Asher sat back straight and held control of his emotions, summoning all his courage to see this through with Irish.

He would not whimper nor cower away this evening. There's no way he would. He would not go back to dating random women and appearing like trying to get over a silly little heartbreak when he already knew what and who he truly wanted in reality.

"Fine, if you must know.." she began again, finally giving in.

"I'm afraid you'll take my heart and break it, you bastard."

Asher stilled upon hearing her confession, totally not expecting that she actually felt that way. Suddenly unsure of how to face him, Irish looked away, evading his gaze.

"What?" he breathed.

"Oh, come on, you and I both know I'm a walking mess. I mean, look, I handcuffed myself to my bed. I'm not the sort of person you should be associated with," she reasoned, ashamed.

"Irish, I've never heard you talk out your ass more than what you are doing at this moment in time."

Irish tried not to wince at that. Of course, Asher wouldn't hear any of these.

That's because she's supposed to be not like this at all. These past two years have changed her a lot more than she expected. But she still knew who she used to be before. She would never forget.

Irish has also been avoiding this conversation for weeks. However, hearing and looking at Asher now, she finds herself breaking out of nowhere.

And with that, she ended up spilling all these hidden insecurities that have accumulated within her over the course of time.

"It's true, though. I don't think I deserve half of what I have now – not Cassidy's and Adrian's forgiveness nor the kind of relationship you're trying to offer all of the sudden. Grandfather was right. I was a hypocrite. Even though I'm trying to change and redeem myself, I'm still being haunted by all my wrongdoings in the past.." Irish continued with a downcast gaze.

"Pretending that this was not happening and just living life the way I wanted to would probably be hypocritical of me. What I'd been through so far was not enough to make up for all the misdeeds I committed before."

"Come again..?" Asher blurted out with creased brows, completely taken aback.

"So, you're telling me you're having some sort of inferiority complex now?"

"Crazy, right? The actress who used to harass others had tried to redeem herself but only to end up throwing a life-long pity party and developing a problematic sense of inferiority. Just so you know, I'd been on the headlines a couple of years ago – even trended on social media for weeks. As much as I didn't want to admit it out loud, that did petrify me to the point I couldn't show myself up in public anymore, and that whole living abroad for two years was just an excuse I came up with to escape for a bit."

"That's... not what it looked liked that night you talked to me."

"I was trying to act cool in front of you, okay? Men aren't the only ones who do that. I saw you feeling down. So, I tried to cheer you up. Cassidy won't be happy if she found you brooding like a complete party pooper."

"What makes the difference now? 'Cause I'm no longer brooding?"

"Because you suddenly began going out on dates while implying you wanted to start something new and different with me. I could see through you, dummy. I dated a number of guys before, and I could tell when someone was only doing it to get a certain kind of attention." historical

Once she was done, she huffed and looked away from him again. That's until she felt a tug on her arm. She then suddenly found herself lying awkwardly on the bed – chest to chest next to him.

Nonplussed, Irish felt herself running out of breath as Asher towered over her.

"I'm sorry. I never noticed. I used to think that you're just playing it cool. You've had the guts to argue with me all the time, and you've never shown any sign of insecurity. That's why I'd been quite harsh to you, too. I wanted you to suffer for all the things you did to Cassie back then.." he took his turn to confess, finally understanding where she was coming from.

"But, hey, I made lots of mistakes, too. I'm just as imperfect as you, and I'm ashamed of some stupid things I did as well. Still, I'm trying. I'm trying to live how I want to despite all that. I can show you that it's possible for you too. So, what do you say about starting over with me? We can be whatever we want to be. There's no pressure at all. Let's just figure it out along the way."

He joined his hand with her handcuffed one before bringing them both to his lips and placing a soft, gentle kiss on the back of her palm. Caught off guard, she stilled and blushed. Her heartbeat started to pick up a faster pace then, hammering against her chest like the burst of feelings that came with that gesture.

She then felt the release of the handcuff before she saw it.

"Now, how about we go and get some cheesecake?" Asher asked coolly.

"How many slices did you get?" Irish replied, smiling.

"The cafe only had one left. I was very lucky for a change."

"Unfortunately, you're not quite that lucky~"

Immediately, she snapped the handcuff shut around his wrist and hooked the other end to the headboard at the back of her bed. It all happened in a flash that he could only stare up at her incredulously.

"Ha, ha!" Irish chanted in delight, puffing out her chest smugly.

"Ha, ha," Asher intoned sarcastically, pressing something on the handcuffs which then opened the spring.

"There's a latch?! Are you freaking kidding me?!"

She squealed, turning around to escape. As she attempted to leave the room, she went on to yell, "First one to the kitchen gets the cake!"

Irish only made it about three steps before he was suddenly on her. Effortlessly, Asher slings her back onto the bed.

"What you just did was dirty, princess, especially as I was so kind to come and save you," he quipped with a smirk, landing on top of her and pinning her to the bed.

"Actually, credits go to Charles," she sassed with a wide, bright grin on her face.

"Only because you're too stubborn to call me. It's time for me to take my revenge, no?"

"Revenge, huh? I'd like to see you try."

Irish couldn't help but giggle at him. Asher just laughed it off with her.

For what seemed like the first time, life felt so sweet - even without the added extra of cheesecake and cookies and cream.