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
Ethan's POV:I hear her voice colliding with mine, making me realize what a huge mistake I have made in the mess that was forbidding me from thinking straight… and in this state, I decide that it will be good for both of us, if I stop the car right now.The car screeches to a stop, but before I can think of what answer to give her, she turns in her seat. Once she is facing me, she grabs my right hand that has been clutching the hand brake, and pulls it towards herself.“Ethan!? Is the fact that I am not the same girl, who met you for the first time at the hotel, really bothering you?”I want to answer her and say no, it's not; but her face, her lips, her nose, her eyes and the emotions scattered on her face, that are resembling a little guilt, a little tension… something close to fear and a little bit of shyness, make me unable to process anything.After all, these are all the emotions I wanted to see on Emily's face today.Nodding my head up and down, I finally manage to find my way
Ethan's POV:I can see that Ashley isn’t going to back down, because she knows that she has the upper hand over me right now. Her fingers inch higher, grazing the seam of my jeans, her touch light but maddeningly nevertheless. My breath catches, and I feel my pulse pounding in my ears, savagely reminding me of how badly I want her.“Careful there… you're playing with fire…”I warn her, eyes fixed on the road ahead. But even as I say it, I know I’m losing the battle because my own body is adamant on betraying me. The rain pounds against the windshield and blurs out the windows on all sides, making it feel like we are the only two people in this world.Ashley leans closer to me, her lips brushing against my ear. “Oh yeah? And what if I like getting burned?” She whispers, punctuating her question with a slow, deliberate squeeze of her hand over the growing bulge in my jeans, and I let out a low groan, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white.“Jesus, Ash… cut it out
Ashley's POV:Within seconds, I feel a sudden chill in my heart because of this thought, along with wetness on my cheeks.I can't stay here anymore, there is something hurting inside me… and right now, I need some time alone to find what it is and why I am feeling bad about this whole situation, when everything was already mentioned in the contract.Or I am just being paranoid, and Ethan also feels the same way for me…? No, Ashley! You can't let yourself believe the fairytale version of this story that has been expertly written by imagination… not until Ethan himself approves it.Because the one- sided heartache that I am currently going through, is much better than the heartbreak of a fully matured and confessed one- sided love.I slowly slide his hands off my body and stealthily place my feet on the ground, careful to not make a sound.I sneakily stand on my feet, grabbing the nearest gown that I can find, hanging on the cloth hanger before I walk towards the kitchen.A good cup
Ashley's POV“Yes!”I reply with a smile on my face, noticing that he is a teenager, who might be working here for some extra pocket money.I have always admired hard workers and people who believe in working to fulfill their needs, regardless of the position of their job. I feel a sense of respect towards them, probably because of the stories that my dad has narrated from his youth. The boy smiles back at me as he reaches into his pocket and forwards a note towards me. “Here, somebody has left this note for you.”I take the note with heavy hands, thinking that Tiffany is going to stand me up once again. But as soon as I open the note, my entire body relaxes. The fear has vanished from my mind, because the note isn't from her.Instead, there is an address scribbled on it, along with a message that if I want to know more about my life, I should surely pay a visit to this address.It is definitely from the person who has told me about my parents' accident earlier, and has refused to
Ashley's POV:For a moment, I can practically feel my heart sinking. I quickly pull my hands back; Tiffany had placed her own hand on top of mine, while reciting the offer of date that she has brought with her; and now, her hand falls on the table with a dull thud. But I can't bring myself to care.Robert has always been a good acquaintance to me… and after he saved my life not once but twice, the respect for him in my head has also risen significantly.But… we have never been close to each other, what with Tiffany present between us; hell, we're not even close enough to be called ‘friends’!So when Tiffany announces this bizarre news, I feel so shocked that my tongue slips again.“I'm sorry, Tiff! I can't go on this date, in fact, I can't go on any other date. I… I mean, I can't go on any date with anyone, because there is already someone whom I like very much. Or probably, I already love him–”“What!?”She is so shocked that she almost jumps out of her seat, but then, noticing that
Ashley's POV:She turns towards me after calling out to the waiter, causing her earrings and bracelets to chime in melody. She yells again, but this time, it is out of happiness.“So! Okay! Please tell me the name of the person, and then, I am going to show you the surprise I have prepared for you and tell you everything about why I have been vanished from your sight for so long! We will celebrate our girls’ day out–”“Tiffany, I do like this person, probably love him too, but I don't know if he loves me back or not… ac- actually, I am not sure about whether or not he even likes me back.”I finally say it out loud, and manage to lift my gaze from analyzing the interesting pattern on the wooden table in front of me.But as soon as my eyes land on Tiffany, I notice the color vanishing from her face. I know the truth is more shocking for her than it is for me.Yes, the realization of me being in love has really made me question my sanity, but I still have the circumstances to justify my