Chapter 31
Ashley
From the corner of my eyes, I could Neil's gaze on us. Exactly the way I wanted. It's not even part of my plan yet, it's working out for me. What a brilliant mind you have Ashley.
"Nice meeting you two. Ava" Daniel replied offering back a smile. I spare Neil a glance who was already looking at me before proceeding to leave. "Enjoy your meal" I said to Daniel.
"Sure I will"
Getting back to get my notebook and pen, I intake in a deep breath. I have to do this. If I show him I care, that would give him the privilege of thinking he'd won. But I won't do that. Like I said, we're only a boss-employee relationship. So I have to deal with any lingering feeling from my side. That is of I would be able to.
Returning back, I found Daniel plate already empty as well as the glass of beer. What a fast eater he is.
"I see that you enjoy your lunch"
"And I must say Mrs.Grace food is the best"
"Yeah. I agree"
"By the way, do you know that young man? I see he has been staring at you ever since" he said in a not so loud voice enough for me to hear. My eyes went to Neil who gaze was still focused on us. "No I don't. Actually, I have a feeling he's some kind of stalker" I ushered my voice rising a bit.
Daniel nodded with a confused expression. "Stalker is it" He glanced at his wrist watch before his eyes widened making my brows to raise in question. "Is everything okay?" I asked.
"Can you lend me your notebook and pen?" he said instead. Slipping the notebook and pen out of my pocket, I passed it to him. I watched curiously as he scribble some digit on the notebook.
"Here's my digit. I would love to know more about you. I'm running late now. Will be expecting your call" Before I could get the chance to reply him, he waved at me proceeding to leave. I stare at his disappearing figure. What just happened? Did he just hit on me?
The smile that was plastered across my face suddenly disappeared when Neil approached me. At first, I thought of backing away but I didn't do anything wrong to run away. In fact he's the one at fault. "Can we talk?" Was the first word that came out of his mouth. The tone of his voice shows how impatient he is.
"I thought I made myself clear yesterday. We have nothing to talk about" I snapped proceeding to walk past him. However, my foot were not able to move due to the hold on my arm. I opened my mouth to talk when he lead us out of the restaurant with me trying to free myself from his hold but to no avail.
I thought he'd let me go as soon as we're out of the restaurant. Yet, he kept pulling towards God knows what. "I'm warning you. If you don't let me go right this instance, then don't blame me for whatever I would do to you" I snapped trying to free my hand from his hold but it seems like I was only talking to a statue. Instead his hold tightened more.
Unlocking the entrance door, he lead us in locking the door behind me. Anger was what I felt within me at that moment. How dare him! "Are you sane?" I exclaimed trying to control my anger. I know if I exploded, I would do something I will regret later.
His back was facing me as he raked his hands through his hair letting out a sharp breath. "How long are you going to keep on acting this way?" My heart did a flip at his sudden voice. I would be lying if I say his eyes didn't change color. But that doesn't mean I would let my guard down.
"For as long as I find out what you and my father are hiding from me" I yelled back. For a moment, I saw something I couldn't decipher flashed in his eyes. Yet, that doesn't last long when he moved forward.
"Right? Did you give me the chance to explain? No. Did you even know if what you're predicting is true or not? No. You just went ahead and believed what you want to believe"
"I believed what I heard and I know it's the truth. You didn't deny the fact that you're indeed hiding something from me or did you?" I ushered back staring him down with my gaze. I won't back off until I get the truth out of him.
"For goodness sake Ashley, why are so stubborn. I-" He stopped to take in deep breath closing his eyes on the accord.
"You're right. I'm stubborn and that is something you cannot change. You can think whatever you want to but I won't let my guard down. I've said it before and I will still say it. I will find out each and everything you're hiding from me even if I have to endanger myself" The silence that came from his gave me the cue to leave. However, I didn't take more than one step when I felt a strong arm surround me.
His warmth immediately cover my body together with his scent which occupied my nostrils. "Ashley" he whispered in a low voice. "Why are you making it hard for me?" he whispered again this time around he intertwined our hands together. For some reasons, I felt his words struck through my heart. My body felt weak in his arms. Even I don't know why I'm overreacting on the matter. I know Neil has become an important part of me. Yet, when I thought of the fact that he's hiding a secret from me, I can't help being angry.
I try to get myself out of the embrace when he held me more tightly. "Don't. Can we stay like this for a while. A minutes will do" He ushered. And like someone who has been possessed, I couldn't do anything. I just stood there. I would be lying it I say the situation we're in didn't give me comfort. I missed being close to him the way we are at the moment but it time for me to snap back to reality. He needed to know his small gesture won't make me forget the fact that he's hiding something from me.
Using both my hands, I pulled his hands that were wrapped around my tummy. Turning around, I took in a deep breath before proceeding to speak.
"I know you're protecting me and I would forever be grateful. Because you risk your life to take care of me. But Neil, I can't anymore. I'm done pretending that everything is fine. I'm done giving my hopes up that my family are there worrying about me. I don't want to pretend anymore. I tried my best to see you open up to me. It's so unusual that we've been together for the past two month and I don't know anything about you. I'm being selfish for thinking that we did have something going on between us. Yet, it's time for me to snap back to reality"
His hands were secured by his side as he focused his alluring eyes on me. I'm only holding myself back not to lose it in front of him. I know I want him but I can't be selfish enough and continue living this way. "Ashley-"
"I know. You must be thinking what the hell is wrong with this woman" A chuckle escaped my lips at my own words. "I've thought about it all night"
Neil inches closer once again taking my hand in his. "Look at me Ashley"
"Please" I slowly lift up my face to him.
"You're right. There are some things I'm keeping away from you not because I don't want to tell you, but because that would be better for you not to know" There he goes again. I know opening up to me to me will not be easy. Yet, some part of me wish he would at least even for a moment, let his guard down.
"Then you're being selfish. If you really think it's better for me then telling me should be what you should do. But it doesn't matter now"
"I-"
"No I understand. As you said, some things aren't meant to be reveal. So I understand why you're holding yourself back. I don't want to do this anymore" I ushered returning my gaze down.
"Do what?" he asked.
"I don't want to pretend anymore. Let's-" I stopped to take in a deep breath shifting my gaze to him directly in his eyes. I've decided already.
"Let's just go back to the way we are before. I mean boss-employee. Me the boss and you the bodyguard" For a moment, I felt like hugging him and tell him how badly I want him. But for that to happen, I needed to know if he feels the same way. And for that to happen, we need to give each other some space.
"We should behave normally. I know it won't be awkward since we're not that attached to each other. I will try to sort everything out from my side. You do so too" I couldn't explain the expression on his face. He didn't respond or attempt to move. He gaze were only focused on me. His silence gave me the cue to leave even though deep down, I was hoping he'd stop me but nothing of such happen which I think is for the best.
