Saving the Villain

"It's not, but this time there's a reward. They approved my resignation."

"What?"

"I resigned." Asher's smile grew wider. "I told my dad I want to pursue something else and I don't want to be associated with the family business for a while. He only approved it once I closed this international deal, and I did."

"Oh…?" Cosette blinked before her chest swelled up with happiness. "Are you going to become a doctor now?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"What?"

"I didn't think I mention I wanted to become a doctor to anyone, ever." Asher cocked his head to the side, confused. "Or did I mention it along the lines? I don't remember, though."

Cosette secretly bit her tongue, cursing herself for letting it run. Of course, she shouldn't know about it! After all, Asher only mentioned it to her in their past life. It was his secret and only told her about it.

"Haha…" she laughed awkwardly, elbowing him. "You told me! During your graduation! Did you forget?"

"I did?"

"How else would I know? It's not like I am a fortune-teller."

The deep lines between his brows deepened, but there wasn't any logical explanation for it. Hence, he didn't dwell on it as he rocked his head. He had a lot of things in mind the last time, so it wasn't impossible he blurted something he wasn't aware of.

"I guess I did." He chuckled while she secretly heaved a sigh of relief. "Anyway, it feels good."

Asher raised his elbow back, resting them on the back of the bench. He slowly gazed up at the night sky full of stars, smiling.

"I've always wanted to become a doctor, but since I was my family's heir, I didn't even dream about it. But after long consideration, I realized the only time I will disappoint my dad is not when I fail, but if I ended up miserable." His eyes swirled with peace and resolution. "I want to do something for myself. I mean, I've been living my life trying to fill everyone's needs without realizing I also have needs."

"That is why I am easily shaken when something isn't going my way. All my life, I've always thought I was independent. But I realized I wasn't. If anything, I was too dependent on others. I was only satisfied if others were satisfied and things like that," he added, chuckling in between. "I don't want to live that way anymore."

Asher slowly turned his head to face her. He took a deliberate pause as he scanned her face, as if etching it deep in his mind.

"Will you call me?" he asked after a momentary pause.

"Huh?" Cosette knitted her brows slightly before she realized what he meant by that. "You're… going to study abroad?"

"If I'm pursuing something else, I need to become the best of the best." He shrugged. "Being a surgeon wouldn't be easy, so I chose a school that produced the best surgeons in the world."

Cosette pressed her lips into a thin line, not knowing what to say at this moment. All she could do was stare at him as a layer of tears coated her eyes.

"I'm really happy." Her voice broke, taking him by surprise. "I'm really… really happy for you, Ash."

Asher held his breath as she wiped her eyes. His heart clenched a bit as tension instantly formed in his throat.

"Why are you crying?" he asked. "Be clear about it. I am on the brink of misunderstanding that you're crying because you will miss me."

"Stop spewing nonsense," she returned playfully, sniffing hard as she managed to stop bawling her eyes. "I'm just happy for you, really, very much."

His eyes softened as he smiled subtly. "Thank you," he expressed quietly. "For being happy, just as how it made me happy and free."

The two of them smiled at each other, laughing even though there was nothing but silence for a moment. He might've not pressed the matter, but Asher wished she would miss him even a bit. Even if not romantically, it would be nice to be missed.

Little did he know, Cosette might not have said it, but she would probably miss this guy. After all, Asher was her friend. She was glad that Asher decided to step out of his comfort zone and would pursue something he had always wanted. He would finally do something for himself, and that alone was good enough for her.

The two of them celebrated Asher's resignation by just chatting. They didn't have snacks or drinks, but they still enjoyed each other's company. They didn't even notice the time as they talked about when his flight and if he would visit the country, and things like that.

"Anyway, it's getting late." Asher checked his wristwatch, only to see it was almost ten in the evening. "Have you eaten anything?"

"Mhm. I hung out with the girls. We had lunch at my friend's house."

"I see." Asher rocked his head. "Should I drive you home?"

"I'm fine. I'll just take a cab."

"No can do." Asher shook his head. "It's not safe for a young lady to travel home all alone, especially at night."

"But my house is nearby. Just a ten-minute drive."

"Just let me drive you home, will you? It's not like I plan to kidnap you or anything like that." Asher kept adamant. "Don't you still trust me?"

"It's not about trust." Cosette clicked her tongue. "Fine. That way, I'd lower my cost since I've almost spent my allowance."

"Just ask your father if you need more money."

"Asher Quinn, my dad isn't picking up money from trees. And I am not splurging. I'm saving up."

"Oh?"

"Anyway, let's go. I don't want to get scolded."

"Don't worry. I'd just tell your dad you're with me." He winked at her.

Cosette's expression died, looking at him plainly. "What makes you think he trusts you? If anything, he might get angry if he knew I was with you."

"Haha. Then the two of us will get scolded." Asher laughed.

"Gosh. Get up now. Let's go."

With that being said, Asher dragged himself up and followed her, keeping two steps behind her. A smile was cemented on his face, staring at her back. When his eyes fell on the distance between them, his smile waned a bit, but he didn't dwell on it.

'How nice would it be to walk beside you?' he wondered. 'But I already accepted that this is probably the farthest I could go. It doesn't sting as much as before. You're still at arm's length, after all.'