The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 13

"Well then, Serah Summers." Cara said. "I don't know what's your deal, but I'll be frank with you."

Through her blurry vision, she saw the woman stopping a short distance from her and leaning forward to peer at her face. "I find that the circumstances through which you appeared are too strange. And I don't trust you one bit."

Strange… Asher told her the exact same thing. Was it a habit they developed from spending time together?

"It's fine if you don't." Serah responded levelly. "I don't think we will be involved with each other that much. To the point that it would necessitate any trust between us."

"You're already getting involved more than needed." She remarked.

"You're not obliged to." Serah mumbled. "As I said I'll be fine from now."

She saw the woman's eyes narrowing. "Your clothes are soaked. And Asher said you needed to go to your part-time job. Unless you intend to wear his jacket to work."

"No." She murmured, glancing down. "I'll find a way somehow. I just don't like making someone feel obliged to help me out."

Cara sighed, then lifted a bag Serah only now noticed she was carrying.

"Take this. There's everything you'll require for a proper bath as well as fresh clothes inside." She scrunched her nose. "I'm guessing you'll need it since you still reek of alcohol."

Serah pursed her by then gave Cara a grateful smile as she reached for the back. "Thank you." She murmured. "I'll return it to you later."

Cara waved dismissively. "Don't bother. Just avoid getting Asher involved in your troubles from now on. I'll grant your wish now and leave you to your own devices." With these words pertly intoned, she strutted away.

Serah stared at the door Cara disappeared through for several seconds, unable to decide if the girl was hostile to her or not. She then realized that Cara was humane enough to help out someone in need, but she didn't want to get involved with Serah in any way. She was surely a nice person deep inside but just preferred keeping to herself. Just like Asher...

She sighed drearily, not liking all those similarities she was finding between the two. It went to show just how much they matched each other. But she couldn't understand why that bothered her so much. Asher wasn't in the least interested in her and she wasn't either. Or was she? She groaned and massaged her overworked head, but then it dawned on her that she was still running late for work and immediately scrambled to her feet. She was throwing off her clothes when the door suddenly burst open. Her head shot to it and her eyes widened when Asher casually sauntered in. Her vision was now almost wholly clear and she saw the way he froze as soon as he saw her, his eyes raking over her whole body.

"What the-" she railed, diving down for his jacket which still lay close by. "Can't you at least knock before entering?" Thankfully she was still wearing her bra and her skirt, but the hint of lust she glimpsed in his eyes made her all the more self-conscious.

"It's fine. I won't try anything." He said.

"That's not the issue here!" She scolded, glaring daggers at him. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Cara standing at the door's threshold, her gaze suspicious as it darted between Serah and Asher.

Appearing unbothered, Asher walked deeper into the room, stopping right in front of Serah. She vaguely noted that he had changed out of his wet clothes. "You sure you'll be fine on your own?" He asked, peering at her closely.

"I'll be fine." She mumbled, hugging the jacket around herself.

"What about your eyes?" He made a move like he was about to reach for her but she stepped back. Seriously, what was he thinking, acting so familiarly in front of her when his girlfriend was standing right behind and witnessing it all? Cara remained by the threshold, but a displeased look now marred her pretty face.

"I can see clearly now, thanks." Serah quickly said. "I'll take a taxi to work."

Asher kept peering down at her for several seconds more and Serah found herself yet again wondering why there was such complete change in his behavior. She wanted him to go back to ignoring her. At least then she could just hate him instead of having this annoying unsettled feeling in her heart.

Eventually Asher nodded in understanding, then reached into his pocket. She was surprised when he retrieved her own phone.

"It fell off when you confronted the girls earlier." Asher said.

"I see… thanks." She mumbled as she reached for the device. Asher stepped even closer to her, crowding her personal space. Feeling too stunned to move, she could only stare up at him dazedly, unable to prevent herself from admiring his handsome features which kept getting ever closer to her.

"I saved my number among your contacts." He said in a lowered tone. "If anyone ever tries to bother you, be it Owen, Gareth or anyone else, just call me."

She blinked up at him. Did she hear him right? "What?" She exclaimed indignantly. "You actually browsed through my phone without asking me?"

"I had to find out for sure if you really weren't involved with those guys like you claimed." He said matter-of-factly.

"How is that any of your business?" She shouted.

His eyes glinted with a strange look. "It concerns me more than you think. Just remember to call me if they approach you again."

"I won't call you, ever!" She raged. "I already said it before! I can take care of myself so don't meddle in my affairs. I'll also stay away from you in turn." Her tightened fists were shaking from her palpable anger. How dare he take liberties in matters which concern her privacy!

Asher also appeared to be getting agitated. "Judging from what happened just now, you don't seem to be doing fine on your own."

"I'll take care of myself better from now on, so you don't need to concern yourself with me."

He seemed about to argue further, but then Cara spoke up. "Asher…" she said in her usual sharp voice. Both Serah and Asher turned to regard her.

Cara sent Asher a meaningful look. "Leave it… Let's just go."

Asher gritted his teeth, his expression reluctant as he glanced at Serah. But then he grunted a brief "fine" and stalked out of the room. She stared after him, thinking about how much of an obedient boyfriend he was. How annoying! She hoped he would at least heed her request to keep his distance from her. Maybe that way the strange feelings he always stirred in her chest would vanish.