Song for this chapter: Devil doesn't bargain by Alec Benjamin

Asher and I are seated opposite each other, separated by a table, in a tiny cubicle of a fast food restaurant. I am so relieved because I thought that he would be like Xavier, and demand that we go to a five-star restaurant.

"Are you sure that you are ok eating here?", I question, and Asher looks up at me a quirky smile on his lips.

"I prefer to enjoy the grease and unhealthiness of a burger and maybe a soda. Unlike some people, I don't judge a restaurant by how high it is rated.

I blush, knowing that he is talking about Xavier. I want to say something, but the waiter comes to our table at that moment, and we place our orders.

"I'll have a double chicken cheese burger with a side of fries and a large chocolate milkshake. And bring the lady whatever she wants."

I smile, acknowledging the fact that Asher is actually allowing me to order for myself. I order chicken nuggets with fries and a strawberry and vanilla milkshake.

The waiter goes away, and Asher leans closer. "Now, as I said earlier, I noticed that something was wrong, and I feel that you need to talk about it to someone. You don't have to tell me if you don't feel comfortable about it, but I feel like you need a friend that you can trust."

Maybe, it's his tone of voice or the kind look in his blue eyes, but I break down into tears. Asher leaves his seat and sits beside me, placing a comforting arm over my shoulder. He pulls me close, and I am enveloped in his strong arms and the smell of fresh mint emanating from his body.

When I am calm, I tell him about the pictures, about how my bff wasn't the person I thought her to be, and even about my suspension and my parents kicking me out.

"They said I'm like Ava", I sobbed.

"Who is she?", Asher askes, his arm still protectively around me.

"Ava is my older sister.", I say. "She was far too wild for my parents to control, and they didn't like her. They tried everything – threats, beatings, boarding school, therapy – nothing seemed to work. She dropped out of college, and started hanging out with boys and smoking. Eventually, she just ran away and, as far as my parents are concerned, she's dead." I sniffed away my tears. "To be compared to her is the worst insult that my parents can throw at me."

"Shh... don't cry", Asher says, stroking my hair and calming me down. Suddenly, we are interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind us and I jump, thinking for a moment that it is Xavier – you never know. However, it is just the waiter who has come with our orders. He drops a huge burger, a bowl of chicken nuggets, two orders of chips, and a large chocolate milkshake for Asher, leaving a gorgeous strawberry milkshake, with a huge strawberry on top for me.

Asher takes a bite into his burger which is literally the largest, cheesiest thing that I have ever seen. I wonder how he manages to keep his amazing gym boy shape if he eats like this often. He must do sports.

Asher looks up suddenly, and catches me off guard. His blue eyes bore into mine, making me blush and I turn to my meal in front of me. However, when I turn back, I notice that Asher is still staring at me.

"Why are you with him?", Asher says, his voice so soft that I think I must have misheard him.

"I-I don't know what you – ", I start, but he cuts me off.

"I mean you and Xavier. He doesn't love you, and I am pretty sure that he has said it to you before. He isn't capable of loving. He hasn't loved anyone since – ", his voice trails off, but I pounce with attention.

"He hasn't loved since when?", I prod.

"Since Vera", Asher admits. "He used to be close friends with Louis, Vera and Beatrice when they were in highschool.". "Have you met Beatrice?", he asks me, cocking an eyebrow.

I nod with a sour look, remembering the blonde beauty.

"She likes him", Asher states. "Xavier is just too blind to see it, but it has always been obvious to everyone, but Xavier is too much of a fool to see it" he says, slightly angry. "Beatrice is very clingy and possessive. That was the main reason why Vera didn't want to date him.", Asher reveals, and my heart sank to my shoes.

"Xavier and Vera dated?", I question, my voice high in shock.

Asher nods in the affirmative.

"But I thought that Xavier didn't date", I say.

"He didn't date, not after Vera. He caught her cheating on him, and it broke his heart. He refused to speak to her until eventually, she moved away. She's married now, but Xavier just won't allow anyone else in. he vowed to never fall in love again."

I sit shell shocked, trying to process all that I have just heard.

Xavier fell in love once. It broke him so bad that he vowed to never get romantically involved again. In one hand, I am crushed by hopelessness as I know that if Xavier decides to never fall in love, there is nothing I can do to change it. However, I feel hopeful. Maybe I can convince him to give it another try, to give me a chance.

"Don't do it Candy", Asher says, reading my mind.

"I wasn't planning to do anything". It's an obvious lie, and Asher spots it before it has even left my mouth.

"You were thinking that maybe you could be the one to change him, maybe he would give you a chance to teach him what love means. Weren't you?", he gives me a piercing stare, and I turn red, averting my eyes.

"You're not the first, Candy", he says in a sober tone. "Don't you get it? It's pointless and useless." His tone changes to nearly a whisper. "He uses girls like you. I know that you think that you can change him, but so many girls before you have thought that they can change him, and all they've gotten are broken hearts and disappointment. It won't work. He may look like a prince charming but he's a ruthless devil. He hurts girls emotionally; I think it makes him feel like he is hurting Vera back." Asher takes a deep breath.

"Xavier can't change. I didn't bring you here to lecture you, honestly I didn't, but you're different from the other girls that usually follow him. You're too peaceful, too innocent and too beautiful to allow him to ruin your life, and if you date him, mark my words, he will ruin you – he will break your heart over and over again. Xavier doesn't compromise."

We don't talk for a while, focusing on our food. I finish up the chicken nuggets, which are better than the food in any five-star restaurant, and slurp up my smoothie. I try to get the strawberry from the bottom of my smoothie glass with a fork, but it seems to be stuck, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get it out.

"Allow me", Asher says, taking the fork from me, and retrieving the strawberry with ease.

"Thank you so much", I say, reaching put my hand to collect the strawberry – but Asher doesn't give it back.

"Oh no you don't", he smirks. "I got it out, so I eat it"

Is he threatening to eat my food?

"Not a joke Asher", I growl. "Give it back now"

"Make me."

Two words stood between me and my food.

I leapt at Asher who held me away with one hand while keeping the strawberry in his other hand.

If only I could reach it

I suddenly stopped struggling, then stretched out with force, causing Asher to get knocked over, while I was left holding the strawberry. I quickly popped it into my mouth.

"Ha! Who's the boss now?", I laughed, before I realized that I was lying on top of Asher. I looked down and found his blue eyes staring straight into mine. We were so close, a breadth apart, until one of us moved, and we weren't even apart anymore.

Our kiss tasted of strawberry and chocolate which is a very good thing. It was slow and calm, and I had to force myself to pull away.

"We can't", I said getting off him.

"I'm sorry", he said, his eyes a bit downcast.

"It's ok. I also shouldn't have – "

"I am not sorry that I kissed you Candy", Asher says quietly. "I'm sorry that you are in love with him."

I have nothing to say to that. What could I even say?

Asher settles the bill and we go to his car.

"Should I drop you off at your house?" he asks.

"I'm staying with Xavier actually", I say a bit awkwardly.

"Oh", Asher says, very awkwardly. "I guess I'll drop you off there."

We enter the car, and he turns on the radio as he guns the engine. 'That's what I want' by Lil Nas X is playing, and I sing the lyrics

I want someone to love me

I need someone who needs me

Cos it don't feel right when its late at night

And it's just me in my dreams

Asher shocks me by finishing off the song, and placing his hand on mine. He drives us to Xavier's house with our hands interlocked.

As we pull up into Xavier's driveway, Asher takes out a black pen and writes on my palm. I look at what he has written, and realize that it's his phone number.

"In case you need to talk to anyone, just know that I'm a phone call away."

I feel so touched that I hug him, before I get down from the car. I am about walking away, when Asher calls me from the window.

"Candy, if he hurts you, I'll be here faster than you can imagine."

And leaving me to ponder on the deeper meaning of his words, he turns out of the driveway and drives off.

A/N: Thanks to my cherished reader @luvhbites for all your votes and comments

Yesss. The long awaited chapter is finally released. Some of you were wondering who Ava was, so I hope that I have answered that question for you.

Which ship do you support – Xandy or Casher? Personally, I'm rooting for Casher because Asher is so nice to Candy and he really likes her – or so it seems.

And finally, we have the scheming blonde goddess – Beatrice. Apparently, she likes Xavier, but he doesn't know. I can literally smell drama between those two.

Don't forget to vote and comment your opinions. We are now on 1k reads and I am so happy. Thank you all so much 💋💋💋