Crystal Hearts

Chapter 7. She is drunk

As evening fell, Ashter and Crystal walked through the busy streets of the city until they reached an elegant restaurant. The place stood out with its tall arches, sparkling chandeliers, and a warm, golden light that made the entire facade glow.

Crystal’s eyes widened in amazement as they stepped out of the car. "Oh my God, this is so beautiful—like a palace!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe and excitement.

Ashter smiled, pleased by her reaction. Her genuine wonder made him see the place with fresh eyes, too. "Do you like it?" he asked, his tone gentle as he observed her reaction.

"Yeah, but sir... it’s so expensive. Why can’t we just go to a normal restaurant?" she asked, a slight frown creasing her forehead. There was a hint of concern in her voice as if she were trying to be mindful of his spending.

Ashter simply shook his head, amused by her practicality. "Sometimes, it’s okay to enjoy something special," he said, taking her hand and leading her inside without further explanation.

As they entered the restaurant, Crystal’s gaze darted around, taking in the beauty of the decor. The place was designed with an old-world charm, with marble floors, gold accents, and plush velvet seating. It looked like something out of a dream, or perhaps a scene from one of those fairytale movies she used to watch as a child.

Her eyes sparkled with delight, and she couldn’t help but smile like a child in a candy store. The sheer beauty of the place was almost overwhelming. "It’s so beautiful," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

Ashter chuckled at her reaction, his heart warming at the sight of her happiness. "Do you like it?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"It’s amazing," she replied, her voice filled with wonder. "But... how come there’s no one else here? I guess they’re about to close?"

Ashter’s smile grew wider, a hint of mischief playing at the corners of his lips. "I don’t think so," he said, watching as she continued to look around, clearly puzzled by the emptiness of the restaurant.

It hadn’t come on Crystal that Ashter had booked the entire place just for them. The idea of someone going to such lengths was so far removed from her everyday reality that she didn’t even consider it.

They were seated at a cozy table by the window, which offered a stunning view of the city’s twinkling lights. The table was elegantly set with a single candle flickered softly between them.

"Oh wow, look at this! It’s so, so pretty, isn’t it?" Crystal gushed, pressing her hands against the glass window as she admired the glittering view outside. The city looked magical, the lights blending together to create a mesmerizing tapestry of colors.

Ashter watched her with a soft smile, his eyes reflecting the warmth he felt. "Are you happy, Crystal?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Crystal turned to him, her face glowing with contentment. "Yes, I am. Very happy," she replied, her heart swelling with emotion.

Ashter took a deep breath, feeling his nerves bubble up. This was the moment he had been thinking about for a while. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bouquet of vibrant flowers, followed by a small box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, knowing it was her favorite.

He offered them to her, his hand trembling slightly. "Crystal, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

For a moment, Crystal just stared at him, her mind reeling. Was this really happening? She had liked Ashter for a while, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined he felt the same way. Her eyes filled with disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I like you too," she finally managed to say, her voice soft and full of emotion. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, holding on as if she never wanted to let go.

Ashter felt a wave of relief and joy wash over him as he returned her embrace. When they finally pulled apart, they both had wide smiles on their faces, the air around them charged with a new, exciting energy.

As they settled back into their seats, the waiter arrived with their first course, a beautifully plated appetizer that looked almost too good to eat. Crystal picked up her fork, still smiling like she was in a dream.

"Is this wine?" she asked, eyeing the bottle on the table.

"Yeah. Do you want to try some?" Ashter asked, a playful tone in his voice.

"Okay, but I’ve never tried it before," she admitted, a little hesitant. Still, she picked up her glass and took a tentative sip. The taste was crisp and slightly sweet, and before she knew it, she had finished the entire glass.

Ashter watched with a mix of amusement and concern as she poured herself another glass. Within minutes, she had downed two bottles of the white wine, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes slightly glazed over.

"Sirrr, do you want to drink this tooo?" Crystal slurred, giggling as she leaned heavily against Ashter, her head resting on his torso. Her words were slow, and she giggled after every sentence.

Ashter looked down at her, torn between amusement and exasperation. "No, I have to drive. Let’s go," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Nooo, I want to drink just one more glass, please," Crystal pleaded, her voice playful as she clung to him. Her fingers tangled in his shirt, and her lips formed a pout that was impossible to resist.

Ashter sighed, realizing he was one inch away from losing control. If she kept acting this cute, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could be the gentleman he was trying to be.

"You have no idea what you’re doing," he muttered, trying to control himself. He couldn’t help but smile as she gazed up at him with those big, innocent eyes, clearly unaware of the effect she had on him.

Seeing that she was in no state to walk, Ashter scooped her up into his arms, carrying her effortlessly out of the restaurant. Crystal nestled into his chest, giggling softly, her arms wrapping around his neck as she fell asleep.

As he carried her to the car, Ashter couldn’t help but chuckle at the situation. "You’re going to feel this in the morning," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face as he carefully placed her in the passenger seat.

Crystal’s eyes fluttered shut, a content smile on her lips as she drifted off to sleep, the wine finally taking full effect. Ashter looked at her, his heart swelling with affection. He had never felt so protective over anyone before, and the realization hit him like a ton of bricks—he was falling hard for her.

The drive back to his place was quiet, the only sound being Crystal’s soft breathing as she slept. When they arrived, Ashter gently woke her, helping her out of the car and into his apartment.

"Thank you," she mumbled sleepily as he tucked her into bed, her words barely coherent.

"You’re welcome, sugar candy," Ashter whispered, leaning down to place a soft kiss on her forehead.

Ashter couldn’t help but smile to himself. This night had turned out to be far more eventful than he had planned, but in the best possible way. He could hardly wait to see what the future held for them.

A sneek peek to next chapter

Ashter gently laid Crystal on his bed, unaware that she was in his apartment. As he hesitated to remove her jacket, but then eventually did. When he finally slipped it off, his breath caught at the sight of the wounds on her arms—some faded, others raw and fresh. His eyes lingered on the marks, his mind racing to piece together the pain she had endured.

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