Bad Influence - Episode 49&50

 

 BAD INFLUENCE

Bad Influence - Episode 49&50

(•Tainting Her Innocence•)

GENRE: College romance 

By, Mide L.

    ✧༺✰༻✧    ✧༺✰༻✧    ✧༺✰༻✧

            ✮{...FIVE YEARS LATER...}✮

The taxi screeched to a stop outside St. Grace Memorial Hospital.

Hailey didn’t wait for change. She flung the door open and sprinted inside, heart pounding in her ears, her breath shallow. Her legs nearly gave out as she ran past the front desk.

"Xavier Knight! Please, Xavier Knight!" she said impatiently.

A nurse pointed silently toward the waiting room, her face somber.

Hailey burst through the doors and froze.

Mrs. Knight was on the floor, clinging to her husband’s trousers, wailing in agony. Her beautiful face was drenched in tears and her makeup smeared.

"He’s gone! My son is gone! He died without forgiving me!"

Vanessa sat beside her on the bench, crying uncontrollably into a soaked tissue, shaking her head over and over. Mr. Knight, freshly arrived from his business trip, was trying to hold them both, but he, too, looked broken with his eyes red, jaw clenched tightly to keep from crying himself.

The moment Vanessa saw Hailey, she stood slowly, her lips quivering.

"Hailey right?" she whispered and Hailey nodded, moving closer to her.

"I—I need to see him. Please… I need to see Xavier…"

Vanessa’s throat bobbed as she swallowed back another sob.

"They’ve moved him… to the mortuary" She said quietly.

Hailey’s chest collapsed inward.

"No…" she whispered, shaking her head violently. "No, no, please. He—he can’t be gone"

Mrs. Knight let out another painful wail, echoing through the sterile white halls.

"He died hating me, Hailey! My baby is gone!"

And Hailey, helpless and numb, sank to the cold hospital floor. Her cries joined theirs, mourning a boy who was her chaos, her temptation… her everything. 

Xavier Knight was gone.

•••

FIVE YEARS LATER, BOUTIQUE*

"Try this one, Ariella. I think it’ll look so cute on you!" Hailey held out a yellow sundress, kneeling beside the 10-year-old who stood, arms crossed, a teasing scowl on her face.

"Too bright" Ariella replied with a shrug, her voice carrying the same rich tone as her father’s.

Hailey chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You’re just like him"

Beside her, Vanessa smiled as she rifled through a rack of children’s clothes. 

"Stubborn and dramatic? Yeah. She’s definitely a Knight"

Ariella stuck her tongue out playfully, and the three of them laughed.

The little girl had Xavier’s eyes. His smirk.

He never got to really know her… never acknowledged her while he was alive. But Hailey had made sure Ariella grew up surrounded by love and the Knight family provided that.

They paid for their bags and exited the boutique. Hailey took Ariella’s hand while Vanessa glanced at her phone. It rang just as they crossed the sidewalk.

"I need to take this. I’ll catch up with you guys later"

Hailey nodded. "Go. We’ll wait at The Grid"

Vanessa turned to Ariella and kissed her forehead. "No more ice cream today, young lady"

Ariella grinned mischievously. "No promises!"

As Vanessa walked away, someone called out from behind them—

"Hailey!"

Hailey turned, beaming as Jasmine approached in high-waisted jeans and a cropped hoodie, her  hair pulled into a ponytail. 

"About time you showed up" Hailey teased.

"Blame traffic. And this city’s obsession with construction"

Ariella ran into Jasmine’s arms. "Jassie!"

"Hey, baby girl!" Jasmine twirled her around before setting her down. "How’s the princess today?"

"Shopping tired. But I got new sneakers!" Ariella showed off proudly.

Jasmine looked at Hailey, grinning. 

Over the years, they've become closer. 

They were more like sisters now.

"Let’s head to The Grid" Jasmine said.

"Seconded" Hailey replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Minutes later at the Grid.

Soft indie music played in the background as the comforting aroma of coffee and pastries filled the air. 

Hailey sat by the corner booth, Ariella munching happily on a chocolate-chip pancake beside her. Jasmine stirred her iced coffee, her eyes glinting thoughtfully as she watched them.

"You’ve done so well with her, Hails. Xavier would be proud" She said softly. 

Hailey smiled faintly, brushing Ariella’s hair back from her forehead. 

"I try"

There was a brief silence, and then Jasmine spoke up again.

"Have you spoken to Asher lately?"

Hailey blinked, looking up. "Asher?"

"Yes. He asked about you again last week. Hailey… he’s a good guy. He’s always been there since college. Since… everything"

Hailey’s heart thudded slowly. Asher. Sweet, reliable Asher. The guy who always showed up. Who brought her flowers on her birthdays, who stood by her and cheeered her up, who smiled at her with affection.

"He’s not Xavier" Hailey murmured, more to herself than anyone.

"No, he’s not" Jasmine said gently. "But maybe that’s a good thing"

Hailey looked out the window, lost in thought. Asher had always been patient. Kind. Respectful of her space. But lately… she’d started noticing the way her heart softened when he smiled. The way her fingers itched to text him first.

Maybe, just maybe it was time.

•••

EVENING, HAILEY'S APARTMENT*

Hailey unlocked the door to her apartment and stepped inside, kicking off her shoes with a sigh of relief. The soft hum of the air conditioner welcomed her, along with the familiar warmth of home. Home sweet home.

Vanessa had come back an hour ago to pick up Ariella at the grid.

Hailey looked around the cozy living room. It wasn’t just any apartment but it was a gift, a symbol of the life the Knight family had helped her build. They’d taken her in after everything, given her stability, a well-paying job in one of Mr. Knight’s firms, and love when she thought she had none left.

They were her family now. And for that, she was forever grateful.

She moved toward the kitchen, brushing her hair into a messy bun as she pulled a bottle of water from the fridge. The coolness felt good against her palm as she unscrewed the cap and took a sip.

Then—Ding-dong.

She froze mid-step.

The bell rang again, short and insistent.

Hailey blinked, setting the bottle down slowly. It was already past 8. Who could it be?

Her heart thudded lightly as she moved to the door, her hand brushing the knob, uncertain but curious.

She opened it—

And her breath caught.

Standing there, dressed in a simple dark hoodie and jeans, was Asher.

Hands in his pockets.

"Hey, Hails"

Hailey blinked. Then slowly, a smile curved her lips.

She stepped aside. "Come in, Asher"

Asher stepped inside quietly, the familiar scent of his cologne mingling with the faint aroma of Hailey’s apartment. He dropped his hands from his pockets and glanced around, a little nervous but trying to mask it with a casual smile.

Hailey closed the door behind him and headed straight to the kitchen. She flipped on the kettle and reached for the coffee.

"Coffee? Or something else?" she asked over her shoulder.

"Coffee sounds perfect" Asher replied, settling on the couch near the window.

Hailey busied herself making the coffee, pouring hot water into two mugs, stirring quickly. She handed one to Asher, who took it gratefully, his fingers brushing hers for a brief moment.

They sat down opposite each other.

After a pause, he reached out, gently holding Hailey’s hands.

"Hailey, aren’t you punishing me enough? I really love you, I swear. Right from college days, and you know that. Am I not good enough for you?"

Hailey looked down at their hands, then met his eyes. A small, genuine smile played on her lips.

"Asher, you’re a great guy" she said quietly. "I think I’ve developed a soft spot for you. You treat me so well. I think I’m ready to be yours now

Asher’s eyes lit up, relief and hope flooding his face as he squeezed her arms gently.

"Thank you, Hailey. I promise you won't regret it"

"You better don't" she said and he chuckled.

Asher’s eyes searched hers, his thumb brushing her knuckles in slow circles. 

Then, slowly, he leaned in.

His breath mingled with hers, his face inches away now. 

She didn’t pull away.

His hand slid gently to her cheek, tilting her face towards his. Their lips were just about to meet—

Riiiiing!

The sharp sound of her phone shattered the moment like glass.

Hailey gasped lightly, blinking as the spell broke. The phone buzzed again on the coffee table, vibrating aggressively.

Asher paused, his forehead still resting close to hers. 

"You should get that" he murmured reluctantly.

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She reached over and picked it up.

Unknown Number.

Her brows furrowed. "That’s weird"

Without thinking much of it, she swiped to answer and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hello?" she said.

No response.

She glanced at Asher, who was now sitting upright, watching her.

"Hello? Who’s this?" she said again, this time with a slight edge of unease.

Still nothing.

The line was open… but completely silent. Not even static. Just… empty.

She frowned deeper and stood from the couch, walking a few steps away.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

Still no answer.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

Suddenly, the silence was broken and a faint breathing. Ragged. Low. Barely audible, but definitely there.

Hailey froze.

"Asher…" she said quietly, lowering the phone slightly but not ending the call. "There’s someone there. I can hear them breathing"

Asher stood up immediately, alert. "What? Who is it?"

"I don’t know. They’re not saying anything, but they’re still on the line"

She slowly brought the phone back to her ear.

"Hello? What do you want?" she demanded 

And then… the call disconnected leaving Hailey troubled and confused.

___

💕TBC💕

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