Emperor of ashes

How do I look

Angel’s pov

I walked into my room and found Harper already there, smiling like she hadn’t just watched me get nearly beaten to death a day ago.

"I brought your drugs," she said, lifting a small pack. "I checked where you were earlier, but I didn’t find you, so I figured you were strong enough to walk back to your room yourself."

I sat on the bed, still sore but definitely feeling a little victorious. "I was with your master," I said with a smirk. "Told him to cook for me... but his cooking skills are a public disaster, so I had to step in."

Harper's face froze. It was like I’d just told her the moon had crashed into the earth.

"You made Master Jordan cook?" she asked, her eyes wide like I’d summoned the apocalypse.

Before I could answer, Jordan walked in—right on cue—with a chilled bottle of champagne in hand, looking like he regretted every decision that led him here.

Harper turned to him, utterly confused. "What’s going on now?"

"It’s... not what you think," Jordan said, avoiding eye contact.

Harper stared at him, then at me, and suddenly—she laughed. Not a giggle. A full, uncontrolled laugh.

The kind I’d never heard from her before.

She walked out still laughing, shaking her head like the world had turned upside down.

Jordan looked so embarrassed I almost felt bad.

Almost.

"You can drop the bottle and go," I said casually, digging into my pancakes like the queen I was.

He stood there for a moment, trying to reclaim his dignity. "I want to take you shopping tomorrow—clothes, wigs, shoes, everything. You need to look presentable."

I didn’t even look up. "I’m tired. Maybe tomorrow. Just get out of my room."

He clenched his jaw like he wanted to punch the wall. "Okay. Tomorrow then... but soon, you’ll pay for this."

"What did you just say?" I asked, raising my voice.

But he was already gone.

Typical Jordan—good at threats, bad at exits.

Jordan’s POV

I was still replaying the kitchen incident in my head.

Angel really got to me. One minute I was shouting, the next minute I was standing there like a confused fool, staring at nothing.

I don’t even know how it happened. She just… slipped past my defenses.

For a split second, she reminded me of my sister—and that memory hit harder than I expected. I clenched my fists and forced the thought away.

Jason that beast I know someone is protecting him he will pay for killing my sister.

Not now, Jordan. Not today.

I lit a cigarette, poured myself some alcohol, then another. After that, everything went blank.

Morning came like punishment.

Sunlight slapped my face awake, and my head felt like someone was drilling inside it. I groaned and rolled over, wishing yesterday never happened.

Five missed calls flashed on my phone.

Great.

I called back immediately.

“Morning, Dad.”

“Hope you’re ready,” he said without greeting. “That girl must look presentable today. She’s just a useful tool.”

I hissed under my breath.

“Dad, when will I see her?” I asked.

“Depends on your performance today,” he replied and hung up.

I stared at the screen… then smiled.

After freshening up, I walked into the dining room and found Angel already eating like she owned the place. She glanced at me once… twice.

“You’re acting strange,” she said.

I ignored her.

Then she caught me staring.

“Why are you stealing glances, you jerk?” she snapped.

I scoffed. “I’m staring because you eat like you’re competing in a food contest.”

She paused mid-bite. “What?”

“Is that how you want to embarrass me at the party?” I added. “Eating like someone that hasn’t seen food in years?”

Her eyes flashed. “At least I eat real food. Not everyone grew up rich and pampered like you!”

Harper coughed to hide her laugh.

I sighed. “Just… watch me.”

I demonstrated how to eat properly—slow, controlled, overly dramatic. Angel copied me, then burst out laughing.

“Why are you moving like a broken robot?” she asked.

“This is how class eats,” I replied seriously.

She laughed even harder.

And somehow… I couldn’t stop staring at her smile.

At the boutique, her excitement was obvious. She looked around like someone who accidentally walked into another world.

“You’ve never been to a place like this before, have you?” I teased.

“No,” she replied. “But at least I’m not acting like it’s normal.”

Harper laughed openly this time.

I went to get a necklace while they handled clothes. When they finally came out, I stopped walking.

Is that really Angel?

The pink gown fits her perfectly. Too perfectly. I forgot how to look away , My eyes were all over her body.

How could a poor girl like her have this type of stunning body.

“Jordan,” Harper whispered. “You’re staring.”

I snapped back to reality. This stupid girl is really driving me crazy.

Angel tilted her head. “Why are you looking at me like that? Do I look strange?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Just… where’s the necklace?”I said looking everywhere on my pocket till I found it.

I don't know but I knew I was somehow shaking.

She smiled. “Put it on me, rich boy.”

My hands shook as I tried to fix it around her neck. I moved too fast and accidentally brushed her breasts.

“Hey!” she exclaimed. “Watch it, pervert!”

“It was a mistake!” I panicked. “I swear!”

"A mistake? That's looks intentional"

"It was a mistake ,I am very sorry"I said out of sincerity.

She laughed. Harper laughed. Even the sales assistant smiled. Now I look like a fool to everyone all thanks to the maid I will thrash out soon.

“You’re really not as scary as you pretend,” Angel said. “You’re just awkward.”

I felt heat rush to my face.

“We’re late,” I muttered. “Let’s go.”

Outside, I pointed to the cars. “You and Harper take the other one.”

Angel raised an eyebrow. “Running away?”

I didn’t answer. I just got into my car and drove off—my heart beating faster than it should, and a smile I refused to admit still stuck on my face.