Chapter 14

Ashley

"You know sometimes we let our hearts rule us. Be it doing something out of character or something beyond our nature. We just have to tackle it. There's no crime in being a little selfish. You only want to receive the love from your parent"

"Do you think my parent will love me as much as they love Nikky? My mom always talks about her and dad?" A chuckle escaped my mouth. "It's so obvious he cannot forget his favorite daughter"

"You shouldn't lose hope. Life can decided to be fair to you" he added with a shrug.

"I hope so" I shifted my face straight. "Tell me about yourself. It's weird of me not to know anything about my bodyguard. Like his life and family"

"I don't have any interesting story to tell" his answer came almost immediately.

"Even so. You know mine so won't you return the gesture" he went quite for a while. I almost thought he won't speak up. I don't know why he's hesitating to talk about himself or his family.

"I'm just a simple guy hustling for earn a living for myself. I have a sister too"

My eyes grew in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah her name is Ava. She's just 8"

"Wow what a cute name. I bet she's creating troubles for your parents" I said with a chuckle. Yet, he sat emotionless.

"My parents are no more. My mom passed away and my father is as good as nothing" my laughter immediately died down.

"I'm sorry"

"Ava is living with my aunt"

"Oh.. That's good then"

"Yeah it is" a think silence fell on us which started becoming uncomfortable. "It's getting late already. Let's get going" I ushered lifting my body up the stone seat.

Neil only nodded. Just as I take a step, I turned around. "Thank you for the word of advice and for being a good listener"

"It was my pleasure and likewise" we offered each other a smile before embarking on our way back home. The drive back home was in few words. All through Neil's mind seems to be off the zone. To make it less uncomfortable, I switched on the music. At least it'll kill off the silence.

We got to the house much to my surprise, I found dad in the living together with my mom. "Dad?" I called out making my way towards them

"Is your leg okay? Can you walk now?" I boambard at once.

"Easy there. Like the doctor said, I will be able to walk normal only if I exercise my legs so that's what I finished doing. Your mom was a great help" She cleared out her voice forming prideful. She enjoys getting compliment from my dad.

"Neil can I have a word with you?"

Neil that was standing at a small distant walked up to us. "Sure sir"

"Come help me up" Neil went to his aid and together they walked slowly to the study room. I wonder what they always talk about. Last time they spent almost half an hour in the study room. My instinct is telling me they're hiding something but I can't seem to point it out.

"Mom do you know anything about Dad's attack?" I decided to ask her maybe he told her. If he won't tell me them perhaps he will tell his wife.

Her brows raised in question. "No. Why?"

"I just think he's hiding something from me. And the question is who and why would someone attack him now and not long ago" My eyes rested on the newspaper in front of me in thinking.  "And the media are consciously quite. Don't you find that suspicious?"

"No. It's even a good thing that the media are not talking about it again but sure your father isn't saying anything regarding it. I even wonder if the police are still investigating the issue"

"I know. Why not do this, push him into telling you. I know you have your ways"

A smile made it way out of her lips. Pinning her hair behind her ear she let out another smile. "Which way? It's just easy for him to fall into my trap"

I broke into a fit of laughter. "I can testify for that"

"Did you just drink the whole thing in a matter of two minutes?"

"Yes. Why? Haven't done that before?"

"No. I usually take a long time to finish my drink"

"It's a habit of mine. Same goes to eating food. I don't take time in eating" He drew his hands back, resting them on the bed. "I don't see your sister's picture anywhere?"

"Because my parents don't want to be reminded of her. It pains them" I said forming my lips in a thin line.

"What about you? Do you also feel the same way?"

"I do but I know it nothing compared to how they're feeling" I reached for the picture frame laid on my nightstand. "This was taken five years ago. That time we're all in our bright self" I stared at Nikky smiling face. Her arms were stretched around my face while I was busy laughing to God knows what.

"It was the best day of our lives" I didn't realised I was in tears untill I felt the wetness on my face.

I quickly wiped it off. "I'm sorry I always get emotional whenever I remember the past" I gaze at anywhere else but him. The next thing I felt is a warm hand on top of mine. My eyes quickly shifted to him. He offered out a smile.

"It's okay to cry. It would make you feel better" And as he said that, another tear slid down. And just like that I broke into tears. I didn't care how he'll think of me. I needed the tears to feel better.

He did something unexpected pulling me to his body, he rub circles on my back muttering comforting words to me. And that's what I needed at the moment. A shoulder to cry. Someone to lean on. And just like that he comforted me in a way I didn't expect.

**

My faces was rested on my palms as I recalled last night event. After crying on Neil's shoulder, he made sure I was okay before he left the room. I couldn't look him in the eyes in the morning. I've been avoiding to talk to him. Yet, he was consciously calm.

A knock sounded from the door and Evelyn walked in. "Good day Miss. Ashley. It's lunch time should I order take out or...."

"Take out with a pack drumsticks"

"Sure Miss. Do you need anything else?" she asked again. Scribbling on her notepad.

"That should be all. Oh and..."

"Yes Mam"

"Inform Neil to go grab his lunch too" I ordered take out of purpose because I don't want to go ahead to the restaurant whereas Neil will also be there. It's better I eat in the offie. At least it won't be awkward.

Fifteen minutes later, and Neil walked in instead of Evelyn. "Shit!" I hiss out. My plan just backfires.

"Why are you with my lunch instead of Evelyn"

"Oh did you send her to get your lunch?" he asked ignoring my question.

"Don't pretend you don't understand what I mean" my eyes were casted down.

"Well who else Is the pretender here. You've been avoiding my eyes since morning. If it was because of last night then rest assured. I don't find your crying embarrassing. Crying is surprisingly a remedy for making us feel better"  I lift up my face to him letting out a smile. The guy doesn't fail in amazing me everyday.

"Thanks" I said truthfully.

"I grabbed the lunch from Evelyn"

"If someone notice, they might think we're having an affair which will raise a misunderstanding"

"What if it is?" A chuckle escaped my lips at his statement.

"Not possible besides we know our rules. I don't like men and you don't like men. So it's even" I ended with a shrug getting out of my seat towards the couch.

"Right. If someone hears our rule they might have a weird thought"

"That shouldn't be a problem. We both know that isn't true"

And that's how we spent the lunch hours chatting and teasing in any chance we get. The little time I'm spending with Neil is changing my bad thinking towards him. Everyday I see a new side of him.

"So Miss. Arrogant in Kristine's voice what's your dream?" his sudden question caught me off guard. No one has ever asked me what my dream was. Now that Neil brought it up got me thinking.

"I have a weird dream, do you still want to hear it?"

"Why not"

"Okay promise you won't laugh after hearing it. Because if you do, I'll smack you" I warned.

"The depend on how my head take it"

"Good. My dream is to go sightseeing in those African countries." I waited to hear him burst into a fit of laughter yet nothing came.

"What a weird dream you have. I thought you'll be like those spoiled rich women who dream of only travelling to different countries, spending money anyhow"

"What's the difference from mine"

"You can say that but my instinct is telling me you're not like that" He eyes squinted as he watched me through his eyes.

"What about you? What is your dream?" I asked instead adjusting my sitting position and also eager to hear his answer.

"I don't have a dream" he uttered.

"Liar"

"I'm serious. I don't have any dream. I'm just me" if I say his words doesn't render me speechless then I would be lying. However, I replaced my disappointment with a smile. Rising up to a standing position, I glanced at the wristwatch.

"I have meeting in five. I need to get everything done so that I can leave for home early. I have an appointment with Mrs. Lindy "

"The woman we met the field?"

"Yeah. I'm planning on working on her reality show"  I'm not completely sure I would be able to go ahead with the project. I decided to accept Alex project. I needed to show him I'm not hanging on to the past. The old Ashley is already long forgotten.

**

"Are you joking right now?" Kristine commenced.

"No I'm being serious"

Kristine paces around my room. I know the next thing that will follow won't be pleasant. "Are you okay with being the photographer?"

"Why won't I be. It's not like I'm still in love with him. I know he's trying to test me. If I decline, it'll give him the privilege to think I'm jealous or still hanging on to the past. However, none was the case. If you're in this with me then. I've settled matters with Mrs. Lindy already. We only have this project at hand"

"I understand what you were trying to say but won't it be awkward?"

"No it won't. I've already decided there's no turning back. Send him an email. I'm outta here"

"Where are you going?" she followed behind me.

"Where if not downstairs" I opened up the door to the face of Neil.

"Um... Hi" he smiled out.

"Hi" Kristine answered instead. I hope he didn't hear our conversation. With the expression on his face, he might have heard us.

"Do you need anything?" I found myself asking seeing as he didn't intend to leave. A smile made it way to his lips. "Nothiny much. I was just wondering if your friend could help me with something." His eyes went behind me where Kristine was standing.

"What-"

"Sure"

Before I could get the chance to say anything more, Kristine was out of the room and not before winking at me. For a moment I stood still and watched as they two whispered to one another.

Is Neil trying to flirt with my friend?

All my thoughts came to a halt when the ringing of phone blared from the room. I glanced at the hallway for the last time before advancing back to the room. I lazily snatched the phone from the nightstand which consciously kept ringing. A hiss made it way out of my lips.

What the hell does he wants from me again. I might have to give a piece of my mind to him very soon.