My Price Was Too High Chapter 2

I stirred, my body a dull ache.

Asher stood with his back to me, pulling on his worn jeans.

"Awake?"

He turned. His gaze caught on my bare collarbone, and a slow, knowing smirk touched his lips. "Last night, it was good."

My cheeks burned. I dropped my gaze.

Asher walked to the bed and pulled a jeweled bracelet from his pocket. "Didn't have cash on me. Take this instead."

"Just a family trinket. Not worth much. Consider it a...souvenir."

I'd seen one like it before-on the wrist of that club owner.

That night, drunk, he'd slammed it on the table and boasted it was worth a luxury apartment on its own.

Playing the pauper? Did he think I was stupid?

I pushed the bracelet back. "No, I can't take it."

I looked up, letting my eyes glisten. "What kind of girl do you think I am?"

Asher's eyebrow lifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "I told you, it's nothing. Keep it. A trinket for a trinket."

"It's a family heirloom,"I said softly. "Even a fake one must mean something to you."

I grabbed his hand and pressed the jewel bracelet back into his palm.

Asher stared into my eyes for a long moment before letting out a soft chuckle and putting the bracelet away.

"Alright, Anya, right? I'll remember that."

Back in the dorm, Brittany was sitting in front of the mirror applying lipstick, a brand-new Chanel bag beside her.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up?" She shot me a sidelong glance in the mirror.

I just went about putting my things away, ignoring her.

Seeing that I didn't bite, Brittany crossed her arms, scrutinizing me.

"Anya, I told you to get rid of Asher. Where exactly did you get rid of him?"

I stopped what I was doing and looked up at her.

"Aren't you with Brody? Why do you still care about Asher?"

Brittany's face instantly flushed, and she sneered.

"Just a warning, I don't want that pauper anymore, but isn't it a bit gross to pick up my leftovers?"

I lowered my eyes, saying nothing else. Arguing with an idiot was a waste of breath.

That afternoon, I got a text from Asher.

"Dinner tonight."

In the evening, I deliberately changed into a dress and waited for him by the campus gate.

Asher arrived precisely on time, his usual cool, detached self.

I walked behind him, silently wondering what his intentions were tonight.

He suddenly stopped. "Anya, last night..."

His words were cut off.

"Well, well, isn't that Asher?"

I turned around to see Brittany, arm-in-arm with a smarmy, rich playboy, looking at us with a smirk.

"What? Got dumped by me, and you're already looking for your next conquest?"

Brittany's gaze swept over both of us, full of contempt.

"Asher, a penniless guy like you, dating? Seriously? What can you even buy her?"

Asher's expression darkened.

I stepped forward, blocking him. "Who I have dinner with is none of your business, is it?"

Brittany's rich boyfriend, Brody, eyed me with interest.

"Is this your friend? She's quite innocent-looking. Why don't you join us for dinner tonight?"

Brittany's face instantly changed.

She quickly tugged at Brody. "Honey, aren't we supposed to see a movie? Don't waste your time with these people."

With that, she glared at me, dragging the man away in a hurry.

Asher looked at me. "You're quite protective."

I lowered my head, exposing a pale neck. "I just thought she was going too far."

He suddenly chuckled, a hint of playfulness in his eyes. "Come on, let's go eat."