Ashley's POV:“Really! Then tell us the name of the person too, we are quite eager to know–”“Liam.”I say the name out loud, staring back into Liam's eyes, trying to find the trace of shame that all are saying I have lost, somewhere in his eyes.Because if I am shameless according to them, then what are they going to call Liam? Who has tried to kill his own cousin, spread false rumors about her, paid the media person to slander her? And worse, he has tried to harm the business of his own late uncle, where he used to work for the last five years. But before I can give them a detailed list of all the wrongdoings he has committed in his life, aunt Claire’s sharp voice almost tears out my eardrums. “You liar! When you didn't find a way to enter here and save yourself from being caught, you came here to blame our Liam? Do you think we all are blind?!”Oh….how I wish that I could say what exactly I think, out loud. But for now, I will have to give them a piece of my mind and find a be
Ethan's POV:Finally, Ashley isn't around me… and at last, I have some time to myself to think about my next step to get Emily close to me.I know Ashley has gone to meet her best friend, who had somehow disappeared from her life without any notice– only to suddenly appear again, out of the blue and without any announcement, either.But I have to find out why she has given that tip about Ashley to that reporter, and Robert! Even though I have known Robert for some years now, I have seen the changes in his behavior whenever Ashley is around him. And at the same time, I have also noticed that Ashley is completely clueless about this.Anyway, that girl has always seemed suspicious to me. I don't know why, but I feel like I have seen her somewhere, and I am missing out on something really important.Peter walks into my room in a hurry, breaking the chain of my thoughts without even realizing it. “Ethan, is there anything you want me to do? I have already completed what you told me to do…
Ashley's POV:“Wh… what do you mean?”My voice comes out shaky and weak, but I have to force out the words regardless. I have to ask the question about how they are suddenly going to put my luggage out of the house, without asking me… or even informing me for that matter.“Is this some kind of prank? Because I am clearly not in the mood for that.”“Ma'am, please cooperate.”Another response, but none of these three words is a reply to my question.“Where is Ethan? I need to meet him. Step aside, or else it won't be good for you.”My voice raises on its own, and the anger that has been disguising itself as my sadness finally starts to take over me.“He is not here.”The person finally speaks something that is related to the questions I was asking.“Not here? Do you think I am a fool, or do you really think I am some random person trying to meet the owner of this house for clout? I have been living here–”My words drop off in the middle, as I realize that no matter how harshly I am talk
I drag myself out of bed, the weight of yesterday clinging to me like a heavy blanket I can’t shake off. My limbs feel heavy, like they want to stay glued to the mattress; the thought of staying under the covers for the rest of the day is tempting my soul. But I also know one thing: whether I want to meet anyone or not, Tiffany is going to come to my house. She feels like she has complete monopoly over me; and either she will walk into my house like she owns it, or she won't show me her face for the next month too. There is no in- between with her.And I can't have her disappear on me again. So I pull myself to the edge of the bed like a slug, wincing as soon as my feet touch the cold.The room is dim, but I don’t bother with the lights or the curtains. I stumble to the bathroom, splashing my face with cold water repeatedly, trying to force myself to wake up and hopefully feel something other than this numbness. But when I finally dare to look into the mirror, the reflection starin
Ashley's POV:I stare at Tiffany, stunned by her words. “But… how can it be?”Tiffany looks at me like I have just asked her the most obvious question in the world. “What do you mean by how? It is the way it is!”Her casual tone throws me off, and I feel a pang of irritation. I elbow her slightly, giving her a pointed and accusatory look. Leaning towards her, I chew on my words before spitting them out in a low voice. “I just clarified this yesterday, you know everything! Why did you still bring him here?”I am expecting her to reply in the same hushed tones, but Tiffany does the exact opposite thing.She beams happily and says out loud, like she is happy to announce it to the entire world, “You know what, Ash! I think that you really need to get over that silly crush of yours, and for that, it's necessary that you guys should talk about it and go on a date.”My face flushes with embarrassment. I can feel the heat crawling up my neck and into my cheeks, turning me a bright shade o
Ashley's POV:After Tiffany and Robert leave, I rush into my wardrobe to find a change of clothes.I shuffle through my clothes and my hand falls on a flowy red dress; without much thought, I put it on. Because I have another important task to finish, before I leave the house.I rush outside and grab my leather tote bag, inside which, I have started to put everything that I might need: my bank checkbook, in case I need to ask the person if he needs money in return for the information that he has… all the cash I currently have in the house… a few of my important jewelry pieces… and a pepper spray– after all, I can't trust him completely.In fact, I am at the stage of my life where I should not be trusting anyone; and I have tried to convince myself of this several times. But I don't know how my heart changes every single time, whenever someone shows a little care and concern towards me.Anyway, this is not the time for thinking about this.Now that I am ready, I call the Uber driver to
Ashley's POV:I take another few steps forward, holding myself together at the seams. I slowly start to lift the covers from the dishes that are placed on the table. Filet of Halibut fish… lobster carbonara… soup dumplings… fried shrimp salad… roast beef and pudding… deep fried olives with cheese…Just the aroma of all the foods that I'm uncovering is tempting me to forget all about the conditions under which I am here, or even the fact that I am being compelled to eat.Because as I keep lifting the lids, I see everything that has been placed on the table, is indeed my favorite. And I have to admit, I haven't had any of these since my parents have left.Even the Neapolitan pizza is from my favorite joint in New York, even though others might consider it trashy. But the question of whether or not I like these things isn't important right now; the important question is, how does this person know about all of this?I am forced to think that maybe, even Tiffany is not aware of all these
Mysterious Man’s POV:I can't help a smile from appearing on my face the moment I saw her entering the premises wearing a striking red dress… she never fails to take my breath away. And well, I also deserve my due credit; after all, it was indeed a great idea of mine to fit a secret camera wherever I can, in every angle possible… to get a full view of her, every time I want to. And that too, without showing my face.Because each time I see her being clueless, trying to find me and making efforts to see my face, I feel a weird yet comforting feeling warming my heart.After all, this is all I ever want in my life, Ashley, waiting for me, her eyes eager to see me… her being happy.Yes, her being happy and away from everyone is the ultimate goal of my life, because if there is anything that I am sure of, then it is the fact that I don't want to share her with anyone. And when I say anyone I mean it from the core of my heart!I am a little selfish for her love– actually, everything of he