"Mr. Terence, are you absolutely sure about Miss Crystal? I mean, if you give me a day or two, I can arrange for someone else," Ian, Ashter's secretary, suggested with a hint of concern in his voice.
Before Ian could finish his sentence, Ashter cut him off. "She's gorgeous."
"You're choosing her just because of her looks? Are you serious?" Ian questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Have you ever seen a secretary speak to their boss like that?" Ashter replied with a smirk. After a brief pause, both men chuckled. They had known each other since high school, and their long-standing friendship made their bond more relaxed and friendly.
"What's on the agenda for today?" Ashter asked as he settled into the car's backseat.
"You have a meeting with Paramount Production at 1 o'clock. Also, your father has invited you to a family dinner," Ian reported, handing Ashter a folder.
"A meeting and nothing else? Perfect. Drive quickly, then." Ashter's comment revealed his desire to avoid the family dinner.
Ian noticed the sadness flickering in Ashter's eyes but chose not to comment, knowing the strained relationship Ashter had with his father.
---
"Good morning, sir," Crystal greeted Ashter with a warm, hopeful smile as she entered his office.
"Morning, Crystal. Since you're here, you know about the meeting. Please get the files ready," Ashter instructed, his tone businesslike but not unkind.
"Oh, um, there's a tiny problem," Crystal said, her face turning anxious. She fiddled with her fingers nervously, her eyes brimming with worry. "I'm not sure how to use the printer, and I'm afraid of making a mistake what if someone laugh at me."
Seeing her distress, Ashter's expression softened. He noticed the genuine fear in her eyes and decided to help her. "Let me show you," he said, standing up and gesturing for her to follow.
As they walked through the corridors of offices, Crystal timidly clung to the back of Ashter's coat, looking like a frightened child holding onto a parent in a vast, unfamiliar place.
Her reaction was so endearing that Ashter couldn't help but smile. He gently took her hand in his, causing her cheeks to flush a delicate pink.
"If you ever need help with something, don't hesitate to ask Ian or me directly," he said, his voice soothing.
Crystal nodded, her nervousness easing slightly. As they walked hand in hand through the office, heads turned, and people began to stare. Crystal felt the weight of their gazes and glanced up at Ashter. "I feel like everyone's looking at us. Do I look strange?"
"Maybe it's because we're holding hands," Ashter suggested with a casual shrug.
Crystal's eyes widened as she realized they were still holding hands. She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Ashter's grip remained firm.
"Don't, Crystal. Let me hold your hand," he said, his tone firm but gentle, more like an order than a request.
Crystal hesitated for a moment but then relented, her hand staying in his. The warmth of his touch and the assurance in his voice helped her feel more at ease. Despite the stares and whispers around them, she felt a newfound sense of comfort and support.
But the question is why Ashter was being so gentle towards her?
•••
YOU ARE READING
Crystal Hearts
RomanceCrystal, a 21-year-old girl, grew up in an abusive family, and now she struggles with PTSD. Then there's Ashter, a guy who despises people with dual personalities because he believes anyone who cares for him is only interested in his wealth. But as...
