Chapter 21

After they they finish having their dinner, Ash led Steve to the car and open the door for him, Steve quickly sat in and Ash shut the door and went to take his sit at the driver's side. The ride was long and awkward as none of them uttered a word after their conversation in the restaurant. They were both lost in their various thoughts.

" It's better to agree with him now and start to think about how to make him move back in later, maybe if I disagree he might find a way to move without my notice. I better start finding ways to make him stay and if that doesn't work I win him over and persuade him to move back in "

all this thoughts terrorized Ash's mind and he kept stealing few glances at Steve who had his head rested on the window of the car. They finally reach the mansion and Ash park the car, they both got out and Ash started to walk ahead of Steve who quietly followed behind.

Uncle Vincent welcome them when they walk into the Hall, Ash stopped in his tracks and turn to look at Steve one last time before biding him goodnight. Steve also bid uncle Vincent goodnight and climb upstairs to his room. He walk into the bathroom and freshen up and brush, he put on his night clothes and exit the bathroom and laid on his bed as the thought of his conversation with Ash played on his mind.

" Is he really just going to let me move out? or maybe he was already planning on sending me away "

he was thinking about all this when his eyes slowly started to close from exhaustion.


Days went by quickly with Steve busy with the finding a good apartment to move to. He decided to find an apartment a few blocks away from the mansion and his flower shop since he told Ash he'd not move far from the mansion. He started to avoid Ash mostly while Ash was also trying his best to get close to him. It was as if they were playing a game of cat and mouse. Steve started to spend most of his time in his flower shop, even tho he didn't need the money, he just wanted to ease his boredom and keep himself busy with the flower shop. He renovate his shop making it even bigger than it already was, he planted and sold even the most rarest flowers making the shop bustling with people day in and day out. He decided to hire some workers since the shop started to get more customers and buyers.

His first worker he hired was a girl in her early twenties, she was very hard working and intelligent. She always try get best to learn new things from her boss, so Steve took a liking to her and made her his personal assistant and hired more workers. His mom was enraged when she heard of son's recent activities. Her son now had the courage to go against her she thought.

" Is he wishing for his death so soon!! "

She scoffed and muttered to herself. She quickly pick up her phone and call her son. Steve who was happily working in his shop suddenly became terrified when he saw the call from his mom, he muster up all the courage he could muster and pick up the call,

* H ... hello mother? *

he nervously said. His mother's voice boomed with anger from the other end of the call,

* Are you trying to go against me? Who gave you the right to do whatever nonsense you're doing now? Did you perform the task I gave you? *

She yelled at him in pure rage and disgust. Steve had mustered up all his courage and he was going to say his true feeling to his mom, he had already prepared himself for this and what might come next. He was so determined and was not going to back down from it.

* No ... mother, I haven't done your task and I don't intend on doing it. Mother I want to start leaving my life for myself and if you need help with anything that doesn't involve my suffering or killing myself then I'm more than willing to help you *

he voiced out his feelings to his mother and was more than ready to stand his ground for his freedom.


His mother was not than just enraged, she was going to kill that ungrateful son of hers she thought.

* You think I birthed and spent my time to raise you just so you can do whatever you want? I spent my whole life and time raising you and this is how you repay me? Just wait and see, I'm going to make you regret ever going against me!!!! *

She shouted and threatened him.

* Mother haven't I done more than .... *

The call was brutally cut off before he could finish his sentence. Steve sighed and continued on with his work. The day ended with him working and thinking about his mother's threat, he closed the shop after his workers and his assistant Rin left, he also went home.

Ash was in the hall waiting for Steve since he hardly see him, Steve made sure to leave home when Ash was still sleeping and he only return home late when Ash had gone to bed. Ash was determined to see him before he goes to bed, but the look on Steve's face when he returned worried Ash to death. Steve was in daze as he didn't notice Ash's eyes intensively staring holes and daggers at him until Ash suddenly grab his arm.

He jump and yelp as he was startled by Ash's sudden action.

* Why are you not in bed yet? *

he nervously asked Ash while looking down.

* I wanted to talk to you so I was waiting for you *

Ash reply while dragging him to the couch and sat him down, he also did the same and sat beside Steve.

* Did something happen at work today? You don't look good *

Ash worriedly asked him.

* No ... work was good as usual, it's just a personal problem and you don't need to bother yourself with that *

Stece coldly reply and Ash felt dejected with his response. Steve had been closed off and cold towards him lately which made Ash wanted to ask him to stop pushing him away, but he just didn't know how to say that to Steve since he didn't want to scare Steve off and was willing to wait for him. He knew he was at fault and Steve needed space for himself so he was willing to wait.

* Okay why don't you go and freshen up and get a good night sleep *

Ash said and Steve stood up from the couch and glance at him before leaving for his room.