CHAPTER 33

I swear things were in control till the last moment. How the hell did that bastard flip everything just like that? I had the bloody upper hand over the situation, but he took control like always. I had enough backups to win over him, but alas, it went in vain. He is fucking genius in shattering anyone's confidence, and I hope I am intact. It didn't have the same amount of effect on me, but it did affect me a little. That's something, right?

I swear if Ralph is crawling back to him, I will kidnap him and lock him up forever. Oh god, I am going crazy. Can't I get control of the situation at least once? Every fucking time that bastard wins, and I can't do anything like always.

Ralph is an emotional fool, and Asher will start using that to his advantage like always, and my hold is lacking in that area. Ralph and I had something for a few months, and having sex for a few months doesn't count, so I can't make him stay if I want to. Ralph may feel something for me, but it's not strong compared to what he feels for Asher, and Asher would definitely encash it.

How the hell are things going to end up? I love my achievements too much to mess anything up, and I am certain that I don't want to spend my future in a bloody prison. I tried to cough at the last sentence, but I held back because in this situation I can't promise anything. I am going to mess up everything once again. Don't I?

"Why are you always late even when you didn't go to work?" Wow, I have some power unconsciously; I can come to my own apartment. That's not bloody important, but the one who was standing in front of me, questioning. The questioning was not important, and I don't want to know how he got to know that I didn't go to work but him, the whole charming face. The face was not important, but why the hell were my eyes stuck on his bloody face and invited things?

"Back to fucking earth." Ralph snapped his finger. "Did you meet anyone today?" I blinked a few times and maintained my composure. He didn't follow me, did he? Ralph was too nice to do that shitty thing. "What do you mean?" "I don't know, you tell me. You are giving so many of your old signs." I got what he was hinting about, but I didn't make it obvious; rather, I would play dumb game and be confused. Talking about getting back, he would make sure to do it; I swear I hate him for making me go through everything even without getting involved.

"Are you going to cook? If you are tired, we can order too." "No, no, give me a few minutes; I will cook something." "Ok, till then I will be watching TV." Of course, he wouldn't give a helping hand because his parents had not taught him, and he has a chef for cooking anything.

After getting freshened up, I was in the kitchen. I love cooking, and this is a good distraction from everything, a momentary pause for other thoughts and sole concentration on preparing a delicious meal.

I set the dinner table and called Ralph. He started serving without wasting any more seconds and I chuckle at that. He had learned something while staying with me, self-serving in his apartment that was done by the cook.

We started talking about random stuff, more about company-related things, as we were in the same position in different companies. "I may have to go on a business trip in a few days." "Are you ok to travel?" "It's been more than a week, and I am damn okay, thank you." "Can't you postpone or ask anyone to take your place instead?" "I could have if I was on speaking terms with my family. It's important, so I have to go." "Ok, let bodyguards accompany you." He rolled his eyes. "Already they are." "Including the people I have appointed; their expenses are going to be covered." "I don't give a damn about money, you know that." "I am going to give a damn about you, so let's not debate on that one." He didn't speak but did roll his eyes.

The next day I woke up to sunshine peeping too much through my window. I groaned and woke up; it was the weekend; I could have slept for a few more minutes, but I couldn't anymore because of Ralph and his hunger.

After I was done with my bathroom routine, I made my way to the hall. I was in the center of the hall getting a clear image of my house, which was a bloody mess. The cleaning lady would come twice a week, and this was never a problem before. I was stunned for a few minutes; I didn't notice this mess before because of my shitty routine, and I can't believe Ralph is this messy a guy. Oh, who am I kidding? That idiot was a pampered rich child. Why the hell does he think of keeping clean of anything? I sighed. Spending the weekend cleaning the house is just great.

I started from my room. My room was always clean; just a little bit of touch-up, and it was done, but I am damn worried about Ralph's room. I was in the hall performing the task when Ralph entered yawning. He is a patient, I reasoned; still, I couldn't help muttering a few curses underneath me.

Ralph was still in the same place with sleepy eyes, maybe in his dreamy land, followed by yawning as every second passed. His clothes were wrinkled, and he didn't bother to straighten up his clothes while leaving his room; his right hand was glued to his hair, which was shuffling like a maniac. Irrespective of everything, he was still looking gorgeous, including that white patch beside his mouth. Things like this would irk me, I would make a face and lash out with an angry face till they vanished from the place, but no such scenario was going to take place, and I am calm as hell.

How can one look so charming in this state? On the other hand, my look would be somewhat appreciable if I wore my office attire in a normal one, I look low to normal, and with drool on his face, he still looks bloody charming. These things need some digging, there should be some logical explanation.

"Why are you cleaning, and you haven't hired anyone to clean?" "I have she will come twice a week." "What, why?" "She cost too much. Normally my flat would be clean, but it's a mess. I guess I should thank someone." "Hey, I didn't cause this." "I need a really small favor from you: please throw waste things in the dustbin and keep the things back in their respective place." I plastered a fake smile on my face. "Can you do that?" "I can try." And I got the answer this was going to be a weekly routine for me.

After cleaning, I made my way to the kitchen, Ralph was watching the TV and didn't bother to wash himself. I guess a weekly off for everything except for eating.

I prepared plates and made my way to the couch by placing one in front of him. I sat beside him, and without wasting any more seconds, he started gulping. I chuckled at that. I waited for some conversation, but he was engrossed in watching some series. So, I should start one. "Any weekend plans?" "Nope." "Why?" "You know why." Right. I am damn happy only if he carries forever, and luck won't serve me that far. "You can't avoid them forever." "I know, but for now I don't want to talk to anyone." "But right now you need them." "No, right now I don't want anyone, so stop bothering me." "Right," "Anyway, you never liked them." "It's the other way around." By chuckling. "Yeah, right." "What, they never liked me?" "You never cared anyway." "Of course, because I don't give a damn about anyone except you sometimes, my mom."

He stiffened only for a second. It didn't last more than a second, and it was because of me. The consequences of my past actions were going to rub off on me thoroughly. "Don't even start now." I cleared my throat in order to formulate my next sentence, which I intend to keep beyond just words, and I swear on no one. I love to swear on my mom because of her grudges against me, but I couldn't as I can run to her whenever I want, irrespective of her negative opinion of me. I took a deep breath before speaking.

"I need to work on a lot of things, and I will. I was not perfect; I didn't even try to be one, but this time nothing is going to stop me."

I needed another chance, and I wanted to add this sentence too, but those words didn't leave my mouth. Too afraid to hear his response.