Chapter 43 THE TRAP.
Elsie's POV:
Good. Get lost.
The words slipped through my mind the second Clara’s hair disappeared past the doorway.
I rolled my eyes, already turning toward Asher - only to catch him looking at the door she’d just walked through.
Of course he was.
His gaze lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary before he tore it away, jaw tightening so sharply I could practically hear his teeth grind.
He didn’t say a word. Just went back to straightening the stack of documents on his desk like nothing had happened.
My eyes drifted upward, landing on the wall clock. Lunch break had already started.
Perfect.
I looked back at him. This time, his face was blank - but I knew that look. It was the same expression he used when he wanted to pretend I wasn’t standing right in front of him.
I swallowed the tiny sting and kept my voice light.
“It’s past lunch break, Asher. Wanna grab something?”
“Some other time, Elsie.”
He didn’t even look up.
Something inside me snapped, but I smoothed it down immediately. I wasn’t about to let him see that.
I wasn’t stupid; I knew exactly why his mood had crashed. Because of her. That foolish girl who somehow always managed to show up at the exact wrong moment.
“But why?” I tried again, stepping a little closer. “It’s not like you have any more classes today.”
This time he paused. He shut the document he’d been holding; eyes closed briefly like he needed one second - just one - to collect himself.
Then he finally lifted his gaze to mine.
“In a few hours, I’ll leave to go get the projects from the students.”
His tone was calm. Too calm. The kind of calm he used when he wanted distance.
I nodded slowly, watching him lower his head again, flipping open a new file like the conversation was already over.
Is he genuinely busy… or just ignoring me?
Let’s find out.
The thought whispered through my mind before I could stop it. I moved toward him; Asher didn’t look up - he was still buried in whatever file he suddenly found so fascinating.
Fine.
If he wouldn’t look at me, I’d make him.
I leaned down behind him, wrapping my arms lightly around his shoulders. His whole body jerked instantly - he flinched like I had startled him out of a nightmare.
He twisted slightly, and suddenly our faces were inches apart.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
His voice was low, sharp, and it cut straight through me.
For a split second, I regretted everything—the pretense, the idea that we could “just be friends.” What was the point?
Sitting this close to him, feeling his breath against my cheek… all it did was remind me of everything I wasn’t allowed to touch.
I forced my eyes away from his, swallowing down the frustration.
“Well… what are friends for?” I said lightly. “I want to help.”
“There would be no need for that. Elsie—please leave.”
His tone wasn’t angry, but it wasn’t gentle either. Just firm. Detached. Like he was pushing me back without moving a muscle.
I let my arms fall away from his neck, an ache blooming under my ribs.
“You know what, Asher?” I said quietly, stepping back. “If you don’t want me around, just say it. You don’t need to act irritated. It’s not like I’m at fault. Clara doesn’t even want you and—”
He froze.
The papers stopped shifting in his hands. Slowly - so slowly -: he lifted his gaze.
And he looked at me.
Really looked.
A deep frown creased his forehead, not angry… just something tight, unreadable, and far too intense.
I didn’t wait to hear whatever was about to come out of his mouth.
I spun around and walked out - fast - before that look could swallow me whole, before I could say something I’d regret, before he could reject me again with that cold, calm voice of his.
The moment the door shut behind me, the rage bubbling in my chest surged like something alive.
What was she still doing here?
Because there she was.
Clara. Standing right by the wall opposite Asher’s office like some lost puppy who didn’t know where to go.
She finally noticed me and straightened instantly, dipping her head in a small, polite bow.
I thought she had left.
Of course not. Why would she? She always lingered too close, like a shadow I couldn’t get rid of.
I curled my lips into a smile I didn’t feel.
“Oh—Clara. What are you doing here?”
She smiled back, timidly. “I sincerely apologize, ma, for standing out here. I just… needed to see Professor Asher, that’s all.”
I narrowed my eyes.
She saw it, because she immediately shook her head fast - too fast.
“No, ma - it’s not what you’re thinking. I just needed to return this.” She lifted a folded sheet of paper.
“He dropped it while leaving the class this morning, and I didn’t want to interrupt… you both.”
A thought slid into my mind like a blade.
I widened my smile. “Oh, dear… it’s perfectly okay. You can give it to me. I’ll hand it over to him myself.”
She hesitated.
For a moment, I wondered if she’d say no. If she’d cling to that paper like it was some lifeline between them.
But she didn’t.
She handed it over.
Good girl.
“Umm… yes,” I continued, smoothing the sheet between my fingers. “Just before I forget… Professor Asher asked me to tell you something.”
She blinked. “Tell me something?”
“Yes. He wants you to gather all the projects from everyone in your class and submit them to him.”
Clara frowned. “But that wasn’t—”
“And,” I added, leaning in just slightly, “He asked you to come meet him at the warehouse behind the school building. Thirty minutes from now.”
She froze.
Her brows knitted together, confusion washed across her features. She was processing it; I could see it - because she knew exactly what that place meant.
A restricted zone. Rumors. Strange incidents. A place no student should wander to.
“But ma’am…” she started softly. “That area is—”
I held up a hand, cutting her off with a polite, razor-thin smile.
“Alright, Miss Bennett. Have a nice day.”
And before she could form another word, I turned and walked away, the echo of my heels tapping in perfect rhythm with the smirk pulling at my lips.
I knew exactly what was about to go down.
And this time?
Clara wouldn’t be anywhere near Asher to save herself.