The Destined Queen

Chapter 15

" How is it here? " I asked, baffled by the painting being here and in front of my house. " I bought it. " He said. I turned to look at him. A rich man who understands and treasures friendship. No one knew that our Ashten was going to be the rich man buying that painting. " Wow. " My eyes squinted when I chuckled. And he gazed at me for a whole, smiling faintly. The Air feels much brighter. The sky is clear and the house is looking beautiful. " Who decorated this? " " My men did. I ordered them to. " " Why? " I asked, furrowing my brows. " This is where we eat. " He said, flashing his teeth wide, and sunlight reflected through it. "Come, My Lady. " Ashten offered me his hand and slightly bowed in the process. I took his hand, smiling and walked inside the house. My mind was blown when I saw what he did with the house. How... How could he do this? None of my furnitures were here but the house was not empty. It was full with paintings that was supposed to be sold for charity. " You bought all of these? " Ashten nodded. " It looks like an art Museum. " I laughed, that twinkle in my eyes returned. The paintings were set so perfectly. And in the middle of everything was a table decorated with white cloth and plates and forks and spoons. A waiter stood beside the table. Ashten and I walked to the table, and he pulled a chair for me. " Thank you. " I smiled. We sat down and Ashten told the waiter to bring the food.

After few seconds, the waiter brought a tray full of food but covered with silver bowl. When He opened it, my jaw dropped. " Steaks and potatoes? " My favourite food in this whole wide world. My eyes shone with delight I am sure of it. Ashten nodded, smiling. " Thank you. " I pouted, my eyes already welling up with tears. " I didn't do it for you. I love it too. " He grinned and took the fork and the knife. " Dig in. " He said. So, I did.

After we finished eating, we walked around the house, looking at the paintings. Maw was really talented. She could convey so many things in one painting, and her messages were so discreet, so powerful and so inspiring, it always warmed my heart. One of the painting showed the day when it was thundering outside and I was tucked under the blankets. And I was screaming and crying for Maw to come. I was afraid that the thunder would take me away. Maw hugged me and comforted me. Almost all of these contained me. My first day in school, all the school dances, the prom, graduation, and everything in between. I don't know when I started to cry, Ashten hugged me from my side. " It's okay. " He whisperer and kissed my temple. " I am in all these. " I whispered. " I know." " How? " " Rose helped her took the photos and send to me whenever she could. I loved all of these paintings. She kept these with her for me to take. But you gave it out to be bought and money would be given to charity. So, after I knew, I bought all the paintings and I gave all the money to charity. " He said. " Rich man, indeed. " I chuckled, removing my tears from my cheeks. Ashten chuckled with me. " Don't you want to go to the park? " He asked. " Yes. I want to. Let's go. "

We walked, hand in hand to the park, where we used to play. It wasn't the same. Well, we aren't the same. The bench on which we used to sit was covered with dust. Some men came and cleaned it properly. Ashten first sat and I sat beside him. He ordered the men to go. This park used to be crowded all the time but now, no one came here. I don't know why. Kids all play at their houses nowadays. They don't come out and embrace the sun or grass. " What are you thinking? " He asked. I sighed and placed my head on his shoulder. " Nothing. " Ashten held me to him. " Don't you want to sit on my lap? " He asked, chuckling. " No. Thank you. " I closed my eyes and listened to all the birds chirping. " Thank you for giving me a chance. " He said out of nowhere. " You deserve it. " I said, tangling my hands with his. I looked up at him and he was looking at me. " I so want to kiss you. " He said, hi gaze falling on my lips. " Do it. " I whispered. He leaned in and I did, too. His breath caresses my face with such tenderness. And then our lips met. So soft, so sweet, a hint of cherry and mint. He tightened his fingers around my hand and I his. A sultry sound came out of me, and he groaned. Then he took me on his lap and I ran my fingers through his hair. His hands roaming my back and my waist. It raised up in the back and then it went down. That same sound came and he bit my lip. I bit his too. He left my lips and started kissing my jaw and his kisses trailed down and down. And then up to my ear. He nibbled and kissed it. I felt him under me and I moved perfectly to make him groan. And he did. Chuckling, I licked his lips and he smiled. " You evilness. " He said and gripped me tightly. Then kissed me hungrily. And I kept on moving on his lap. Groaning, he pressed into me. And I stopped and let him kiss me.

But then I felt coldness in my back, like someone touched me. Like. My eyes flew open and it widened. Like Emerson. I broke the kiss abruptly and went down from his lap. Sitting beside him, I brushed my hair with my fingers. Ashten didn't say anything, he just looked at me with confusion. " I am sorry. I felt... " Well, I felt cold. " I understand. " He said, stood from his place. " No. You are misunderstanding. " " It's okay. Let's go. " Ashten moved but I stopped him by holding his wrist and I stood from my place. I kissed him on his cheek and his black eyes widened. " I loved this date. And I would love to go on a second one. " I said, smiling. He chuckled under his breath and nodded. " Me too, Winter. Me too. " He said and held my hand. " I want to take a painting with me, Ash. " " Take whatever painting you want except the one we three made. I loves those hand prints and splotches of paint here and there. And I am a rich man who understands and treasures friendship. " Ashten said, grinning. " Fine. Though I want to take another painting not that one. " " Good. Then you can. " He smiled and his black eyes twinkled.

He took me to my apartment and then left. I took the painting and hanged it in my bedroom. This one seems warm and comforting to me. It will help me with thunders again. Like Maw did. My apartment seemed so big now. No one is here to spend time with me. I have to live alone here. I sighed and entered my bathroom. I bought new jasmine soap and rose scented shampoo and conditioner. I poured the shampoo on my hands and rubbed it on my scalp gently. After I finished shampooing, I lathered myself with my new jasmine soap. I loved these smells. But I also love cherry and mint. I giggled and resumed my bath.

I dried myself up and sat on my bed. I started on the new perfume but I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept on drifting towards our date. Though it ended not that good but it was hella great. And that kiss. I would give anything to get that kiss back. And I will kiss him more lovingly and needily. Why did ai had to feel cold and remember Emerson? It ruined everything. Everything was going great until that point. " Miss me? " Emerson's voice came from behind me. " No. " I snapped. " Someone is rude today. Why? Didn't your date go well? " He asked. How can it be good when I think of you in between it when I feel cold. " It was fine. " " Then was it the food? Is your stomach aching, Sweetheart? "He asked. " No. Just go away. " I said. Then I heard a deep sigh and air whooshed from behind me.

After a while, Emerson appeared in front of me. I gritted my teeth and glared at him. " When life gives you lemons, you make Lemonade. " He said, pointing to the lemonade glass that was floating in air beside him. " Come on. Drink it up and you will feel fresh. " The glass flowed near me. Not a single drop of lemonade moved while he did that. I silently took the glass and gulped the whole content down. It was heavenly, delicious. " Thank you. " I said after burping. What? A pretty lady can burp. " You are welcome, Winty. " I narrowed my eyes at him. " What? Your other friends call you Winty. " He said. " But you don't get to. " " Why? Because I am not human? " He raised his brow. I didn't say anything and started thinking about my work. Emerson poked his head towards me and leaned in, his hands in his phantom pocket and his eyes searched for mine. " What? " I snapped. " Seriously, what happened? You seem grumpy and moody. " He said, his brows bunching in the middle. " Nothing has happened. I kissed him. That's all. " I said, and something flashed on his handsome face, which I didn't get. And he moved away. " Oh. " He said. " Well, At least you enjoyed. Because I certainly did not. Jacob went all " I will eat you" when I went back home. He said some humans are catching ghosts here and there. " He shrugged. " You haven't been careful. " " Yes. I have. They didn't see me. They saw someone else. That means not only me but someone else has powers to go here and there, and Jacob is furious because except me he has not given these permission or basic powers to use to anyone else. He wants me to find out. " Something in this mission made me excited and before I could clamp it down I shouted, " I want to do find that soul with you. " No. Its dangerous. " Came his instant reply. " Then why did you tell me about this. " I grumbled and cursed under my breath. " Stop saying nasty things, little girl. And I told you about this because I knew you would be interested in listening to it. You seemed sad. " He popped his lower lip out. And I wanted to bit it down. I shook my head. " Then let me do this with you. I am very sad. " I pouted. " Winter, you are a human who can get killed. So, My answer remains the same. NO. " He said. " But I want to go. " I whined and punched the bed and the pillows. " Winter dear, you are acting like a child." Emerson said, crossing his hands. " I want to go. " I said, looking straight at him. He leaned in closer to me and his ohantom lips were so close to mine that it tickled and felt cold, his eyes trailed a path from my lips to my eyes and with cruelty he said, " No. " And backed away. I groaned and punched my pillows again and again. The prick laughed seeing me. I cursed colorfully which I made sure he listened. And He did but he laughed more. " Dog. " I gritted. " Mouse. " He said and laughed, running his hair through his hair. I bit my lip and turned around. " Fine. Go away, then. Go do your work. " I said and stared outside the window. The Sun was going down. A beautiful sight to see. The sky was orange and yellow and birds were flying and wind drifting through the leaves and the trees and the plants. I breathed in the scent. It was Earthy. Minty. Cherry. It reminded me of someone specific. A sudden whoosh of air sounded behind me, I knew Emerson left but I didn't turn. I thought to curse him to rot in hell. But he is already rotting in hell. And it would only pain him, which I don't want.