Meeting him.
After walking for some time, they reached the stake barrier which surrounded the cave. Since it was a small settlement, the houses weren’t so far from one another, and even their destination took only a few minutes to reach. They crossed the stake fence and she noticed at the cave entrance. Looking at the dark, gaping hole which stretched within, Roxanne couldn’t help but recollect the experience she had when she first woke up within the cave and how she felt.
“That’s not where we’re headed to,” Rita said, rousing Roxanne from her thoughts.
Roxanne turned to look at Rita and followed her as she took a turn around the cave entrance. Roxanne found clusters of rocks which resembled steps and observed how it led to the top of the entire structure.
“We’ll be climbing here,” Rita said.
Roxanne wasn’t a big fan of hiking, so she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea. A hesitant look appeared on her face as she stared at Rita.
“Come on, it’s not hard at all. Trust me, just follow my lead” Rita smiled.
She started to climb the rocks slowly, aware that Roxanne was behind her and carefully selected where to place her feet on and balance her hands. Roxanne followed her example and imitated as she climbed the small mountain. It wasn’t as difficult as she thought, so she increased her pace and gained more confidence with each climb.
“See? Not hard at all” Rita smiled.
Before long, they got to a point where they only needed to walk the slight slope. They could nearly see the top of the maintenance and kept venturing on. Finally, they reached the apex, as Rita got there first and supported Roxanne as she too climbed to the top.
“That was… Wow!” Roxanne exclaimed to Rita.
Rita’s face did not have the usual smiling expression. She had a serious look and then tilted her head to her side, gesturing to Roxanne to look further behind her.
Roxanne looked beyond Rita and found out the reason for the change in mood. Two men stood, conversing with each other. She recognized one as Dax. His brown hair and casual outfit got spotted immediately. But, she didn’t recognize the second one. That could only mean one thing… That man was none other than Asher!
Her face turned into a deep frown as her eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched just looking at his back. She couldn’t see him properly since he was backing them, but she didn’t need to. Her anger overturned and she couldn’t control herself anymore.
Noticing this, Rita quickly held Roxanne and whispered with her usual soothing tone.
“Calm yourself Roxanne… Please…” Rita pleaded.
Looking at Rita’s pleasing eyes, she slowly relaxed her tensed body and controlled herself. She gave Rita a smile and nodded calmly. Rita looked relieved to see this and together, they walked further to address the two men who spoke.
“Great Lord Asher, Lord Dax… We have arrived” Rita spoke in a formal tone as she bowed her head.
Roxanne didn’t follow Rita’s leads this time, even though Rita tried to make her. She forcefully remained upright and stared at the two men. The men slowly turned and looked at the visitors. Dad was the first to meet their gaze. He smiled slowly and nodded when he saw Roxanne which shocked her. She was confused as to why he did that. Finally, the one known as Asher turned back and for the first time, Roxanne saw him clearly.
His tall gait was the first thing she noticed, followed by his very handsome and well structured face. His body tone was even clearer than Rita’s, and he appeared to have a slightly make complexion. His pursed lips attracted her attention as she looked at his face, causing her bright blue eyes to interlock with his deep, crimson ones.
His stern, yet dashingly handsome looks could not be denied, as the winds blew his black colored hair across his face, along with the dark jacket he worked coupled with his black white shirt, black trousers and black boots. She remained stunned as she gazed upon him, and for some inexplicable reason, her heart began to beat faster than normal. She couldn’t fathom why, but her anger also reached rock bottom. It was as if she was melting before him, a strange phenomenon she had never experienced before.
“You may raise your head” He finally spoke, looking at Rita.
His deep voice reverberated around them, and Roxanne slightly shuddered as she heard it, thick and clear. His eyes darted away from Rita and settled on Roxanne, who was already looking unsettled by his presence, unnerved by her unexplainable reaction to him. He smiled as he saw her and moved closer, closing the distance between them slowly.
His confident demeanour and steady steps seemed to be the focus of everyone who was present. Within moments, he was directly in front of Roxanne, who had not uttered a single word since they met. Her face was down, hiding her expression from him.
“How cute” Asher thought to himself.
“Despite what Dax said, it seems she can’t resist my charms now that she’s in my presence. Of course, it’s only natural” He reasoned.
Rita grinned within herself and affirmed her words which she told Roxanne previously.
“You can fight it, but there’s no use. The attraction to your mate is something none can resist” She muttered to herself.
She was surprised by how soon it was for Roxanne though, after all she seemed to hate him just moments ago. Asher smirked at the sight and placed his hands on Roxanne’s shoulders. One of his hands travelled to her face, using his fingers to slightly raise her chin as he let her eyes.
His demeanour changed and his eyes bulged when he finally noticed Roxanne’s facial expression. Her face exhibited pure anger and disgust. Her eyes burned with anger and her teeth were visible, gritted against each other as her glare pierced his eyes.
“Get your hands off of me! Now!” She growled.
Everyone appeared confused by her sudden outburst, Rita most of all. Roxanne took steps back, leaving the reach of Asher’s arms, releasing herself from his grasp.
“Damnit Roxanne! What did I just tell you?” Rita screamed within herself, appalled by Roxanne’s unexpected display.
Asher appeared a bit stunned by Roxanne’s behaviour, especially after she had looked so smitten by him already. He definitely thought he had her already, but what happened?
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Roxanne said angrily.
Her disrespectful and angry tone made everyone there shocked. Rita looked very mortified by Roxanne’s attitude and covered her face with her hands, shaking it. Dax remained calm and stoic, though he felt uncomfortable with her words. Asher felt nothing but shock by how she addressed him, her sudden reaction toward him… He couldn’t comprehend it.
“Are you talking to me?” He asked her.
Her glare intensified as her eyes focused on only him, giving him the answer to his question.
“Disgusting! What right do you think you have to touch me by my shoulders? And what’s with that smile on your face. I was right after all, you’re truly a dick, aren’t you?” Roxanne yelled in annoyance.
Her words began to affect Asher, making him angry at her treatment of him. He didn’t deserve any of her words, yet she was talking to him so casually and insulting him to his face… Did she not know who he was?
“Hey, look here…” He addressed her
“No, you look here! I heard he was that crazy monster that attacked me in my grandmother’s place! Do you have any idea how I felt? I listened to Rita and decided to give you a chance, but you didn’t even apologise for your dangerous move and what you put me through. Yet, you can only smile and put your hands on my shoulder like everything is cool! Well it’s not! I thought Dax told you already, I want nothing to do with you! You disgust me, and I’m sick of this! I want to go back home!” Roxanne said in protest.
Asher looked at her as she spoke with great anger and passion. Of course, he felt no guilt for what he did, taking her away, but he felt something hot in his chest, and it pricked and burned him as she spoke. Finally she stopped and huffed, catching her breath.
Asher appeared to be in deep thought, ruminating on the words she spoke. Finally, he looked at her, as she started back defiantly.
“Apologise… For what?” Asher asked with a frown on his face.
Roxanne was shocked to hear him say this. His face showed a slight hint of anger as well, like she just did something uncalled for. His question rang in her brain, leaving her in a confused state.
“For what? Are you retarded?! You stalked me like some sort of creep, chased me till I passed out, and even abducted me! You did all those things and you have the galls to ask me ‘for what’? You must be sick!” She added.
These insults, coupled with her tone was too much for Asher to tolerate. However, he was surprised by his reaction to her words. They pricked him and hurt him, though he didn’t know why. Yet, despite her disrespectful action, which called for discipline and punishment, he didn’t feel any urge within himself to do any of that to her. He just wanted her to stop!
“THAT IS ENOUGH!” He finally decreed.
His harsh and authoritative voice echoed throughout the mountain. He glared at Roxanne, confused by her reaction and his as well. He didn’t like how he was feeling, he didn’t like it at all.
What was worse was that this wasn’t how he intended their meeting to unfold. He had planned out his words and actions, but they all went into nothing when they started talking. Not knowing what to say in his defence, he maintained eye contact with her, still glaring.
“This girl… What shall I do to you?” He questioned.