You struggle to process.

The only reason you agreed to this arrangement was because you trusted Ashely's stated lack of attraction to you to keep her from doing anything to you. You freeze up. "C-can I say no?"

There's a tense silence for a moment as Ashley seems to be listening to something. She then continues to speak robotically, asking, "Am I not pretty enough for you?"

You sputter. "Th-that's not it at all! You're very pretty, It's just that I thought--"

"You thought that you could do better?" Robotic, again. "You're probably right."

You try to assemble your confused thoughts. "Ashley, didn't we already... talk about this?"

A ray of what looks strangely like hope enters Ashley's expression. Her voice remains robotic, however. "What do you mean by that?"

You take a deep breath. "So long as I do the chores, and pay you the rent, and leave you alone, I can stay here without any trouble. That was the deal, right? You said you were generally more into women anyways, right? I don't know if you forgot, but you were pretty clear that you didn't want me in... that way. At least at the time."

You realize you've been rambling a bit, but Ashley has made no move to interrupt you. Unusual for her. Not that there's anything about her recent behaivior that's 'normal for her'.

"Well, what if I want you now?"

You hesitate. Yes, Ashley is pretty, but you never really considered her in that way, even with the somewhat frequent sight of her private parts. You try to think of it, but your mind fills with disjointed memories of your one and only other sexual experience. You shake your head, trying to clear the dark thoughts away. You try to consider Ashley.

She's taller than you, which is almost a given considering your somewhat shorter stature, and her fair, pale skin is smattered with freckles. She has generous breasts and a lithe figure, and you'd be lying if you were to say that her auburn hair wasn't complimented by her ice-blue eyes.

All that said, it's just... not there. The spark, the desire, whatever it is that love songs sing about, often speaking through thinly veiled innuendo. You just don't seem to be attracted to her.

"... I'm sorry, I don't feel the same way."

Ashley's expression fills with relief. "Is that a no, then?"

"...if I get a choice."

Ashley slouches suddenly, her voice returning to something more closely reassembling normal, even if it's completely swamped in exhaustion. This causes the chain to swing again, but she pays it no mind. "Well, take your shower, then. Don't let me hold you up."

The door to her room closes behind her suddenly, and you're left standing there, very confused. You go to gather your things for a shower, when suddenly the lights flicker again. You look around wildly, instictively expecting...

There. Next to the door to Ashley's room. She's only there in the dimness between flashes, and she's translucent where natural light from outside strikes her, but she's definitely there.

You freeze, and she walks towards you. Suddenly, it clicks in your head.

"Are you the reason why Ashley's acting so weird?"

She smirks and nods.

"What are you doing to her?"

Suddenly, she's very close, leaning into your ear. "Nothing she doesn't deserve."

"M-making her ask me for sex seems pretty h-harsh."

"Oh, that entitled bitch can put up with a little indignity, considering everything she makes you do. Besides, I plan on rewarding her later anyways for trying."

"Wh-why are you doing this?"

A hand is suddenly on your chest.

"I want to make you feel good. I want you to know you deserve to feel good. You put up with so much, and you get so little out of it."

"B-but I don't want to have sex."

"Oh, yes you do, you just don't know it. I'll figure out how to show you later."

Suddenly, she's gone. The flickering stops, and the tension leaves your body. You take a deep breath, slowly drawing it in, trying to calm yourself.

You try to put it out of your mind and go have a shower.