Chapter 27
Ashley
I took in a deep breath before my hands made their way to his face, cupping them. "I didn't know you went through a lot. All this while I've been misunderstanding you when I know nothing about what you're going through beneath"
A smile curved up at the corner of his lips as he leaned more into my touch. "That's probably because I didn't tell you. It was hard for me to muster up the courage. I'm always afraid of what people will think of me when they know about my story. It-"
I was quick in halting him. "You know, one thing you shouldn't care about is what people will say about you. No matter how perfect, good or bad you are, people will always find something to say about you. You just have to do whatever you're comfortable with. And for that, I'm sure you'll be able to find a way. We'll tackle it together."
"Thanks for the word of advice. Sincerely speaking, your words encourage me" Even I was surprised at my own outburst. I don't know I have the words in me.
"I'm glad I could be of help. Now what do we?" I inquired. For some reason, I want to know where our relationship stands but since he didn't say anything, we'll just go with the flow.
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" He said all of a sudden.
Did I hear him wrong?
"Can you repeat what you said?"
"What?"
"The last statement you said" I ushered sqauting more closer.
"What? I don't remember saying anything" He said getting off the bed. "Oh you don't?" I asked again to be sure. Whatever I do next he'd be the cause of it.
Just when his back was facing me, I used all the strength in my body and lunge on his back. "What the-" he began and I didn't give him the chance to talk as I circle my arms around his next fake strangling him.
"You didn't say anything right?" I exclaimed tightening my hold on him. I was on top of his back like a baby.
"I didn't"
"Say that one more time" I threatened. I was so focused on attacking him, I didn't know when he spun me around and It was his turn to attack.
"Hahaha... Let me go" A laughter erupt from my mouth when he tickles me.
"I should repeat what I said right?" He ushered still tickling me.
"Okay I'm done. You don't have to repeat it" I retorted amidst laughter. He tickled me for the last time before letting me go.
"Must you tickle me?" I spitted out passing him a glare. His eyes grew calculating for a while and he made his way towards me once again.
"Okay. Okay I won't say anything more" I announced. His foot came to an abrupt stop. A moment of silence follows afterwards.
"You should get ready for your work" So I didn't hear wrong.
Great!
"Are you okay with it?" I asked.
"Why not. Besides, it's better than sitting idle at home" He didn't say anything more. A smile graced through his face as he made a walk to the bathroom.
The corner of my lips twitched up. I see. I don't even know why he disagree in the first place.
I'm glad Mrs. Grace knew nothing about our little argument. If what we had is even an argument. Just a little disagreement.
**
"Good Morning Mrs. Grace" I cheered unwrapping the scarf from my hair. What I learned about the modernized village is that the village is always breezy.
"Morning Ava. I thought you won't be coming since your husband doesn't seem to like the idea of you working here" She exclaimed as if that was the only thing in her head.
I have a feeling the woman is far more talkative compare to Mrs. Lindy.
I did the only thing I know will masked up my almost pissed off mood. "He knew very well what his wife is capable of doing. So, he won't dare to stop me from doing what I want" Her eyes grew calculating for a while before a fit of laughter broke out of her lips.
"You know what? I like that kind of attitude. It reminds me of how I used to boss my husband around back then. He's always at my command" Something flicker in her eye. Emotion, pain. Come to think of it, I haven't been seeing her husband. Whether he's around or not. And Mrs. Grace has never for once bring his topic up. Until now. Some part of me wanted to ask her and some part of me tells me to just let her be.
"So, what is required for me to do?" I knowingly ask changing the topic
And she understood because she let out a smile. "You just have to fix yourself up and then start on your work"
"Yes Ma" I mimic being respectful.
**
The rest of the working hours at the restaurant was hard and at the same time fun. The hard part was how I've been roaming from one direction to another and the fun part was how Mrs. Grace let me accompany her in the kitchen. It reminds me of home. I miss home and my parents. It was at that moment that I knew how badly I miss my life. I want my old life back. With that thought I pushed the front door open coming face to face with Neil working on the laptop.
For a moment, I stood still. Where did he get the laptop? I thought he told me he didn't bring it along. It was as if he noticed I was watching him. He lifted his face off the laptop and our eyes instantly met. Like I was feeling for the past two days, I felt heat radiate off my body at his gaze on me.
"I'm back" I announced breaking off the nearly uncomfortable silence making my way towards him. He closed off the laptop and kept it on the side. I wonder why he did that. He did what I didn't expect. Pulled me to him, the way my head was resting on his shoulder. Just the mere touch sent shiver down my spine.
I felt the need to reciprocate his gesture. Wrapping my arms around him, I snuggle more to his body. "I missed you" I muttered. When the words finally sink in my head, my eyes widened. What did I just say?
I was about to lift up my head when he pulled me to him once again. This time around, his arms were tightly secured around my waist as his breath fanned on my face. A mixture of mint and flavour. "I missed you too" He whispered moving the strand of my hair that threatened itself out on my face.
And that moment, it feels like time has stopped completely. Only the sound of our breathing and that of our beating heart. We stared at each other unmistakably. A raw emotion building up in my chest. Neil is someone I find myself falling for slowly in each passing day and I'm afraid I'll fall harder.
His hands made it way to my cheeks and he ran his thumb on them tenderly. My eyes close on their own accord feeling the touch strongly down every cells of my body. I opened my mouth to say something. Yet, nothing seem to make themselves out.
My eyes are still closed as I feel a pair of warm lips on mine. It didn't take me two second to react to the kiss. It was as if I was waiting for it. I parted my lips to give him more access and used both of my hands to circle themselves around his neck while his was still secured around my waist but this time around a bit lower.
He kissed me slowly and with passion. And I felt something strong overpowering my body. Something I've never felt before. It was a new feeling to me. Our lips were slowly moving in sync. However, I felt the need to to fasten it. So I did what my heart has been pulling in for. Cupping his face with both my palms, I deepened the kiss and what started off slowly began increasing in a fast pace.
Neil lifted me off the couch and held me steadily. He advanced towards the direction of our room with our lips still moving in sync. We both know what we wanted and I'm afraid of what will be coming next.
Our husky moan was all over the place as Neil pushed the door open. He rested my back on the door and continue on his attack. I would be lying if I say I'm not enjoying every bit of it but what? We were interrupted by a knock on the door followed by Kristines voice.
Our movement came to an abrupt stop. Neil pulled apart slowly but his hands didn't leave my waist. My beating heart was so loud that I could hear it echoing in my ears. "Are you in there? I'm coming in"
Neil was quick in locking the door. My eyes instantly snapped towards him in a questionably manner. "Why did you close the door?" I mouthed quietly.
"Um.. Kristine give us a minute" Neil exclaimed brushing off my question. My brows were raised as I watched him. What is he going to do?
"I don't have forever to wait for you two" I could hear the sarcasm dripping from her voice. However, all that disappears when I once again felt his hot lips on mine. It lasted for what I would count as five seconds before he pulled apart again resting his forehead on mine. "We're not done yet" Was the only word he uttered before unlocking the door which Kristine immediately barged in.
"What took you so long?" She muttered yelled through gritted teeth watching the both of us in a suspicious manner.
"Isn't that a natural thing for a couples" Not only I was surprised at his statement, even Kristine was surprised.
Kristine gaze out of the door for any prying eyes before advancing inside closing the door behind her. "You don't have to act Mr. Micheal is not here. I am the one in front of you. Kristine" She ushered tight lipped.
"And what if I say I'm not acting?" in a swift motion, he pulled me towards him, my hands landing straight on his chest.
"What?" Both Kristine and I said in unison.
"Yes you heard me right. Is that something to be shocked about? I don't think my wife will mind. Right?" He turned to me with a smile on his face. I couldn't figure out the reason he said that. Both him and I knew that Kristine is aware of our acting. Or is he planning something else which we are not aware of?
Kristine close off her mouth that was left open. "Right. Something is fishy between you two. Perhaps, did you two...."
A knock suddenly emerge from the door which I'm glad it did. I almost had an heart attack afraid of what her words will be. I know what we're doing is not a crime. However, I feel like it's not the right time for her to know about what we've been doing.
There Mr. Micheal stood in front of the door with an apron around his neck. The first thing I saw him looking at, is Neil's arms around my shoulder. I always have this suspicion that the man haven't fully trust us being married couple. A fake couples to be precise.
"I see that you're having a conversation" He began.
Kristine face graced through with a smile. "Not really. I was just giving Lucas here a piece of my mind for always sticking to his wife like gum"
A chuckle resonate from Mr. Michael lips. "I must say Lucas cherish his wife so much and same goes to her" I fold my lips together to control myself from bursting into laughter at Kristine glaring expression. Only if she knew the hot kiss we shared. My dirty thought were interrupted by Mr. Micheal words.
"Okay, dinner is ready. I'll be dishing it out" And with that he left. Kristine passed both of us her glaring look before following behind him closing the door with a loud thud.
"What the...." My words trailed off when Neil pulled me in for another sensational kiss.
