my eyes widened and my breath hitched as his warm lips met mine suddenly, for a second I froze before a smile made it's way to my face and I melted into Asher like we were one, my stomach was in knots and my heart was beating so fast I couldn't count them anymore. His mouth explored mine in a hurry as if we were running out of time.

Asher was all over me yet he felt so far away so I held him tightly like I would fade away if I let go.

Just when the fairytale in my head had begin to play out in reality he pulled away completely breathless. There was a war in his eyes as they moved frantically all over my face.

"This means nothing-"

Because I could say anything his lips came down on mine and just for a moment I was home again. His hands were everywhere and soon his lips followed.

I was breathless so was Asher.

We were breathless, shaking with the need trying to be as close as possible, trying to break every barrier. His eyes mouth was warm just like I had remembered, his hands ran down hair, his thumb rubbed circles on my cheeks as we slowed down.

Pulling away slowly i leaned my forehead against his, controlling my breaths.

"This meant nothing?" I asked in between catching my breath.

"No." Came his stern reply as his arm tightened around me.

I nodded placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Close your eyes. Rest for a while." He said and I nodded snuggling into his chest.

The last thing I remember was his lips on top of my head and his fingers brushing my hair.

.

.

.

.

"I wish you were kinder." Gramps said and I frowned thinking how did he find me in the city. He was wearing his favourite blue checkered shirt and his watch that he only wore on special occasions. He looked as good as new.

"Gramps, where's your walking stick? Are you okay?" I asked concern lingering in my voice.

"I don't need the stick anymore. I'm stronger now." Gramps gave me a toothy smile.

I grinned. "I'm so glad you're here I've missed you."

"I wish you had visited me often." I wanted to spend more time with you. Gramps frowned, his eyes saddened. His face suddenly looked pale as if all the blood drained to his feet.

"I'm sorry I couldn't but you're here now Gramps, I can't wait to show you the city." I said pushing aside my thoughts.

"But I have to go my dear Sophie." He said as he took two steps back.

"No!" I grabbed Gramps arm and it melted away like wax, blinking, I tried once again, I couldn't believe my eyes, Gramps smiled at me as his legs started to turn into a pile of dirt and soil, my grandfather crumbled right in front of my eyes and I screamed for help.

"Don't go please!!"

"Please, I'm so sorry!!"

"Sophie—" Came a voice out of nowhere.

"Hey, Soph. It's okay, Sophie." strong arms wrapped themselves around me, shaking me gently. A familiar musky scent surrounded me.

"You're dreaming Sophie. You're dreaming." The voice said, holding me tightly, rocking me gently like I was a troubled child.

Goosebumps ran all over my body as I breathed in deeply. I found myself caged between strong arms, looking up at the ceiling, shaking uncontrollably as I tried to bring myself back to reality.

I was still wearing my shoes, I frowned looking at them, I had no memory of coming home and passing out but I surely did. It was almost midnight and I was tired.

Suddenly the arms were gone and the source of the sweet warmth stood beside me looking down with concern.

My cheeks were warm and flushed. Sitting up on the bed I removed my shoes avoiding Asher. I was clearly embarrassed because Asher watched the shit show I had just pulled in my sleep.

It's not real. It's not real. I told myself.

"I saw gramps." I inhaled trying not to cry. My voice shook with sadness as I spoke.

"It wasn't a good dream I'm guessing." Asher said tucking a lock of hair behind my ear and wiping away the sweat from my forehead.

"No." I shook my head and stood up, walking to the sink I opened the faucet and splashed some cold water on my face.

"Do you get these dreams often?" Asher asked looking at me with concern. Dragging a chair to the window he sat there, his arms folded against his chest. That was his favourite spot. He liked looking outside as much as he loved staying in this tiny cell.

"I don't know. I don't want to think about it anymore." the horrifying image of gramps turning into dust kept revolving in my mind. "Sometimes I make up these dreams."I said, a part of me did believe in myself.

"Why?"

"Because I feel guilty. I wish I had more time with him." I said sighing.

"I understand. I'm here now."

He's here now.

His familiar warmth was enough to ease me to a certain degree.

"Did you just get here? I asked looking at Asher who still had his shoes on.

"No, it's been a while."

"Why aren't you in bed?" I questioned as I stuffed my face with a huge cookie.

"I like sitting here in silence. Hardly get that silence when you're awake Callister." He said giving me a smug look.

"You're the most ungrateful man I know Grayson." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Indeed." He gave me a lazy smile and my heart melted.

"Where were you?"

"Out with Clayton—" Asher paused abruptly as I pulled my top over my head and stood there in my bra and jeans. "Uh, we were at the Elysian."

"Oh, my shift ended at 7 today." Grabbing a loose white t-shirt I put it on, acting like I haven't yet noticed that Asher was clearly affected by the Little stunt I'd just pulled in front of him. He sat there completely frozen, his jaw clenched and his eyes looking everywhere but at me. I quickly pulled off my jeans and got in a pair of comfy shorts.

"Change and come to bed." I told him as I settled back in bed, this time more comfortable. Now that I knew Asher was here no bad dreams were going to haunt me tonight.

Asher joined me shortly, his arms wrapping themselves around me possessively, like they always did.
Closing my eyes I sighed, I concentrated on Asher's chest, moving up and down as he breathed.

When my eyes opened again, the sun had already come up, the space beside me was cold, my eyes fell on a pair of feet right beside the mattress, my gaze moved up, Asher stood in the middle of the room wearing nothing but pants, the shirt was gone and his scars were on display, he looked comfortable in his own skin , his hands were shoved in the pockets of his pants as he assessed my apartment like he didn't just spend the last seven days here and was noticing it for the first' time.

Picking up his shirt from the floor he slid it on himself with ease, Asher turned around to face me as he buttoned up his shirt.

"I'll cook something." I said tying my hair in a bun and getting off the mattress.

"Don't worry about it, I'll go get some groceries for tomorrow and some breakfast."

"You don't have to." I never expected breakfast in bed not only was I excited but guilty too, Asher was spending on me any chance he got.

"I want to, now shut your mouth and sleep some more" With that Asher Grayson was out of my apartment.

My life took another turn this morning, the worst part about it was I didn't know if I was living in a nightmare or a day dream. This small room could be our safe haven but we couldn't stay here forever. Both Asher and I knew we had to get out and face the world. When there's a world between two people, distance is created, they tend to get lost and in the middle of the chaos the voices get louder, so loud that the love fades.

We were hanging by a single thread and holding on tight, praying for it to not Break.

Author's note.

Hello everyone! 

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