"would you like a coffee?" I asked eyeing the last few options left at café. "Yeah, sure," he said, calm as ever. I gave a small nod and turned on the coffee machine, the whir of it masking the quiet between us. He broke the silence with a question."Elaina, you work so hard for a student. May I ask why?" I glanced at him, then back at the coffee machine, a soft smile forming on my lips. "I'm an orphan, Asher. I've been on my own since I turned eighteen. I studied hard to earn a spot at this college through a scholarship. So I work part-time and go to class, just trying to keep it all balanced," I replied." Oh, that must be hard on you." he replied. "what about you? Asher? you are a CEO at such a young age" I said, steering the conversation in a new direction. "Oh, yes..It was all dad's so yeah." he answered, his tone flat, almost dismissive. I hummed in acknowledgment, my eyes briefly meeting his before I turned back to the coffee machine. I served him the coffee as I started wrapping up the whole place, it was almost time to leave.
After I was done packing. He stood up walking out with me, his car parked outside. He offered to drop me off, motioning toward his car with a casual smile. I hesitated for a moment but shook my head politely. "I'm fine, really." He pressed, his tone a little more insistent. " It's just a ride. Think of it as a payback for the coffee." Reluctantly, I gave in, realizing I wasn't going to win this one. "Alright, fine," I agreed with a small sigh, though there was no real argument in my voice. We chatted a bit more about random things until we pulled up in front of my place. I got out of the car and waved a quick goodbye. "Thanks for the ride," I said. He nodded, and with that, I headed inside.
Asher's POV:
She left, her scent still lingering in the air, clinging to the seat like it was made just for me. I could still feel the warmth where she sat, and I hated how it felt like I was chasing her even now. I watched her walk away, each step etched into my mind. The way her hair swayed, the soft curve of her shoulders, every detail. It was like a mark she left behind, a trail I couldn't ignore. I couldn't stop thinking about her, about everything I'd seen and heard. She'd said so little, but I'd read between the lines. She's not like the others. That much was clear. She was different. The way she held herself, the quiet strength in her words, it made me want to know every part of her, every single thing she was hiding. I wanted to see the cracks behind her smile, the stories buried beneath those gentle eyes. It wasn't just curiosity. It was... something darker. I sat there for a long moment, fingers gripping the steering wheel, as if I was waiting for her to turn back around, to come back and let me inside her world. But she didn't. She just kept walking, and the further she went, the more I wanted to follow her, to never let her slip away. With a deep breath, I started the engine, but the thought of leaving her behind, even for a second, made the air feel too heavy.
I pulled out my phone, dialing Mykel's number without a second thought. "Hey, pay the fees for Elaina Whitlock's college," I said, voice steady, almost casual. There was a brief pause before Mykel responded with his usual tone, sharp and obedient. "Got it, boss." He hung up without another word. The call ended, but the weight of it settled on my chest. I hadn't even given it a second thought, just made the call, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Maybe it was. After all, nothing was going to keep me from getting closer to her.
(Time skip to next day)
Elaina's POV:
I woke up as usual and got ready and noticed a notification on my phone. I clicked it open and was astonished to find out that my college fees has been paid off. I immediately rushed to college and went to reception. "who paid my fees?" I inquired. "The information is saved as Mr. Grosvenor" The receptionist replied. I walked out still shocked. "why would he...." I opened my phone and went to his contact, and messaged him.
Elaina: Good morning, Asher. Sorry to message you at such a busy time, but why did you pay my fees? I would have handled it myself.
(seen)
Asher: I was just helping you. And am gonna attend meeting right now. Am gonna come to you today evening at the same time. let's talk then.
I saw his message and sighed. The bell rand indicating the start of classes, so I rushed to my first class.
(Time skip to evening)
I was busy serving customers as I heard the front door open. I saw him walking in with a small smile. I waved at him and signed him to take a seat as I came back to him. "Here is your coffee" I said as he simply said "thank you" ... Soon the place became empty as I took a seat in front of him. I took out an envelope and handed it to him. "Here's the money you paid for my fees." He frowned, not even reaching for it."No. That was a favor." His tone was firm, but not cold, more like a line he wasn't willing to let me cross. Like returning the money would unravel something he was trying to build. "Asher... you don't have to do this for me. Just take it," I said, holding the envelope out again. His eyes stayed on mine, unreadable. Calm on the surface, but I could feel something stirring underneath. "I want to," he said quietly. "So I will." "Why...?" I asked, watching him closely. He hesitated, his jaw tightening before he looked away for half a second—just long enough to reveal something he didn't mean to. "Because I think I feel... something more for you," he said, almost under his breath.
My heart started racing, heat creeping up my neck and into my cheeks. "W-what?" I stammered, not sure if I heard him right, or if I wanted to. "Damn it," I muttered, running a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling to the surface, not with her, but with myself. "I'm not good at expressing things, Elaina." She turned to look at me, her face unreadable, waiting. "But I think of you as more than a friend," I continued, forcing the words out before I could second-guess them. "Your kindness... the way you carry yourself... your stubborn ambition. You walk around like the world hasn't been cruel to you. But I see it. I see the way you push through it anyway. And it,....damn! it pulls me in." She blinked slowly, like she was still processing what I'd just said. Her hands trembled just slightly at her sides, but she didn't move. "I know you're hiding things from me," I added quietly. "And that's fine. I don't need your secrets. But don't pretend like you're okay working yourself to the edge, day and night. I can see it in your eyes, Elaina. You're tired. You're carrying too much." I took a small step closer, trying not to overwhelm her but unable to stay still. "It's okay to not be fine," I said, my voice soft now. "You don't have to hold everything together all the time."
Her eyes locked onto mine, and I saw something shift in them—like a wall she didn't know she'd built had just cracked. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then stopped. Her lips trembled slightly. A tear slipped down her cheek. She didn't brush it away. "Elaina..." I said her name like a whisper, like it was something fragile in my mouth. Still, she didn't speak. She just looked at me, eyes glassy, chest rising and falling with slow, unsteady breaths. Another tear slid down, and then another. She wasn't sobbing. It was quieter than that, more private. The kind of sadness that had nowhere left to hide. "I'm sorry," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to—" "No," I cut her off gently. "Don't apologize. Not for this. Not to me." Silence settled between us, thick but not empty. There was so much unsaid—but maybe, in that moment, neither of us needed the rest of the words. She looked down, then back up at me, a thousand emotions swimming in her gaze. "You scare me sometimes, Asher."
That one hit deep, but I didn't flinch. I knew why. "I scare myself too," I said quietly. "But not when I'm with you." I let out a small, shaky chuckle, sniffled, and wiped the corner of my eye. No one had ever said that to me before. That it was okay to not be fine.Not with how the world had treated me. Not with how hard it had been. For the first time in my life, someone saw the cracks, and didn't look away. I looked up at him, and for a second, I saw it, the hesitation. A flicker of uncertainty in his usually unreadable expression. "Stop me if you feel uncomfortable," he said softly, his voice a murmur between us. Then he stepped forward and gently pulled me into his arms. I didn't stop him. The moment his arms wrapped around me, I broke. The tears came faster, heavier, my chest shaking with the quiet sobs I had held in for far too long. I clung to him, burying my face against his shoulder, letting the warmth of him replace the cold I had been carrying for years. He didn't speak. He didn't try to fix it. He just held me, firm, steady, and safe .And for once, I let myself fall apart. Not alone. Not ashamed. Just... human.