Chapter 8 - Hopes

Soon the delivery boy came with Ashton's order and was shocked by the huge tip Ashton gave him. Thanking him he vanished while Ashton closed the door and headed upstairs in his room to have his dinner with a happy face, after a long time.

Bella was standing at the door step. Everytime she raised her hand to turn the knob but withdrew it in the mid way. She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath, gathering strength she opened the door.

Opening the door, Bella peeped inside to check if the way to my room was clear or not but to her dismay luck wasn't on his side the first thing her eyes caught was a familiar thin figure.

" what are you doing Bell?" Varonica looked at her suspiciously.

" What... What am I doing??? I am doing nothing.. Yeah nothing. Why are you asking me this?? Do you think I am upto something?? Oh come on Varonica how could you think about me like this. You are doubting me.. Like seriously. Our 6 years of friendship and you are still doubting me. " Bella pointed at herself with a hurt look.

" Wow wow wow... Give me a break girl. You drama queen. It isn't like that. You know that. " Varonica was still staring at her with a frown.

" Then what is it? " Bella completely got in and closed the main door behind her.

" Why were you sneaking in like a thief Bell?" she yelled while entering in the kitchen.

" Oh that.. It was just, I was trying not to disturb you just in case you were sleeping or something." Bella tried to reason out and seemed like Varonica believed too and she finally sighed in relief.

" Alright. And is there something behind you, in your hand?" sweat formed at Bella's forehead not knowing what to answer.

" N.. Ooo..no. " Bella kept backing so Varonica couldn't look behind her.

" are you hungry?" Varonica walked towards her trying to peep behind her while Bella backed away, again.

" Not at all. Oh gosh I am already so full. Had dinner outside as it got late. Good night Varonica I am too tired now. See you in the morning." and the moment Bella reached till the stair case, she made a run and closed the door of her room in lighting speed.

She looked at the flowers she was holding. When she came out of the interview Sally the receptionist from earlier gave her that one flower without telling her who the person was. It was buckwheat which meant lovers in flower language so she used to like it a lot since she was kid.

And thanked god that Varonica didn't see this otherwise she would have pestered her about who the guy might be. Bella had no idea as to who could have given her that flower though she wondered a little if it was Ashton cause he was the only one who knew that she liked buckwheat.

" He said he is just an admirer." that was all Sally told Bella and went back to her seat.

Even though she had a doubt that maybe Ashton was behind it still she didn't have a heart to throw that pretty flower after all flower had done no wrong instead it was the guy she wanted to throw in a trash can.

" Congratulations you have been selected." were the only words Bella's eyes lingered on. It was after a week that results came about and she had passed the interview. She was very happy that she was going to work as the secretary of the CEO of Cupid which is a wedding planning and event management company.

Bella had heard that CEO was an epitome of hard work, he was too good at handling the company and cherry on the cake was that she was getting an awesome salary too.

Bella got changed in her night clothes and laid on the bed while suddenly one question popped up in her head when she remembered that she had seen Ashton there on the day of her interview, what was he doing there. She shook her head vigorously and made herself understood that thinking about that was pointless as it was none of her business. She covered her face with duvet and slept.

Ashton had finished his dinner and after taking a warm shower he got dressed in his night wears and cuddled in bed. Hugging his pillow like a little kid, he snuggled into it and smiled widely.

He couldn't explain how his heart was beating erratically in joy. They had met again and she was looking so gorgeous in that midnight red knee length dress with her hair left open to flow. She hadn't done any makeup and she didn't need it either, her natural beauty was enough to kill anyone in his eyes.

That was why when he was about to throw those buckwheat flowers he was reminded of her and he felt like he had to give it to her so he asked Sally to give that flower to Bella when she was done with her interview but told her to keep his name anonymous.

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Ashton was tuning his guitar when a messy looking girl wearing old spectacles walked towards their table. It was Varonica but she tripped and to prevent herself from falling she had held his guitar for support. It was all too sudden that guitar slipped from his hand and broke.

It was Ashton's favourite guitar and it was now lying broken on the floor because of Varonica. He was hell angry. His friends stood up and surrounded Varonica leaving no space for her to escape making her shiver in fear.

They were ready to pounce on her but Ashton stopped them. The monster inside him was awakened and it wanted fun. She looked terrified.....

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Ashton was pulled out of his memory lane by a phone call. His mobile was ringing and even without looking at caller ID he knew who could be calling at this hour.

" Say.." Ashton asked while sitting on the bed.

" Hello to you too ." Peter mocked Ashton which he royally ignored.

" Hello, now will you speak up Peter." he said while yawning.

Ashton and Peter both had a talk on call about the meeting and their plans for tomorrow. After sometime they talk about absolutely nothing but crap and lastly declined the call.

Ashton laid back holding pillow close to himself and his thoughts went back to that time, replaying the memory of his first encounter with Bella.