Ethan's POV:Emily just smiles, her elbows folded on the table as she gazes at me with that familiar, disarming look. I search her eyes, trying to find the right words to bridge the gap that three years have mapped between the two of us. But before I can speak, the waiter steps up to our table, his presence bursting my bubble.“Good afternoon,” he begins, a polished tone in his voice. “Today’s specials include a roasted lamb with rosemary, a mushroom risotto, and brisquette with a lemon butter sauce—”I clear my throat, interrupting his spiel and wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible. “I’ll have an espresso, and for ma'am, get a mint iced tea and salmon fillet with its usual accompaniments. Oh, and also bring a side of sautéed bell peppers…”The waiter nods, jotting down our order, when a memory hits me unexpectedly: Ashley’s face, pale and panicked, the way she was gasping for breath… after stuffing those damn bell peppers into her face.My heart thuds harder against my ch
Ashley’s POV:“Peter? You…? Where is Ethan, we were supposed to leave for the press conference–”“That is exactly why I am here, Ashley. He suddenly had some extremely important work, and asked me to find a driver for you.”Peter interrupts the flow of my question with his words, but he doesn't make eye contact with me. His face is looking somewhat flustered, like he is trying to maintain his voice and keep something that might be troubling him to himself.Since I have started living with Ethan, Peter has also become like family, but this old fellow has a habit of staying quiet until it is extremely important to speak up…! Nevertheless, I know he cares for me just like he does for Ethan.“But… but he said that we would be going together.”The words leave my mouth in a whisper; low enough to not let me realize that I am saying something out loud, but loud enough for Peter to notice what is going on inside my brain.“Ashley.”He says, and I respond absent- mindedly,“Yes, Peter?”“Ethan
Ashley's POV:As I step into the conference hall, the atmosphere inside is filled with anticipation and energy buzzing in the air. Everything is already set by the time I arrive— there are polished wooden panels on the walls, rows upon rows of chairs are perfectly placed in perfect alignment, all facing the podium at the front.Set against the pristine white wall is a singular podium with a chair; there is just one name displayed on the chair, in front of the microphones. Ashley Waverly.I know that it's my name, that I am the face of the project, but it still feels so… unreal. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. This is it. The board of directors will all be seated in the front row, their eyes on me expecting me to deliver; now, it is on me to prove their judgement of me wrong. I peer out nervously from the side stage, my heart rate picking up as I scan the room. The rows are nearly full— journalists, industry insiders, and even some familiar faces are here. I wasn’t prepare
Ashley's POV:“Tell me? I am still waiting for your response to say something further.”Ethan roars again, walking through the aisle, towards me. As if his presence alone isn't imposing enough, he comes to a stop near the row where the man is seated and looks directly into his eyes, making the person feel much more uncomfortable.I can practically see the hackles rise along his spine as he gulps down his own saliva down his throat forcefully. Beads of cold sweat have started to appear on his forehead.“I-um… um… actually, I was… I was–”“Say it! What were you trying to say? Aren't you a reporter, whose task is to ask questions and give answers, too?”Ethan attacks him again; he is like a vicious lion who just won't let his prey escape, and the reporter gives him a pleading look, silently requesting to be spared, like a scared little goat.And while everyone else seems to be enjoying this drama, because apart from my interview about the project, they are going to have something much ju
Ashley's POV:With the first call for security, I can practically see the soul leaving the man’s body. His face pales even further, surprising me with the fact that it was even possible, and all his bold and his brave attitude that he had walked in with, crumbles within seconds. He is a dead man walking, and his soul would have started on its final journey to purgatory, if not for Ethan, who is clutching onto that escaping soul with both hands. Ethan refuses to let him go, he won't let the man go and face the universe's punishment until Ethan Johnson has settled his own accounts first.I know how he is; ruthless, unwavering, and terrifying when he is angry. The man’s life may not be over, but his fate is sealed.But my mind is lost somewhere, still stuck on what he had said earlier. Liam. That snake.Liam sent him to undermine me, to degrade me in front of the whole media circus, to humiliate me. The man who claims to think of me as his own little sister, has behaved in a way whic
Ethan's POV:Emily's words are harsh, crude and blunt, as if she is trying to prove that she isn't lying… but I know she is. I have noticed the glaze of tiny droplets that have accumulated in her eyes, and it is enough to tell me the story otherwise.But what is she trying to hide? Why does she have to hide anything in the first place, when she knows that I am well familiar with the love she holds for me?Is Jordan forcing her in some way…?There are many questions running through my mind, when she invites me to her wedding!Shit! How can I miss it! She is doing this intentionally, just like I have made her jealous by being with another girl, she is now taking this game to one step ahead.But this game isn't funny anymore, because it has started hurting me… and badly at that. The anger pumping through my heart starts to poison every single drop of my blood. And I start my car, deciding to visit the press conference, even though I know that I am not in a sane enough mind to go there
Ashley’s POV:I don't know why, but the question is enough to make my heart beat fast, my cheeks red… and my breath starts to hitch on its own.Are me and Ethan too evident to come into anybody's notice, is there something really going on in between both of us… apart from the contract, whose deadline is approaching?Are they really asking this question because they think it would be a nice question to be asked, or is it Liam once again, who is behind this question too?Several questions cloud my mind at once, and I am getting ready to dive into the answers when Ethan's voice reaches my ears.“I have to admit, the media is getting more and more creative these days, but shouldn't your job be to deal with the reality, and keep yourself as far from the imagination as possible? Because according to my observation, sometimes imagination prevents us from seeing the truth that is just in front of our eyes!”Ethan sweeps his eyes over the crowd, making sure to make eye contact with everyone b
Ashley's POV:My hands shake for a moment, before I could pick up the call or exchange a glance with Ethan. And in the meantime, his voice knocks against my ears again. “I might be cruel, but I never remember forbidding you from taking any calls. So go ahead and pick up the call, if it's urgent.”I quickly swipe the green icon and answer the incoming call as soon as he completes his sentence, because this call is not just important, it is super important. “Ashley!”A soothing voice rings in my ears, making me remember how badly I have missed my best friend this whole time.“Yes Tiffany! Where are you? I have been trying to contact you through every possible source, and was still completely unable to track you down. Did you somehow manage to change your galaxy and settle down on some other planet in this universe? Because there is no way you are still alive and present on this Earth!”I spit out everything that I have been carrying inside my heart for the entire past month, since the