Ashley's POV:“As you order, ma'am.”The designer replies without delay, snapping to attention as soon as the words have left Emily's mouth. Sure enough, the room has been emptied out within a minute. I watch the last of the shop assistants scurry out before I around to notice that Emily's face has gotten significantly redder than before.I didn't even get a chance to address that or say something else, before she opens her mouth and spits out her question.“Do you really think that you are a princess or what?”“What do you mean?”I was prepared for her questions regarding what I do in my company, or how I managed to meet Ethan… but this is something I would never have been prepared for, ever.“Do you really think Ethan is marrying you because he loves you?”“Excuse me!”I get it that she is Ethan's friend and she is important to him… but she is crossing a lot of limits at once and I am absolutely flabbergasted! But if I thought that question was unexpected, Emily's next words catch
Ashley's POV:I snap at Emily and dash out of the store like a tornado of a typhoon, without looking back at once– or without caring that I am still in their dress and I haven't paid yet.I know all these things are manageable and will be taken care of– so all I need to do right now is take care of my mental health before I end up completely destroying the already- fractured dam of my patience, and start raging. I stop at the edge of the pavement and raise my hand to call a taxi, having forgotten that Peter would be waiting for me.I wouldn't have remembered this detail until putting at least four miles between me and Emily, if I hadn't felt a pat on my shoulder just then.Peter's concerned voice rings sharply in my ears. “Ashley! What happened? Where are you going like this! Has that bitch said something to upset you?”His words are painted in the coat of frustration and anger, as he directs a sideways glance towards the store, making me realize that it makes two of us who don't li
Ethan's POV:“Fuck!”I let out a scream the moment I enter the car and finally get the alone time that I have been needing desperately, ever since I dropped Ashley to the studio.Those idiots… did these foreign clients have to arrive today, of all days? It's all because of them shifting their plans forward by two days, that I have to miss this opportunity to meet Emily in person today.And this fact is killing me, but I know; whether I go there or not, everything is already settled. The payment has already been made in full, Ashley has reached there and I know Emily is going to ask her about our love story, tooBecause the way I know her, her over- excited self can't control herself from asking personal questions from other people she meets and likes.And this time, it is not the case of her liking Ashley. On the other hand, I'm sure she must have been dying out of jealousy. And the more jealous she is going to be, the sooner she will accept my love for her… and vice versa.Thinking t
Ashley's POV:“Enough, Tiffy! I know you are upset because you think I hid such a huge piece of news from you, but that doesn't mean you will say just about anything to make me feel bad–”But Tiffany speaks over me again, and I notice a strange smile on her face… like she isn't concerned, but like she is taking some pleasure in saying these words. No, I must be imagining things, or maybe projecting my annoyance with Emily, on Tiffany. After all, I have known Tiffany for most of my life, and she is not like this. She is sweet, gentle and caring, although her words are really contradicting her image right now. “I am not trying to make you feel bad, what's in it for me? I'm just trying to make you see the obvious, that you aren't able to see with your open eyes! Because tell me one thing, do you think the guy has a shortage of his picks? Ethan Johnson has such a reputation and influence that almost every supermodel and actress of this country is chasing after him. And yet, he hasn't
Ethan's POV:My heart drops into a pit, the moment Peter says that he has left Ashley at her friend's place.What does he mean, doesn't he know her at all?! Peter has seen it with her own eyes, how happily this girl flirts with the angel of death– who is eager to take her with him, and still he left her there! At a friend's place!First of all, this girl doesn't have any friends… and those two idiots whom she refers to as ‘friends’ are of no good! That idiot employee of mine… Robert, always tries to hit on her. And that idiot best friend of hers is dangerously familiar to me, but for some reason, I can't remember anything about how or why she seems familiar to me– nor can I recall any information about her… Not her name, designation… nothing.But both of them give me weird vibes, and ever since I have noticed Ashley being upset because of her friend ignoring her, it has made my heart do weird things.In fact she has never told me anything about there being some beef between them– h
Ethan's POVFor some reason, I'm still in Tiffany's living room, my jaw clenched as she is still talking non- stop, but I have to keep reminding myself not to lash out at her. Otherwise, with how much she has already spoken– and considering my beliefs in feminism and the equality of genders, I would have knocked her out with a punch to the face… long ago. I give her a cold glare, hoping she gets the message, but she keeps going, her hand lightly brushing my arm. Who the hell does she think she is, to say all this crap about Ashley! And that too, to my face, knowing who I am?!I keep reminding myself the reason I am tolerating her so far: only because she’s Ashley’s so- called best friend, but even I know that it’s not going to last long. My temper is on a short leash, and she’s tugging at it like she has no clue how close she is to crossing the line.My phone buzzes, and I don’t hesitate before pulling it out of my pocket. It is one of my managers, and his timing was perfect. “So
Ethan's POV:“You really didn't think I would figure it out, smartass?”Liam’s voice continues to harass the senses of everyone unlucky enough to be present in the restaurant, who has dropped their conversations and lunch to focus on our table.But while his voice is just an inconvenience to them, it is a nuisance to me– and each word from his cursed mouth is pushing me further to the edge. “Don’t you think I would notice that when no one else in her blood related family even cares about this black sheep…”The drunk ass suddenly stops, choking on his words. He gags, then he leans forward to spit out blood and vomit on the floor in front of him. Pathetic. I leave the idiot to wallow in his misery and turn my focus back to Ashley. He is not my problem right now.“Water. Now!” I snap, and a waiter rushes over with a glass of cold water. I snatch it from his hand and crouch in front of Ashley, crooning softly to not startle her. “Ash, here... have some water. Drink a little bit, Ashl
Ashley's POV:I wake up with a heavy headache, the first sensation that registers in my brain is the pounding in my temples.I open my eyes as slowly as possible, and blink a few times until I can make out the shapes. The first thing I see is Ethan, asleep by my side… half on the bed, and half on the chair beside it.It takes me a while to remember where I am, and how I reached here. And even though I don't remember the complete picture yet, I remember the last person I saw– Liam.I was outside Tiffany's house… when he forcefully snatched me into his car, and after that, he manipulated me to accompany him to some restaurant. That lying swine, he fed me some story about meeting our family, waiting there for me… and also that he had something to show me… a groan escapes my lips at my stupidity. I know I am an idiot for having fallen for that obvious lie, but after the first juice I had, I lost all capability to think or process anything.Trying to push through the fog in my mind, I on
Ashley's POV:I take a glance at the clock, I have a few minutes to myself before we have to leave for lunch. After saying goodbye to Mike, I plan on finally telling my feelings to Ethan when he is sober… judging by the state he was in last time, he probably isn't going to remember anything about our conversation. Just as I lift the second earring from the dresser, my phone rings, vibrating with an urgency. It is a call from my assistant, and I receive it quickly. “Yes M–”“Ma'am, did you see the news? The quotations from Mr. Johnson's bids are all over the place just before the bid is due to start, and everyone is speculating that it is you. News agencies are reaching out for an interview ma'am, what are we supposed to do?”“Okay… I will see what I have to do.”I disconnect the call, feeling a pit in my stomach. Of course, the public opinion will be against me now, as he has just said over the call. But not only that, Ethan might doubt me too… because I am the single person he ha
Ashley's POV: Although I have mentioned to Mike that I have to pick Adrin up, I still drive towards the church, knowing that I have lied to him.But why do I have to lie to him? Because if we are going to marry each other, it should be normal… a normal gesture of affection between couples, right? I gulp, realizing that the answer is painfully obvious. I know I am not being honest with anyone… neither him, nor with my own self. Caught up in this dilemma, I reach home, knowing that today is scheduled as Ethan's turn with Adrin.To my surprise, I find Adrin sleeping peacefully on his bed, having changed out of his uniform. And Ethan's car is still parked by the entrance…Finally, I notice Ethan… sitting on the floor, beside the couch, which is probably why I missed him in the first place. I walk around the couch with careful footsteps, until he comes fully into my view… and so does the drink in his hand, which he is chugging like no tomorrow. Rushing towards him, I quickly snatch t
Ashley's POV:Nobody can imagine the pain and frustration I have spent my night with… aside from stomping on my own pride and having to call off the engagement for the second time, the papers of the custody were something that I was fearing the most.But now when I have them in my hands, the only emotion I have left inside me is anger.Pure rage running through my veins like molten lava…It is in this anger that I rush to his house to confront him, the house I'm extremely familiar with. And without any consideration, I make a beeline for the stairs, directly barging into his room without even knocking or waiting.But the moment I step inside, I realize what a mistake I have made, because Ethan is in there… half- dressed as he is changing his clothes. It takes me a moment to process, and I have probably been staring at him for a few minutes straight before I spin on my heel, facing the door. The word “sorry" is on the tip of my tongue, but he chuckles before that;“Umm… hey Princess!
Ashley's POV:The incident of me falling and Ethan going completely insane because of panic, has done nothing else but to add itself in the list of evidence for something I don't want to acknowledge.His reaction was not only enough for letting me know the feelings in his heart, but his actions were enough to spread this news through the entire office too!And this is what has been keeping me awake at nights… I know that Mike obviously knows everything about that event, but that's not all. What's bothering me more than that, is the fact that he hasn't asked anything from me.At the same time, I haven't asked anything from him, either. But I know we can't go on like this… I need to tell him the truth and ask him the reason for his absence.With this thought, I step on the brakes, snatching my purse from the passenger seat as I get down in front of Mike's house. I step inside without knocking, knowing that he lives alone and my shouts are enough to tell him about my arrival.“Mike!! Mik
Ashley's POV: Even though I have committed to prepone the engagement, to save myself from the great disaster… I don't know what exactly I am supposed to do next.However, before I can do anything, my phone chimes, notifying me that I have received a text from Mike. The text is simple, with several sample invitations attached to it.“Please check these out, and let me know whichever one you like.”I quickly select the one that I have opened the first out of all, and text him back.“Should we announce a party before the engagement?”The text bubbles pop up within seconds, materializing into a reply soon enough. “Yes! I am ready to do everything which makes you happy. If you want to announce a party, then we will call one.”“Thank you!! Can you get me this invitation ready within five minutes, even in digital format? I need to send it to someone urgently.”“Whatever you want sweetheart.”With this message, he signs off and comes back within five minutes. “Here you go! See you tomorro
Ashley's POV:At last, I managed to drop Ethan off after lying to him, only to reach the hospital and find Adrin awake and sitting up on his bed. The moment I walk in, the first question Adrin has asked me is,“Mumma, where is Dadda?”But I am way too caught up in my inner conflict to give him a logical reply, or even think of one. Everything that happened in the daycare is still overwhelming my senses to the extent where I just pull him closer to my chest.Hugging him tightly, as I finally ask him a question which has been bugging me for too long. “Adrin!! Baby, why didn't you tell mumma that the kids in the day care are bullying you–”“Because Dadda has told me that I am a big boy, who has to protect his mother till he is not there to protect both of us, and anyways, I am a brave boy!! Who knows how to protect himself–”“Awww!! Come here my sweetie pie, who taught you all this…?”“Dadda!!!”Adrin exclaims, before the next words tumble out of his mouth without any breaks. “Mumma,
Ashley's POV:Even I wasn't very hopeful at first, but somehow, I have finally convinced Ethan to stand up on his feet, almost dragging him out of the church when he's practically in a waking coma. And knowing his miserable state, I know he isn't going to be able to drive at all. So the best idea that comes into my mind is to drop him to his house first, and then rush back to the hospital.Although, it is the first time I have seen him cry like this… and while seeing him in this state, the logical woman inside me has been compelling me to tell him the truth for a while now.But the mother inside me has been continuously warning me against it; and the best way to deter me is by telling me the consequences of my honesty.Since the moment he has started crying bitterly, the overly logical mother that also lives inside me, who believes in teaching her child the chapter of honesty, has suddenly turned into a bloody hypocrite. Going against her beliefs, she has started to preach another le
Ashley's POV:I have never seen Ethan as angry as he is right now; like he isn't made of bones and muscles, but thunder and rage. I don't have a single doubt in my mind that he is ready to tear down the entire building if Lily wouldn't appear in front of him within minutes.The director understands the assignment and quickly calls Lily Allen to the office; as the policies protecting her staff have gone out of the window real quick.With the summons now being sent for Miss Allen, the fear of Ethan ripping the soul straight out of her body starts to scare me. I mean I want the worst punishment for her in this entire world… I want her as far away as she could from the kids, but I don't want her to become the victim of Ethan's wrath right away! “Ethan, calm down…”I find myself tugging at his sleeve, trying to get through to him. He flashes me a look, glancing at me only through the corners of his eyes. “Calm down? Ash!! You still want me to calm down, even after hearing the crap that
Ethan's POV:The moment I heard the words of Stephanie, I could feel something breaking inside me.In my life, I have come across many monsters disguised in human appearance, and probably, I am also one of them.But none of them have turned out to be so cruel, to be capable of saying these types of things in front of not just one kid, but his entire class… and not only that, but to actually ask other kids to stay away from that poor soul and bully him!And saying that it's all okay because he doesn't have anyone to fight for his rights…“Stephanie, sweetheart! Can you please tell us what happened that day?”Ashley's words bring me back to reality at the critical moment, before my guilt would have killed me with its sharp claws. And as soon as her voice pauses after posing the question, Stephanie chimes in with an enthusiastic yes, and continues with her narration.This is the real bliss of childhood; they don't really understand the things which have hurt them in the past, but now, it