The Damned Demon

Chapter 695  To Be True To Yourself

Asher strode through the quiet hall of a WHA branch building, his steps purposeful as he approached her office. The soft light filtering through the windows lit up the walls, but nothing could dim the tension that crackled in the air. He knew the effect he had on her. He relished it.

When he reached the door, he knocked lightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Inside, Cecilia sat at her desk, her mind scattered as she reviewed documents, trying—failing—to ignore the ever-present weight of his earlier visit. The memory of his words, his touch, still clung to her, making her heart pound.

At the sound of his knock, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. She already knew who it was, "Come in," she called, though her voice trembled just slightly.

The door creaked open, and Asher stepped in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His presence seemed to command the room, his gaze locking onto her with a knowing intensity.

"Cecilia," he said softly, his voice warm but with a playful edge. "You seem tense."

She swallowed hard, quickly standing from her desk, flustered at his sudden appearance. "Ash," she began, her words coming out rushed and breathless, "I—I wasn't expecting you this early." She straightened her posture, but her body betrayed her, the anxiety tightening her chest. "Is there something you need?"

Asher's smile deepened as he stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "Oh, I think you know what I'm here for."

Cecilia's heart raced. She knew exactly what he meant, and she could already feel the heat rising in her cheeks. "Ash," she murmured, her voice almost pleading, "Do we really have to—"

"Of course we do," he cut her off, his voice smooth and teasing, "You promised me a wish, remember?" He moved even closer, his fingers brushing against her arm as he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. "And my wish was that I could kiss you whenever I wanted."

Cecilia's heart stuttered in her chest, her pulse quickening at his nearness. She could hardly breathe, the weight of her promise hanging over her. She knew she had to let him kiss her.

But before she could respond, Asher's hand gently cupped her chin, tilting her face up toward him. His lips brushed against hers in a soft, lingering kiss, slow and deliberate, as if he were savoring every moment of her resistance melting away.

She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar warmth flood through her. But as soon as the kiss ended, Cecilia pulled back slightly, her breath coming in shallow gasps, "Ash..." she whispered, her voice shaky. "I want one more chance."

He raised an eyebrow, his expression smug, "Another chance?"

She nodded, trying to steady her voice, "I will suceed this time."

Asher chuckled softly, clearly amused by her persistence, "You're already ready to put yourself through that again?" he teased. But the gleam in his eyes said he was more than willing to oblige, "Alright. I am happy to let you try as many times as you want."

Cecilia took a deep breath, determined to keep her composure this time. Just stay calm, she told herself. 'You can do this.'

But the moment Asher leaned in again, his hand resting lightly on her waist, she felt the tension in her body rise. His lips met hers, and this time, the kiss was deeper, more intense.

He didn't rush—he never did—but there was an unmistakable hunger in the way his mouth moved against hers. His hand slid up her back, pulling her closer, and despite her best efforts, her heart betrayed her. It began to race uncontrollably, her pulse pounding in her ears as his warmth consumed her.

The moment ten seconds passed, Cecilia's knees felt weak. Her breath hitched as she stepped back, her face flushed with both embarrassment and frustration. She failed again.

Asher's smirk was undeniable as he looked down at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of triumph and amusement, "Seems like you failed, again." His voice was soft, teasing.

Cecilia's hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest, her heart still racing. She felt utterly exposed, embarrassed by her own inability to control herself around him, "I… I don't understand why this keeps happening," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Asher took a step closer, his finger tilting her chin up to meet his gaze once more, "Maybe it's because your heart already knows what you don't want to admit," he said, his voice smooth and laced with that infuriating confidence. "But don't worry… we'll keep trying until you get it right."

Keep trying? What if she never wins? Does she have to keep…The thought of it made her face feel hotter.

She swallowed hard, her cheeks burning with both embarrassment and the weight of her failure, "What… what's the next wish?" she asked, her voice trembling as she braced herself for whatever he was going to ask.

Asher's smirk lingered as he stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with that unmistakable confidence. "You're eager to know, aren't you?" he said, his voice soft but edged with a sharpness that made her heart pound. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper, "This time, my wish is going to be… something different."

Cecilia swallowed, her chest tightening with both anticipation and fear. "What is it?" she asked, trying to maintain her composure.

Asher's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he stepped back, his expression shifting into something more serious, more calculated. "You're aware of the upcoming mission to Mars, aren't you? The one involving the academy's top geniuses?"

Cecilia stiffened. "Of course I know about it, but… why are you bringing it up?" She frowned, suddenly cautious. The mission to Mars was a highly classified operation, with only a few trusted individuals having access to the full details. This wasn't something she could just share openly.

Asher's smile softened, his tone growing gentler. "Cecilia, I'm not asking for classified details for personal gain. You know I care about the innocents, about protecting young lives. You saw what is really going on with the M.A.M project, how dangerous it's become. I just want to make sure at least one of those geniuses doesn't end up becoming victims of it."

Her eyes widened as she gasped, "You…What are you planning to do?"

"Maybe nothing for now. But there is someone in that academy that I care about. I have to save him from this. I had no idea he was chosen for this. But now that I know…I need your help," Asher said with an intense but sincere look.

Cecilia pressed her lips together, uncertainty clouding her mind and taken aback by his request. She never thought he had someone he knew in the academy.

"Who are you talking about?" Cecilia asked cautiously.

"Can I trust you if I tell you? Do you promise to keep this between us and not tell a soul, including your husband because you are all I got to turn to help someone I care about," Asher said with an endearing gaze.

Cecilia felt her heart waver upon feeling his gaze and could see he must really care about that student. She wanted to believe him, but something felt off. "That's not something I can just tell you, Ash. This… this could put me in a difficult position, especially with Derek."

He sighed, his voice laced with disappointment, as he stepped even closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. "Cecilia, don't you see? I'm not asking you to go behind anyone's back. I'm asking you to do the right thing. These young minds, they're about to embark on something incredibly dangerous. We can start by at least saving that kid."

Cecilia's hands trembled slightly as she clenched them at her sides, "But… if Derek found out—"

"Forget Derek for a moment," Asher interrupted gently, his voice soft but firm. "This isn't about him. This is about that kid, about justice, about saving lives. You've always stood for what's right, Cecilia. I know you care deeply about the future, about doing what's morally right. That's why you have to tell me. Wouldn't you do the same for your daughter?"

Her heart pounded as she looked at him, conflicted. Every part of her wanted to hold on to her loyalty to her husband, to the mission she had sworn to protect.

But Ash's words wormed their way into her mind, making her question everything. Wasn't he right? If she had the chance to save lives, shouldn't she take it? Could she let those young geniuses compromise their life?

But what she knew was that she would have stopped Rachel from going if she was in that situation.

Asher took her hand gently, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he leaned in, his voice a whisper, "My wish, Cecilia, is for you to stay true to yourself. You've always cared about justice, about protecting those who can't protect themselves. Don't let your husband or fear stop you from doing what's right. I don't want to see you regret anything later… going down a path you can't turn back from."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. They struck a chord deep within her, tapping into the very values she had always held close. She bit her lip, her mind spinning. The room seemed to close in around her, and for a moment, all she could hear was the pounding of her pulse in her ears.

"What do you want to know? I promise I will keep this between us," she asked softly, her voice trembling with the weight of her decision.

Asher's smile widened, but this time it was softer, more sincere, "You might know him. A student named Remy Eleanor. I need to know when he will be fully prepared for their journey to Mars… and when exactly he'll be leaving."

Cecilia hesitated, her throat tightening. This was exactly the kind of information that could put her in jeopardy if it got out.

But she had already made up her mind. She had to believe Ash's intentions were pure, that he truly wanted to save that kid.

If it was Rachel, she wouldn't have sat still, even if it meant going against Derek. Then why can't she do it for someone else's child?

And so she took a deep breath and nodded, "I will find out for you. But...how are you going to help him? You can't do anything dangerous that could put you in trouble."

Asher smiled as he stepped closer and cupped her face with an endearing look, "You think I will barge in and take him away? Of course not. But I know some good people who would be willing to take the risk and help me. Whether they succeed or not...only the angels can know, but I have to try for his sake."

Cecilia pressed her lips together as she nodded, wondering if everything would be alright now that she took a leap of faith. But who were these good people he knew who were willing to take up such a dangerous task?