Saving the Villain

"I thought since you two seemed a little close, there's something going on between the two of you already. So, I'm relieved to know it seemed I misunderstood something."

"You don't like her, do you?" Ezekiel inquired curiously, keeping his warm smile.

For a moment, Asher couldn't respond to the guy simply because he was taken aback by the guy's straightforwardness.

"No," said Asher, making Ezekiel's smile stretch broader.

"Then I can pursue her without offending you," Ezekiel chuckled, while Asher arched a brow.

"You will pursue her?" Asher let out a dry laugh. "Why? You just met her. You don't even know what sort of person she is."

"I know she's good," Ezekiel announced without a second hesitation. "Our brief interaction with her is enough for me to know she isn't a bad person."

"Right…" Asher rocked his head as he chuckled. "Even if she turns out a bad one, her family name, wealth, and connections aren't terrible for sure."

Ezekiel kept his smile, despite Asher's insinuation. "I can't deny that."

"At least you're not a hypocrite."

"I'm certain Miss Blac also knows that it's hard not to consider her background." Ezekiel shrugged. "It's the same with you and me. We're aware that those who approached us already considered which family we came from, what they can benefit from us, and such. It's rare to get approached without any ulterior motive."

"So, are you saying you have an ulterior motive for Miss Blac?"

"Despite all that I said, I really like her face." Ezekiel's smile stretched until his eyes were squinting. "At the very least, I'd know she is someone who might not need me or my family. Hence, her feelings would surely be pure."

Asher opened his mouth, only to close them again. He just stared at this guy's smile, and even though Ezekiel was blunt, Asher only had one word to describe the guy. Ezekiel was a selfish type who only thought about himself.

'I don't like him,' he thought, putting a gigantic X mark over Ezekiel's head.

The two of them remained silent until Cosette returned. Sitting on the vacant chair across from Ezekiel and near Asher, she darted her eyes between the two.

"Sorry, it took me some time," she apologized, seeing Ezekiel wave her apology away.

"It's fine. Young Master Quinn and I were just chatting."

"I see…" Cosette rocked her head, glancing at Asher's distant demeanor.

When she returned her eyes to Ezekiel, she forced a smile at him. She knew Ezekiel from inside and out, but unlike before, their meeting was rather early than they were supposed to meet. Hence, she was wondering if he was still a jerk, just like how she knew him, or if he was like Asher — different from years later.

Cosette humored Ezekiel while waiting for their snacks, touching upon a variety of topics but staying away from family matters, politics, and business. It was more like a get-to-know setting until the servants arrived to serve them snacks.

Looking at the snacks on the table, Cosette pointed at one dish.

"Take this away, please," she requested, making Asher and Ezekiel look at her curiously while she kept her eyes on the servant.

"But the Madam sent these for the young miss and the young masters to enjoy," said the servant, only to see Cosette shake her head.

"Asher is allergic to it and it'll be bad if he gets an allergic reaction." Cosette picked up the dish and handed it to the servant. "My nana will understand."

"Ah. Apologies."

"It's fine. Stay on standby, so I don't need to walk back to call for anyone."

"Yes, young miss."

With that being said, the servant bowed and left with the dish. When Cosette looked back at the two young masters, her brows elevated at the look they were giving her. Both Ezekiel and Asher bore curiosity in their eyes, especially Asher.

'Right…' Cosette bit her tongue as she forgot she wasn't close with Asher, and she shouldn't know these things. It was not that she knew a lot about him, but she remembered him saying that in their previous life during their lunch meeting, and she teased him about it.

"What?" she asked, feigning ignorant about it. She would've explained herself if it was just Asher and her, but since Ezekiel was with them, it was better to let Ezekiel think she was close to Asher.

"Young Master Quinn said you two aren't close, but it seemed…" Ezekiel trailed off, arching a brow at Asher. "... the young master Quinn is just being humble."

"What? He said that?" Cosette frowned, making Asher knit his brows.

'Why is she looking at me as if I am a liar? I was telling the truth,' Asher wondered, nearly choking at her next remarks.

"How can you say we're not close when you just said you liked my voice?" Cosette kicked Asher's shoes mildly, frowning deeply. "Are you toying with my maiden heart? Gosh… you're so heartless."

"..." Asher studied her reaction and thought, 'shameless.' But at the same time, he somehow grasped her hints. She wanted Ezekiel to misunderstand their relationship, and this somehow put him in a good mood. He didn't like Ezekiel and knowing Cosette seemed to share the same sentiments was good enough for him.

"I just don't want you to think I'm barricading you," he explained nonchalantly, bending over to pick up a cupcake and placed it on her empty plate. "Eat. You're losing weight."

"But losing weight is my goal."

Asher looked her dead in the eye. "You're not deceiving anyone. All the snacks here are your favorites."

The side of his lips stretched when she coughed, getting caught by her schemes. He just said it, knowing she wouldn't deny it, but he didn't expect he would guess it correctly.

"Gosh… why are you always so annoying?" she mumbled, taking a bite of the cupcake while sneaking up a look at Ezekiel. The latter's smile already faded, making her secretly smile in satisfaction, as she was certain they made him feel out of place.

It only took minutes for Cosette to decide Ezekiel was the same as how she knew him. He was still as selfish, and even though she didn't like him anymore, she knew this guy could be very cunning. Letting him know his opponent was none other than Asher Quinn. It would put the guy at bay.

'Who would have thought Asher would help me in a way?' she giggled, smiling at Asher. He wasn't a bad partner. 'I should treat him a bit better and brainwash him.'

Meanwhile, a shallow breath escaped Asher's nostril, seeing her smiling so brightly.

'I never knew what's going through that pretty little head of hers,' he thought, sneaking a look at Ezekiel. 'But that is satisfying. He finally shut up.'