0 5 | h i d e a n d s e e k

🎶 Bad Habits -Ed Sheeran 🎶

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"Okay, one. . two. three, go!" Arlee squeaked, while I went into hiding.

I tiptoed to the stairs and just then I heard Asher's voice, yelling.

"No, no. It can't be! I can't let this fucking happen! "

I flinch and pause in my steps. "Are you ready? " Arlee yells from downstairs. I glance in her direction before quickly ducking.

I waited to hear some noise at least, from the room I figured must be Asher's, but that didn't happen.

Contrary to my plan of spying on the suspicious room, I moved in the direction of his room.

"It's impossible. I don't want to hurt her. . . I don't know, I'm confused. "

In plain words, I'm also confused. What's he saying?

I crawled nearer and was surprised to see the door, slightly ajar. I peered around to see Asher. Neither did I hear his voice nor see him. I was about to give up when suddenly the door was flung open and in the shock of it, I fell backwards.

My wrist must have sprained from the impact. I frowned and brought my hands before me to cross-check.

I heard him gasp softly, making me look up. My eyes travelled the length of his athletic body and it lingered on his naked torso.

As if he noticed I was staring, he cleared his throat and finally, I looked at his face. His forehead is creased.

"What are you doing?" he asked, placing his hands on his hips.

I blink twice, clueless about what to do.

"Ah, where are you? I'll quit! " I heard Arlee yell and the excuse came.

"Er...babysitting? Playing hide and seek with Arlee! " I stand up quickly.

He nodded, hummed and before I got to protest, he pulled me inside and locked the door. I take a step back.

His back to me was torture so I tried to look at my feet.

"What was that for? " I finally asked with a shaky breath.

He glanced at me over his shoulder and shrugged, moving towards his king-sized bed. "Helping you. She sulks at the game. I'm sure she'll sleep soon, " he slumped onto the bed.

I glare at him and rest my hands on my hips, "Well if you must know. I'm here to babysit her. "

He sighed, "What are you? A Nanny?"

I frown at him. "That's not what I meant, " I say in a murmur.

He turned so he was lying on his back and he set his arms under his head. He almost looked like an angel...a very beautiful one.

As if he knew what effect he was having on my fluttering stomach and curling toes, he lay like that directly staring at me with a look of endearment.

I was about to say something but no words came to my rescue.

"She was sleeping before you came. Let her have her space at least. She doesn't need a babysitter. She's fine on her own." He finally spoke.

"Why would you say that? She's just six."

He just shook his head and was about to say something too but he stopped and stared at me.

"Come. I'm pretty sure you're bored. Let's watch a movie. " He sounded excited as he began to sit up.

I blinked twice and gave a face as if to ask about his sanity.

"Come on! " he beckoned, bringing out his laptop from under the sheets. I slowly walk over, staring at the bed.

Oh bed, should I sit on you? I thought.

I didn't want any more intimacy with Asher Mendez but-

"What's up?" he asked casually, pulling at my arm.

I sigh, "Asher. Don't you think this is... weird? I-I should be with your sister to make sure she's okay. And. . .and, we're not even friends. You. . ."

"Is that it? " he replied, looking at me fully. I nodded and he leaned in. "You know, I called you a freak in high school for some reason. "

Though offended, I asked, "Why? "

"You're boring," he said with a chuckle.

I punched him in the arm and he faked an injury.

"You're stupid," I mutter.

"What did you say, huh? " he pulled me into the bed and suddenly I was beneath him.

I gasped and my eyes widened but soon calmed down when I saw him smiling at me.

My brows furrow as I look at him. This Asher is different. He's not the one who I knew from high school.

My heart was about to jump out of my ribs and I could hear his fast breathing which matched mine as he brought my hands above my head, pinning them to the sheets with his right hand.

I should've protested or wiggled my way out, considering how loose he held my hands together, but I didn't. I remain quiet. He eyes me before giving me a worried look.

"Jocelyn? "

"Um? "

His throat moves a couple of times. "I know I've fucked up pretty hard back in school... But now, we're adults and. I know you are still hurt because of what I did. I just..." he hesitates, "I'm sorry?"

I don't speak.

"Would you say something? I said I'm sorry. "

"Huh?" I was confused. What else could one do when your 'enemy' was saying sorry to you for something he intentionally did that hurt you?

He laughed dryly, "Is that a word? "

"Yeah. I mean, what else could I say? " my voice cracked a bit. "You humiliated me. I'm not supposed to forgive you. " I looked away from him.

His expression changes and his hand goes off me as he sits back on the bed. I sit up and wait for him to say something.

"How much did I hurt you? "

"A lot, " I replied honestly. "Still hurts. "

He glanced at me over his shoulder. "I know you can't but maybe, you could, someday, forgive me. I said a lot of things I shouldn't have. You don't even want to know why. "

I blinked back the tears that formed in my eyes. "I hate you. "

"I know, " he chuckled lowly afterwards.

The one question that I've been dying to ask slipped off my tongue.

"You hate me, Asher Mendez? Then and now? "

He stared at me for a long time, during which my heart pounded loudly. I longed to hear what he would say.

"No, " he replies, "I don't. "