The Destined Queen

Chapter 7

We stepped out of the car, Emerson included. I truly didn't know what he was doing there. We entered the grocery store, and took the cart. " I missed you, Winty. " Ashten said, when I went to put lettuce and some tomatoes. " I miss you, too, Ash. " I smiled. Ashten gave me a bright smile and he too started picking up some veggies.

I let Ashten take the meat section and I went to take breads and those stuffs. Emerson followed me. " Tell me. What is your story with him? " He asked. " Why are you so intrigued? " I asked, picking up brown breads. " Because you two seemed lovey dovey. " " Are you jealous? We just met few days ago. " I raised my brow. He looked like I punched a blow at him. He sighed and the expression changed. " Whatever. " He said and disappeared. I shrugged and took everything I needed. Ashten and I went back to my apartment.

Aunt Annie and Rose started cooking as soon as we placed the groceries on the table. Uncle Gerald was watching sports.So, I went to my room and changed. My candle was ready. I am so happy. It looked so pretty, those designs were just marvelous. And red is looking so cool. I grinned at my accomplishment. I heard three knocks on the door and opened it. Ashten's black hair shone when sun kissed it. " May I come in? " He asked. I let him enter. He looked around my room, hands in his pockets. He still didn't tell me why is he back. " Ash, Why are you back? Aren't you thriving in Rendaar? I have heard news about you. " Yes. Ashten is a billionaire now. He has his own company, he loves games. So, he makes it for living. And I have also heard he is buying companies of his latest interests. Like He recently bought Rendaar Publications. Ashten loves to read and play sports. He also owns a company which places basketball games. Yes. He is thriving in Rendaar. And that is what is making me question his return. " I have come here to buy a company. " He answered, picking up the photo of me and Maw. He only buys a company when he knows it will make him money. " Which one? " I asked. " I miss her. I called her a few days ago. " He said, still looking at the photo. I knew he was now speaking about Maw. But she didn't tell me he called her. " You called her? " I asked. He nodded, grimly. " Why? " " I called her every month after I left, Winter. " He returned. My brows creased with confusion. " What? " She never told me he called her once every month. " I asked how she was doing and I asked about you. I called once a month, and we talked for hours. Last time we talked, she was teasing me. She asked me If I have any girlfriend. " He gave a breath chuckled. He called her and not me? What did I do? He never called me. And as it seems, He was also in contact with Rose. " Do you? " I asked, my heart beat picking up it's pace. " No. " He looked right at me. His black eyes crawling into me. I nodded. It's true. He was never involved in a scandal. And he never lies to Maw. And now that she is gone. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. " She also asked me if I am still in love with you." Something unreadable appeared on his face. " And? " " I said yes. " I laughed. I crouched and I laughed. He raised his brow. " You? Love me? That's impossible.And we never LOVED each other. We just dated. "I said, and chuckled. Yes. We dated.But Love is a strong word. And I am slightly afraid of it, If I am honest. I wouldn't say anything that was between us was LOVE. I am not sure that it exists. " It is not impossible.Why do you think I don't have any girlfriend? What we had was special. And I can't forget.Not in this lifetime. " He said with seriousness. I gaped. He was serious. " You are serious. " I stated. " I am always serious with you. " He said. " Oh shut up. You are always joking with me. " It is not going into he right direction. I don't like it. " Why do you think Rose brought me here to meet with you? " He said. " We were friends. " I shrugged. " Winter, Everyone knows. Everyone knows. Except you. " He shook his head, like he was disappointed. " Ashten, We don't have anything, now. And I am more focused in my job. " I said, dismissing the direction that it was going through.

" I am not asking anything from you. I just wanted to tell you these things. Don't feel awkward. I am glad we are still friends. " He smiled, which did not shine his face. I sighed and smiled back. Ashten went to the candle that I finished making and pocked it up. He looked at it with such Admiration. Ashten knew I loved making candles and perfumes. Everyone in our school knew. That's why I took Chemistry after all. Not to be a scientist or make nuclear weapons. Just to make scented candles and perfumes which will put a smile to anyone's face. "It's beautiful. " He breathed. My face reddened and I inhaled. " Did you make it? " He asked, still inspecting it. " Yes. " I said, my face reddening more. My hands clasped together and at the back. He turned around to look at me. " How did you get this idea? " He asked. " It just came to me. " I shrugged. " The designs make me feel not so lonely. " He said, smiling at the candle. I made up my mind that I'll gift this to him on his birthday. " Me too. I think that's why I made it. To make me feel not so lonely. " I said, smiling. " It's worth diamonds, Winty. " He shook his head, like saying it is just impossible to feel like this just by seeing a candle. " Thank you. " It was all I could say.He returned the candle to its place. " Your room is beautiful. " He smiled. " Yes. I know. " I chuckled briefly. " Come. Let's go. Else they will think something else about us. Though I don't mind. " He smirked. I glared at him and shooed him out of the room. I need to freshen up. Again.

I washed my hair and lathered myself with soap. I cleaned up and stepped out of my room, wrapped in a towel. Emerson was standing beside my window, gazing at the view. " What are you doing here? " I asked, clutching my towel tightly. He turned toward me. His gaze darkened. His eyes roved over me and then looked directly at my eyes. " Why? Can't I visit you now that your boyfriend is here? " He sneered. " He is not my boyfriend. " I snapped at him. His jaw ticked and he trapped me between him and the wall within seconds. I didn't see him coming until I was trapped. He was like lightning bolt. His hands were on both of my sides beside my head. And He looked at me with his darkened eyes. Did his eye suddenly changed color? Do damned souls do that? " Isn't he? Well you certainly looked in love with him. " Again LOVE. Such a strong word. " I don't love anyone. " I leveled his gaze with mine. I can easily went through him and get out of this trap and he knows that too. But it will upset him and I don't want to. " You don't? Why? Are you afraid? " He asked, still burning me with his eyes. I have to take a bath now, he is making me feel hot. " That's none of your business. " I seethed, at least tried to. But it came out as a whisper. He is never cold when I am close to him but whenever he touches me I feel cold at that place and it makes me shiver. He came really close to me. We were only inches apart. I gulped but didn't look away. I can't let him see what him being so close to me does to me. "Get away." I gritted out. I don't know why he is mad at me and that particular fact is making me mad. " Why? So you can run to him? " He asked, his voice so low, like a growl. " Step away, Emerson. " I said, rooting him with my stare. He stepped back and put his hands inside his pockets. His grin returned but it looked vicious not one of his boyish grins which makes my stomach do somersaults. " Go to your love, Winty. " He spat at me, all the while burning me with his eyes. And then disappeared.

*Rose*

Ashten came downstairs, his back straight but tensed. I sympathized him. All of these years, he had been in love with Winter. Though I couldn't tell the same about her. LOVE is a strong word for her. That's the only reason why Maw told her to always live and love. She feared that when she will be no more, Winter will turn cold and distant. Winter is happy. I can see it in her eyes. Maybe Man's fears wouldn't come true after all. Though I saw her empty face, when she came here to Woodland. Maybe her job is keeping her happy or her juniors. Or she is dating someone secretly. I shrugged the thought away as Ashten gave me a tight smile. " Told her everything? " I asked. " Yes. Almost. " He said and picked an apple and took a bite. He always called me and Maw. He knew Winter forgot about him after he left. She wouldn't bother to tell him anything. So, He called me and Maw to ask about her and us. Everyone can see how much in love with her he is. Except Winter. Ashten wanted her to give him a chance. At least reveal everything to her. He said hopes if somehow she will fall in love with him. He called me one night before, pleading me to take him to Winter, so he could spend some time with her. And he has work here. So, it would be nice to do everything at once. Though his work revolves around her. I chuckled softly. Ashten didn't notice because he was engrossed int he sports with my father. Ashten is a nice guy, He has taken to do his own business after he graduated high school. Which separated both of them. Winter was sad at first but she wasn't in love with him, so she recovered. Though she cares for him a lot. I so ship them. I call them Ashwin. But secretly. They don't know about this. Ashten is also upset about Maw being gone. As we are. So, this was also the reason for him to come back. To be with her. Support her. And maybe win her back. Mom and I cooked lasagna and chickpea salad. Winter and my favorite. Ashten loves lasagna, too. That's why we are best friends. We have so much things in common except dreams. Our career is different but we have many things in common. Like we love each other. I smiled at all the memories we have made. We were unstoppable in high school. Ashten, Winter and I were best friends from childhood. As our houses are next to each other. And fortunately our friendship still remains. I don't ever want it to break. That's also the reason I am rooting for Winter and Ashten. My parents are too. They are perfect for each other. Though Winter likes imperfect things. I am glad that she is happy here. And I am glad that she is not cold and distant. I know Ashten will make her further happy. But I won't force her to do anything. It's her choice at last. I will always be there for them. I will be there if Winter breaks Ashten's heart. I will be with both of them. Because Winter will feel guilty and Ashten will be devastated if that happens. But I wish for them to be together. My thoughts were cut by my mother. The lunch was ready. She told me to call Winter. So, I went upstairs to her room. This apartment is hella large. It's beautiful. I wish to buy an apartment like this one day. I walked to her door and heard some whispers. " Step away, Emerson. " It was Winter's voice. Who is she talking to? I didn't see anyone coming today. Does she really has a boyfriend? And she didn't tell me. When I waited for the other person to reply to her remark, I heard none. I waited for three heartbeats and then J knocked. Shuffling of feet and then the door was opened, revealing Winter in her towel. I tried to peek behind her to see anyone. The door was so slightly open, I couldn't peek inside. " Lunch is ready. " I smiled. " I am coming. Let me change. Do you want to come inside? " She asked. If I enter, I will get to see the person Winter is dating. " No. Just change fast. I am hungry. " I said. " I'll be as fast as a lightning bolt. Don't worry. " She grinned and closed the door. " Rude, Winty. " I shouted. I could hear her laugh. I chuckled and shook my head. She is my best friend. She will tell me when she wants to. Until then I shouldn't pry with her privacy. I am happy that she is happy and that Maw's fears didn't come true. I trotted down the stairs, smiling.