The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 12

Serah’s hands were tightened into fists in an effort to hold back the urge to rub her eyes which remained pinched shut. Asher carried her away for a short while then he placed her back on her feet before moving away from her. She was still trying to figure out her surroundings when she suddenly felt a huge spray of water falling from above her. A soft gasp left her mouth and she instinctively tried to shield herself.

"Just wash off the alcohol and it'll get better." Asher intoned from close by.

Indeed, the warm water soothed the burning on her skin and she found herself leaning into the spray. She tried blinking her eyes open, but the water only worsened the burning and itching sensations. It turned unbearable to the point that she couldn't take it anymore and started rubbing at her closed pupils in frustration.

"Stop that!" Asher chided her.

Shortly after she felt him standing right in front of her, his hands pulling at her wrists to keep them away from her face.

"Stay still!" He ordered.

He was so close that she could feel his deep voice reverberating through her whole body, making her heady. His hands cradled her face, tilting it upwards while his thumbs kept her eyelids parted. The water now fell liberally onto her scorching pupils and she couldn't help trying to resist the sensation. Asher reacted by plastering his body to hers, while his arms managed to restrain all her movements. Her gasp was one of indignation now, her entire body combusting for a whole different reason. Undetered by her reaction, Asher maintained a firm hold on her. He had to be getting soaked along with her, but he didn't seem to mind. For some reason, the itching in her eyes no longer bothered her. Not when her mind was busy trying to burn in her memory the feel of his hard body intimately pressed up to hers. She relished it all too much… she knew Asher was only being considerate because of her dire situation. She shouldn't forget that he already had a girlfriend and feeling that way for him was wrong. But her mind seemed to have a will of its own.

"Is your vision better now?" He murmured several minutes later as he stepped back to turn off the water faucet.

Serah blinked a couple of times, then shook her head miserably.

"It will be fine, don't worry. I don't think I interfered too late."

She released a frustrated sigh. Not because of her lack of sight but because his unusual behavior was messing with her heart. Why was he suddenly being so kind to her? It unsettled her already disarrayed emotions, making her almost hope for more from him. But she knew it was all just wishful thinking on her part. He'd soon go back to ignoring and at times even scorning her so she had to properly steel her heart.

"Thanks for your help." She mumbled. "I'll be fine from here… you can head back." She turned around to walk away, but she slipped on the wet floor.

His strong arm wrapped around her waist and shortly after, she felt herself being once again lifted into his arms.

"Don't be stubborn at this point." He chided as he carried her away.

"I need to head to my part time job." She murmured.

"Just call in sick for today."

She shook her head. "I just started working there. I can't do that."

All too soon, Asher laid her onto what felt like a bench and pressed a dry towel to her eyes. "Then let me help make your vision better."

"Why are you helping me?" She asked, finally voicing out the question which burned her mind.

"I don't know." He admitted.

"Is it that you pity me?"

"Maybe." He mumbled.

Her teeth gritted and she hoped her expression didn't give away the hurt she felt.

As expected, he saw right through her. "Okay, I don't pity you." He said, sighing wearily.

"Umm, thanks?" She muttered, sarcasm blending in her tone.

"These girls have a habit of doing this to their targets." He explained. "Some of their victims even ended up losing their eyesight because of the alcohol. You should be careful with them."

"I will, thanks." She replied, her tone coming out cold.

Several minutes of tense silence ensued between them after that where she could feel his burning eyes on her.

"Hold on to this." He said eventually. "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" She asked before she could hold back her words. She didn't want him to leave her alone. Her inability to see made her feel so vulnerable but somehow his presence gave her strength to bear with it all.

"I need to find something to cover you up." He said after several seconds, his voice strangely strained. "Your clothes are drenched and your underwear is showing."

She immediately draped her free arm over her chest, feeling thankful for the towel covering her surely reddened face.

"I'll be right back." He said.

This time she was glad to hear his retreating footsteps. At least she'd have some time to recover from her shame. But that tone of voice he used just now… did that mean he felt desire for her too? He took quite long to return and she started feeling restless as the minutes ticked by.

When the door finally opened and his steps approached her, she let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. He covered her with a jacket which smelled like him, and she was internally swooning. However, just then, another voice rang out from the door and her body froze.

"Why did you bring her to the girls' changing room?" She immediately recognized that sharp voice. It was Cara… his girlfriend…

"It's not like I could have brought her to the guys' room." Asher reasoned. "You can take it up from here, right?"

"Sure, leave it to me." She said, exhaling wearily.

Morbid feelings were tearing at Serah's chest. 'Take it up' he said… like it's some freaking chore. How stupid of her to have gotten all hyped up when he showed some kindness to her. It must have been more of a burden to him. So much that he went to find his girlfriend to 'deal' with the rest.

"It's fine, you don't need to bother." She said, removing the towel from over her face and sitting up on the bench. "My vision's much better, I'll be fine on my own." Indeed, she could now better make out the forms around her. But her heart was weeping.

"Good, then." Asher said, further tearing her chest apart. "But I'm guessing you don't have any spare clothes. Kara will lend you some of hers."

Without waiting for her response, he turned to the auburn-haired girl. "I'll wait for you outside." He then walked out of the room like he couldn't wait to get away from Serah.

The door slammed behind him, leaving Serah and the Armstrong heiress alone in the room. Serah willed the hurt away from her chest. Even if she had prepared herself for the disappointment, it still left her feeling wrecked. Cara walked over to her and Serah glanced up, preparing herself to finally have a face-to-face confrontation with the girl. She had no clue about Cara's opinion on her, but she had a nagging feeling it wasn't a nice one.