0 7 | p h o t o g r a p h y

🎶 Flowers- Miley Cyrus 🎶

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I barely knocked on the door before he opened it, his left hand holding the ajar door. I half expected him to be shirtless but I'm glad he is fully clothed too.

"Hey," I say in a small voice and he pushes the door open enough for me to enter.

Once inside, I take in the smell of strong cologne and couldn't help but reminiscence on those days all I went to school for was to get as close to getting a wift of that intoxicating cologne. I looked at the mess he's turned his room into. Pieces of papers were scattered everywhere. His laptop was upside down on the bed. His bed sheets weren't looking kept and even himself.

"What's up with you? " I cross my arms on my chest, watching as he walked away from me.

"Stay with me? " he says immediately.

I peered at him from across the room, ready to argue, but he looks tired and is breathing heavily. I just sigh and drop my hands beside me.

"And why exactly? "

He doesn't answer at first, just slumped into his bed. "I need you. "

I take a step back. I was shocked to hear that. "Why?"

"I don't know, just come. "

I slowly walk to him with calculated steps, as if he would hurt me anytime.

He laid on his side on the bed, staring into my eyes. He reaches for my arm and pushes me into the bed. I sigh and locked eyes with him, a safe distance between us I guess. But my heart thumped loudly so I pulled back a bit.

"What? " I retorted when he was silent. He just let out a contented sigh after his eyes is done flicking between mine.

"Nothing. Just. . . You-"

"Asher," I cut him off then stared at him. He looked tired, I noted, maybe frustrated too.

I hesitated, poking at the sheets with my right index. "Is. . .everything okay?"

He let's out a tired sigh. "No," then looks away. "Not at all. At least, not to me. "

He doesn't speak for a while. I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to get close. I didn't want to let him get an inkling that I somehow hadn't been able to get rid of my feelings for him. I didn't want to be clingy and then get detached like I never existed.

But-but, something in me is telling me to say something, or do something. I didn't know but I felt clumsy as I abruptly closed the gap between us and hugged him.

I wasn't moving at first, scared he might push me away because I was ugly, filthy or had a horrible aura, at least if he hated me so much.

I was aware of the way he doesn't want to talk to me so I didn't want to be having hopes that might just get dashed. I convinced myself, after he didn't return the hug, that maybe he only needed someone to let it out to and he found me. Easy. I was just a tool to make him feel better.

I sigh and shut my eyes, scared I might be betrayed by those disdainful creatures about to jump out.

I was just pulling away when I heard him make a sound I didn't make out what. Maybe a groan.

But unexpectedly, I felt strong arms wrap around me tightly, as if scared I might just slip away.

"I can't lose you, " he said in a low whisper that sent shivers down my spine.

My eyes were about to drop out of my sockets subsequently.

Quietly, I listened to his soft breaths despite the hammering of something against my chest. Was it mine?

Definitely not!

I was smart enough to know that it was his. Did I have that effect on him, or was I just imagining it all in my head?

I try to pull away but I realize he was not going to let go, not so soon.

"Asher. . ."

Suddenly he pulls away, giving way to shock and something that didn't feel foreign- fear.

His gaze was on his hands around me. He slowly detached them and cleared his throat.

Then I got it. He's pushing me away.

"Um, " I clear my throat awkwardly, "Anything you can talk about? "

He finally looked up, but not into my eyes. "Not really. But work had been hectic these days. "

"Oh. I wouldn't know. " I whisper. "Your mom said you're into business. "

"Yeah, " he replies in a monotone and we're back to the awkward silence.

"Anyway, " I suddenly say and I'm aware of his eyes on me as I try to see if I could get something from the sheets of paper spurred around. "You can maybe share the problem with me?"

He sighed. "Fine. The photog we had got some problems with marriage and abruptly left work. We had to cover a project, a big one. Though she's coming back in a month or so but we need a replacement. I've been trying to get one but no one seems to be ready to join work at a short notice and for such short period of time. They want a permanent job. It's so disappointing that as reputable our company is, we lack this."

I couldn't resist looking at him. First, he mentioned our which, maybe I'm willing to overlook. But, then I remembered that I'm actually a photographer, though I haven't gained any work experience whatsoever. I know not if he would be willing to employ me.

"Um, " I said clearing my throat. "I am not sure if you would employ me but -"

From the look he gave me, he expected me to carry on. I nodded. "I majored in photography and theatre. But, I'm babysitting your sister and I don't think I'll get the time you would want me to commit to the work so... "

"What? " he suddenly chuckled. "You're a photographer? "

I eyed him but only saw him grinning so I nodded. "Oh my, thank God I told you. I would've been so lost. Thanks so much for this. "

He unexpectedly hugged me and I gasped. No way I'm imagining this.