Ashley's POV:“But Mike! You know I can't stay in this city, any longer. As it is, it's not a very pleasant experience to be here–”“Oh come on, Ashley… the people who were responsible for the death of your parents are still behind the bars, and you know how important it is for me to bid on that deal… you know I have always admired him as my idol–”“Yes, I know! But have never even mentioned his name. There may be a chance that I know him–”“Ash! Please don't forget the deal: I won't ask about your past and you will directly meet my idol for the first time I meet him.”“Okay! Nevermind, let's leave that for now. Tell me, when will you be arriving?”“Oh, I will arrive directly at the venue.”“Great! I am also going to change–”I say, assuming that we are saying out parting lines before cutting the call, but Mike speaks up. “Also, what are your plans for Adrin's fourth birthday? Don't forget, it's after three days.”“Do you really think that I can forget his birthday, Mike! Seriously?”
Ashley's POV:I get down from the car, already having reached the venue like Mike had asked me to do. And for some reason, Adrin has started to become cranky as soon as we have stepped in; but still, there is no trace of Mike here.It is a blessing that Stuart is here with me, and is also doing his best to calm my little terror monster down, which leaves me with the time to contemplate my decision to be here in the first place.They have indeed accepted my clause of handing over the award earlier than the rest of the guests and leave before the ceremony begins.But they have a condition of their own– they will only cooperate if I record an exclusive interview for them. Understandably, they have accepted my clause of it being an audio interview, without any face reveal; but now, after seeing my son getting so uneasy, I am not really in the mood to do that.I finish through the interview as fast as I can, and I'm just about to rush to my son, when someone stops me.“Miss. Hazel! Just w
Ethan's POV:Everything has gone blank for a moment… or moments, I don't know!One minute, the world was spinning and the next, it stopped… just like that.In fact, everything has stopped in front of my eyes since I have seen her. I want to rush towards her… hold her in my arms, kiss her on her lips… but all I can do is stay frozen like a statue at my place, completely still. I didn't even realize that I have been holding my breath, refraining my eyes from blinking as if the dream I'm seeing through open eyes will disappear, the moment I blink, walk, speak or even breathe.This is when someone else walks into frame, and I can't help but watch in astonishment. It's a kid… the same kid whom I saw in the park of the hotel just this morning.What is he doing here, is he with one of the guests?As if answering my unspoken question, the little boy lurching towards her, trying to jump out of the arms of a man in his early fifties or late forties.A kid!?Ashley has a kid… a baby boy!?She
Ethan's POV:“Mike Houston!” I murmur to myself, recalling the face in front of my eyes, while a smirk appears on my own. Finally…! Finally, I have found a way to get all the answers to the questions that have been bothering me.In my entire life, never have I known anything so clearly about what I have to do next! I have never been so sure about anything, apart from this.I make my way out of the venue, chuckling silently, knowing exactly what I am supposed to do now. I mean, what are the odds of Ashley being with that man who is desperate to start his new project with me?This is definitely the power of my love that she is back. That even after so long, she couldn't help but come back to this city, back to the place where our love had bloomed, and back to me… where I am desperately waiting for her.The Universe knew that if I didn't see her even now, then I might not be able to survive. But despite this mercy on my soul, I have still decided to leave the function without meeting h
Ashley's POV:“I have a surprise for you and Adrin!”Those were Mike's words before he convinced me for the ten day trip to a private island, along with all the family and friends we have… yes, the found family I have created over the years.And of course, he has made all these arrangements to celebrate Adrin's birthday.Although, this time I wanted to keep it simple and sweet– like celebrating it only with the family, baking a cake and going on shopping sprees with Adrin, and spending the day doing everything that he likes.Mike has always gone overboard on his birthday for the last two years, claiming that this is what his dad would have been doing too.But only I know how private his dad really is, and even though he would have gone extravagant, he still would not be choosing the style of parties Mike was fond of : inviting tons of guests whom we have never met once, with lots of pomp and show. I have never stopped Mike from expressing his love for Adrin, but I think he has some i
Ashley's POV:I know agreeing to Mike’s proposal for marriage was not a good idea, but I was happy to take this step because of Adrin's sake; knowing that it will be enough of a reason for me, for a lifetime. Regardless of that, trusting Mike about his choice in idols was definitely the worst idea I can ever think of!His business idol is none other than Ethan Johnson. This has to be a prank on my life itself; to think that I have been running away from Ethan for five years, erased all traces of my presence from the internet, tried everything to hide myself from him– even changed my name so that he doesn't recognize it anywhere! And one stupid day, I decided to return some favors to Mike and made the decision to not only invest in his project, but also become an emotional support pillar to him and visit his idol’s office with him.How would I have known that this was the man he was always dying to meet?And leaving that aside, how frequently does this stone heart, stone head change
Ethan's POV:The words “we are getting engaged after the completion of this project… that is in three months” take some time to register. They fee like bullet shots to my ears.Engaged!?Ashley! With someone else!!While I am still alive…?No, not on my watch.But I know I can't say it out loud.I know I'm the culprit who has hurt her… who let her walk away from my life, and don't didn't know how to bring her back to me… how to apologize to her, when her happiness is the only thing that I care most about in this world.And while I was so desperately searching for her, there was a time when I had started to believe in something I have only heard about in poetic descriptions. In her absence and my hopelessness, I was driven to the brink of desperation and prayed for her one glimpse, just one– saying that I would have been happy in her happiness, even if it lies with someone else.But I have to admit I am not a saint, nor as good as I thought I would be.Because seeing her with Mike h
Ashley's POV:Ethan's smirk is visible enough to make me aware that this is undoubtedly a part of his plan to make us work in his office, but what is the reason behind it? Nobody knows that apart from him, himself! And poor Mike is too innocent to understand any of his tactics.This is why my heart is screaming with panic and I was so paranoid of coming here, at all.Then again, there was something I had to do: attend the final trials for Liam's verdict, take Adrin to his grandparents’ grave and introduce him to his roots… to the home where I have grown up.And along with this, the upcoming bid that has the potential to change the entire arc of my business has compelled me completely to return.But while returning, I have been mindful of some things. I had thought that by now, Ethan would just be happily married to Emily, and would have completely forgotten about me… and the ring on his finger is indeed testifying my theory, so I don't understand his efforts to keep us in his office