Glass Hearts [BL]-Chapter 250: A Threat With My Name On It

Ash’s POV

Walking up to Mister Sun’s Diner felt like stepping toward a life I’d abandoned.

Three months gone.

Three months of running from everything, including work.

Now I was back, holding the door handle.

My palms were sweating.

God, why am I nervous? This place used to feel like home.

I pushed the door open, and the bell above me jingled.

The moment I stepped inside, heads turned.

Then...

"Ash?? ASH!"

"Oh my God, you’re here!"

"Ash is back!"

Before I could breathe, Jae grabbed my wrist.

"Tell me you’re back to work," she squealed, in her dramatic voice. "Please tell me. Sam has been covering my shifts but he literally demands bribes. I’m suffering."

I let out a weak laugh. "Hi, Jae."

More voices piled on:

"We heard what happened..."

"Is it true Dominic is engaged to that girl?"

"Ash, are you okay?"

My chest tightened. I couldn’t even pick out one question from the noise.

"I... I don’t know what you’re all talking about," I muttered. "I’m just... I’m back. If Mister Sun will take me."

My voice wavered at the end, embarrassing me immediately.

Then the kitchen door swung open.

Mister Sun walked out, wiping his hands on a towel.

"Someone said Ash is here. Is that true?"

Immediately, every single person around me pointed at me.

He smiled.

"Ash. Welcome back." He grabbed both ny shoulders.

My throat went tight. "I’m so sorry for disappearing. Things just..."

He held up a hand gently.

"Ash, I know. You’ve been taking care of your mom and your sister. Life gets overwhelming. You don’t owe me an apology."

My throat stung.

"Do I... still have a place here?" I hesitated, before asking.

"Of course you do," he said immediately. "You’re always welcome here."

"Thank you," I whispered. "Really. Thank you sir. What can I start with? I’m ready to work. I’ve missed this place."

"We’ve missed you too, Ash!" Someone else shouted.

Everyone started talking again at once:

"We missed you so much!"

"Thank God you’re back.."

"The coffee machine exploded this morning, please help!"

I missed this. Missed them. Missed this

feeling.

"I’ll help," I said quickly. "Just tell me where to start."

"You sure?" Jae grinned. "Or should we give you a grand welcome tour back into hell?"

I rolled my eyes, finally smiling. "Haha, not funny."

I tied on an apron, brushed past the counter, and exhaled.

Time to work, and distract myself.

—-

After we finally closed for the night, I slumped into the nearest booth.

"Damn," I groaned, dropping my head back. "I’m so tired I can’t feel my legs. I forgot how stressful this place gets."

My fingers fumbled with the knot of my apron, and I was halfway out of it when Jae walked in from the back, drying her hands.

She leaned against the table.

"Hey, Ash."

I turned around. "Hi Jae."

"Honestly... how are you holding up? With Dominic and everything?"

I blinked at her.

"How does everyone know about me and Dom? I thought it was just you. Did you....?"

"What? No!" She held up both hands. "Swear on my life, Ash, I didn’t tell anyone."

She exhaled.

"It’s gossip. The night Dom had his birthday party, someone saw him grab you when you two sneaked upstairs. People put things together fast in this place."

"Oh."

Her eyes softened.

"So... how are you really?"

I let out a shaky laugh.

"I don’t want to think about it anymore. It’s just...It’s... crazy. The one person you love just ghosts you, and then keeps making public appearances. Every place I go, it’s his face, his name, his stupid perfect smile..."

I laughed bitterly. "I can’t escape it."

Jae sighed. "I get it. And honestly? I think he’s doing all this because of that evil dad of his. After what Yuri heard... I’m just glad you’re safe."

Yuri heard what? What is she talking about?

"How did you feel when June told you?"

I froze.

"June told me... what?" I asked slowly.

Jae blinked. "Wait, she didn’t tell you?"

My stomach dropped. "Tell me what?"

"That Yuri overheard Dominic’s dad on the phone. Saying..."

She swallowed.

"...to eliminate you if you trespassed or something like that. I don’t remember the exact words."

My eyes widened.

"Eliminate... me?" I whispered.

I gasped and covered my mouth with both hands.

My hands were trembling.

"Eliminate... me?" I repeated.

I pushed up from the booth so fast the table rattled.

"Why didn’t June tell me?"

My voice cracked.

"She knew something like that and didn’t tell me? Why? Why would she hide that from me?"

Jae stepped closer, gently putting a hand on my arm before.

"Ash! Ash, breathe," she whispered. "Please. Just breathe for a second."

"She should’ve told me," I choked out. "I could’ve been.. I mean, what if something actually happened to me? Something that serious? Something about Dominic’s dad wanting me, God.. wanting me dead? Why wouldn’t she say anything?! June, of all people..."

Jae squeezed my arm. "Maybe..maybe she had her reasons."

"What reasons?" I snapped. "What reason is good enough for hiding that from me?"

"Maybe she didn’t want to scare you," Jae said softly. "Maybe she panicked. June is... emotional, Ash. She freaks out too."

"She should’ve scared me," I started pacing in circles. "It’s my life. I deserved to know."

"I know," Jae murmured. "I know. And you’re right."

She guided me back toward the booth gently.

"But listen... June cares about you. A lot. She’s not the kind of person who’d keep something like this out of spite. If she didn’t tell you, it was because she was afraid or confused or trying to figure out the truth."

My hands were still trembling.

"I just... I can’t believe Dominic’s dad said that. I can’t believe any of this is real. And Dominic...he just left. He disappeared."

Jae nodded.

"Hey, you’re safe," she whispered. "You’re here. Nothing’s going to happen to you. Maybe Dominic left to protect you."

"If he wanted to protect me, why does it feel like he abandoned me instead?"

"Maybe he had to!" Jae sighed. "I’m just saying, this whole thing is bigger than you thought. And sometimes when people care... they make the wrong choices trying to protect you."