Chapter 12

Cirilla's point of view

'Get away from me!!!'

I was startled by his words. I felt a knot tighten my chest in pain.It was unbelievable how those words clung to my thoughts and wouldn't let go. His voice was pleading and it held so much pain. But he refused to gaze at me. He had jerked away from my touch like I was some kind of lethal poison that could possibly harm him, even worse kill him. Even when Stefan and Wren had rushed to his side and helped him out of the dancefloor, he still wouldn't look at me. It was frustrating and I hated myself more for still thinking about him. I can't seem to pry him out of my thoughts.

Sighing, I focussed my attention on the punching bag in front of me in the training area. I resumed my punches on the bag, unable to quell my rage, frustration and confusion. No matter how hard I thought about it, no matter how much i tried to understand him, I still didn't get him at all. And it was infuriating. The fact that everything about him seemed to affect me. His actions, his gazes and even his pain seemed to affect me and I hated myself for that. I was more angry at myself for caring, but I couldn't help it. I don't know what madness had come over me, but all I could think of since last night was Asher. How much he affected me. How much his skin, his touch and warmth did wonders to me. I didn't get myself at all. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't understand my sudden obsession over a guy I barely knew.

I sighed again, feeling lightheaded and exhausted. I felt terrible, maybe even sick. I pulled off my gloves and decided to call it a day. I had finished my shift for the day, but I didn't feel quite good. I felt terrible sick inside. I strolled to the changing room, and stripped from my training shorts and singlet into my casual jeans and white button down shirt which I left the buttons undone, leaving my white tank top on display. Before leaving, I stopped at the gym manager office. Vince. He's the one that get things working around here but he's simply a grouch.

He was seated in his office on a call, his eyes lazily roamed on me for the briefest seconds before continuing his bantering over the phone. I walked in, and leaned on the yellow painted wall waiting for him to see me.

"Cirilla, what do you need from me?" He spoke as soon as he was done, without even sending a glance my way, busy shuffling the papers on his desk.

"I don't feel well. I think I might be coming down with a fever…" I may not be coming down with an actual fever but I was certainly coming down with an Asher fever. I had to get him off my mind, i really didn't have time to be obsessing over some guy. I had more important things going on in my life that I should actually be concerned about, and Asher Cohen should infact be the least of my concerns.

"And?" His tone was harsh, as usual. But I really didn't give a double fuck about him. I just needed tomorrow off to get my life in order.

'And get Asher out of your mind?' My inner voice muttered. I rolled my eyes at the name that shouldn't be mentioned. But I didn't have the strength to bicker at her or at me rather, regardless of the weird fact that I have been having conversations with a voice in my head which seems to be me but at the same time seems to have a helluva opinion of it's own, I've resolved that I may have probably inherited some of mum's psychotic disorder.

"And I need tomorrow off. To take a rest and get better" It was remotely hard to keep my frustration out of my voice. I could probably get fired, but I didn't care. Ever since a certain someone rammed into my life I stopped caring about a lot of things and became concerned in what I obviously shouldn't. Just thinking about him riled me up but at the same time it made me feel things I shouldn't. And I didn't want to.

I snapped back to reality. Vince eyes were on me studying me. He cleared his throat. "Fine. You can have tomorrow off to get some rest. It seems like you are in dire need of it" Thank you. Atleast someone agrees with me.

"But just a day Cirilla" I could sense the warning in his voice. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.

"Understood"

"I'll assign your scheduled trainee for tomorrow to Bob"

"Thanks Vince" I grabbed my bag and sauntered out of the building, only to crash into someone. I glanced up and to my utter surprise, it was Niko. "Niko!!" My eyes widened genuinely in sheer elation at the grinning face boring at me.

I leaped into his arms. I didn't realize how much I missed him till now. He carefully landed me on my feet.

"It's good to know someone missed me" He joked, his deep chartreuse eyes taking me in.

"When did you get back?" I pulled from his warm embrace.

"Just now actually. And I rushed over to see you"

I chuckled at his thoughtfulness. "That's sweet!" We walked over to his car parked a short distance. I scanned him over, his bright chartreuse eyes beaming radiantly with smiles. "So, did something happen back at home?" I hopped into the car, noting the odd shift in the air at the mention of 'home'.

"Nothing serious" He tugged on his seatbelt, digressing. So I'm guessing that's a untouchable topic and I didn't press any further. "So to the bar?"

I nodded and he revved off to the bar.

Darkness had already descended, and the bar had began to fill up with customers. I left Niko at the counter while I head in to speak to Jaxon with hope that he can cover my shift tomorrow. I went through the side door of the bar, only accessible to employees. I found Jaxon bringing out clean glasses from the store. Thankfully he agreed to cover my shift for tomorrow.

I stashed my stuff into my locker and changed into the usual uniform for the bar employees. A white button down shirt, paired with a black miniskirt. I pulled my hair into a neat bun and emerged from the side door to the bar. Niko had already left, he texted an 'emergency' came up, but will see me tomorrow.

The bar had gotten fuller with customers, some of which were highschool students above eighteen, it was only a matter of time before the bar got filled with more older customers.

I bustled around, serving drinks, cleaning up after customers and diverting some customers attention off my ass. And also got nice tips.

I turned from the light tap on my shoulder, and found Lyra's beautiful face and her lips stretched with a smile. Behind her was Stefan and Dorian.

"You came!" I yelled over the loud music to her, but my eyes wandered behind all three of them. I sent a silent thanks to the heavens, Asher hadn't accompanied them. I hugged her and showed them to an empty seat. "So what can I get you?"

I took down their orders. Three orders of Malibu and coke. I left and soon I was back with their orders.

I busied myself with my waitressing job. Serving more and more drinks as the bar began to crowd with customers.

"What else can I get you?" I asked the table at the corner of the bar.

"What was that?" He yelled over the music, chugging down a glass of whiskey.

"I said, what can I get for you?" I yelled back, so he could hear.

"One more bottle of this" He yelled back, it was obvious he was already buzzed by the alcohol.

I hurtled back and requested two more bottles from Jaxon who was behind the counter. I settled his order on the table. I swerved about to leave when his roughed and large hand grabbed my wrist, unexpectedly.

My blue crystals widened from it's cage. "Let go off me" I wriggled my wrist from his hold, and walked away, even though I could still feel his eyes on me.

I resumed my position at the counter, after some minutes Heller, a waiter on shift, asked me to collect the bottles and glasses abandoned on the table by customers who had left. I grabbed the tray and moseyed through the crowd to the tables that were stacked high with abandoned drinks and bottles. I was about to grab them when I felt rough hands around my waist, I spun around and it was him. The creep from earlier. He snaked his hands around my waist, slamming my body into his chest. The stench of alcohol reeking off his breath. I leaned, slamming my hands against his chest to get him off me.

"Oh, come on baby. Let's dance!" He grabbed me again, roughly.

"No. Get off me!!" I was now shouting over the music, about to result to using a more aggressive method when a powerful voice thundered behind us, totally catching me off guard.

"She said NO, didn't she?" The voice wasn't exactly yelling, it was somewhat calm, but one could note the deathly tremor that collided with the tone of his voice. I whipped my head back and my eyes widened at the figure standing few steps away from us. Asher. His height towering above us, wearing black jeans and white tee which buttons were left undone, giving an access to the inked tattoo on his skin. His defined muscles were out in full display. Behind him was Wren and a really, really pissed Julia.

My eyes returned to him. What was he doing here?

The drunken nuisance paused momentarily, his eyes darted from Asher to me and back to him. "What are you? Her boyfriend?" He spat. The last word unexpectedly freezing me. "Get on your way, this doesn't concern you"

"As a matter of fact, it does imbecile. She has everything to do with me. Let her go!!" I felt a fluttering warm feeling in the depth of my stomach, while my traitorous heart kept pounding in my ears in sheer excitement. My blue crystals were fixed on Asher's dominating figure, I could see his muscles popping in and out, and his gaze were a dark shade of his usual bright crystals, I saw a murderous streak in them and frankly, it was terrifying. "I won't ask twice!" The calm in his voice had long been abandoned. He was dead serious.

The drunk chuckled, his bravery was something I couldn't understand. I wasn't sure if he was just being plain stupid or maybe the alcohol in his system had made him go crazy but Asher looked ready to kill. My heart did a summersault at that thought. Ready to kill for me. Instantly, I kicked sanity into my system and jerked away from the drunkard grasp just in time for Asher's fist to collide against his cheek. He didn't stop there, he sent another one to his stomach. Asher was fuming with rage. He was about to pounce on the man again, but Wren pulled him back and Stefan appeared from his table that was at a distance. He grabbed Asher, whispering to him. Whatever he was saying seemed to be calming him down. The drunk had staggered to his feet, it was damned obvious he was running on the alcohol in his system, he looked Asher's way ready to fight. But Wren grabbed him, dragging him out of the bar.

I remained motionless, utterly speechless. I wasn't sure exactly what to say, my blue eyes on Asher whose emerald stones found mine. He held my stare briefly, before Julia cupped his arms, sauntering away to Lyra's table.

"Ci? Cirilla!" I broke my stare from Asher and found Stefan's concerned eyes on me. "Are you alright?"

I composed myself, nodding. "I'm good. Thanks" I smiled, leaving him to resume my job.

As soon as they settled in, Wren walked into the bar, sparing me a glance along with a small smile as he joined the clique.

I roved to their table, trying my hardest not to stare at Asher. "So what will you be having?" I asked as normal as possible, my eyes mostly on Wren, even though from my peripheral vision I could see Julia lips on Asher. I remained normal, unbothered and definitely not riled up, or even the slightest jealous.

I felt Asher's gaze on me, but I ignored him the rest of the way. Like he didn't matter. He can be with that bitch, I really didn't care.

'Oh please darlin, we may be hurt but let's not delude ourselves' The female voice in my head chimed,

I nodded as if listening to Wren order, when in reality my subconscious was stuck on Julia who was pasting kisses on Asher. I mean, doesn't she ever stop. If they were getting in the mood and all, they should probably get a motel. My smile remained a constant on my face, cognizant of Asher's own stare as he decided to go with what the rest was having. Julia gave hers as well, glaring at me all through. I left their table and soon, appeared with their drinks.

Asher still had his eyes on me. It didn't make me uncomfortable at all, only made me madder. Last night he literally shoved it to my face to stay away, but what was he doing here. He has a girlfriend sucking his face, why was he still staring at me? He was confusing. But I tried not caring, I had to focus on what really mattered in my life, like turning eighteen, leaving mum's shelter and rebuilding my life. That's the goal. And Asher Cohen didn't make the list. Reciting it all made my mind clearer, and that was a positive step to forgetting Asher.

I placed Asher's drink in front of him, his eyes shamelessly boring at me, as if wanting my attention, but I keep ignoring him, even when I was momentarily knocked out by divinely body scent. I refused to gaze his way. I placed Julia's drink down and her eyes met mine. She was glaring at me, fuming with rage that was only visibly in her hallow gaze.

"What is this?" Her sharp outburst caused everyone eyes to turn on her.

"I don't get. Is something wrong?" I hated the tone she used on me but I fought to remain calm.

"Yes. I didn't order this" She spat, her voice carrying hate. Okay. I never liked this bitch and it was no secret she never fancied me either. But what's her deal.

Before I could speak. Dorian turned to her. "Sure you did Julia. We all heard it" His voice was serious, having deep impatience and maybe a bottling anger.

"Stay out Dorian" She shut him up. Clearly she was aiming for me. Gunning for me.