"Who said I did it for Asher Quinn? I did it because I am Cosette Blac. I didn't appreciate that he interrupted me, Cosette Blac, from teaching my friend a lesson that would haunt him forever."
Cosette drew a deep breath as she looked away from him. She cocked her head back, gazing at the night sky full of stars.
"I think you already know this, Ash, but your family name only works for others. Who cares if you're a Quinn or a descendant of Satan himself? I am Cosette Blac, and for me, my family name is more intimidating than the Quinn," she continued with a tinge of confidence and playfulness. "Isn't that the reason you're drawn to me and mistook it as love?"
Her lips curled up into a short smile, facing him. "Because among the people surrounding you, I am the only person who wouldn't care if you're a Quinn since I am a Blac."
And that was true.
Asher might not admit it verbally, but what she said was probably one of the many reasons he was drawn to Cosette. All his life, he was surrounded by people who looked at him with value because of the family name he carried. Whatever achievement Asher would gain, it was always because he was a Quinn and not because he was Asher.
But Cosette was different. She would treat him like shit, despite knowing he was the young master and the next head of the Quinn family. It might sound strange, but it was refreshing to meet someone who would look at him as his own person; someone who wouldn't take his arrogance just because he was a Quinn or tell him honestly that he had a terrible personality.
Asher could only stare into her eyes silently until her stunning eyes mirrored his handsome face.
"Why do I always look so pathetic in your eyes?" he blurted out, making her eyebrows elevate. "At first, it was annoying. But now, I don't feel any irritation. If anything, I kinda agree with you. If I were you, I would also pity me."
"What are you saying now?" she frowned, but he returned it with a chuckle.
Asher looked away, cocking his head back. He gazed at the night sky full of stars while his expression softened. He knew that all his defenses were going down, but he didn't mind appearing vulnerable in front of her not to gain sympathy or pity. Even with his most arrogant front, she would pity him. It was just that… she wouldn't judge him or care if he revealed a vulnerable side of him.
"It's tiring, isn't it?" he continued in a soft tone. "Mister Tong reminds me that no matter what I do or what I have done, it is still not enough. He still sees me as a kid whose words weren't credible enough. Thus, he didn't hesitate to lie right in front of me, twisting the situation to his advantage. If not for your dad or for you, I'm not sure what would be the outcome."
"That's why I can't help but wonder," he added, eyes falling on her. "Just what else should I do to prove myself or make others see me as me, and not as the kid who might inherit the position of the head of the family and company someday? Just how much more sleep should I sacrifice and how many more events should I go to where I have to grit my teeth to stop myself from disappointing others? How long would I need to smile in response to the praises that I was lucky for being a Quinn?"
"The questions in my head are endless, and you might not understand them." Asher smiled bitterly. "I thought we had many things in common, but the more I think about it, the more I thought wrong. Because you don't need to impress others — you don't even have to. While I have to make sure every little movement, gesture, and every word that will come out of my mouth wouldn't bring shame to my family or ruin the reputation my father painstakingly built."
Cosette could only stare at him for a moment, listening to his woes. It had been a while since she met Asher for the first time and all interactions with him were just Asher acting tough. There might be times his weakness would peek out of his eye, but it was brief. This was the first time he dropped all pretenses and spoke his heart and not just his mind.
'Now I understand clearly,' she told herself while staring at him quietly. 'Why I am here and why I just couldn't stop myself from caring even when I told myself I do not want to interfere with your business.'
Because at the end of the day, the person that her eyes mirrored reflected the old version of Cosette. It wasn't that she truly pity Asher, but rather, he reminded her of herself. Asher was her own ghost whom she felt obliged to console — save from falling into the pits of the abyss if necessary.
Her heart felt heavy.
Cosette slowly raised her hand, causing his brows to knit slightly but letting her do whatever she planned. Soon, her palm covered his eyes gently.
"Breathe, Ash," she whispered, startling him a bit. "Just breathe calmly and free your mind with everything that worries you at the moment."
Cosette paused while he had his eyes closed with her palm over them. After a minute, she peeled her hand from his eyes while he reopened his eyes. As soon as he did, the first thing he saw was her beautiful gentle smile and the genuine care in her eyes.
Taken aback by the warmth of her eyes and smile, Asher slowly raised a hand, grabbing her arm before pulling her closer. Normally, Cosette would raise her defenses and go into defense mode on instinct. But Cosette just froze, holding his biceps as that was the only defense move her body did as a natural reaction.
"I'm sorry," he breathed out, gripping the material of her dress tightly. Asher lowered his head until his forehead was resting on her shoulder, eyes closed.
Her eyes slid to the corner, staring at him. His body was vibrating against hers. More than any malicious or anything of the sort, his embrace and touch only felt like he was scared and he didn't want to show it to her.
"Stay for a while," he whispered while his arm and hand trembled slightly. "I cannot breathe Cosette, and I'm scared of what kind of person I would become just so I could breathe."
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