Emma was startled by the sudden voice that came from behind her. Even her fork fell onto her plate.
Hastily looking back, she was annoyed to find Asher who was grinning from ear to ear.
"We meet again," Asher's energetic greeting sounded dreadful to Emma. She rolled her eyes at his odd behavior and turned back to face Bella who was starstruck by Asher.
"Emma, you know him?" Bella's hushed voice irked Emma to no end as she didn't want to remember how she had been taken advantage of countless times by this con of a man.
And Emma had yet to find a way to get back at him. Gritting her teeth, she glared at Bella who didn't pay any attention to her as her gaze was fixated on Asher.
Shaking her head, Emma didn't answer Bella's question. On the other hand, Asher casually invited himself over to their table and sat next to Emma.
Emma scoffed at his shamelessness but refused to say a word as she didn't want to acknowledge him.
"Sorry, I listened to your conversation." Asher half-heartedly apologized. "But it isn't my fault as your topic of small talk was way too interesting."
Emma glared at him from the corner of her eye. But didn't outrightly admonish him for eavesdropping, probably because she was guilty herself for having listened in on someone else's conversation.
"Oh, that's completely fine." Bella tucked a strand of her hair. "Maybe we were too loud and disturbed you."
Emma shivered from Bella's high-pitched voice which was dripping with honey and felt the urge to throw her breakfast out.
"Or maybe you have a motive and deliberately listened to our conversation because the restaurant is pretty loud and we were talking in hushed voices." Emma finally couldn't stay calm and retaliated to which Asher's smile widened, showing his front teeth.
"It may be true." Asher sounded mysterious as he drank a mouthful of cold coffee.
"Why are you bothering yourself with the likes of us?" Before Bella could speak and possibly embarrass them, Emma asked.
Bella pouted at this but still smiled at Asher. She looked as if she was out stargazing as she stared at Asher.
"You can say that I was impressed by the beauty at this table and couldn't restrain myself." Asher leaned over and huskily whispered in Emma's ear.
Emma straight away distanced herself from Asher and rubbed her ear until it became red. She had not expected Asher to do something like this so impulsively.
Bella cooed as she watched the exchange. Although she was a bit sad that Asher wasn't interested in her, she still gave Emma and Asher her approval by giving two thumbs up to Emma.
Emma frowned at her weird gestures but when it dawned on her, she wished to get away from these people as soon as possible or else she might not be able to maintain her sanity.
"Have you gone mad?" Just as Emma turned to Asher wanting to confront him about his previous comments, she unconsciously knocked down the syrup-covered pancake all over Asher.
*Bloop* the pancake fell down to the floor but the syrup was latched over to Asher's clothes.
It was a sad accident. Emma was horrified as she saw the syrup dripping from Asher's pants, almost all over his thighs.
"I'm so sorry." Emma was flustered as she quickly grabbed the napkins to help Asher clean his pants. Albeit her hatred for Asher, she didn't want to ruin his suit like this. It was both frustrating and embarrassing as she had not meant to do something like this.
Before Emma could put the napkins over Asher's lap, a warm hand with long, thin fingers grabbed hers. Emma was surprised by this sudden course of events. Asher didn't let go of her hand and instead lightly took the napkins from her hand.
"I know that you are eager to flirt with me but have some restraint, my love. We are in the middle of a busy diner." Asher's hoarse voice numbed Emma's ears.
Emma blushed deeply at his words. She didn't know what to say as her thoughts were all over the place.
Thinking back on her actions, she wanted to dig a hole in the ground. What was she thinking when she enthusiastically tried to help him clean the syrup off his pants? Emma hung her head low with shame.
She was so embarrassed that she didn't want to look up to see the reactions of Bella and Kale. Her whole face was beet red and she looked like she was suffering from a fever.
Asher calmly cleaned the syrup and glanced at Emma who was trying to reduce her presence by shrinking in her seat.
Asher gave a low laugh as he watched her. He didn't realize why but Emma looked extremely cute in his eyes at that moment.
Emma's thoughts were completely different from Asher's as she heard Asher laugh. She wanted to slam her head on the dining table. She had never been so embarrassed before which was why she failed to snap back at Asher's suggestive remarks.
"Let's go to my room." Asher warmly said with a hint of tease.
Emma abruptly raised her head to look at Asher who didn't look ashamed as he proposed his thoughts. He even went ahead and winked at Emma.
Emma was enraged by his suggestion and clenched her jaw as she raised her foot to hit Asher's shin. Asher immediately backed away and laughed at her reaction.
He was thoroughly enjoying watching different emotions fluctuate across Emma's face.
"I think you misunderstood me. I asked all three of you to come to my cabin. Don't you want to know how you can attend the auction?" Asher explained. He had purposefully caused Emma to misunderstand his statement. "We should leave the table because there are others who are waiting to have their breakfast." Asher directed his eyes at Bella and elucidated.
If Emma didn't want to drown herself before, she was definitely willing now. She had misunderstood Asher and even acted rashly before comprehending his words.
Emma felt her face was on fire as she tried to control the whirlpool of emotions.
In the meantime, Asher paid for their breakfast and got up. Bella also got up followed by Kale.
Emma failed to realize that all of them were now waiting for her. Asher lightly cleared his throat as he didn't want to tease Emma or else, he might have to collect a melted Emma from the floor.
Emma looked up and saw Asher staring down at her with his deep hazel eyes as if beckoning her to follow him.
Emma got up in a trance and held Asher's extended hand. She didn't realize Asher's heartfelt smile when Emma held his hand.
Bella was surprised by Emma who had been tamed by Asher in just a few minutes and sighed as she wished to have some hunk do the same for her.
Kale was emotionless throughout the Breakfast, focusing only on eating. He didn't even know when Asher had come to their table.
He watched as Emma went ahead with Asher and grabbed Bella's hand who was sighing. He didn't give her a chance to react as he closely kept up with Asher.
Bella blushed at his behavior but didn't stop him.
As they were waiting for the escalator, Emma finally regained her mind and was frightened out of her mind as she saw Asher holding her hand. She immediately took her hand back and breathed quickly.
Asher felt a sense of loss as he stared at his hand which still had a warm sensation left. He clenched his hand and looked away.
The rest of the way to Asher's cabin was uneventful except for the fact that Kale was holding Bella's hand tightly. He did not let go of her hand even when they entered the cabin.
"Make yourself at home," Asher's deep voice rumbled and Emma felt as if her heart had skipped a beat at his husky voice.
She quickly shook her head and stopped herself from building up false scenarios.
'It's not been that long since you suffered the consequences of having such thoughts all by yourself' Emma reminded herself and it helped her clear the fog in her mind.
Emma went ahead and sat on the chair next to the bed. Since Asher had asked them to make themselves comfortable, she would not stand at ceremony.
Asher went to the bathroom and changed into a casual grey T-shirt and sweatpants.
Perhaps it was unintentional but Emma didn't fail to notice the resemblance of his attire to her eyes.
Asher's gaze fell upon Emma who was sitting as if it were her own cabin and smiled to himself. He took out some soft drinks and handed them to each of them before casually sitting on the bed.
"So, why are you guys looking for the passes to the silent auction?" Asher broke the ice.
Emma wanted to say that he didn't need to concern himself with their matters but was cut off by Bella before she could even start.
"Emma was really curious about the auction and wanted to go to one."
"But first of all, how did you even know about the auction," Asher asked sharply as his gaze turned serious.