Chapter 33

Ashley

"Listen to me Ashley, you need to pull yourself together" Kristine exclaimed beside me yet, I was too occupied to listen to her. We would sort things out once and for all. Be it secret or not.

"You have to calm down and think of a solution" My foot came to an abrupt stop at her words. Turning around, I took in a deep breath. "I have nothing to calm down on. I'm going back home today" Her eyes widened for a split second before she leaped forward. However, I turned back around and walk away.

Upon reaching Mr Michael's house, I didn't even press on the door bell. At this situation, I don't care about the outcome. "Neil" I called out dropping my bag on the couch. The living room was consciously quite. I bet he's in the bedroom or somewhere plotting another secret with my father.

"Neil" I called again heading to the bedroom. Before I could lift up my hand and unlock the door, the person in call pushed the door open. "We need to talk" Was the first thing I uttered. I wasn't surprised by the look on his face. I expected it. And he still thinks I'm being stubborn.

He left the door wide open for me to enter. I glanced at Kristine who was already looking at me. "Take it easy" she mouthed. I nodded in return.

Getting inside the room, Neil made himself comfortable on the bed. I've just been away from the room for only two days, yet I missed the room. I missed the time we use to spend in the room. Pull yourself together Ashley. You're not here for that. I mentally scold myself. With my attention back to Neil who was already looking at me, I began talking.

"I know you heard already but I will still ask. Did you know about my father's company going through financial problems?" I was trying to keep calm and take it easy like Kristine said.

Some part of me wish he would say No atleast for once. But the reply that came from him made me shocked or rather angry. "Yes I knew about it even before it was announced" He answered slowly.

"What? You knew about it? Neil-" To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I expected him to know but I didn't expect him to know for a while. I bite my bottom lip to keep my emotions at bay. Neil rose up to a standing position and walked up to me.

"I'm sorry for not telling you. It's just that your father doesn't want you to worry"

"Sorry won't make a difference. And he had already made it a must for me to worry. We won't I? When I'm always happy the negativity, the insecurities. Even though at times, I resent them but they're still my parent. My family Neil" The emotions I've been bottling up made themselves out in no time. I won't hide my feeling anymore.

Neil leaped forward and I step back raising my hand on the accord. "I'm not done yet" A moment of silence fell on us.

"You know, I made a promise to myself that I won't get close to any guy or be in a relationship with any guy after splitting with my Ex but then you came. You annoyed, disturb me and made me do thing I don't intend to. Even with my stubbornness, you still manage to crack that hard wall I built inside. I don't want to keep lying to myself. I like you"

"I like you Neil" As I let out the words, I felt like my heart is going to rip out of its socket. I didn't plan to let my feeling out, yet my emotions took over me. Instead of me to lash out on him like I intend to, I did the opposite.

"I like you Neil" I repeated again. My heart increasing inside its ribcage.

For a moment, everything went still. We stared into each other's eyes. The expression on Neil's face is something I couldn't describe. That's it.

"You-" My words were suddenly glued to my throat when Neil crahsed his lips on mine. Without wasting time, I responded to his kiss by circling my arms around his neck. The kiss was slow, yet, it held something we both didn't realize. Our feelings.

Neil slowly pulled apart, resting his forehead on mine and staring into my eyes directly. As alluring his eyes were, I lost myself in the pool of them. "I know right not is not the time to talk about it. But I promise you, I'll tell you everything"

What he said wasn't what I was expecting. Ashley you're too ahead of yourself. "I will give you a second chance but it won't be for a long time. I needed to know what my father is going through" Before he could get the chance to answer me, I cover his lips with mine into a sensational kiss.

I didn't know for how long we've been kissing until the knock from the door interrupted us. We leaned our heads on each other for the second time catching our breath. "I missed you" Neil whispered. "Don't leave" he said much like pleaded.

A smile made it way out of my lips. I won't say I was expecting him to miss me. However, it's good to know that he missed me as much as I do. Circling my arms around his waist, I let out another smile. "I missed you too. And for that, I won't promise. Mrs. Grace might be waiting for me" I said the last word on purpose trying to push his buttons. And it did.

Loosening his hands that were secured around my waist, he stares me down with his gaze. "Yeah. So I have to go" I turned around to leave or much to say pretend to leave when he held me by the wrist.

"I know I don't have the right to stop you. But, can you stay the night. Just for today" The way he uttered the words out made me almost burst out laughing.

Inching closer, very close to be precise, I placed a small kiss on his cheeks before proceeding to look at him straight In the eye. "I don't intend of leaving so rest assured. Kristine is waiting, so I will see you later" This time around, I placed a lingering kiss on his lips before alighting away with a smile on my face. For some reason, I felt like a load had been lifted off my heart.