“Hi, Ashton!” Hayley climbed into the car and leaned in to kiss his cheek breathlessly. “Hey!” He smiled but started the car, his glance flicking all over her for a brief second. Although he wanted to grab her for a proper kiss, he restrained himself. He didn’t want the guards stationed at her gates to have anything to complain to her dad about. “What? Are you having second thoughts about dating me?” she asked, seeing his lack of enthusiasm as he drove away from her street. “Nope. Why would I? Are you?” He smiled with relief when she vigorously shook her head. “Not at all! I love dating you!” Ashton couldn’t stop the grin from breaking out on his face as he drove towards Central Park. It had been ages since he had gone there. “What else do you love about me?” Hayley shook her head, an impish smile lighting up her face. “Nothing else! You’re boring!” “Really? I thought I was the most interesting guy on earth! Well, let’s see you change your mind about me tonight.” Hayley turned
Hayley’s heart swelled with intense satisfaction on hearing his promise. He had changed his mind after all! He would marry her! She smiled radiantly at him as he drove her home. “So, will I see you on Monday next?” asked Hayley with a sigh. “I can come down tomorrow evening before heading to Silver Spring.” Ashton smiled at her, loving the way her eyes lit up with hope.“Yes, please. We don’t need to go to an expensive place. We can take a stroll in the park nearby.” “Done. Be ready by 6:30. I’ll message you.”“Are you going to uncle Daniel’s house tomorrow morning?” “No, tonight, after dropping you home.” He frowned as he glanced at the rear-view mirror. Did he just see Salvatore Gambino’s right-hand man, Romano’s Maserati, tailing him? Fear gripped at his heart and he rechecked, but it was gone. Surely it was there a minute ago! Ashton had been so absorbed with Hayley; he had completely forgotten about Gambino and his payment in the last two weeks. He would immediately pay the
Hayley waited for Ashton’s message all evening, but he didn’t contact her. Had he forgotten about their date? She called him many times, but his phone kept on ringing. Why wasn’t he accepting her calls? Last night she had waited till he drove away but had to face her mom immediately afterwards. By the time she went up to the terrace to check up on Ashton, he had already left. Her house being the last on the street, she couldn’t see the crossing even from the terrace. After a restless night, she woke up on Monday morning to get ready for college. It was the usual scene at the breakfast table. Her parents kept on harping about her lack of interest in her studies. Hayley was too annoyed to sit through breakfast. Picking up an apple, she got up to leave. “Have your breakfast before you go, Hayley,” said her mom. “I lost my appetite. You can eat my share.” Picking up her car keys, she stomped out of the house to the garage, ignoring her grumbling parents. With everything going against h
“The forensic department just confirmed that the tyre marks are made by Pirelli tyres usually used by Maserati cars. We’ll wait for an update from the traffic control department.” said the officer, walking back to his car. Her dad and uncle thanked him for his help, but Hayley didn’t want to wait that long to rescue Ashton. She walked along the street, desperately trying to look for more evidence that would help them find Ashton fast. What if the abductors killed him? “Hayley, get into the car. I’ll drop you at your college,” said her dad, but she wasn’t listening. A shiny metal stud lying at the side of the street got her attention. Was it a clue? She bend down to pick up the object and looked at it closely. It was a shirt button! Hayley gasped, recognizing it immediately. It was from the shirt Ashton wore on Saturday night for their date. That was one of his special shirts he wore on special occasions. “Hayley, what are you doing there?” asked her uncle. It brought her to her sens
Ashton could feel being lifted and carried out to a waiting car, but he couldn’t open his eyes or move his limbs. An excruciating pain made him numb all over and he hovered on the brink of losing consciousness. He could feel the car move forward and the men whisper in their native language, but he couldn’t get up and check his surroundings. Every bump on the road increased the unbearable pain in his body and he was sure to have sprained some bones. The car stopped after a while and the men picked him up and dumped him on the ground before fleeing back to their vehicle.“Let’s get away before the cops arrive.” Ashton felt his back hit the soft sand beneath him. It was wet and cold! Did they leave him at the water’s edge to die? Yet he couldn’t open his eyes! In the meantime: Officer Thornhill received incessant calls from the police station, giving him fake updates about the case. “People have gone crazy after watching the news. They all want the reward money. It’s difficult to gaug
Ashton tried hard to open his eyes, her sweet confession of love echoing in his head. The pain was killing him, but more than that, it was the inability to see her that affected him more. He could feel her tears drench his hand, making him restless. He made a valiant attempt to grasp onto her hand, but ultimately gave up. Why couldn’t he move his limbs, or utter a single word? Was he even alive? A strange fear gripped his heart at the thought. All his life, he had lived recklessly, not caring whether he lived or died, but now suddenly he wanted to live. He wanted to feel Hayley’s love! He wanted a fulfilling life with her. Was he asking for a lot? Wasn’t he entitled to have her in his life? “Ashton, wake up. I’ve rescued you, can’t you see?” she whispered brokenly. It broke his heart to know that she had done so much for him. She had moved heaven and hell to rescue him from the clutches of death. There wasn’t a doubt about her feelings for him. Her love was truly unconditional and t
“I’m indebted to you, Hayley,” he whispered, gazing at her longingly, unable to answer her question. Yes, they were dating, but not anymore. After Gambino’s threat, he didn’t have the courage to start any sort of relationship with Hayley. She was just eighteen, and she had a beautiful life awaiting her. It was better he stayed away from her. Hayley went closer and touched his hand, cradling it in hers. Her eyes searched his for an answer, but all she saw in them was a feeling of hopelessness. “I will heal you soon, Ashton. Then we can go out on dates like before.” Her voice trembled with raw emotions bubbling deep inside her, ready to overflow any minute. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him. Looks, wounds, danger, nothing mattered to her. All she needed was him in her life!“We can’t continue dating each other, Hayley. It wasn’t a good idea, anyway.” Shocked, Hayley left his hand and gazed at him in disbelief. Was he severing all ties with her? Was he breaking off the only
Ashton slowly walked out of Alexander’s car towards their parents’ house after four days at the hospital. He hadn’t been the same as before after driving Hayley out of his life. His heart expected her to call him, asking about his health, but she hadn’t. It was only the two friends who stuck to one another like always. Ashton knew he should be happy since this was what he had wanted, but he wasn’t happy! He staggered absent-mindedly and Alexander immediately caught him from tripping over.“Careful, man. We want no broken bones, do we?” “Who cares? I might as well have died.” “Stop sulking, Ashton. You’re the one who pushed her away!” Alexander rang the doorbell while Ashton sighed, wondering what explanation to give his friend. He had given the same explanation to the cops as he had to Mr. Barclay. Even Alexander knew the kidnappers had mistakenly picked him up. “I’m completely shaken up, bro. I want to regain a grip on my life first. She is neglecting her studies to be with me, an