Chapter 106: Indifferent
ASH even grinned at me, clearly enjoying my reaction. What an asshole.
Furious, I grabbed his hand, digging my nails into his skin.
Instead of reacting, his grin only widened as he stared at our hands.
"Nice try, but try harder," he teased before flipping the situation. Now, he had a firm grip on my hand, ready to snap it if I made the wrong move. "Fuck you," I cursed at him. "What is this? Are you messing with me?"
"If that's what you think, then... so be it," he shrugged. "I know you. You're hotheaded and naughty. No matter what I say, you won't believe me." Well, he's right.
"If you wanted to save him because you needed to ask him something..." he pointed to himself. "Then talk to me. I'm sure I can answer all your questions."
A FEW hours had passed, and we finished the mission. I had been waiting here behind a tree for so long. I couldn't go home until I saw the mission was done.
I only confirmed it when chaos broke out inside the bar because Senator Windwood reportedly fainted at the bar countertop.
"Why are you still here?" I asked Ash when his car stopped in front of me.
"Hop in," he said, rolling down the window.
I looked around and noticed reporters arriving, so I didn't hesitate. I went to the passenger seat and went inside.
And as soon as I sat there, I grabbed a pen and pointed it to his neck.All content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
I could see his slight surprise, but he concealed it with a smile.
"Just in case you try to kill me again, you'll die, too," I warned him.
He grinned before holding my hand. He slowly lowered it, gently stroking my fingers. "I didn't kill you."
"Hah. Really?" I smirked bitterly.
I saw him that night. Why is he denying it?
"I saved you. Can't you see?" he asked, snapping me back to my senses. The pen was now aimed at his cheek. "I don't expect you to believe me, but can you lower that? You might hurt my face."
"Do you think I care? No." This isn't a good idea. What was I thinking, getting in here? "Stop the car. I'll get out."
I tried to open the door, but it was locked. I gave Ash a deadly glare.
"Ash," I called, my voice laced with warning.
"What happened to our child?"
I was taken aback at his question.
"You don't have the right to ask me that," I muttered, suppressing the pain in my voice.
He tried to get closer, but I quickly moved away towards the window. "I'm begging you, Sapphire. Is our child alive?"
"I won't say anything. Why should I trust you when you tried to kill me before?" I said, my voice grew colder.
As I looked at him, I noticed something. His aura is different... the same as his voice and hairstyle.
It was different that night... with that guy.
"I-It's you..." I tried to convince myself, but the longer I stared at him, the more doubts I had.
After all these years, I'm sure that I wanted to kill him. Why am I doubting now?
"You're even doubting that it wasn't me... aren't you?" He leaned towards me until I had no space to move. "Because it's not me, Sapphire. Why would I kill someone I fucking love the most? If anyone wanted to beat that guy to death, it's me."
I could feel the anger and sincerity in his voice at the same time.
I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see his face.
"Don't close your eyes. I might kiss you right here, even without your consent," he commanded, his tone husky.
I opened my eyes and stared at him. His eyes wanted to tell me something... but I can't just give in to him. Maybe he's deceiving me again.
I should protect myself at all costs, even though I, myself, brought myself into this danger.
"If it's not you... where have you been all this time?"
He didn't answer my question. Instead, he pointed to the window for me to look. When I looked outside, I saw Finnick just getting out of his car. He was looking around, seemingly searching for something. Ash smirked. "Your boyfriend's here."
"He's not my boyfriend." I pushed him away.
I was about to leave when suddenly, he pressed my back against the window. It made my heart beat so fast.
"That's good to hear," he said before bringing his lips to my ear. "Because you're mine, Sapphire. Don't you dare forget that."
In just a few seconds, he reached for something behind him, and I heard a subtle click behind me.
"You may go now." He moved away. "Take care of yourself while I'm not allowed to stay beside you."
I left before Ash managed to get the shit out of me. I should guard my heart. After all the things I've done to reach this far, I can't afford to be hurt again.
I hate it.
I hate him.
"Are you okay, Ma'am Sapphire?" Finnick asked, snapping me back to reality.
We were now inside his car. He's in the driver's seat, and I'm in the passenger seat.
It was a good thing he showed up. Otherwise, I might've ended up in Ash's car for a while longer, and I don't even want to imagine what could've happened after that.
"I'm fine. Just a headache," I replied, rubbing my temples.
I could still see reporters outside the bar. I wondered what the headlines would say tomorrow. Would they try to cover up Senator Windwood's situation? Or would rival politicians use this as an advantage? I'm waiting, Haze. What will your family do?
"There's medicine in the glove compartment." He opened it and gave it to me. "And I've got water here, too."
I didn't hesitate to take them and quickly swallowed the pills. I hoped it would ease the headache, even if just a little.
Lack of sleep combined with my ongoing missions wasn't helping at all.
"You could pile on all the concealers in the world, but your eye bags are still obvious," he teased.
I shot him a glare before turning to the rearview mirror to check. Right. The dark circles were still visible. I looked so stressed. I grimaced.
"I don't care," I leaned back in my seat again. "All I care about is this mission... and the ones that come after it."
"And the guy who's been watching my car for a few minutes now?" he said, snickering.
I raised an eyebrow and looked at him. He gestured toward someone outside, drawing my attention.
Ash, noticing us looking, rolled down his window and waved at me as if we were best friends. I rolled my eyes and pressed a button in Finnick's car, tinting the windows.
I hadn't realized Ash was still there, watching us. I couldn't understand what he was trying to do. How could he act so indifferent after five years?