Page 23 of Chasing Sophia

I’m waiting for him, and it’s not long before Asher returns with my bag in hand and slides into his seat. I curse my hormones for the shiver that runs through my body as he turns on the ignition.

“I like you fuming over crying, Soph. When you’re angry, I know you feel for me, even if it’s anger,” Asher says after we area few minutes into the drive. His somber voice is devoid of the usual sass.

I don’t reply because I don’t want to give him the pleasure of thinking he has won in some way. But I’d lying if I say hating him is easier than thinking I’ve lost him.

Once at school, I’m about to get out when I remember something. “Don’t even think about coming to my class with lunch.”

I take some solace in the way his eyes widen as I render him speechless and skid away, not knowing there’s one more surprise waiting for me.

For some reason, the ache that has found a permanent place in my chest for the past five days subsides as I walk inside the school building. On the way to the staff room, I’m surprised to find Miss Tee inspecting the display case. “Miss Tee, what are you doing here?”

She leads me to the outdoor courtyard. “I’m an alumnus of the school, so the principal allows me to visit in search of talent when I’m organizing new events. But today, I’m here to congratulate you. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to see your performance. I had to take my daughter to the ER due to food poisoning. Struggles of a single mom.” She smiles softly. “But right now, I only want to talk about you.”

Until today, I was so focused on impressing Miss Tee that I failed to see her as a normal person. A burning feeling develops in my chest, realizing she’s possibly here because of Asher.

“I’m so happy that the judges chose you as the best performer. I saw the recording. You moved the stage, Sophia. I haven’t seen such a strong performance at the gala in years.” She clutches her hands close to her chest without a mention of Asher, giving me courage to ask the question that has been haunting me for the past few days.

“Miss Tee, does the jury include… the guest of honor?”

Her furrowed eyebrows rise up before she shakes her head. “No. Mr. Miller refused to cast his vote for the best performance.” After a moment’s pause, she says, “I was confused and surprised to see him with that lapel, until it dawned on me why you decided to keep his true identity a secret. You wanted the selection committee to not be influenced by your boyfriend’s stature. And I respect you more for that.”

“So Ash had nothing to do with my selection?” I bite my lip when Miss Tee’s eyes narrow.

“No, and Sophia, please don’t ask that question again. You’re not only disrespecting Mr. Miller but also the committee.”

“I’m sorry.” My chest unfurls for the first time since the event.I did it on my own.

When it’s lunchtime,I decide to grab a salad from the faculty cafeteria. The thought of the tasteless salad in comparison to the warm, delicious soup and fresh bread that Ash delivered to my doorstep every day churns my stomach. I’m already berating myself for having such thoughts when the gatekeeper calls my name.

“Miss Sophia, there’s someone for you at the main gate.”

He didn’t! No way is he here after I explicitly told him not to come.

I’m fuming by the time I reach the main gate, and that anger dissipates a little at the sight of a young man in black pants and a white shirt. He has a small paper bag with him.

“Miss Sophia?”

“Yes, but who are you?”

“This is for you,” he replies instead and hands me the bag before sauntering away.

When I bring it to the staff room and open it, it’s carrot soup with sourdough garlic bread. As I take a sip of the deliciousness,my mind automatically goes to Ash. What is trying to do here, and why?

Ashcroft Miller isn’t hurting for women. In fact, girls would kill to spend a dayor nightwith him. And after spending time with him these past few weeks, I know it won’t just be because of his wealth.

He’s a man girls dream of. He’s caring—I look down at the soup, which is proof of that fact—but at the same time, he exudes a power that sometimes feels like that he might be able to command even nature. How had I felt so at ease with him? Every time I saw him, it was like coming home.

The day drags, with my mind restless and going back to Ash after every few minutes. When it’s time to go home, I feel a hum of electricity in my chest. Nervousness courses through me as I anticipate seeing him. At the same time, I hate myself for the streak of disappointment that runs down my spine at the thought that I might have pushed him too far.

“Miss Sophia.” The gatekeeper approaches me before I can step out. “Someone brought your car. It’s parked on the street.” He drops my car keys into my hand.

When I get inside my car and turn the key, it starts. Of course Ash took it to the garage and fixed the battery. But that’s not the only thing. The black seats, which were in need of serious repair, have been exchanged with soft beige leather. I turn on the new music system, and my heart pounds when the beginning notes of Franz Liszt’s“Liebesträum”blasts through the speakers.

Does he know how romantic this piece is?

Are you that naive to think that Ashcroft Miller has nothing better to do than prepare a romantic playlist for you?

At dinnertime,seven sharp, I hear footsteps on my porch. But like other days, I don’t wait for him to leave. Ash is just placing the paper bag onto my porch table when I pull the door open.

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