Chapter 20

Ashley.

I stayed in that position for almost five minutes thinking about what Kristine said. I don't know if what she said is true. However, I feel myself whenever I'm with him. Should it be considered as like? My thought were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Ashley and Kristine, breakfast is ready" it was as if a hammer has been banged on my heart by the flip my heart did. His voice was obviously calm.

"Alright we'll be out in a jiffy" I ushered out. And then no voice came again.

I dressed up into a simple blouse and let my hair lose. I normally tie my hair in a bun but today I want it to be free. We got out together with Kristine. My eyes came to an abrupt stop when they came face to face with Neil. He was dressed in a shirt and jeans. He looked entirely different.

Kristine was quick to ask what I've been contemplating to ask. "You look different Neil"

A smile was plastered across his face too. "Thanks" his eyes travelled to me and I was quick to avert my eyes. I don't even know why I did that.

"Can we eat our breakfast already?" Kristine interjected. We ate our breakfast in almost silence. All through my eyes couldn't bring themselves to glance at him and suspiciously he doesn't seem to bother. Or it is only me that is thinking about the kiss?

Today is the day I'm going to check for the background. The upcoming two days will be hectic for me. As soon as I'm done with the project, I won't spend another day in Ithaca. Before I'd planned on adding more days but now I don't feel the excitement anymore.

"Shall we?" I announced grabbing my bag off the couch. Neil was slipping on his wrist watch as he slid in his two phone. For a moment, I found his actions suspicious. But since he promise to tell me everything then I will wait. I hope before then nothing goes wrong.

"Sure let's go" I lift up my foot ready to take off when my side body collude with Neil. The sound of my beating heart was visible to my ear.

"You go first" I offered moving back a bit looking everywhere but him.

"Do-" he started but stop walking way. I heaved out a deep breath. What the hell I am doing? It's not like I did something wrong to feel guilty for. I placed my palms below my heart. "Let's keep calm. Right" with that I followed their heed.

I didn't expect getting a beautiful and cool environment would not be harder. They're many places to choose from. I took some pictures to send it to them to choose from. Hopefully they'll choose the best. Because I don't think Melinda or whoever she calls herself has a good eye for a good thing. After roaming around the different places, we discovered a restaurant. My stomach made a weird noise at the sight of it.

"Let's eat something first before embarking on our way back to the inn. Or what do you think?" I suggested. A giggle erupt from Kristine's lips while Neil face was neutral. I wonder what he's thinking in that head of his and here I am thinking about last night.

"You two can go. I'll just make a few calls"

I was about to speak up when Kristine dragged me away to the restaurant. No matter how I thought about it, something is fishy.

"Good day to you ladies. Welcome to Glenwood pines restaurant"  The restaurant was unexpectedly crowded. Sound of people chatting and that of a plate chattering.

We were directed to one corner where two seat were vacant. "Our restaurant is known for its good food and good services. Give me the pleasure of serving you one of our best dishes" The man explained in a professional tone.

"The fresh haddock fish fry is one of our best dish and also the best in Ithaca" he added again. That means we're in the best restaurant in the whole Ithaca. Why haven't we noticed this place before.

A smile made it way to my lips. "We'll like to try out the fresh haddock fish fry"

"Okay Mam, your order will be out in a jiffy" With that being said he turned and walk away towards the direction of the kitchen. I took my time to check out the surrounding. It's indeed a calm and nice place good for a peaceful dinner. Within two minutes, two glass of Raspberry Iced Tea was brought to us.

My eyes were glancing at the door every minutes. Neil isn't back up till now. "Calm down babe. The guy is not going to run and leave you behind" Kristine voice resonate to my eardrums.

I adjust my sitting position and squatted more closer. "Don't you think Neil is hiding something from us?"

Kristine's brows knit in confusion. "Hiding something? Like how?"

I realized I didn't tell her about the whole thing. "You know that day I asked my dad about the attack incident, I know he's hiding something from me so I confronted him and found out that he's indeed hiding something from me. But I try to get it out of him yet he said he would tell me everything when I'm back from this trip"

Kristine went quite staring at me. "And you decided to tell me now right?"

"I want to confirm everything first"

"What of now? Have you confirmed it? You know Ashley...." she began heaving in a sharp breath. "Sometimes I used to think you don't take me as a friend. I always have to find thing out late"

"No Kristine, I-"

"It's okay I understand. I know my place now. I'm okay" I could easily tell she's angry but trying to explain will only add fuel to it. I wish she could understand my situation. How would you feel when the people you're most closest to is hiding something from you. Both my Dad and Neil. I have no idea why? And now Kristine is blaming me.

"And here comes your fresh haddock fish fry" the man cheered.

"Thank you"

I glanced at the door once again spotting Neil walking in. I didn't know when a sigh made its way out of my mouth. "What took you so long?" I blurted out before I could control myself.

"I was making some few calls" Exactly what he said before. "What call?" I asked again.

"With my colleague" I didn't say anything more. I could tell he's not telling me the truth. Kristine didn't utter anymore word.

"Is she okay?" Neil whispered closely to my ear.

"Yeah. We just had a small misunderstanding but I know it won't stay long she'll eventually talk to me"

"Why do you always get into a fight. Yesterday it was with me and today it's Kristine. I must say you're one of an arrogant woman" The moment he said yesterday, I found myself thinking about the night again.

"Ehem...." I cleared out my voice. "The food is getting cold"

***

We got back to the Inn later that evening after discussing with Alex. They choose the surrounding nearby. We'll be taking the photoshoot in the morning and the next day will be the wedding and I'll be done with the project. Surprisingly, Melinda was quite as we discussed. Maybe she finally decided to behave herself. And Kristine, she was obviously quite. I know its all because of what transpire between us.

"Can we talk" I commenced before she could walk past me. She hesitated for a while before making her way towards the couch.

"Listen Kristine, I'm sorry. I know you're angry"

"I'm not" she muttered.

"I've never for once thought of you as a stranger. I'm so blessed to have you as a friend and also a sister. You're always there for me through thick and thick. The reason why I didn't tell you about it is because I want to make sure my predictions are right. I'm sorry if that hurt you" I ended forming my lips in a thin line.

"Will you forgive me?" I added again hearing silence from her.

"That depends on how well you do in apologizing" I heard her say.  A smile made it way to my lips as I leaped forward tickling her.

"OMG! Stop it!" she exclaimed amidst laugh.

"I won't stop until you say you've forgiven me" I continued my mission. Tickling her in every part of her body.

"Okay okay I've forgiven you can you stop already" She erupt into another giggle.

"Better" Her laughter died down and we sat side by side. I rest my head on her shoulder. "Thank you Kristine for sticking with me"

Getting out of the bathroom, I wiped my hands with a clean towel and tossed it on the other side of the room. Kristine was already fast asleep. These days she has been sleepy early.

The living room is expectedly quite. Neil was resting on his back as I made my way towards him. "Still up?" I inquired.

"Um."

"You?" he asked again.

"Same. I have a lot on my mind" He rose up to a sitting position. "Why is that?" he asked his brows creasing.

"I don't know if it's for me to say this but it's about last night" The air within me grew thick after I let out what's been bothering me since morning.

"I know-"

"I think we should forget about whatever happened. It shouldn't have happened" I felt like a bucket of water had been splashed on me. Did I hear wrong?

"Something like that shouldn't have happened between us. I'm still on my mission. I'm your employee, so I don't think it's okay for us to have that kind of relationship" My eyes snapped towards him. His face didn't show any form of joke.

"You mean to tell me what happened last night means nothing?" I asked disbelivenly.

"Yes"

His answer strike through my heart. So it was only me. I am the only one who thinks the kiss meant something. I felt so embarrassed. I shouldn't have brought up the topic. I should've just let it be in fantasy. It wouldn't have hurt so much the way it did. At that moment, I knew what I've been trying to deny is indeed true. What Kristine said is true. I have feelings for Neil.

"I still have some work to take care of" His voice was calm as he utter the words out. I felt bile rise in my throat. To control myself from committing something inappropriate, I left. Closing the door shut behind me.

I went straight to the bed pulling the duvet over my head. Ashley, forget about last night.

Forget about the kiss

Forget about what transpired between us.

I kept chanting in my head up to the time I fell into a deep slumber.

**

"Can you move a little. You need to give some space so that it'll look realistic" The photoshoot was finally on action. We've taken the first and second round were now at the last round.

"Good. Now I want you to gaze at each other's eyes" I ushered.

"Good" Taking the last shot, I clapped my hands together. "You've all done a great job. Now I only need to edit the pictures then were good to go"

I passed the camera to Kristine and went to take the tripod stand. "Thank you Ashley and I'm sorry for my behavior that night" Melinda's voice went straight to my ear.

"It's okay. It's already in the past. I wish you a happy married life in advance" I said in a calm voice. Now that things are halfway done, I felt lighthearted. I put the remaining material in the backpack and slid it on my back.

Kristine and Neil walk up to me. My eye went to Neil for a split second before I avert it back to Kristine. "Let's get going. We still have a long day ahead of us"

"Sure but can you two leave without me, I still need to work on few things first" I ushered. Without waiting for what she or Neil had to say, I walked away.

I won't make the same mistake again. I should learn how to not expect too much from people.