Ethan's POV:I reach Mr. Hopkins’ residence in record time, although I never imagined it was even possible to cover half the distance between my office and this place, in that duration.And thank God that I reached there when I did! The thought of me being late by a single second and her getting hit by that rod makes me so angry with myself, that I ignore everything about that place and the people present there, which seemed off at first glance. I would be looking into that later, but right now, I have to focus on taking her out of this situation.And seeing the rage she is currently feeling after hearing this monster speak, it is really making me want to kill this person… But again, I am not going to take anything into my hands just because the face Ashley possesses. Yes, if Emily was in her place… Just this thought alone makes me so angry that I kick him twice in the stomach, even after he faints after saying that I have to protect her if I dare. Of course I have to protect her
Ashley's POV:For a moment, I can't believe my ears due to the sheer improbability of what they have reported to my brain. Did Ethan really say that I have become important to him?My heartbeat starts to pound so hard in my chest, that I can literally hear its sound through my ears.He also hops into the car, and suddenly turns towards me without any warning.That's it! This is my last day on the planet, there is definitely something wrong with my heart.But before I can figure out exactly what ailment I'm going to die of, he reaches across and grabs the seat belt from the side.My eyes follow his hand as he pulls it across, latches the seat belt and then twists the key to start the engine. It doesn't take us more than an hour to reach Ethan's house, or probably, it is even less than that.But the array of contradictions going on inside my head is telling me otherwise, as it is adamant on making me believe that the whole day has passed since we left Mr. Hopkins’ place… that Time has
Ashley's POV:I woke up to find the bed empty and Ethan nowhere in sight.This is the reality of my life, but I don't know why the hell my heart has to make it otherwise by protesting against it every single time.Realizing that I haven't even taken a shower since yesterday, I decide to step down and complete my morning routine.My right foot has barely touched the floor, when I hear the door creak open, and there he is– Ethan, storming back into my room with exasperation etched across his face.“You are seriously something, Ashley! Please tell me honestly, have you been sent by one of my enemies from my past lives? With the goal of making my life miserable by making me take care of you like a toddler?”“Huh?”“What huh!? Five minutes ago, I left you sleeping peacefully, and just five minutes later, you are up for adventure once again. What else do you want me to think?”“I have to use the washroom…”I shift uncomfortably under his intense gaze. But he doesn't reply or say anything to
Ashley's POV: Although I have started to notice Ethan getting increasingly protective towards me, I have been trying to ignore it till now… knowing very well that it might just be a thought that exists only within the bubble of my imagination, which can burst at any moment! But today, I can't deny it anymore.We have finally reached the location that one of his men had mentioned, saying it was the last place where Mr. Hopkins was seen.The place is indeed shady and dark, damp and dense at the same time. There is a disgusting stench in these packed alleyways, and yet, nobody can exactly pinpoint where the smell is coming from.It's like the entire place is covered by this rotting smell, to the point where they can't be separated from each other; almost suffocating any outsider who dared to step in.Broken windows, with their jagged edges glinting like teeth, stared down at us from the worn down buildings around us, or whatever remained of them… making anyone question why someone in t
Ashley's POV:The entire journey back to the house is spent in dense silence.Neither am I in the mood to say something, nor has Ethan tried to initiate a conversation.But the moment we step inside the house, he picks me up in his arms again. I look at him questioningly, but he simply lowers his head, his lips brushing against my cheek as he whispers in my ear.“Babe, we are going to be busy for two whole days, starting tomorrow. So let's make up for those two days, and let's try something new.”I want to protest, saying that I am not in the mood or that I'm still too sad to think straight right now… but I remember that I don't have any real say in this situation.I am the one who has given all rights to him, with the contract.So now, I can't do anything apart from waiting for him to make me see heaven or hell, as per his wish.Still immersed in my thoughts, I feel his warm lips grazing my neck, softly at first, and then they proceed to mark their territory roughly.I inhale sharply
Ethan's POV:I know she has been disturbed ever since she saw her father's writing inside the diary, which I am completely sure belonged to Hopkins.How couldn't I? Especially when I could also see the tears in her eyes as soon as she opened it, and the way her fingers trembled as she held the pages…But I know it wasn't the time to prove anything, and if I should be doing anything, then it should be me making her forget the world for the time being.And I did…Once she has drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful beside me, I finally lift my phone from the dresser and unlock it, only to find it filled with messages.There are hundreds of messages from the office, and there, I find the one message I have been waiting for."We have succeeded in locating what you have been searching for, do we need to bring him to you now?""No. Just wait for further orders." I quickly type a reply, my fingers moving swiftly over the keys even as my eyes have lifted from the phone screen
Ashley's POV: “Ashley! Let's go, honey. We must leave.” Ethan's words reach me like they have broken through some invisible shield, and I turn towards him. “You are crying? What happened? Hey! Tell me!” He freaks out, asking for the reason behind my tears… when it is the first time that I myself have realized that I am crying. “Sweetheart! Are you afraid that we won't make it back in time, or we won't be able to sign the deal? If that's the case, we can easily board the plane tonight–” I rush towards him and hug him without saying anything in reply, making him drop his words in the middle and pull me more tightly in his safe embrace. I feel his heart beating steadily against my frantic one, and it helps calm me down. “Okay! I am not going to ask you anything, let's first get out of here, and then we will depart today itself. I also have a surprise waiting for you back in New York.” He has already picked me up in his arms by the time he ends his statement, and starts to walk t
Ethan's POV:I finally breathed freely, relieved to see it with my own eyes that Ashley's father was not as dumb as I imagined him.Maybe, I had judged him way too hard before this, for leaving his pampered princess of a daughter alone in the world, without any plans regarding her protection, even after raising her exactly like a fairytale princess in a completely protected and sheltered environment. At least, this deal is secured now, and I am not going to lose it… otherwise, I was afraid of getting the first blot on my name and reputation, for losing a bet that had almost been won already.But now, there is only thing that I am missing. I won't be able to see Emily tomorrow, as I am going to be stuck with Ashley here.Not that I am complaining, because the girl is really good in bed and her face indeed keeps me entertained. Apart from that, I don't really care much about her or her character, they are of no use to me. But seeing Emily is the salvation I get in my life.I sigh inwar