Ashley's POV:I stand in front of the mirror, turning slightly to the left, then to the right. My dark blue velvet dress shimmers subtly with every movement due to the small silver sparkles woven into the fabric, making me feel like I have wrapped myself in a piece of the starry sky. Ethan’s words from yesterday echo in my mind, making me feel the weight of today's event. He had mentioned we were supposed to attend an engagement party for someone, and he made it very clear: I need to look my absolute best.Because now that we’re officially together, it is time for him to do what’s necessary. I smooth the fabric of my dress as a faint smile pops up on its own, remembering what he said next. "You have promised to stay beside me until I achieve my biggest goal in life, so I have to honor that agreement and introduce you as my partner to the entire world… and also, someone in particular." The thought sends a small jolt through me, my heartbeat quickening. Who could it be?I bite my lo
Ethan's POV:In my plans to introduce Ashley to the world, how could I have forgotten the fact that if I decide to go to Emily and Jordan's engagement, then I will definitely run into the old crowd of our college… our old tribe, the people who once used to be a very part of my life. Neil called me, seeing me there with Ashley– and my heart was immediately filled with the fear of what would happen if anyone told Ashley about Emily before my announcement. This fear covered my logical thinking and I left her there, instructing her not to move from her place.My attention is pulled away from Ashley when I feel someone roughly pulling me into an aggressive hug. “Is it real? Am I dreaming!!! Ethan! My friend, where have you been?”“Yes! Is it a way to treat your friends, you turned your face away from each one of us after your breakup with Emily.”Ray and Steve, two of my old friends, speak up, and just then, Neil pokes them with his elbows. Stepping into his usual role of the pacifist, h
Ashley's POV: If I were to say that I'm shocked, I guess it is going to be the understatement of the century. The more I keep trying to pick out the differences between me and the girl standing in front of my eyes– completely unaware of my existence till now– the more similarities I keep stumbling on. And even if I pull up the list of all the differences that I have found in her, still, there are way more similarities than the differences… Just when I feel like this confusion is going to kill me, Ethan is back by my side. I spill the cause of my dilemma to him, but what he says catches me off guard.Is he… did he just say that I can meet her?Of course, I don't need to think before saying yes, but what does he mean by saying that it is the time for his past to meet his present? What… what exactly is his past?My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Ethan's voice; but it isn't coming from somewhere close to me at all. Instead, his voice is ringing through the speakers.We have alre
Ethan's POV:I notice everything… every single detail of the expressions present on all three of their faces: Jordan, Ashley and of course, my Emily.I notice how Emily's face sours when I have deliberately hailed Ashley as the most beautiful woman in this world, inside and out. Because I know that if there is one thing Emily is extremely confident about, then it is her beauty… and I agree with it completely.Indeed, she is extremely beautiful, she is absolutely perfect! But I haven't lied, either. Ashley is definitely beautiful, in and out… and I have simply announced it publicly, to let everyone know the reality.All I have done is just hidden a single fact– even though Ashley Waverly may be one of the most desirable women in the world because of her beauty, she isn't my desire.Even being the most beautiful, she isn't my Emily… the girl I love from the core of my heart… the girl who is just perfect in everything she does.And also the girl whom I never want to hurt, but have to… j
Ashley’s POV: Ethan's hold around my wrist is so tight that for a few moments, I forget I have a voice too– which I can use to call it out, apart from my feeble attempts to struggle under his strength.But the pace he is walking with doesn't give me the attention or time to ask him to stop and look for Tiffany.Because the moment he knelt down to propose to me, I saw her… I saw Tiffany standing in the crowd.Looking towards me with concern… in fact, not just concern, but anger. She was very angry… more than I have ever seen her. I know she has a bad impression of Ethan in her eyes, and neither of us has done anything to mend it either. Tiffany doesn't know anything about the confession Ethan has made on our date that day, and the commitment I have given to him.Because even though I have been trying to contact her, she has once again gone out of my reach. Eventually, I stopped trying as well, deciding that I wasn't going to break this huge news to her on the phone- how could I have
Ashley's POV:She steps inside the store and stands straight in front of me, facing the assistant, completely ignoring my existence… or probably she hasn't noticed me yet.Her dress is bouncing around her knees, swishing around her with every step that she is taking with the perfect mix of attitude and style; making it look like she is a supermodel and the whole world is her ramp. “Okay, so is Mr. Ethan Johnson here yet–”“Ma'am, Mr. Johnson has informed us that you and his fianceé shall be the only ones here for the trials. She is already here and waiting for you.”Finally! Someone has cared to introduce me, and Emily graces me with a half- glance in my direction. I paste a smile on my face, remembering how Ethan used to be the same cold person when I first met him. So, there is actually someone on the Earth like him! That's incredible, both to see and believe. “Hi! I am Ashley Waverly. Ethan's fianceé.”I say as I stretch my hand towards her for a handshake, seeing that she is no
Ashley's POV: Peter raises his hand and gestures for the staff to wait for a moment before he turns his attention back to me. “Ashley! Dear, I will be waiting in the car since I don't want to disturb you, so just be relaxed and select whatever you like. And again, if you don't like anything or if they are not up to your taste, then you must not feel burdened on behalf of Ethan. You know that he cares for your happiness more than anything, right? He won't mind it at all.”“I get it, Peter!”I smile, hoping that my reassurance is conveyed to him. “Okay then, I will be taking my leave. Take care.”He leaves, waving his hands in the air. I turn towards the staff and Emily, who is standing there with a sour face. I don't why that is, but clearly there is something that she did not like at all.Ignoring her expression, I also start to follow the staff towards a completely new room. It would be better to call it a studio- type setup, and I have to admit… it isn't as bad as I have started
Ashley's POV:I twist my body in front of the mirror in the trial room, trying to inspect myself from all angles after the assistant has buttoned up the dress from the back and left. Honestly, I feel like I have been dressed up as a show stopper for the London fashion week. With a final glance in the brightly lit mirror, I decide to finally walk outside; gathering my courage with the thought that I just have to step out into the studio– not on the road! And this is when I hear some gasps around me. “Wow, ma'am… you are looking so pretty!”“We have always known that everything you wear would look great on you.”“There is no one who can beat your figure and your grace, you are perfect ma'am.”A smile appears on my face– probably, these words will be good to lighten up Emily's mood. She might become less bitter, finally, and the rest of the day would be easy for me.With some sense of relief, I turn my steps in the direction of the sounds.Everyone who has been praising her pauses th