CHAPTER EIGHT
ALEXIA P.O.V
"And what exactly did you study during your time abroad?" Mr. Slade asked suddenly.
His voice was calm, controlled—just like always. A man of few words, but every word carried weight.
"Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, sir," I replied smoothly.
"Oh my dear! You never told me you studied robotics—that's wonderful!" Mrs. Slade beamed.
"You flatter me, Mrs. Slade."
"Oh, just call me Flora," she said warmly. "We've already passed the formalities stage."
"Very well… Mrs—Flora," I corrected myself.
"Alexia," Mr. Slade cut in sharply, "what do you do to make ends meet? Or do you simply spend your time throwing money around?"
"Darling…" Flora warned softly.
"What?" he shrugged. "I want to know the kind of friends Clara keeps."
I smiled.
But this time, there was no playfulness behind it.
"Mr. Slade," I said calmly, my tone turning firm, "you don't need to worry about Clara. She's more than capable of taking care of herself."
I paused, letting my words sink in.
"And as for what I do for a living… you can rest assured, I don't squander money."
"Then what do you do?" he pressed again.
"I own a company," I replied. "And I manage my late grandfather's as well."
I leaned back slightly.
"I don't spend money for a living… I make it."
A flicker of interest passed through his eyes.
"Is it a start-up?"
I smiled again, ready to respond—
"Dad, that's enough!" Clara cut in quickly. "Alexia, when can I come over? I'd love to visit."
"Anytime you like," I replied.
"You don't have parents?" Mr. Slade asked, his tone quieter now.
"No, sir," I said. "My grandfather passed away three years ago. He was the only family I had."
Flora's expression softened instantly. "Oh dear… I'm so sorry."
"There's no need," I said gently. "I've already made peace with it."
I wasn't about to dig up old wounds tonight.
"Miss Alexia," Allen finally spoke, flashing a charming smile, "have I mentioned how stunning you look this evening?"
He had been busy chatting with Naomi the entire time, but apparently, he hadn't missed much.
"Thank you," I replied politely.
—
Dinner went on smoothly.
Well… mostly.
Everyone was engaged in conversation—except for Mr. Robot sitting beside me.
Meanwhile, my attention was entirely elsewhere.
Food.
Specifically—
Sushi rolls.
My absolute favorite.
I scanned the table discreetly…
There.
A bowl of sushi rolls sat right beside him.
My eyes narrowed.
Only one piece left.
Of course.
There was no way I could physically reach past him without causing a scene.
So, against my better judgment…
"Um… could you please pass me the sushi rolls?" I asked.
No response.
He didn't even look at me.
Instead—
He calmly picked up the last piece.
Fine.
Maybe he was going to drop it on my plate.
Maybe he wasn't completely—
Nope.
Before I could even process it—
He popped it straight into his mouth.
Silence.
I could practically hear Clara and Naomi gasp.
And then—
The audacity.
He looked straight at me…
And chewed.
Slowly.
That was it.
That was the last straw.
All rational thought vanished.
I lunged at him.
"SPIT IT OUT! SPIT IT OUT!" I yelled, grabbing his collar and strangling him.
Dangerous man or not—
He was dying tonight.
He reacted instantly, gripping my throat in return.
Within seconds, we were both on the floor, tangled in chaos—chairs knocked over, plates shattered, food scattered everywhere.
I was on top of him, refusing to back down.
And he?
He wasn't backing down either.
The air crackled with pure, unfiltered violence.
I didn't even know how Clara and Naomi managed to pull me off him.
All I knew was—
I was being dragged away.
"Let go!" I snapped, struggling as they hauled me toward the balcony.
Behind me, Allen was doing the same with his brother—dragging him in the opposite direction.
Somewhere in the background, I faintly heard Flora instructing the chef to prepare fresh sushi.
Pfft. Too late.
—
Balcony
"What is wrong with you?!" Naomi exploded.
"What is wrong with me?!" I snapped back. "Did you see what he did? How exactly was I supposed to stay calm when he's being so childish?!"
"So your solution was to attack him?" she shot back.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No regret.
Naomi stared at me like I had completely lost my mind.
"Aren't you even afraid of what he might do to you if he decides to retaliate?"
"Not in the slightest."
"So you're telling me…" she pressed slowly, "you chose sushi over your life?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Naomi turned to Clara, completely speechless.
Clara, on the other hand, was struggling—hard—not to laugh.
"Help me here, Clara!" Naomi pleaded.
"Go, Alexia!" Clara cheered instead. "I've never seen anyone challenge Asher like that before! And don't worry, Naomi—nothing is going to happen to Alexia while I'm here."
"Still," Naomi insisted, turning back to me, "you need to apologize."
I blinked.
"…Wait. Which 'she' are we talking about?"
Because it definitely wasn't me.
"Alexia, do you want to die?" Naomi asked, grabbing both my hands tightly. "Even if you do, I won't let you. You are apologizing right now."
She started dragging me.
No.
Absolutely not.
I planted my feet firmly against the ground.
Naomi pulled.
Nothing.
My stamina wasn't something she could overpower.
"Look," I said, softening slightly, "I know you're worried. But trust me—nothing will happen to me."
I patted her shoulder reassuringly and pulled away.
"And where exactly do you think you're going?" she demanded.
"Home," I said simply. "I'm exhausted… and disgusting."
I glanced down at my once-beautiful dress—now completely ruined with food stains.
I sighed.
So much for a perfect night.
—
Back Inside
The moment I stepped in, all eyes turned toward me.
The table had been reset.
Perfect again.
And right in front of my seat—
A fresh bowl of sushi.
Everyone was seated.
Mr. and Mrs. Slade exchanged mischievous glances.
Allen was barely holding in laughter.
And him—
He was staring at me like he wanted to end my existence.
I didn't care.
I bowed politely.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Slade, for the wonderful meal and party. I'll be taking my leave now."
"Nonsense," Flora waved dismissively. "If it's about the… little incident earlier, please know we hold no grudges."
"I understand, Mrs. Slade," I said, "but I do have some urgent matters to attend to at home."
"Oh come on, dear," she insisted gently. "I know you're trying to avoid the situation, but everything is already forgotten. Besides, the chef prepared fresh sushi for you—and you certainly can't go home looking like that."
"Yeah, Alexia," Clara added. "Just stay. We can have a sleepover! You don't have to work all the time, you know."
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Thank you, Mrs. Slade. I'll take you up on that offer."
"Wonderful! Now sit, let's eat," Flora said brightly.
"Actually… I think I'm full for tonight," I said. "I'd like to retire, if that's alright."
"Of course," she nodded. "Clara will show you to your room."
"Thank you."
—
Later That Night
As I followed Clara down the hallway, a waiter passed by.
And suddenly—
That feeling.
Cold.
Sharp.
Familiar.
The same unsettling aura I had felt back at the villa.
I turned quickly—
But no one was there.
"Alexia? Where are you?" Clara called from ahead.
"Coming!" I replied, shaking it off.
"Clara," I added, catching up to her, "please let me know if any delivery arrives for me. I asked my butler to bring my laptop—I have some work to finish."
"I thought we were having a sleepover," she pouted.
"We are," I said. "But it won't hurt to work on the side."
"In that case, you're sleeping in my room."
"Fine by me."
"Prepare a warm bath for my friend," Clara instructed a passing maid.
"Yes, ma'am."
—
The night went by quickly.
Board games.
Truth or dare.
Laughter.
Chaos.
Eventually, Clara and Naomi passed out on the floor.
But me?
Sleep refused to come.
I stared at the ceiling, restless.
What was taking Steve so long with that laptop?
With a sigh, I got up and slipped out of the room.
—
The mansion was massive.
Bigger than mine.
Easy to get lost in.
But luckily, I'd been here a few times before.
I made my way downstairs.
"Excuse me," I said to the butler. "Has there been any delivery for me?"
"No, ma'am. Nothing of the sort."
"Alright. Thank you."
He nodded and walked away.
I stepped outside.
The night air was cool… quiet… peaceful.
I remembered Clara once had a swing in the garden.
I wonder if it's still there.
I walked further out—
And there it was.
I smiled faintly and sat down, letting the swing sway gently beneath me.
The breeze brushed through my hair.
Perfect.
There was something about the night I loved.
It felt… alive.
Free.
Then—
I paused.
Smoke.
I could smell it.
I turned sharply.
And there—
Not too far away—
Stood a figure.
Watching me.
A cigarette glowing faintly between his fingers.
My eyes narrowed.
"Oh, come on…" I groaned.
Of course.
Mr. Robot.