Ash’s pov ;
It feels like the sa cycle again. First, he cheated with Samantha, then that strange perfu scent on him, and now this girl.
Will he cheat on with this girl as well?
Am I not worth nothing to him? Am I just a toy that he can play around with whenever he feels bored?
No! Since when have I lost my worth?
Since when have I beco this fragile, that he can easily break with his touch?
This is not . This is not the Ash who always fights. I’m not a crybaby, so why am I crying?
I roughly wiped away my tears and straightened my posture.
No, I won’t let him have the satisfaction of seeing hurt. I won’t show him the vulnerable side of mine.
I’m not an emotional ss who needs constant attention and affection.
"She’s hot, isn’t she?" A voice spoke behind . I glanced over and saw Ryder standing with one hand in his pocket and another one holding a glass of drink with a wide smile on his face.
He was looking at the woman and Elijah. I didn’t reply.
"She’s the famous model, Victoria. She’s the biggest na in the modeling industry right now. Her shows are always sold out. And she’s single."
"I don’t care about the information." I raised an indifferent brow at him. "Why are you telling this?"
He laughed. He’s always so silly.
"I thought you’d like the information," He nudged and winked.
"No, I don’t. I’m not interested in knowing about other people’s personal lives."
"Really?" He frowned. "How about this? Elijah and her have known each other for a long ti."
I glare at him, trying not to show how much his words affect . "What are you getting at, Ryder?"
He grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling. "Nothing. I’m just sharing general information."
"Whatever," I sighed.
"You don’t seem to be enjoying the party," he asked, gesturing to the crowded hall.
"I’m not," I replied honestly.
"Hmm, thought so," he nodded in acknowledgnt.
We stood there in silence for a few minutes. My eyes were unwantedly focused on Elijah. I couldn’t look away, no matter how much I tried.
"You know, sotis it’s important to let your feelings out instead of bottling them up," Ryder suddenly spoke in a solemn tone contrary to his usual playful nature.
I looked at him in confusion. "What do you an?"
"The reason you’re not enjoying the party. You’re angry and sad because of sothing, and you’re hiding it behind a smile. Don’t you think it’s better to just admit it instead of pretending?"
I glanced at him and found him staring at with a knowing expression. I was surprised to see him serious for once.
"What are you talking about, Ryder? I’m not pretending. I’m perfectly fine," I lied in a weak attempt to look strong.
"Are you really? Then why your eyes are red? You look like you’ve been crying.
He’s sharper than I thought. I an he’s a top-class businessman, so obviously, he’s not that dumb.
I averted my gaze, looking back at Elijah and that model.
"You’re right, but...it’s not sothing I can just say aloud," I muttered helplessly.
"Why not? When we feel bad, we need to let it out. It’s not healthy to keep it all inside. You can’t move forward if you’re stuck in the past."
His words struck deeply.
"I guess..." I murmured, feeling conflicted.
He patted my back and gave a reassuring smile. "Elijah can be a pain in the ass, but deep down, he’s a good guy. I’m aware you guys have your own misunderstandings and problems because you both are idiots. But if you both keep this going, you guys will get nowhere. You will just hurt each other. So, if you have sothing to say to him, just say it."
"Easier said than done," I mumbled, feeling defeated.
"That’s true. But sotis, it’s worth it. Take one piece of advice from . Just say whatever you have on your mind out loud to him, let him know you’re feeling sad, happy, angry, or anything at all. Let that bastard know how you truly feel. Because even you have realised by now how slow he is."
I couldn’t help but laugh. "How co he’s only slow when it cos to understanding my feelings but not when he cheats on ?"
"Did he tell you that he cheated?" His tone was extrely defensive and offensive.
I turned to him with a confident look. "I have proof, Ryder. The photos Samantha sent --"
"One thing I for sure believe is Elijah is a man of his word. And he’s not scared to hide anything, he does everything openly. So, if he’s cheating and gets caught, he would admit it. I have trust in Elijah and he’s not a man who will go behind soone’s back to hurt them intentionally."
"You think I’m lying?" I asked, incredulously and feeling blad for being lying.
He shook his head. "Absolutely not. I’m just stating opinions otherwise I’m no one to speak in between your matters. Whatever is happening is not my business, I’m not a cupid. You guys have a problem, it’s between you two and it will get solved only when you both talk it out. But if Elijah says that he didn’t cheat on you, then I’ll believe him. And if you can’t believe him then it’s also fine. It’s your journey to test Elijah and your relationship with him. Take as much ti as you want."
When I didn’t speak, he added, "You have every right to doubt him. It’s natural, and I’m not saying that he’s completely innocent. But I am 100% sure that unless he admits it himself, there’s no way he would hide sothing so big."
I shot him a sharp look. Everything he was saying made perfect sense, and yet, I didn’t know what to think. I still felt conflicted and confused.
"You’re his best friend, so I understand you’ll say such things," I laughed bitterly.
"I’m not just his best friend. I’m his only friend and also soone who knows him better than anyone else. And the reason I’m telling you this is that, even though I care for Elijah and want him to be happy, I’m not blinded by our friendship. I can see his flaws and mistakes too. He’s not the perfect human being, far from it. And he makes a lot of mistakes, but do you really think that if he had cheated on you, I would support him? You’re equally important to , Ash, so don’t think so lowly of ."
I stared at him for a mont, speechless. My heart squeezed at his words, and I felt a rush of warmth and affection from him. "I..am?"
"Of course, silly," he gave a devastated gasp. "Did you forget I have taken you as my younger brother?"
I let out a soft chuckle and a small smile curled my lips. "Who said I want to be your brother?"
"You little--" He growled dramatically
"I’m just kidding," I laughed, punching his arm.
"You better be," he grumbled. "Now tell what you were upset about."
"Elijah and that girl..." I admitted trailing off my words, glancing back at them. The girl was still standing there, laughing with Elijah.
"Hmm, are you jealous?" He teased with a smirk.
I sighed. "Maybe."
"So, what’s the big deal about that? If you are jealous then make him jealous as well," He suggested so casually that it took a mont to register his words.
"What?" I asked with wide shocked eyes.
Is it even possible to make Elijah jealous? I feel like that man is made of a stone. Nothing can affect him. And why would he feel jealous, it’s not like he has feelings for .
But I have never seen him getting jealous or anything, so it’s making curious about his reaction.
"Two can play this ga, right?" Ryder playfully took a sip of his drink without taking his eyes off .
I stood flabbergasted and gulped nervously. "How...?"
"Oh, co on. Don’t give those puppy eyes. I’ll help you out to make him jealous. Now, do you know how to dance?"
I bit my lip and contemplated. Part of knew whatever he was planning would be a terrible idea and another part wanted to take the risk.
"No, at all," I shook my head, not getting his point.
He laughed and rolled his eyes. "Good. Because I have the perfect plan."
He smirked, his eyes bright with mischief. And before I could ask what his plan was he was moving towards the stage.
"Ryder wait-!"
"Just watch," he winked and climbed the stairs. He cleared his throat and tapped the microphone.
"Excuse , everyone," He spoke with a loud voice, capturing everyone’s attention.
"I just wanted to thank all of you for coming tonight. It’s a huge honour to be here in front of so many amazing and talented people. And I’m sure everyone is having a great ti."
The crowd cheered, and he continued. "Now, let’s have a little fun. We’re all here to enjoy ourselves, aren’t we? So, why don’t we dance? But with a twist."
He looked at with a playful expression, and I imdiately felt nervous. "There is a rule to the ga. In every one minute, the music will change and you have to switch your partner. So, you will have to keep on changing partners throughout the song."
"Ohhh!" A roar of excited murmurs spread through the hall.
"What do you say?" He looked at everyone again, and the crowd cheered loudly.
"Alright, alright. I’ll take that as a yes. Now, who’s going to join ?" He glanced back at with a wicked smile and my heart did a flip.
I don’t feel good about this.
The thought of running away crossed my mind. But before I could do that, stupid Ryder gestured to . "That cutie will join ."
God! Either kill or this man.
Everyone’s gaze turned towards , and I felt my face burning with embarrassnt.
"Co on," he beckoned with his hand, and I hesitantly stepped back, shaking my head.
"No way. I can’t dance," I shouted back.
"Don’t worry. I’ll teach you."
"You can’t be serious, Ryder."
He laughed and grabbed my wrist, dragging onto the stage. "Trust ."
I tried to shove his hands away with my heart thundering in my chest. I should have known he’s Ryder and all of his ideas would be weird and ridiculous before agreeing to him.
"You have lost your mind, Ryder!" I exclaid, but he was grinning and ignoring my protests.
The music started playing, and Ryder successfully dragged to the stage. The crowd was clapping and cheering, and I felt like I was going to faint.
"Ryder, this is not a good idea!"
"Stop whining and enjoy. It will be fun. Look, your hubby is already ready to kill ." He laughed, and I glanced at Elijah and found him glaring daggers at Ryder.
And....
"You’ll get killed," I whispered in panic.
But the idiot only laughed.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l
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