They stood up, walking out of the restaurant into the cool night air. Lights flickered in the city skyline, and the faint hum of distant traffic filled the air.
Ashton turned to her. "Want me to drop you back?"
Jenny shook her head. "I live nearby. I'll walk. You can take the cab."
Ashton hesitated. "You sure?"
"Positive. I need the walk."
There was a pause.
"Hey," she said, stepping closer.
Ashton turned.
She rose on her toes and pressed a soft kiss near the edge of his bruised cheek, her lips barely grazing the swelling. Then she leaned in, her breath warm against his ear.
"Next time, don't forget to tell me when you're about to get punched in the face."
He chuckled. "Noted."
Jenny smiled, gave him a small wave, and turned, disappearing slowly into the quiet stream of the city night.
Ashton stood still for a moment, watching her silhouette fade between the lights and the crowd.
Then, without thinking, he broke into a sprint.
He weaved through pedestrians, eyes scanning ahead, until finally—there she was. Walking with that familiar sway, hair catching bits of light with every step.
He slowed as he caught up behind her.
Leaning in close, his voice a playful murmur near her ear:
"Does the queen now walk among the commoners?"
Jenny flinched slightly in surprise, then turned, a mix of confusion and amusement on her face. "What are you doing here? Didn't you grab a taxi?"
He grinned. "Nah. Thought it'd be more romantic to walk under the stars with you—just like how you find taking the bus together charming."
Jenny stared at him for a beat. Then, with a half-laugh, she reached for his hand and interlocked her fingers with his. "You're unbelievable."
"And yet, here we are," Ashton said, pulling her hand slightly as they fell into step together.
The night air was cool, the kind that made city lights blur just slightly in the distance and footsteps echo softer on the pavement. The buzz of life surrounded them—cars passing, music spilling faintly from open café doors, laughter of strangers fading as they walked by.
But for Ashton and Jenny, it felt like the world had quieted down just for them.
Her hand in his was soft, but steady. Confident.
"You're kind of a sap, you know that?" she said, glancing sideways at him.
Ashton smirked. "You love it."
"I tolerate it," she shot back, though her grip on his hand tightened just slightly.
"Well, you're older than me. You should be more mature."
"Shut up, I'm only two years older than you."
They walked in silence for a while, passing the street vendors and closed bookstores, heading toward the riverwalk where the city slowed down. The kind of place where couples strolled, and the lamps glowed gold.
"I almost didn't come tonight," Jenny said suddenly.
Ashton turned to her, surprised. "What? Why?"
She shrugged, trying to sound casual—but her voice betrayed her. "I was nervous. Things have been… weird lately."
"As in weird how?"
She paused, hesitating before answering. "Like something's coming. Like something's going to change. I don't know. It's probably nothing."
Ashton gently squeezed her hand. "Even if it is something… I'm here."
Jenny looked at him for a long moment, then quietly leaned her head against his shoulder as they continued walking.
"That's the part that scares me," she whispered.
Ashton frowned. His arm instinctively tightened around her. "What do you mean?"
She sighed, the breath catching in her throat. "Alright… remember I told you about my brother? The one in your batch?"
"Yeah. What about him?"
"He's… not exactly a model citizen," she said carefully. "He's a goon."
Ashton blinked. "Wait—what?"
"If he sees us like this," she continued, glancing down at their interlocked hands, "he won't just be angry. He'll lose it. He'll come after you."
Ashton let out a low chuckle. "What? I'm supposed to be scared now?"
"You should be," Jenny said sharply, lifting her head to look him in the eye. "He's not normal, Ashton. He's a maniac. He's been kicked out of two colleges for violence. He's possessive. And worse—he thinks he's protecting me."
There was a brief silence as Ashton processed that.
Then, with a soft exhale, he said, "You know, for a second there, I thought you were going to say something like... you weren't sure about us."
Jenny gave a hollow laugh. "No. I'm sure about us. That's the problem."
He looked at her.
"I like you," she said softly. "More than I planned to. More than I probably should."
"Then that's not a problem," Ashton said, his voice gentle.
"But it becomes one when the person I care about is in danger because of me," she replied. "My brother doesn't play fair. If he finds out, he'll come after you—and not just with words."
Ashton fell quiet, his brows furrowed.
"You really think I'd back off because of that?" he finally said. "Because I won't. I don't care who your brother is. I'm not going anywhere."
Jenny stared at him, her glasses shining under the dim streetlight. "You say that now."
"I'll say it tomorrow, too," he replied. "And the day after that."
A small, broken smile crept onto her lips. "You're such an idiot."
"Takes one to love one," he grinned.
They kept walking in silence, the night air cool but comforting. Then, suddenly, Jenny stopped.
"What is it?" Ashton asked.
"I don't want to sneak around," she said. "But I also don't want to put you in danger."
"We'll figure it out," Ashton said. "Together." And fixes her glasses on her nose.
Before she could respond, a voice echoed from across the street.
"Jenny?!"
They both froze.
Jenny's eyes widened as she turned.
Ashton followed her gaze—and his blood ran cold.
Across the street, standing beside a parked bike, was a tall figure with his arms folded. Muscular build. Sharp jaw. Eyes burning with suspicion.
"Is that…" Ashton began.
Jenny nodded slowly.
"My brother."