Steal His Innocence - Completed

CHAPTER 6: The Stalker in a Hoodie

ASHER'S POV

It's been fifteen minutes since she left my place.

Fifteen minutes.

And I'm still standing in the same spot where she said goodbye.

Why am I like this?

I should've walked her down. I should've at least checked if she got home safely. It's past nine. The streets aren't exactly quiet at this hour.

Then again... she's Viana.

She probably walks through danger like it's a runway.

Still.

I exhaled sharply and stepped out onto the terrace, gripping the railing harder than necessary. The night air didn't help. If anything, it made everything louder inside my head.

Is she safe?

Is she driving too fast?

Did she even eat properly before leaving?

This is ridiculous.

She's not my responsibility.

I went back inside, grabbed my hoodie and car keys without thinking too much about it. By the time I reached the parking lot, I saw her white car already exiting.

Damn it.

I started my engine and followed.

Not too close.

Just enough to see her tail lights.

Where are you going, Viana?

She didn't drive recklessly. No sudden turns. No distractions. Just steady.

When she entered her condominium parking area, I slowed down and parked across the street. I couldn't go in because of the guard, so I stayed where I was.

She's safe.

So why am I still here?

I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes briefly.

Because I wanted to make sure.

Because she cleaned my mess.

Because she stayed.

Because she didn't have to.

At first, I couldn't understand her. Why follow me? Why insist on helping? Why push herself into my space like she belonged there?

And before at the bar... what was that?

Trying to "heal" my broken heart.

She's corny.

She's loud.

She curses like it's punctuation.

She's chaos.

And I don't need chaos.

I'm not like other guys who get swayed by girls like her. I'm not easily seduced. I don't lose focus just because someone looks good in a tight dress and leans too close.

I want someone decent.

Someone steady.

Someone like—

I stopped the thought.

Hara.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

I loved her.

Since we were kids overseas.

How can someone grow up beside you and still not see you the way you see them?