59 Chapter 10 (1/2)

Satele watched the man beside her in complete disbelief before she slowly lowered her head.

She couldn't believe this day. First, some hooligans made her realized what a person she had become. And second, this man, this untouchable man that was so hard to ignore with his intimidating presence, this crude man that didn't know what subtle means — was encouraging her? She was receiving encouragement from the one person that she didn't want to have any more dealings with. From the one person that she didn't expect to care nor bother about her.

It was also the same at that time. At that time when she was at her lowest point in life. Where she felt that the world was the cruelest to her. Where she felt that living was no longer bearable. Where she thought that she was no longer a person but just a commodity, where she had lost not only her innocence but also her will to face the future — he had been the unexpected light that had illuminated her darkest thoughts. His words were crude and degrading, yet she had lost count on how many times it had saved her.

He had been her tormentor and savior at the same time, not only at that time but even now.

No one had helped her. Not her family, not her father, not her friends, not the man she loves. It was him, a stranger that she barely knew.

Satele inwardly chuckled at herself while tucking a hair beside her ear.

After an awkward silence, she slowly stood up and quietly turned around to walk to the opposite direction.

”Where are you going?”

Asher asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman who was snubbing him.

Satele paused, yet she didn't turn back while she answered in a calm even tone. ”I still have an interview to finish. If you'll excuse me.”

Then she walked at a steady pace. She was still feeling conflicted yet her eyes were much brighter now while her gaze was steady.

Asher watched the silhouette of the woman until not a shadow remained, his dark onyx orbs rippled with emotions that he was not familiar with. Felt very foreign and… uncomfortable.

However, before his mind could process what precisely the emotions that were twirling inside him, his mood deflated when he heard a chuckled behind him.

”Eavesdropping is really a bad habit in the family.” Asher turned around, hands still inside his pockets while he faced his older brother who was now exposing himself behind a tree.

While Alvaro lightly laughed as he leisurely strode towards his second bother. ”Can't say I argue with you there.” Then he stopped just in front of Asher, smirking while his devious eyes glanced at the direction where Satele had gone.

”Your taste has change, brother. Is she really that good in bed that you're so concerned about her?”

An angry vein popped from Asher's forehead while he barked. ”Shut up! Stop making remarks that you know nothing about!”

Alvaro leisurely held his chin, playfully eyeing his brother. ”My, my, such temper. And you're even angry on her behalf. This is indeed…. unexpected. Who would have thought that my little brother would finally found his spring?”

Asher's face turned unsightly red, snapping angrily. ”What nonsense are you spouting about?! She's just a pitiable girl who arouses my manly instincts! Nothing more!”

Then afraid of what more his older brother would say, Asher calmly, yet speedily ran-walk away.

Alvaro grinned while watching the retreating figure of his second brother as he murmured to himself. ”He's still a kid.”

----

”There you are! We have been looking everywhere for you! Where have you gone to?”

Lanky and fatty immediately ran towards Satele when they saw her. They were panting and gasping for air, faces covered in sweat.

Satele felt guilty at looking at their somewhat haggard faces. They apparently had been searching for her everywhere until they were this exhausted.

She was about to say that she was sorry for losing her temper and for running away like that when the two beat her to it.

”We're sorry!”

She blinked when the two men bowed and apologized to her. For a moment, her mind went blank, didn't know how to react.

Then after, she hurriedly said. ”N-no... it should be me who is sorry.” She seriously gazed at the two who was looking at her in bewilderment. ”I went out of line. Apologies for my rudeness. If it's no trouble, I wish to continue the interview with you two.”

The two men looked at each other, slightly relieved while the corners of their lips stretched, forming a smile that urged everyone to slap their faces silly. ”Don't worry about it! We too are also in the wrong for not taking you seriously.”

Then the lanky man smacked his chest. ”From now on we will answer all your questions truthfully. So ask away!” After all, if we don't, the boss might beat us. He did say that we have to take care of this woman.

Satele slightly smiled. Her prejudice had vanished entirely. Even though the two men looked scary and seemed to be always up to no good, she could see that they have a good heart.

”Why don't we find somewhere to sit first?” Fatty suggested.

Where after they made themselves comfortable under the shade of a gazebo. Thirty minutes pa.s.sed and Satele had mostly gotten what she wanted from the two. Well… mostly.

”Is… Asher Cole the one who owned this place?”

Her lashes dropped at her notepad, pretending to be serious. Yet that slight quivering of her lips between her teeth betrayed her inner feelings.