Chapter 2 A Paradise With The Devil

ASH is not just rich and influential, but he's also a hot mess. A seductive hot mess. Many girls are infatuated with him, probably because of his good looks and charm, which I can't deny. He had that black curly hair and eyes that could penetrate someone’s soul. Guys like him don't know how to love. They just know how to f.uck and switch girls as if they were changing clothes. I’ve never seen him get serious with any girl. He often targets quiet girls, ensnaring them with his charm, only to leave them once he gets bored. Is it because he's rich? Handsome? Freakin' influential? Is he so bored with his life that he gets a thrill out of making girls cry and playing with their hearts? “What a ruthless jerk,” I muttered while walking back home. “But as long as he doesn’t bother me, everything will be fine.” Our conversation earlier should be the first and last. I don’t want to be associated with him further. I He's a bad influence on everyone. He's making good girls go bad. However, I am not a good girl either. "LOOKS like you're coming home late every day now," my dad said to me the moment I stepped into our house. I had literally just set foot inside the door. I hadn't even put my left foot down yet, but there he was in front of me, his hand on his hips, scolding me. "There's just a lot to do at school," I answered as I removed my two-inch black shoes and socks. "I'm not doing anything wrong if that's what you're thinking." Despite my anger toward him, I still showed my respect. But the question is, does he really deserve it? Respect is earned, not given. He doesn't even deserve the politeness I'm showing him right now. After all the horrible things he's done, I don't know how I still manage to face him, and I don't understand how he can scold me now, after everything that happened four years ago. I went straight to my room to change clothes. My uniform was drenched in sweat, and I felt grimy. "How long will you be like this with me, Sapphire?" Even though I couldn't see my dad, I could hear the sadness in his voice. A sadness that will never remove the barrier in my heart. "How long will I be like this?" I asked my dad as I came out of my room. "As long as you're here, Dad." Even though I didn't want to, I suddenly gave him a sharp look while tightly gripping my clothes. “As long as you’re here…” “What an ungrateful child!” he shouted, and before I knew it, he slapped me, hard. I could feel the pain in my right cheek, and even though I wanted to touch it, I didn't. Instead, I tightened my grip on my uniform. I will never show him that he can hurt me. I am no longer the Sapphire who cried to him four years ago. "I-I thought you loved us..." I said, sobbing as I faced my father, who looked at me without any emotion. "But... but why did you betray Mom?" I am no longer that girl. "Is it because of your scholarship that you've become so disrespectful?! You wouldn't have achieved that without me! You are ungrateful!" Despite the pain I was feeling, I gave him a very sweet smile. This was how my dad used to manipulate us. It was with this smile that he captured both my mom's and my heart. Mama thought he was a good husband, while I thought he was someone I could look up to. I idolized him since I was a child because I believed he was kind, helpful, and caring. But he’s not. He’s a monster—Someone who ruined our lives. "You're right. Absolutely right," I replied. “The reason I'm in this situation is because of you. You're right, so even though I'm exhausted, I have to juggle my studies and work because of you. Why? Because of your debt, which was for my college expenses, yet you used it for gambling.” While at school, I needed to restrain myself to maintain a peaceful school life, but here at home, I'm different. I'll say what I want to say. I'll do what I want to do. He's not worth my patience. He wasn’t able to respond, so I took that opportunity to walk out of the house to cool my head somehow. I'm curious about where Mom is because she's not at home, but for now, I need to focus on myself. I need some fresh air. As I walked, I allowed my feet to lead me wherever they may. Lost in thought, I realize how far I've come, and I'm not sure where I am. "What place is this?" I asked myself as I surveyed the surroundings. My eyes widen as I realize I'm in a place with a water fountain in the center, surrounded by numerous trees. The place looks beautiful. It's serene yet peaceful at the same time. I'm in paradise. A paradise with a demon. "Ash," I softly call out to him as I see the demon leaning against one of the big trees, watching me. His stare was intense as if he wanted to communicate with me through his gaze, but no matter how much I tried to decipher it, I couldn't figure out what he wanted to convey to me with his look. His gaze grew darker with every passing second. What am I doing here in the Devil's den, with the Devil itself in front of me? "What are you doing here?" Ash asked me in a serious tone before raising his right eyebrow. He was still wearing the same clothes... his uniform unbuttoned and his pants. He held the cigarette in his mouth with his right hand while his left hand was in his pocket. His posture screamed dominance as if warning me that I shouldn't be there and I should leave because he was present. "I don't know," I answered honestly as I glanced around at the surroundings. Even though it was just in my peripheral vision, I saw him smirk when he noticed what I did. "You don't know?" He grinned before leaning back against the tree. His eyes, full of lust, were burning. I knew that was always on this guy's mind, and of course, this moment wasn't an exception. "You're walking without knowing where you're going?" "I won't try to make you believe in me, Ash Cassius," I answered in a cold tone. What I said earlier was true. Maybe I was overthinking to the point where I didn't even know where my feet were taking me. And it led me to him. “Hmm…” he hummed before his gaze went to my breast. I wasn't wearing a revealing shirt, but his gaze made me feel like I was already naked, even though I wasn't. The weather was cold, and the wind blew intermittently, but my body felt differently. However, I was shocked when Ash’s gaze went back to my face, asking something that made my face reddened.