The Destined Queen

Chapter 16

The next day, I woke up early, and started making my food. I had fresh cabbages, tomatoes, bacon, onions, cucumber and other things too. But I made cabbage salad and fried the bacon for breakfast. I sprinkled some seasoning and it was delicious. Emerson was no where to be seen. He is busy hunting the soul that is roaming around and scaring people. I finished my breakfast and went to my wardrobe to get ready. I decided with green today. I feel alive and fresh.  

I parked my car and entered the company.  

My juniors were already working with the rainbow perfume. So, I just sat to guide them. My mind always drifted to Ashten. Groaning, I went out of the lab but hit a strong chest as soon as I stepped out of the room. " Where are you going, Miss. winter? " Oops, My boss's voice. " I am just going outside for fresh air. " I said. " Good. Come with me. " He said and turned. I followed him.  

He took me to the cafeteria, and then I saw him and I froze. What is he doing here? " Miss. Winter, Meet your new Boss. Mr. Ashten. " My boss said. Or should I say my former boss. My jaw fell on the ground and I stared at him. " Hello, Miss. Winter. " He grinned, offering me hand to shake. I didn't believe my eyes until I smelled cherry and mint. It is him. " Miss. Winter. Don't be rude. " My boss said. It break my trance and I shook his hand. " Welcome, Mr. Ashten. " I smiled. This ass didn't tell me that he is going to buy this company, where I work. We talked for awhile there in the cafeteria. Ashten, my boss and I discussed about the company and my work some more and then my boss left to pack. I turned and slapped his arm. " Oww. What was that for? " He asked. " For not telling me and giving me a heart attack. " I snapped. " Don't you love surprises? " He said, grinning. " No. I hate you. " I said. " Really? " He closed the space between us. " What are you doing? " I whispered. " Trying to show you the truth. " He said, leaning in. " Ash, people are watching. " I gritted out. " I am the new boss. Let them see. They can only see, they can't do anything. " He smirked. I backed away. " Stop it. " I hissed. Chuckling, he backed away too. " Today is my first day and I want to spend time with you. Show me around the company. Your former boss will pack and leave today. " He said, his hands in his pocket. " I have work to do. Tell someone else to show you around. " I said and turned. " Please? " He said. I turned and saw his pouting face. I looked at him, bored. " Please, Winty. I don't know anyone here." He said, with puppy dog eyes. " Fine. Come. " I said and turned. I showed him my lab, his office, all the other offices and labs, the basement, the storage room, the washroom, and outside of the building. " It's beautiful. " Ashten said after his tour of the building. " Yes. I know. But why did you buy this company? I didn't know you had interest in perfumes and scented candles. " " For you. And I do have interest in perfumes and scented candles. And this company profits so much. I know nothing about these things but I know when I have you, I don't have to worry. " He flashed me a grin. " Funny. " I said and was going to walk away but he held my wrist and turned around and I bumped in his chest. I frowned up at him. " Why do you want to run away from me? " He asked. " I am not running away. I have work to do. " He looked deep into my eyes. " Do you regret kissing me? " He asked. I raised my brow. " No. Why would you think that? " I asked. " Because you jerked away yesterday. " " Because I felt cold. Shiver ran through me. That's why I jerked away. " I answered. " Really? " " Yes. " Ashten sighed and then looked at me. Leaning in, he said, " I am looking forward to our next date. " His black eyes shone under the sunlight. " Me too. " I confessed. I am looking forward to the next date too. For real. " Okay. You can go back to your work. I have work, too. " He said and left my wrist. " Thank You. " I said and left for my lab.  

" How is everything going on? " I asked. They showed me the external design. It was amazing. It had the colour of the rainbow, it seemed elegant and at the same time so normal. " It's perfect. " I cried. And then I turned to the group which was making the contents. " Is it done? " I asked. " Almost. " They replied and got back to their work.  

I sat on my bench at lunch time. But then I heard knocks after knocks. Emerson doesn't knock. I opened the door and Ashten grinned. " I want to eat lunch with you. Will go out with me? " He asked. " Sure. Why not. Let me lock up everything. " I said.  

After locking up everything, I went with Ashten for lunch.  

We went to a nearby restaurant and sat.  

I took the menu and ordered cheeseburger and some French fries. Ashten did the same. " Doesn't Gustin orders you to not eat unhealthy food? " I asked. " No. Why would he? I workout everyday. " " When do you get time to workout? " I asked, genuinely curious. " We have to make time for our priorities. " He said. I nodded. Then I saw a flash behind him. I looked at it closely. Then again. Another girl saw it too. That means I was not imagining things. " What? " Ashten frowned at me. " Nothing. I just saw something. "I said. Then again a flash. And then I saw Emerson. " Emerson? " I whispered. Ashten kept his frown intact and turned. But no one saw him. Only me. Emerson turned towards me. His eyes widened and he ran to me. " What are you doing here? You need to get out from here. The soul that I have been hunting is here. And he isn't a friendly one. " Emerson's horror filled eyes looked at me and warned me. I couldn't say anything. Emerson looked at Ashten and backed away. " You need to get out. Now. " He said and disappeared. " You seem pale. " Ashten said. " We need to get out. " I said. " Why? We have only got here. " He said. " I said we have to leave, Ash. " I looked into his eyes. Then the windows burst and shouting started. People ran, and some hid under a table. Ashten took me under the table and held me tightly. " I told you, we need to get out. " I snapped. " I am sorry. " He said and held me close. Glasses shattered in the restaurant and I closed my eyes tightly. " What is happening? " He asked and peeked outside. " Who are they? " He frowned. I peeked and saw Emerson and another soul fighting. " Ghosts. " Someone shouted. And then people screamed and ran for their lives. I was afraid for Emerson. The other soul seemed trained enough and he punched Emerson so badly. How can he touch him? Souls can touch each other? The other soul slammed Emerson on a nearby table and I shrieked. Ashten covered my body with his. He is going to kill him if that is possible. I have to save him. I tried to get out of Ashten's grip but he is so strong. " What are you doing, Winter? " He asked, because I was constantly trying to get out of his grip. " Leave me. I have to save him. " I shouted over the crashing noise. " Save whom? " He asked. " Emerson. I have to save Emerson. " I shouted and got out of his grip. I ran towards the two souls. When I reached them, The other soul was already beating the hell out of Emerson. " Leave him alone. " I shouted to the soul and took my stance. The soul stopped beating Emerson and looked to me, amusement danced in his eyes. " Winter, run. " Emerson choked out. " No. I am going to take you home with me. Leave him alone, you prick. " I shouted. I felt everyone's gaze on me, including Ashten's. " Awww.. Emerson, You made a friend. How sweet. Run, Pretty Girl. I'm no normal soul to mess with. " The soul said to me. " Leave my friend alone. " I snapped at him. The soul's nostrils flared as he looked at me. And Emerson took that chance to flip him over and take the upper hand.He punched after punched him but the soul laughed and laughed. " You all are screwed, Emerson. " The soul said. " Shut your mouth. "Emerson snapped at the soul. But he laughed and laughed. Emerson took him up and outside the restaurant and then they vanished. I looked around and everyone, everyone in the restaurant was looking at me. No frowning at me. I turned to Ashten. He somehow got out of his trance and walked to me. He held my wrist and pulled me outside the restaurant with him. He walked and walked and walked and turned down an alley, where there was no one around. He stopped and turned towards me. " You know them? " He asked. " I know one of them. " I clarified. " How? And from when? " He asked. I blinked and then blinked again. " After I shifted to my new apartment. " I said. Ashten ran his hands through his hair and looked everywhere frantically. He tugged at his hair and looked up at the sky. " Ashten, What is the matter? " I asked. " What is the matter? " He humorlessly laughed. " Winter, you know about the damned souls. " He shouted. I frowned at him. " You know about them too? " I asked. " Yes. I am researching about them. And they are dangerous, so I had to shut the search down." " What? " " Yes. They are able to harm any humans and they don't care. I faced a damned soul some time ago. Gustin saved me from the soul. " " But Why were you researching about them? " " I was trying to build a game. On the damned souls. But I had to shut the project down. And you were there trying to save one of them. " " Yes. What is the problem with that? " " Problem? They are dangerous, Winter. Dangerous. And you know one of them. You didn't even tell me. How can I protect you, Winter? " He asked me, desperately. " I don't need to be protected. Emerson is my friend. " I said. " You just met him, Winter. How can you be so sure? Did you see him out there fighting? They all are dangerous. " " No, Ashten. Emerson won't hurt me. "I said. " You need to listen to me, Winter. " Ashten held my face in his hands. " I need you to stay away. From him. " " No. " I snapped. " Please, Winter. Be careful. They are dangerous. Else I would have to live with you all the time. Now, if you don't want that. I prefer you to be careful. " He said, looking deep into my eyes. I didn't say anything. Not a word. I didn't even blink. I just stared at him. I don't know which damned soul tried to harm him. But Emerson would never do anything like that. Never. Emerson is my friend. He will never do anything bad to me. But If I tell Ashten about this, he wouldn't listen. He is lying to me. It is more than just a game. He is hiding something from me. Or hiding everything from me. " Winter, promise me you will stay away from the damned souls. They are dangerous. " Ashten warned again. When I didn't say anything, He shook me by the shoulders. " Winter, Promise me. " " I promise. " I blurted out. Ashten hugged me tightly. He is afraid of them. It is definitely not about a game. And they did more than try to harm him. There is fear in his pretty black eyes. Ashten broke the hug and looked at my face. " You are not hurt. Are you? " He asked, scanning my face for bruises. I shook my head to let him know that I am totally fine. " Good. Let's get you back to the office. You are going to stay with me for awhile today. And I am allotting bodyguards around your apartment. " He said and pulled me with him. Lord, he is panicking over nothing. But I have got to listen to him. He is my friend, too. Maybe more than that.