ASHLEY
Deep breaths, Ashley. Deep breaths. I need to stay calm. The least I can do is give them the benefit of doubt. Even then, my fingers still curl into fists. I don’t like the picture I am staring at. I fucking hate to see things like this.
"You took this yesterday?"
"Yes." Nicola mutters, sitting ekly on her couch.
"Why are you just showing ?" I ask, whirling to her with blazing eyes. "What part of ’follow her and report anything suspicious ASAP’ didn’t you understand?"
"I called you severally Ashley but you don’t prioritize my calls like you used to."
I scoff at that. "I wonder why."
I fling the pictures of Demi and Ashton in front of St. Lucy church and rake my hands through my hair. Both of them are going to drive nuts. What kind of love have they got that just won’t break despite the level of separation they’ve endured? How is it more special than other love stories? At this rate, I don’t think Ashton’s engagent and my marriage to Demi can keep them away from each other.
Nicola rises and tries to hold my hand but I give her a sharp look to keep off.
"Don’t act like you care. You’re enjoying this. I bet you’re hoping this would have seeking comfort in your arms but tis are different now. I’ll much rather find myself a new girl than depend on a backstabbing one." She takes my caustic comnts like a champ and doesn’t shed a tear.
"I deserve that."
"Of course you do."
"I don’t expect you to forgive so soon but I just want you to rember I am here for you. I’ll do whatever it’ll take to get back in your good books. You’re all I have, Ash. I deeply regret stooping so low to draw you closer to but love makes one do the craziest things sotis." The waterworks start. So much for being a champ. "If Demi is the one you want, I’ll take a step back and allow you to work out your relationship. I’ll make peace with that, as long as I get to have a piece of you forever."
I turn to her. "You’re too greedy to be content with a piece of , Nicci. Your tears aren’t fooling anyone so quit acting."
"No, I am not acting. You’re right though. I will always want all of you and I am prepared to wait for you to want as much too."
This conversation is going nowhere.
"Enough. I didn’t co here to do this with you." I pour myself a drink from her bar and drain the glass in a few gulps. "Did they arrive together? Demi and Ashton? Did they arrive the church together or separately?" I suppose it would make a difference if their eting at the church was accidental rather than planned.
"Yes." Nicci replies.
My heart breaks and I wash down the upsurge of anger with another shot of alcohol. I guess they were nostalgic about their first wedding seeing as Ashton is about to be hitched to another without a contractual expiration date. With both of them being hitched, that must have put a snag in their hopes of being reunited after my imminent divorce from Demi.
Mila is not so random chick whom Ashton can kick to the curb when he gets bored. She is the daughter of one of the most powerful families in Danvarr. Her marriage to him puts a nail in the coffin where Ashton and Demi’s love story lies. Did they go to the church for closure or to devise better plans for hooking up secretly while individually married?
"Enough, Ashley. You’re almost done with the whole bottle."
Nicci snatches the bottle from while I drop into her couch with a lazy smile.
What do won really want, huh? One look at and one would think I easily get any woman I want but that is hardly the case. I also get stabbed in the back and cheated on despite the good looks, money, fa and power. It just sucks. Nicci cos around to massage my shoulders.
"It’ll be okay. Don’t stress over it. She’s not worth it. You’re too good for her or . Frankly, neither of us deserve a man like you."
"Stop patronizing ."
She keeps silent and continues to rub her hands over my chest from behind the couch. I toss my head back and admire the soft mounds that are her breasts. My hands cup them, fondle them.
"Co sit on my lap." Obediently, she follows my instruction like a shy teenager. I stroke her hair away from her neck and nibble her throat.
Her fingers slowly unbutton my shirt and trace my hairy chest delightfully.
***
I arrive the Rollins Towers a little shy of seven thirty. I am not late but I am certain mother will give a hard ti for not arriving with the family or at least, accompanying Demi to the venue.
"Are you sure it’s okay for to be here? Your brothers all hate . Ashton didn’t invite ." Nicci nervously pulls on the hemline of the dress I helped her pick out last minute.
"You’ll be fine. If anyone asks, say father invited you. No one can fault your attendance on that account knowing how close you two are." I turn to her before she can get down from the car. "Don’t get too carried away with the glitz and glam. You’re not here to drink champagne and celebrate love. You’re here to..."
"...keep an eye on Demi and Ashton at all tis. I got the mo." She finishes dryly.
"Good. I’ll go in first. Try to linger at the bar for about fifteen minutes before coming up to the venue. I don’t want anyone suspecting we ca together."
Nicci gets down, adjusts her dress and walks into the hotel. She looks really good tonight. I wonder what Demi will think when she sees her.
I finally et up with my family and kiss mom’s cheeks while she makes a fuss about my tardiness. Asher has no date on his arm which cos as a surprise. Ashal is flying solo too which is no surprise.
Demi’s outfit is nothing terrific. Did she deliberately put no effort in matching my style because her lover is getting engaged? Like she can read my thoughts, she walks away to join Anna at her table.
"Is everything okay?" Mom asks.
"Yeah. She’s not happy I’m late. I’ll just go say hi to Ashton and Mila before talking to Demi."
"How about you appease your wife first? The other couple can surely wait. Your father won’t be done introducing them to his elite friends for another ten minutes."
"Okay mom." I kiss her cheek and go after Demi. When I don’t respond to Anna’s greeting, she takes a hint and excuses us.
"Is that the best you could do? You have a wardrobe full of the best designer clothes, even unreleased collections and that’s what you settle for? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were mourning the loss of your lover." Gosh, I can’t even keep my annoyance in for two minutes. Demi glares at .
"Is that what you have to say to ? You hate my dress and suspect I am grieving for losing Ashton because it’s his engagent ceremony? Really?" She shakes her head. "I can’t do this right now. Stay the hell away from ." I grab her arm before she can leave and accidentally spill her drink on her dress.
"Look what you did." She snaps angrily.
Whatever. I hate the plain dress anyway, I mutter in my head.
"Don’t forget where we are, love. We are surrounded by high profile guests, including the dia. We can’t be seen fighting so no, I won’t stay away from you. We can argue all we want when we get back to the mansion but for now, we have to smile for the caras at all tis and look into each other’s eyes like we are smitten with each other. That should be easy for you. You can just pretend I’m Ashton. You’ve had lots of practice there, haven’t you?"
I suspect she wishes she could hit right now. Her eyes stray beyond my back and narrow in anger.
"And you? You shouldn’t have a hard ti imagining Nicci in my place seeing as she’s all dolled up for you tonight."
I turn back and there Nicci is, looking stunning as she congratulates the couple of the hour and walks off while chatting with father. Smart girl. When I turn back, Demi has disappeared. She probably went to the restroom to blot off the stain on her dress with water. I grab her glass and finish her drink only to scrunch my face in surprise. Why the hell is she drinking apple juice in here?
My blood boils hot when I spot Cree Baxter speaking in hushed tones with Ashal. What the hell is she doing here? Is Ashton trying to piss off? I head over to him and his soon to be bride and give Mila a kiss on the cheek.
"You look ravishing as always, Mila. Congrats on taking this dickhead off the market. Trust , you’re doing a solid." Mila gives an awkward look.
"Thanks."
Thankfully, her friends soon co and drag her away.
"Are you drunk?" Ashton asks with a stern look in his eyes.
"Are you mad?" I return with gusto. "What the hell is Cree Baxter doing here? You know how much I hate her."
"Last I checked, it’s my engagent party, not yours." He glances behind . "Besides, if Shay can confidently attend this function, it only ans you invited her which further ans that you’re over the whole Tobias tornt crap so get over yourself."
"You and Demi are quite bold tonight. I guess it must have sothing to do with your little reunion at St. Lucy."
"What?"
I pat his shoulder. "Enjoy your party, Ashton and try to keep your eyes on the woman next to you from now on." He continues to stare at with a confused expression while I go find myself a real drink.
Throughout the course of the party, I continue to make eye contact with Nicci across the room for any updates. Through the tranche of speeches, the special dance between the couple, the cake cutting and pictures, alcohol keeps my temper in check. Demi hangs close to mother and Anna.
My brows furrow in anger when I notice a guy talking to Nicci. Why is she laughing so much? What’s so funny? I imdiately text her not to get distracted, especially as Demi and Anna make their way to the restroom yet again. Nicci quietly follows them. When I tear my eyes away from the girls and back to the couple, Ashton is staring suspiciously at .
I manage to steal a dance with Mila. She slls so good while we dance.
"I’m glad you’re joining our family as Ashton’s bride. You’re just the type of woman he needs to keep him in check."
"Excuse ?"
"Oh, co on, don’t act like you don’t know what’s been going on between him and my wife. Both of them, by no fault of theirs, happen to be attracted to each other. I don’t know how that happened but I’ve learnt to live with that truth. I just thought I’d give you a heads up as a fellow spouse of a partner who is in love with another." I feel her tense up in my arms.
"Are you insinuating that they’re still seeing each other?"
"No, that’s not what I am saying. I am saying that their feelings for each other have only grown stronger even while they act like it isn’t there. The sad part is that though they keep away from each other, you’ll always be reminded of the sad truth when you look into their eyes and find no affection for you in there, when they stare at each other across a room full of people and you still see the sparks in them." Mila follows to stare at Ashton and it’s just my luck that his eyes are trained on Demi.
"I really hope he doesn’t call her na when he’s with you. That one hurts the most." Mila pulls away from .
"What exactly are you hoping to achieve by telling all this?"
"I don’t an any harm, Mila. I like you for my brother. If he wasn’t blinded by his lust for my wife, he’d see what a gem he’s got. I just want you to be prepared. I went into my own marriage blind to the reality I am living today. I don’t want you to do the sa."
"Are you expecting to break up with him?"
"Oh, hell no! Far from it. That would only make things worse for you and I. Our love for our partners isn’t wrong. They need us to help them get over their foolishness and find their way back to what’s real and attainable. I am expecting you to fight for your man, Mila, harder than you ever did while he was just your boyfriend. We’ve both seen how Ashton loves. It consus him. That should be your rightful place in his heart." I sigh wistfully. "I don’t know my fate with my wife but I can assure you that Ashton isn’t completely lost. You can save him, Mila. You should."
She glances at Ashton once more. He gives her a sunny smile which she returns.
"You sound like your situation is hopeless."
"I want to believe it’s not but how often do you hear of a man winning over a woman that’s already smitten by another. Won like my wife don’t fall for a man’s money, power or sexual prowess. It’s harder to win them over but once you do, they beco yours for life. That’s why I am afraid I might not stand a chance now that she’s got another in her heart. But don’t you worry, I’ve got a backup plan for that small inconvenience."
"You do?"
"Yeah."
"Can I have my fiancée back?" Ashton asks, suddenly joining us and taking Mila in his arms.
"Sure thing bro."
He continues to stare at as I walk away. Behind , I hear him asking Mila what we were talking about. Her response gets lost in the hive of sound and movent till I run into Demi.
"Really? Nicci is your little spy? How shaless can you both be, Ashley? You’ve got your side chick who doubles as Shay, your torntor, following everywhere for what? What are you trying to prove?"
There’s no point denying it now. "I wish I was worried for nothing but you and I know I’ve got concrete reasons to have soone on your ass. I won’t let anything or anyone disrupt Ashton’s engagent or his wedding."
"You think I am trying to foil his engagent?"
"How do you explain yesterday at St. Lucy, huh?" The shock spreads across her face. "Don’t even bother lying. I know it was no accidental eting. Why did you drag him there, Demi? Are you trying to rekindle old flas and make him back down from his promise to Mila?"
"There’s no use talking to you. Nicci has filled your head with lies and I honestly don’t care what you choose to believe."
There are traces of tears in her eyes. Since when did she beco such so emotional? My eyes flit around to ensure no cara picks this.
"Don’t touch ." She mutters when I reach for her arm. "If you don’t want a scene, please stay the fuck away from and call off your bitch."
She stalks off. I go after her but along the way, I spot Nicci and make a detour to pull her into a corner and knock so sense into her.
"When I said you should keep an eye on her, I didn’t think I also needed to explain that you shouldn’t make it so painfully obvious that even Demi catches on."
Nicci frowns at . "Don’t bla . You’re the one who chose this very dress that turns heads everywhere I go. Let’s not forget the heels. If you wanted to blend in and snoop on your wife with better luck, you should have also factored in the right outfit for the job. Everyone can hear coming from a mile away with the clack of these heels, Demi too. She caught on in the bathroom and confronted ."
"I know. She just told ." I expel a deep breath. "Did you manage to get anything though?"
"No. I think they’re being extra careful because there are so many people around. Plus, it’s Ashton’s engagent ceremony. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to be caught alone with her."
"You’re right."
"I did hear sothing. It’s nothing big, just an observation. Anna seems really worried about Demi, like the latter is sick or sothing. She followed her everywhere and kept telling her not to exert herself. I found it a bit weird."
"Weird?" I ask incredulously. "They’re best friends, Nicci. It’s not unusual or weird for Anna to be looking out for her best friend."
"I know but..."
"Maybe you should go ho now. Party’s almost over and you already blew your cover. If mother finds Demi fuming and gets a whiff of what you’ve been up to, she’ll have you removed from the premises rather disgracefully. Better hurry."
With a scowl, she makes her way to the glass doors while I watch. It’s now left to to find a way to handle my own problems. I never wanted it to co to this but Demi and Ashton have left no choice. I don’t care what anyone thinks of my next move. They’re welco to call desperate, pathetic or insane but I refuse to condone the disrespect.
As the party wraps up, I hasten after Asher who has been slightly frustrated all evening for not being able to pull Anna away and have a private mont with her.
"Did you hear father’s speech?" I tease him when I find him. "You’re next in line. I wonder how you managed to be the last. We all thought he would arrange your wedding before anyone else’s"
"Well, technically, Ashton’s wedding is the only one father has arranged so far. The rest were unavoidable train wrecks."
I laugh at his joke because I am slightly drunk.
"You’re lucky I am a little tipsy right now."
"What’s wrong? What did Demi do this ti?"
"She and Ashton had a little reunion at the church they wedded yesterday."
"Ouch."
"Yeah."
He pulls into a seat. "And this is the sa woman you want to raise a family with? That’s just sad."
"What do you call living to please father so he appoints you and not his real son to take his position after he retires or having secret flings with won you will never be able to marry despite how much you like them?"
"Don’t evade the topic. Seriously, why do you want to live like this? Why her?"
I simply smile at him. I still don’t have a better answer than the fact that I don’t want Ashton to have her.
"Any chance I can hitch a ride with you?"
"Nope. I’m dropping Anna off."
"Bye then." I tell him before leaving. While my family stays behind to exchange pleasantries and appreciate the guests that graced the occasion, I have a driver take ho so I can catch so sleep.
The next morning, I am more chipper than even Ashton who got engaged last night. The hangover soup in the mansion is getting better. Within thirty minutes, I am feeling energized and alert.
At the breakfast table, after mother gives a prayer of gratitude for the success of Ashton’s engagent and father toasts to Asher’s future alliance, I tap my glass with my spoon to make an announcent.
"Congratulations once again, Ashton. I know we’ve had our differences and may very well still do but I an that from the bottom of my heart. Mila is one special girl. You’ve won in life." I turn to the rest of the family. "With that being said, I have sothing important to announce. I want everyone at this table to know that I have given this a lot of thought and this decision is not born out of selfishness but for the purpose of preserving my marriage while it’s still in full swing."
Demi whips her head in my direction, eyes narrowed to slits the second I ntioned our marriage. Ashton too. All around , everyone’s a little on the edge as they wait for to make my point.
"I have decided that my wife and I will be moving out of the mansion!"
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