Ashley's POV:We reach Ethan's house… the one from where I was casted out brutally the morning of the day of the memorial, and yet, here I am… Although the memory is still quite fresh in my mind, it also feels like it happened ages ago, probably because the dynamic between us has changed so much in the intervening days…or maybe it's just me, hoping for it to change.Gosh!! I need to get my mind out of this whirlwind of thoughts so badly, before I get sucked in deeper. “Ashley!”“Yes.”He calls my name, unknowingly helping me with something I secretly asked for just now, while his eyes find mine.“Listen, we are going to have a very long day and night ahead, so do you have something specific in mind that you want to eat?”That's not the question I was hoping for, but the growl from my stomach made me realize that this is probably the thing I should be thinking about, right now.“Anything will do the job.”I can swear I wanted to smile after saying it, but since my parents have left,
Ashley's POV:Thoughts start to crowd my mind once again and I simply shrug them off with an ease and swiftness that catches me by surprise.But I'm successful in convincing myself that he has brought me to his house, just because he doesn't trust me after that night at the party… where he himself had taken me.“Idiot! Stone head- stone heart.”I mouth the curse, trying to take another bite of the brownie, realizing that I'm even unable to swallow the first one till now. My throat is going through a throbbing pain, making me believe that I'm completely out of breath. And within seconds, I start coughing uncontrollably.Fear starts to wrap its hands around myself l, and its claws start to press down on my neck once again. What is going on… what's happening to me? I have become completely clueless, my mind totally blank.I hear some footsteps rushing towards me, is it Peter… is it Ethan, or is it my hallucination? I don't know… the only thing I know, is that my eyes have started to shu
Ashley's POV:The next two days pass with just the blink of an eye. I knew there would have been a lot of work for me to do, if Ethan hadn't helped me… but even after his help, there had been plenty of work to keep us occupied; which was probably going to take up the next four days as well.But he did help me, and here we are, almost at the end of my work– four days earlier than it is supposed to be. But again, nobody in the world gets everything on their plate; just like I haven't gotten the chance to leave Ethan's house even for once.Also, I've tried calling Tiffany countless times, but she isn't picking up my phone, either. Each time, I am getting a new message of her being busy with something else; and it is making me happy and envious at the same time.Like, girl! If you aren't taking me along on your escapades, then at least ask me if I can come with you, even if halfheartedly! But anyway, at least one of us is enjoying life, and I am really happy about this.I am sitting in t
Ashley's POV:I feel like someone has put a dagger in my bare chest, I can see the pain in Ethan's eyes… like he has lost his entire world to reach the place he currently is at. I have never seen him so vulnerable… scratch that, I haven't ever seen him vulnerable at all!“Ethan!”“Yes, princess?”“Princess?”“Yes, that's your new name for us to use–”“What do you mean, for us to use?”“Princess! There are many things between us, that are only for us to use… just like this.”Saying this, he captures my lips again and I feel him, reaching for the hem of my dress.Within a minute, the dress is on the ground as he flips it off, over my head and finds a soft spot on my collar bone.I hate to admit it, but as much as I'm enjoying this, I still remember that we have to go for groceries.“Ethan–”I try to talk again, while he is busy nibbling my neck.“Yes, princess?”“The groceries–”“Don't worry, someone else will buy it for you again, just focus on what is more important right now.”“But
Ashley's POV :Waiting at the gate of Mr. Hopkins’ residence, I try to forget that three more days have passed and Tiffany hasn't received even one of my calls yet. Nor has she tried to call me, either.That day, I was left in shock when I saw her noticing me at the supermarket, and she still left… since then, I have been trying my best to convince myself that it wasn't her, and I must have been mistaken.But I know, no matter how much I lie to myself, that it was her, only her.My thoughts are ready to push me to the breaking point, when I hear the crack of the opening of the old door. I raise my head to find the old butler stepping out.“Miss Ashley! How are you?”“I am good, Mr. Den! How are you? Can I meet Mr. Hopkins today? It is really important for me to meet him today… and see, I am exactly on time today–”“I am afraid, Miss Ashley, that I may have to disappoint you today as well. Since Mr. Hopkins is still not well…”His words trail off as he swipes his tongue over his lower
Ashley's POV:I must admit that whoever has come up with the idea of back doors has indeed done an impressive work, as they are extremely helpful to everyone who wants to enter the house illegally, or without being noticed.Okay, I admit the reasons falling under the illegal category might better be avoided, but it's just that I am thanking the person because it is not my own safety which is at stake right now.Otherwise, these back doors have always been one of the several reasons for my nightmares.After saying that I will be back tomorrow, I waited for Mr. Den to leave and lock the door from the inside. I knew that he wouldn't go inside till he saw me walking away from the house, and so I did.I started walking towards the u-turn, so that I could access the back lane of this street, making it easier for me to get to the backyard. And I have just found out that my guess was right! “Yayy!”I let a little low scream of happiness out of my mouth in celebration, as I hop off the fence
Ashley's POV:Fear rushes through my body like electric current. At this point, I firmly believe that the arrival of police might have been better than this scenario.“Heh! Don't be a fool, Mr. Den. If you do something to me, you can't escape from the law–”I try to hide my nervousness behind a smile, a little laugh and my subtle way of making him realize the reality along with the pros and cons of his actions.“Haha! Nice try, Miss Ashley! The only way I would get in trouble for whatever I'm about to do to you, is after someone finds out about this.”My gaze darts back towards the girl who is still busy hearing the melodious harmony playing on the notes of the piano.“Don't look at her! Neither can she see, nor can she hear… poor girl!! I know, I know, even my heart weeps for her in sympathy. But on the bright side, look how helpful she is being for me right now! Now, it's just me and you… and nobody else to testify against me.”He takes two steps towards me, and I gulp in fear as I
Ashley's POV:“Hey, Ash! You okay?!”Robert's voice knocks on my eardrums and I quickly open my eyes, partially in disbelief and shock. “Yeah!”I manage to say, gulping as I realize that he is indeed standing in front of me. “Come on! Get up, we need to leave right now!!”He says with urgency, pointing towards the man who was wailing in pain and is now lying sprawled on the floor. He is unconscious, thanks to the unexpected attack on his head, with the help of the vase lying shattered in the corner.“Yes! But the girl–”I point towards the chair, bringing Robert's attention towards the poor girl who still seems to be unaware of what is going on around her. She is close enough to be seen, but far enough to not feel or understand whatever is going on.“Think about yourself first, darling! We could always come back here with help.”He replies, giving me his hand and pulling me back on my feet.I feel the room tilt on its axis before I manage to stabilize myself. I remember I have never