~~Carson's POV~~
Perfect. Now I had to let go of Ashley. Did he do that intentionally? I was still pretty puzzled but for now, he only beckoned for a harmless handshake. That could not be so difficult.
I accepted the gesture. "Carson Anderson is the name."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ashley's coursemate," he finally introduced, solving half the mystery.
"Ohh…" I glimpsed at Ashley but she remained silent. This was the other half of the mystery his introduction didn't solve. If they knew each other wouldn't exchanging pleasantries be the most plausible action to take? Or was Ashley's personality posing a barrier?
"Ashley…" I nudged with my arm beside hers.
Without uttering a word, she walked past him. Now this was getting a little intense. Why did she leave like that? I was confused but a part of me felt relieved that she didn't pause because she was smitten by his good looks. And the look she gave him just before walking out also suggested otherwise but I was yet to figure it out.
And the guy.
The guy who was just ignored seemed chill about it, releasing huffs in a way that suggested he was rather amused than offended.
"Ummm sorry about that." I didn't know why but I felt the need to apologize.
"It's fine," he brushed off almost at once. "Do have a wonderful date together," he simply urged with an inexplicable smile before walking out.
It took me a while to unfix my eyes from his back but eventually did and headed in.
While I was focusing on the lovey-dovey aspect of our outing, Ashley remained vigilant, snooping on everyone's every move. I told her a couple of times to chill out. She would, but eventually return to doing it again after a while. I gave up trying to get her to loosen up and just enjoyed the fun aspect until it was time to leave.
We made our way to the counter to pay for the few things we shopped for. It would be weird leaving empty-handed so we got some things.
"Okay that would be 99 dollars," the cashier said kindly.
I dipped my hand in my pocket to get my wallet and then saw Ashley was doing it again. She was boring through the cashier's skin with her eyes. Soon she took notice and felt uneasy.
"Umm, ma'am is there a problem?" she asked, not sure why Ashley was glaring at her.
I didn't pay serious heed to what was happening now because Ashley had been doing that – glaring at people. My attention was only piqued when the base of the plastic bottle standing on the counter was getting squeezed within Ashley's grip.
I scanned the perplexed cashier's face to deduce the issue here. She looked fine at first glance but then…
Her eyes…
They were blue.
Deep blue.
'Deep ocean blue eyes.'
"Shit!" I mumbled when I finally recalled Ashley usually lost her cool not only in the face of blood but blue eyes.
~~Ashley's POV~~
'Oh God make it stop!' I cried inwardly, unable to take my eyes off the glowing pair of blue eyes before me. Those eyes. They were beautiful. But the situation I was in rid me of any chances of staring in admiration; I was terrified. I also knew I shouldn't be freaking her out the way I did but my hands were tied. I already could feel my pulse gaining pace, and my tremors were slowly creeping in. I wanted it to stop. 'Someone just make it stop!'
Like my cries were heard, something covered my eyes. Its hold was firm yet it felt so soft against my skin. I drew in a deep breath to calm myself down now it was finally over.
"Thank you. And sorry about that." I heard Carson's voice from my right-hand side this time followed by the rustling sound of plastic bags. "Keep your head down," I felt his breath graze my ear and figured he was leaning in to whisper. I obeyed without complaints this time while he moved his left hand initially over my eyes to rest on my shoulder instead.
Encircled within his protective hold, I was led out of the building to his car.
He made sure I was seated comfortably in the passenger seat before going around to take the driver's.
"Are you okay now?"
I was still not in the right mind to give him a reply and just clenched my pants tightly to contain my tremors. He then wrapped the trembling hand safely in his. This time, I didn't protest.
A sense of calmness seeped through his hold into my being. My tremors dwindled; I felt more at ease now.
"Should I take you home?" he asked in his usual manly yet soothing tone.
I didn't wanna go home. That would needlessly make my mom worry. There was only one option left.
After taking deep breaths I replied: "Take me to Miss Antonia's."
"You sure?"
I nodded meekly.
I was in no mood to give a damn about letting him into my privacy. All I wanted was to feel better and free. And only my therapist could attain that for me.
Miss Antonia's house…
I made myself comfortable in her swing chair, Carson sat next to me in a single sofa and we both were on hot cups of coffee she served us. I'd related my whole ordeal to Miss Antonia and it got really quiet after she went in to get something. Well that was until…
"Who was that?" his masculine voice cut through the silence calmly.
I paused, holding the mug's rim few inches away from my lips. "Who was who?"
"The guy we met earlier today."
That's right. The blue-eyed guy. I almost forgot about our meeting for a moment there.
"What guy?" I still feigned ignorance, hoping Miss Antonia would just walk in on us. I wasn't in the mood to talk about how a total stranger triggered gruesome memories when he had apparently zero connections to the case.
"The guy at…"
"I hope I didn't keep you guys waiting." 'Phew. Thank goodness!' Miss Antonia walked in right on time from the stairway behind me.
"Here." She dumped on my laps encased contacts and a glass case, walking past me to the 3-seater sofa.
"What's this?" I hastily put down the mug on the side stool beside me and picked up the stuff with scrutinizing eyes.
"I'm certain you already know what they are," she said relaxing against the backrest and staring back at me.
"Okay fine. What are they for?" I rephrased.
"You said you almost had an episode. The contacts would not let you see any shade of blue colors. The shades are self-explanatory."
"Have you always had these?"
"Yeah. I wanted to see how much longer you could hold out on your own."
"I could easily get sunshades for myself without having to come to you."
"Well, you didn't. And here you are." Yeah, she was right. She already had me in the palm of her hands and it was as if my every move were foreseen.
"Alright, thanks," I undertoned.
"You recently had an episode and missed school because of that."
*Cough cough*
I choked on the coffee I was sipping when I heard her blurt. How did she find that out? How did she know?!
Out of mannerism, I veered to Carson and confirmed he was already peering into me as expected. I never told him about it and now it was out in the open.
"How… how did you know that?" I asked with fluttering eyelids lingering on Carson a bit longer before swerving back to Miss Antonia.
"Your mom told me everything." Nice. It wasn't a wild guess this time.
"My mom? Why?"
"She came to ask for permission to continue taking your medications."
"And?"
"And I said no."
"Yeah, sure."
I felt indebted to her to a reasonable degree for relieving me of those horrible tastes put together in either pills or capsules. Moreover, I felt no positive effect they had so there was no reason to keep putting up with them. I knew it was her job to get me better but if felt like this case was treated by her on a more personal level. Was she already growing fond of me?
"Umm… Miss Antonia?"
"Mmm?" she hummed faintly in response with a portion of the cup's rim fit between her lips as she sipped quietly while going through something on her phone.
"Why are you so particular about my meds?"
"Because it would hamper my work," she replied casually not putting her phone away. A confused scowl crept into my face.
"How do you mean?"
She put the phone away, clearing the view to her face. "Those drugs will not help you get any better. They could even worsen your case if the worst happens. And that could in turn render my efforts futile. I have a specific time allotted to you and nothing should derail my plans for you." She stated as a matter of fact.
Oh. Yeah, I guess?
At that point, I felt a subtle pang of disappointment. What was I thinking? Everything she did for me was strictly professional.
"So tell me. How's the case with the blue-eyed guy coming along?" Tilting her head further to the side while crossing her legs, she called Carson's attention. "Detective Carson?"
"Yeah!" He straightened up with both hands on his knees.
"How's the case coming along?"
"It's not been easy but we're still on it."
"That's the sole reason Ashley's been stressed out lately. Please do well to get it done with, and ASAP," she requested on my behalf.
"We're making sure to do our very best."
Carson was hardly relaxed. Yet that was expected as Miss Antonia's presence demanded respect. Her eyes that looked like they could see secrets lying deeply within anyone made it even more reasonable why he couldn't loosen up. She was no average lady with an awing aura around her.
"Meanwhile, Ashley were you able to catch some sleep? Would you like to now?"
My response was delayed, stunned by the suddenness of her question. I was still yet to understand the spell she used but who cares? As long as I could shut my eyes and fall into a deep slumber, I'm okay.
"Yes please."