The Unwanted Encounter (Ash Lynx x Reader)

56) Planning

"Hey." I greeted Cièlle, taking a seat.

"Hi." She looked at me suspiciously.

"I, umm." I sighed, dropping my head in my hands.

"Are you.. Okay?" She asked me, analyzing my messed up headspace.

"Yeah, I just. Damn it." I cursed myself, getting up from my chair again. "Sorry, forget it." I shook my head, about to walk away. "I need to go."

"Y/n." She tucked on my sleeve, stopped me from leaving. "What's wrong? You've been so distant from.. me and everything. Shorter too. D-did I do something? Did I say something wrong?" She asked, stressing herself, overthinking too much.

"No." I looked down at her. "It's not you."

"Then what happened?! Shorter hasn't been replying to me, you too. I'm getting worried now. It's not normal for both of you to do that." She frowned, looking down on the table. It hurt me to see her usual cheery self so sad over me.

"No, it's not you." I took a seat back on the chair. "Ash, he's.. he's really sick. He's in the hospital right now and uh.." I rubbed my eyes, stopping myself from tearing up again.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry." Cièlle got up from her chair, immeditaly hugging me. "I didn't know that. Is- how is he?"

"In fatal condition." I whispered. "He's fighting for his life right now, and I can't do anything to help him."

"Y/n-"

"I love him so much. If I lose him, I'll go crazy."

"Can I do something to help you? I'm so sorry I don't-"

"No, leave it. It's okay you don't need to carry this burden." I got up from my chair again, pushing her away. "Take care. Sorry to disturb you." I left the café, not looking back at her. I was about to turn into another street when I heard my name being screamed by Cièlle.

"Y/n, stop!" She ran towards me, her schoolbag in hand, her afro bouncing on her shoulders every step she took. "I know you wanted to meet me cuz you need help with something! Let me help you." She grabbed me by my hand, holding them tightly. "Please, let me do this for you. I'll do anything you need."

"Cièlle, I don't want to ask you this because I don't want to involve you in my shit. You'll have too many questions and-"

"I won't ask anything. I promise."
————

"Their walls are strong, but I'll be able to break through." Cièlle stared concentratedly at her laptop screen, sure of herself she would be able to break through.

"You really don't have to." I sighed, worried I was pulling her way too deep in my problems.

"I just need ten more minutes." She assured me, giving me a confrontal glare of assurance. "Wait scratch that, I'm in."

"Already?" I asked, surprised from her sudden success.

"Yeah. Kinda underestimated my capabilities for a sec, but I got in."

"That's good." I took a breath of relief, happy she was able to get through.

"So which files did you need?"

"The one which might be named 'BF1'."

"Kay let me scroll through it." She swiped through her touchpad on her laptop, skimming through the labelled files. "Banana Fish?" She asked confusedly.

"That's it." I shot my head up at hers, sitting closer to her.

"What is that?" She asked, staring at me as I opened the file, going through the contents of it.