Chapter 8 Not All Flames Burn

Fortunately, someone spotted the small fire early and reported it immediately, allowing the firefighters to bring it under control quickly. After the fire was extinguished, the crowd drifted off and headed home. Flora and Asher went back up to the apartment.

The fire had wrecked her kitchen, and she now faced a hefty bill from the landlord for the damages.

Asher, afraid she'd be angry, said quietly, "I didn't mean to."

Flora gently patted the back of his hand, shaking her head with a faint smile. "It's okay. As long as the entire place didn't burn down, it's salvageable."

Just as she turned, she caught sight of the troublesome shadow who had followed her even up here. Worried about Asher earlier, she had almost forgotten Derek was still there.

Derek coughed, choked slightly on the lingering smoke, and frowned at her. "Are you planning to stay here?"

"Where else? Live on the streets? Beg?" Flora retorted irritably.

"That's not what I meant." Derek looked at her through the hazy smoke and dust. "The apartment's damaged. What are your plans?"

Flora gathered some small items that the fire had scorched and tossed them into a bin, replying sarcastically, "What plans could I possibly have? Do I look like I have money?"

"How about this..." Derek paused briefly. "I have a vacant apartment in Crestview. Would you want to stay there for a while?"

Flora was about to refuse, but then she noticed Asher huddled in a corner, his face pale, shivering intermittently. She knew the fire had frightened him badly. Staying here, she feared, might turn into a lasting trauma for him.

Derek noticed her gaze and glanced over at the other man. There was something strange about him, Derek felt, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what.

After a moment's hesitation, Flora made her decision. "Fine. But I doubt you're doing this out of sheer kindness. Name your terms."

Derek raised an eyebrow, asking defensively, "Can't I just be a good person?"

"Doesn't seem like it." Flora pouted slightly, then went over to Asher and spoke softly. "Asher, we're going to stay somewhere else."

"Where?" Asher looked up, his eyes red-rimmed.

Flora couldn't bear to see him suffer. "Somewhere, you won't have to be cold anymore," she said gently.

Her words made Derek notice properly. Winter was setting in, and the temperature outside was low. Most homes would have heating running, but Flora's apartment was frigid. In the corner sat only a tiny, ancient space heater. After the fire, using it was out of the question.

While Flora packed their clothes, curious Derek walked over to Asher and leaned down slightly to observe him. His features were handsome and bright, but his eyes seemed strangely vacant.

"Hey," Derek called out.

Asher looked up. His eyes showed a subtle shift of emotion, but Derek was adept at reading people. He knew Asher was afraid of him.

"What are you to her?"

Asher's lips moved, but before he could answer, Flora emerged. Unhappy to see Derek bothering Asher, she glared. "Stay away from him."

Derek scoffed inwardly, surprised she'd play favourites so obviously.

He shrugged, glancing at Flora's bags. "Let's go."

The apartment Derek mentioned was in one of the most upscale complexes in the Crestview district. Simply put, Crestview was where the wealthy elite of Northbridge congregated. Security was nearly absolute, with 24/7 guards making it extremely difficult for outsiders to slip in. Flora would have loved for Asher to live somewhere like this if she could afford it. But with her current means, it was pure fantasy.

Derek handed Flora an access card. "You can stay here for the time being." He glanced at Asher, a hint of displeasure in his tone. "Sharing?"

"Is there a problem?" Flora frowned.

Of course, there was! Derek didn't say it aloud, keeping his dissatisfaction internal.

Asher looked around the new place, undisguised delight on his face. It was much nicer and brighter than their old apartment. It was also pleasantly warm; Asher felt comfortable even in a short-sleeved shirt.

"Flora, I like it here," Asher said, smiling at her.

"Me too." Flora smiled back, then, in a rare moment of speaking to Derek without verbal barbs, added, "Seriously, thank you for this."

Seeing her being so reasonable made Derek feel unfamiliar. He waved a dismissive hand. "It was just sitting empty anyway. Leave a place vacant too long, and it gets haunted. With you here, no ghost would dare show up."

"Thanks," Flora said through gritted teeth, her smile not reaching her eyes.

It suddenly hit her that Asher hadn't eaten. Hurrying to finish unpacking, she came back out. "Asher, what do you feel like eating today?"

Asher thought momentarily, then chirped, "Boiling crab."

Flora beamed and nodded. "Okay, you hang tight here. I'll go grab the ingredients, and we'll make boiling crab."

Derek's eyes lit up at that. He glanced at his watch; his last meal must have been eight hours ago. He was starting to feel hungry.

"Get plenty. I want some, too." Shamelessly, Derek didn't wait for Flora's agreement, simply shrugging off his jacket and settling onto the sofa to watch TV.

Seeing Derek turn on a show he liked, Asher sat beside him.

Flora desperately wanted to kick Derek out, but seeing them together like that gave her pause. Besides, having Derek here with Asher eased her mind slightly. As infuriating as he was, she doubted he'd harm Asher.

"Where are your car keys? Let me borrow them for a bit," Flora asked.

Without asking any questions, Derek tossed the keys over.

Flora twirled the keys in her hand, asking casually, "Not even going to ask if I have a license? Aren't you afraid your precious car will end up impounded?"

"Let 'em take it. I'll keep buying you more. Call it your fleet." Derek replied nonchalantly.

Flora scoffed. Spoken like a true rich man, she couldn't keep up.

Thinking about it made Flora feel a little bitter. It was ironic - outsiders probably still thought she was some pampered rich girl. The Selena family wasn't quite on the same level as the Arnolds but still held a respectable place among the upper crust. And yet, the legitimate daughter of Otis Selena had once gone hungry - so hungry she didn't even have a proper meal to eat.

Flora had knocked around since she was ten, learning to drive and smoke by fifteen. So, license or not, she moved better than most people.