I didn't know how long I stood there, caught in the tangled web between Asher and my own doubts, but time seemed to stretch indefinitely. My pulse was erratic, my thoughts chaotic, as I struggled to make sense of the storm swirling inside me.
Asher's words still echoed in my ears, painting images in my mind that I didn't want to believe. Luca—dangerous? Could it be true? I thought I knew him, but now everything seemed uncertain, as if the ground beneath me was shifting with every passing second.
"I just need some time," I whispered, my voice barely audible, though I wasn't sure if I was speaking to Asher or to myself. "I need to think."
Asher didn't push. Instead, he simply nodded, the lines on his face softening. "Take all the time you need. But know this, Veloria—you can't trust Luca. Not anymore."
His words hit me like a brick to the chest. I wanted to scream, to reject what he was saying, but a small voice inside me couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that there was some truth to it.
I took a step back, my mind racing as I scanned the street, unsure of where to go. It was as though the whole city had become a maze, its every corner concealing a new danger I wasn't prepared for. But in that moment, I wasn't looking for safety—I was looking for answers.
"Where will you go?" Asher asked gently, as if sensing my inner turmoil.
"I don't know," I admitted, a lump rising in my throat. I'd always prided myself on being able to handle whatever life threw at me, but right now, I felt completely lost. "I just need to clear my head."
Asher's gaze softened, and he took a step closer to me. "I know a place. A safe place. You don't have to be alone in this."
I hesitated for a moment, but then, as if some invisible force was guiding me, I nodded. I couldn't stay here in the open. I needed to be somewhere far from both Luca and the dangerous truths swirling around me. And as much as it terrified me to put my trust in Asher, something deep inside me told me that this was the only way forward.
He led me through the streets in silence, his presence a steady anchor amidst my confusion. The further we walked, the more I could feel the weight of Luca's absence pressing down on me. Each step I took away from him felt like a betrayal, but at the same time, I knew I couldn't stay. I couldn't allow myself to be dragged deeper into this mess.
After a long walk, we reached an old, secluded building tucked away in the heart of the city. It was unassuming, its walls weathered with time, but there was something comforting about it. Safe. Hidden.
"This is it," Asher said, unlocking the door with a key from his pocket. "You can stay here. It's secure."
I glanced at the door, then back at Asher, unsure of what to do. This was so different from anything I had ever imagined. Just a few days ago, I had been living a life of luxury, surrounded by people who were supposed to care about me. Now, I was alone with a man I barely knew, hiding in a forgotten corner of the city.
But despite the fear gnawing at my stomach, there was a small part of me that felt relief. It wasn't much, but it was something. A chance to breathe. A chance to think.
I stepped inside, the dim light from the hallway casting long shadows across the floor. The room was modest—bare walls, a few pieces of worn furniture, and a small kitchen tucked in the corner—but it felt like a refuge. For the first time in days, I allowed myself to relax, even if just for a moment.
Asher closed the door behind him and stood by it, watching me quietly. I sat down on the couch, my legs feeling like jelly beneath me. The adrenaline that had been coursing through my veins seemed to drain away, leaving me utterly exhausted.
"I never wanted you to be caught in the middle of this," Asher said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "But you need to understand, Veloria—Luca's world is not the safe place you think it is."
I looked up at him, my eyes still clouded with confusion. "What are you talking about? What does he have to do with all of this?"
Asher sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I wish I could tell you everything, but it's complicated. Luca's been part of something much darker than he's letting on. He's involved in things that could get him—and everyone around him—killed."
I shook my head, unable to grasp what he was saying. "Why didn't you just tell me this before?"
"I couldn't," Asher replied, his voice tight. "There are people who would do anything to keep you from knowing the truth. I've been trying to protect you, Veloria, but now it's too late. You're too close to the edge, and the only way out is to leave it all behind."
I stood up abruptly, pacing across the room. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, the weight of Asher's words heavy on my chest. I wanted to believe him, but part of me still didn't know who to trust.
"I can't just leave everything behind," I muttered, my voice barely audible. "What about Luca? What about everything we've built?"
Asher stepped toward me, his eyes softening with understanding. "You have to let go of the past, Veloria. It's the only way you'll survive. You can't keep living in the shadow of what's already happened."
I wanted to argue, to scream at him that it wasn't that simple, but deep down, I knew he was right. There was no going back. The man I thought I knew had become a stranger, and the truth was something I had to face, whether I was ready or not.
For the first time, I felt truly alone. And yet, as I stood there, staring into the uncertain future, I knew that I had no choice but to move forward.