CHAPTER 2

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I failed to notice the person behind me. When I turned around, there stood the same man I loathed, boldly standing a few meters away from me, and I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering why he had entered my room without my permission…again! Even though I scowled at his presence, I was unable to frighten him. The way he grinned at me made my blood boil in annoyance!

“Asher! What are you doing here? For the nth time, I fired you, didn’t I?”

Asher chuckled and came over to stand at the window with me, then he said, “I work for your father, Miss Scarlett.”

“In that case, I'm going to phone him right now!”

The phone was on my bed, so I went to get it and left him by the window. I dialed my father's phone number, and I received the same response as I had earlier: I was told to leave a message on his voicemail, and after several attempts, I finally gave up and muttered under my breath.

”So? What did he say?” He inquired, and then he came towards me in a slow, deliberate manner and only halted when he was at least a few steps away from where I had stood up.

“How much should I pay you?”

“What are you talking about?” He furrowed his brows as he asked.

“I’ll pay you a handsome amount if you resign from the job,” I offered, and for a moment, he was speechless. My freedom may cost me a lot, but who cares?

“You can’t afford it, Miss Scarlett.”

“Are you sure about that, Asher?”

“Hmmm, the offer is tempting, but I want something else than your money,” he replied.

“What is it?” I asked out of curiosity, then I smiled at the thought that everything has a price.

“Spend a night with me,” he proposed.

I gazed at Asher, feeling utterly dumbfounded by his stubbornness. Despite being fired from his position as my bodyguard, he adamantly refused to leave Nightshade Empire. I couldn't comprehend why he insisted on staying. He had violated my privacy, eroding my trust in him. Yet, he seemed convinced that he was indispensable, that I needed him for my protection.

Though I didn't want to admit it, a part of me admired his unwavering determination. He possessed a strength that couldn't be easily dismissed. However, alongside that admiration, I couldn't help but feel frustrated by his refusal to accept my decision.

As the daughter of the Lycan King, I was taken aback when Asher had the audacity to proposition me for a night together. I couldn't believe he would even entertain such a thought.

Anger surged within me. How dare he assume he had the right to ask for something so inappropriate? Did he not understand who I was and the position I held?

"Asher," I seethed, my voice laced with fury, "how dare you suggest such a thing? Do you have any idea who I am?"

He met my gaze, his expression unreadable. "Yes, I know exactly who you are," he replied. "But I also know that there's a connection between us, Scarlett. And I can't ignore how I feel," he said with unwavering confidence.

I shook my head, utterly disgusted by his audacity. How dare he speak to me as if we were equals, as if we were close? "A connection?" I scoffed. "What connection? We barely know each other."

His eyes locked with mine as he spoke. "I know," he admitted. "But I've already seen so much of who you truly are."

Revulsion washed over me. I was a princess, and he was merely a bodyguard. There was no way I could forgive his disrespect. "Asher," I said firmly, "I have no interest in you. And I never will. Please, leave me alone."

His eyes filled with hurt as he looked at me. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to offend you. But regardless, I have to stay here, whether you like it or not."

I shook my head, frustration mounting. "Why are you being like this? Can't you just leave when I've asked you to?"

"I'll be in the next room if you need me, Your Highness. Goodbye," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.

I was astounded by Asher's refusal to leave and his statement that he would be in the next room. His audacity and stubbornness were beyond belief. However, I knew I had to maintain my composure and handle the situation carefully. I couldn't allow him to believe he had any power over me.

Deciding to gather my thoughts and plan my next move, I went to my closet to find something comfortable to wear. As I dressed, thoughts of Asher swirled in my mind. I couldn't simply let him remain in the next room, but causing a scene wasn't an option either.

Finally, I resolved to confront him directly. Irritation and frustration surged through me as I made my way to the room where Asher was supposed to be. I couldn't believe he had the audacity to stay in the castle after I had dismissed him as my bodyguard.

I knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside. When I turned the doorknob, I realized it was unlocked. Opening the door, I expected to find Asher sitting there, but to my surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. I glanced around, wondering where he could have gone, until I heard a noise coming from the bathroom.

Approaching the bathroom door, I hesitated. What if he was inside, and naked? I stood frozen outside the door, unsure of what to do. Just as I debated whether to open it or not, Asher emerged from the bathroom, clad only in a white towel.

Shock and embarrassment washed over me as I saw him standing there, half-naked. He had violated my privacy before, and now he was making me feel uncomfortable once again.

"What the fuck?" I asked, attempting to keep my voice steady.

"Just freshening up," he replied, mischief twinkling in his eyes.

Anger surged within me. How could he be so casual about his half-naked state? Didn't he realize how inappropriate it was?

"You can't just walk around like that, Asher," I stated firmly.