The first update of 13th Feb 23 is here. Thanks, guys. xoxo. Lisa Salman-author
Ashley Walters (three months later) I was, at last, home. Due to my deteriorating condition, initially, they did not let me meet anyone. And then slowly Deluca mansion allowed Aniya and Evelyne to visit me. They stayed with me twenty-four-seven. A separate room was allotted to them. After getting discharged from the hospital, the person I wanted to meet first was Justin, but he could not be seen anywhere. After Aniya and Evelyne started staying with me, Justin used to visit me daily before going out. Not even for five minutes but still. It used to be a formal conversation about my health, medicines, and doctor’s appointments. Today, he was wearing a suit and looked more than handsome as I could remember. He just asked about my health, told me to take my medicines on time, and left. No kiss. No PDA. Initially, I thought he might be scared of hurting me. Just like he was scared to come closer when I had an accident at Arguli. But the more I was getting better, the more he seemed
The room provided to me in the dorm was furnished and had simple furniture. Ever since I arrived, I had been sitting on the floor hugging my knees to my chest, trying to think if I made some mistake. Or if I committed some crime.Was it possible that this all was a dream?Or maybe the time spent with Justin was a dream and now I had woken up to the harsh reality of life.“Mrs. Deluca. Come soon. I am not going back to sleep until you come back. I will wait for you.” Long forgotten words that came out of his mouth were there to haunt me.“Why, Justin? Why?” Putting my head on my knees I started crying. I was still waiting for him. Maybe it was all a prank. There was a message blinking on my phone. The message was from the bank. Justin had credited twenty million to my account.Maybe soon he would come back running to me, will put me on his shoulder like a sack and go out, “Mrs. Deluca. It was just a joke. Why the hell are you crying?”“Ms. Ashley!” Matt’s head came inside the doorway,
Ashley Walters pov We spent three days in that dorm room crying and consoling each other. My friend Evelyne hid the news to save my life. I not only lost Justin but also the two boys who called me their sister. Their family. Evelyne lost her boyfriend who was about to propose her. They were planning to get married after one year. True to my word, I did not shed a single tear for Justin after that first day. Mr. Matt had been asking me about the subjects I wanted to choose but I could not give him a confirmed answer. He arranged an apartment for us, and I decided to furnish it. We all got busy with its decoration. “I have decided to resign from my job and stay here.” Aniya announced while putting wall hangings that we bought from a thrift store and I polished them myself, “So… Can I crash in for a few days until I find a place of my own?” She pouted and blinked her eyes to look innocent. “You are nuts. You are staying with me. Ok? You girls are forgetting something. I am a mill
(Two years later) Ashley Walters pov “Congratulations, Ms. Walters. All five companies want you to design their places. Two of them are their head offices and three of them are residential plans. You are just halfway to your degree, and you are already getting offers.” I was beaming at the praise because two months back I did a private project of furnishing office space and that proved to be a hit. The principal of the International University of Arguli sitting across from me never had this idea that there were just five offers reached to me through the university but privately I was getting numerous. According to Aniya, “The way you are getting offers, you will be soon buying Deluca properties. Ha-ha.” Yes. For the past two years, Deluca properties had become a part of our jokes. “Ms. Walters these five offers will be distributed among our five toppers. However, you are being given the first choice to have your pick.” In the past two years, I had not only become the apple of m
Ashley Walters pov “Where are you going? Weren’t the project bids supposed to be in the afternoon?” Evelyne asked me, coming out of her bedroom and holding her yawn. Her jet black hair was ruffled and messy but somehow, she still managed to look s3xy. Instead of responding to her question, I remarked, “How do you manage to look this s3xy right after bed?” Her hand that was busy scratching her head, froze, “Elijah used to say that a lot.” The smile on her face was sad but long ago we had stopped crying at the mention of the names of Elijah or Sam. “And Sam used to tell me that I should pursue my career instead of serving in that Ice cream café.” I tried to manage a shaky grin, “I miss them so much.” “They both must be so proud of you.” She came closer and hugged me in a death grip. I started rubbing her back. For so many months, she had been visiting a psychiatrist for her mental health, but I knew she still missed him. “Before their death, they told me that I should consider th
Ashley Walters povA loud voice rang in my ears when I once wiped my nose with it, “KITTEN! THIS WAS MY FAVORITE T-SHIRT!”Oh, Justin! Why?Then I felt his fingers brushing my cheek and that made me jerk back. Turning around I tried to balance the box in my arms and entered through the open curtain. Once stepping inside, I looked over my shoulder expecting him to follow me.But found him rooted to the spot with closed eyes.There were several pairs of eyes directed at me including Rayan and Sarah when I walked towards my seat.Rayan had an evil smirk plastered across his lips that vanished as soon as he saw my face. He must be surprised, at how I managed to wipe the dark brown taint off my mouth. All five students had taken the advantage of coming early and took the seats opposite other community members. The only seat left vacant was opposite the Dean’s seat.Even their nameplates were moved according to their benefits.I was taking slow steps when again a pair of arms reached out an
Ashley Walters povIt had been three days since that tiny nonexistent baby bump news was revealed to me. As if I was Sarah’s best buddy.Since then, I had been watching lots of movies leaving all of them only halfway. I had also been shedding tears nonstop. Romantic movies reminded me of Justin. Action movies reminded me of him even more.“Ashley! Why don’t you tell us what’s going on?” Eve and Aniya came inside my room. Eve as usual started picking the wrappers and empty tubs of ice cream from the floor.“We thought you are upset because you are regretting that Rayan got the highest bidding and Justin did not even bat an eye in your direction. But there is something else that has been eating you inside, Ash.”I had told them about my short encounter with Justin, leaving the mouth-wiping details.Instead of answering Aniya, I dipped a few nacho pieces in the sour cream and placed them in my mouth which was already full.Without chewing my food, I scooped a spoonful of ice cream and tr
I was wearing a simple blue, A-line dress that reached just above my knees and opted for matching blue pearl earrings. I straightened my hair and let them cascade down my back without any clips or scrunchie.The party was arranged in a hotel and was in full swing. I went to the table where I spotted my other university fellows. Rayan was also sitting there and seemed to be on his best behavior. The party was arranged in honor of the students who had gotten successful bidding. “You are late! Mr. Deluca and Ms. Sarah have already left the party.” Rayan informed me and stood up to fetch me a drink. I didn’t know why he was acting differently tonight. However, I took a sigh of relief when he told me about Justin and Sarah. I didn’t want to face the couple. I engaged myself in small talks with the other fellows as they were already accompanied by dates except for me and Rayan. Gerald had to go out of town for meeting his mom who was admitted to a hospital. “Walters! Interested to dance