Chapter 15

Ashley

Sliding the accept button, I placed it to my ear. "Ashley speaking"

"I know" Came his voice. If he knew then why is he keeping quite.

"So..." I began making my way out of the room. I felt thirsty all of a sudden.

"I want to ask you for a favour" My brows squint in question.

"Why should I do you a favour?" I asked instead descending down. Neil and Kristine were seated at the farther end of the living room watching what I assumed as movie.

"Because I know you're the only one who will help. Look let's keep our past aside. Like you said we're both different people now. I'm happy and I assumed you are too. So-"

"Get to the point" I said straight. Explaining how happy he is getting married isn't my concern. I've long forgotten about our past and now he's thinking I'm still hanging on the past.

I sat down on the dinning area away from Neil and Kristine. Their heads snapped towards me when the vase decorated on top of the table fell.

"Can you photoshoot our pre-wedding pictures" for a moment I almost thought I didn't hear correctly until he spoke again. "I know you're a professional in this and also it should be part of the project. Melinda wants the best photographer"

So her name is Melinda.

Great!

"There are many best and professional photographers out there. Why me?" I inquired.

"There might be a lot of them out there. But I prefer to work with you" he answered.

"And why is that so?" I interrogated again. I found his statement suspicious. He might only want to push me to limits.

"Can you for once put the past aside. Think of this as just any client. If you decline then I have no choice than to say you're still hanging on the past"

"What the hell! Something bad must be running in your head. Me? Hanging on the past? There's something you need to know, Mr. Alex. I've long forgotten about what went between us. I'm happy that you're getting married at least you won't come to me to give you a chance and for your information, I will attend you wedding and also take your photo shoot. Just wait and see" I yelled out. With that being said, I discontinued the call and drop the phone on the side.

My eyes were suddenly met with Neil and Kristine whose face were scrunched in curiosity. "Focus on your movie!" I yelled out gulping down water from the glass cup In front of me.

He's surely messing with the wrong person.

An annoying chuckle made it way out of my lips. "I'll show him who is really hanging on the past" Pulling my chair back, walked up towards Neil and Kristine.

"What are you there yelling on about?" She asked.

"Get ready we're going shopping. I need a soul killing outfit" Kristine stared at me mouth agape.

"I don't understand. Shopping for what? What do you need a soul killing outfit for?" she bombarded all at once.

"What else. For Alex wedding. He need to know who he's messing with"

"Wait, you mean to tell me you're not joking when you said you'll be his wedding photographer? Is this the Ashley I know?" She stares disbelivelnly.

"Yes you heard me right? So are you going or not? We have no time to waste. The wedding is this weekend so we're living on Friday"

The corner of my lips curved up. Kristine only stares at me mouth agape. Yet, I ain't ready to back out of my decision.

"Am I supposed to say something?" Neil commenced after a moment of silence was prevailed.

Shit!

I forgot about him completely.

Letting out a small smile, I answer his question "No you're not. Pretend you didn't hear anything. And Kristine?"  I turned to her. "Get your ass off that couch and let's get outta here" I didn't wait for her to utter whatever she had to, I walked out.

**

Kristine hissed for the nth time in front of me. I have a feeling the hiss must be directed to me. I feign ignorance as I continue on hunting down for a soul killing outfit. Neil wasn't allowed inside at less it'll be less comfortable.

Another hiss resonate out of her lips and this time around I didn't ignore. "Feel free and insult me. I don't bite"

"What-"

"Its okay. Go ahead" I ushered patting her shoulder with a smile. I was about to walk to the other section when my foot came to an abrup halt. "I think I found what I've been looking for" I whispered enough for it to reach Kristine's ear.

Her brows knit in question. "What is that?" she asked.

"Look there" I pointed to a corner where a purple slim gown was quietly sitting, glistening in front of my eyes.  Kristine follow my gaze and she was awed as much as I am with her mouth that was left hanging open. "Wow. This is beautiful"

"I know right?"

"This will smack off every living soul in the wedding hall" she muttered.

Just thinking about it brought a smile out of my lips. "What are we waiting for let's go get it" And we did.

By the time we're done shopping, Neil was nowhere to be seen. "Where the hell did he want off to?" I seethe.

"Look"

"What?"

Kristine spun my head around. Neil was standing few miles away from us talking to some woman. She handed him a card and I saw him bend his head.

Why does he always get the attention from women? And because they also don't have shame, they are the ones giving him their numbers. What a lame women.

The woman left and he made his way towards us. "You must be one lucky guy getting women attention" Kristine began.

"You think so?" he ushered back.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Walking past them, I advanced to the car and got in. In a few seconds, they also got in. "Where to now?" Kristine asked.

"Home" I answered absentmindly. The shopping has weakened my body. I'm glad my father will be resuming work very soon.

"Urg... Can't we branch somewhere?  Like a restaurant? A bar? Or any other chilling place"

"Sounds good" Neil finally muttered.

Come to think of it, it's been long since I chilled out. Yet, I don't know if going to the bar is a good option. I can't risk getting drunk. Me and Kristine are a terrible drinker and then Neil told me about being a light drinker. If something is to happen, then who will help who.

Nevertheless, he won't get himself drunk since he's on mission. "Sounds cool"

A giggle erupt from Kristine's mouth. "I know a good place. They are the best in business"

I remembered the time we ditched school and went for a chill out instead. Me, Kristine and Alex. However, I got a good scolding later that day.

**

We arrived at the bar and if I'm not mistaken then I would say I saw a familiar face. The men guarding our house. Could it be Neil called them over or is it that they were following us in the first place.

"Are some men following us?" I asked Neil as we made our way inside. The bar was unexpectedly not too noisy. There are few people drinking to their hearts content. My eyes travelled to a man and a woman. The woman was seated on his lap, her dress barely reached her thigh. While the man was busy sucking on her neck.

I quickly avert my eyes from them feeling disgusted at the scene. Neil led us to the VIP section. A man was quietly sipping his beer. For a moment, my eyes lingers on him. He looked almost the same body as Neil. He was in a suit with few buttons of his shirt opened. He lift up his eyes and our eyes met. A cold shiver ran down my spine at his gaze. His eyes were undoubtedly a shade or red and white.

I hurriedly walk away catching up to them. Our seat was just a few miles away him. I catch a glimpse of him from the corner of my eyes. For some unknown reasons, I felt uneasy. I dare not to turn around.

Neil and Kristine seem to not notice. I did what I think is the right thing, occupy myself with what Kristine was telling the bartender. "What would you like?"

"Vodka"

"I'll go with the same" Kristine said too. "And you Neil?"

"Water is okay"

"Don't you like beer?" She asked gazing him down.

"Not really. I'm-"

"He would be the one driving so he can't drink" I interjected. I don't know why I answer for him. Maybe it's because I don't want Kristine to know about him being a light drinker. That will be her talk of the day.

"Oh right"

As if someone tapped me to turned around, I shifted my eyes to the side and the man was still seated. This time around, another man was seated beside him with two unopened bottles of beer Infront of them and two empty ones. I wonder who the man is. Just his face scare me.

"Are you okay?" Neil said beside me noticing my distant eyes. Letting out a smile, I nodded in answer averting my eyes away. "Yeah I'm okay"

Our drinks was brought to us and Kristine began drinking right away then me the slow drinker follows. Fifteen minutes into drinking and Kristine was at the verge of passing out. Neil was obviously calm beside us. His eyes roaming around the room every now and then.  I wonder if he notices the man.

"You know Ashley, I don't think it's a good idea to go to Alex wedding. I mean he's your ex" Kristine uttered in her almost drunk state.

"Um.. I.. I..." the words were not able to make themselves out of my mouth. I took another sip.

"Don't you think it'll be awkward? I'm your best friend, I want you to be happy" She held up her hands in the air and a giggle left her lips. "Hey you Man" she hoisted up. She pointed to the same man. Even in my drunken state, I felt goosebumps appear on my skin as he turned to us. I could swore his eyes were redder than before.

"Hey you! I'm talking to you" Kristine was about to make her way towards him almost tripping on the way when Neil was able to stop her.

"I think we should leave. It's getting late already" He uttered snatching my glass away.

"But I'm not done drinking yet. Just one glass" I pouted.

"No it's enough already" He reached for my hands and I snatched it away leaning back on the seat. "I'm not going" I remarked.

"Let me go" I heard Kristine's voice taking away by one of the men. Neil crouched down to my level snatching the drink once again. "We have to get out of here. You're drunk"

"No I want to stay longer. Just five minutes" I pouted again showing a baby face. I saw him take in a sharp breath and then lift me up to a standing position.

I tried to snatch my hands away but to no avail. His hold on my wrist was too strong. Even with my unsteady posture, Neil didn't stop advancing to the door. The man walked past us, and the smell reeking from his body almost made me puke. I held on to Neil's arms. "That man is scary" I whispered.

Unexpectedly, Neil pulled me closer to his body. "I know that is why I want us to get out of here"

"I'm scared"

"I'm here with you" he whispered to my ear sending an unfamiliar shiver down my body. His hands were secured around my body as we left the bar towards our car. And for some reason, I felt safe in his arms. My foot came to an abrupt halt and I felt bile rise in my throat. I held on to my stomach feeling the sound revamping through it.

"I think-" And that's it.