Ethan's POV
I don't know what it is, but there is something in the back of my mind that's trying to alert me about something ominous… along with my heartbeats, but I ignore everything– until it finally happened.
I step out of the shower, the steam following me outside as I loosely drape a robe over myself. The ends of my hair are dripping with water, and I glance at myself in the mirror before stepping out, expecting that girl… Ashley Waverly to be there, ready to sacrifice herself in return for my help.
Without my permission, my mind flashes back to the image of her sleeping soundly outside my door, as if she wasn't crouched in the lobby of a five star hotel but sprawling on her own personal bedroom!
Her auburn hair was scattered all over the place and when our eyes met, for a fleeting moment, I actually thought…
I thought she was back, and those eyes made me stop in my place, along with my heart.
Emily, she was back? What was she doing here, was something wrong?
But just before I could ask her that, she woke up, looking into my eyes as if inquiring how she had gotten there.
And by the time my eyes can confirm it with my brain about what my next move should be, my heart has already formed an alliance with my lips, as they have already spoken the words of acknowledgement for her.
But before I can complete my sentence, my eyes fall on her face, and I realize that even though everything was so similar to Emily, she isn't Emily…
In fact, her nose is the only feature that makes this slight difference, apart from it… everything is perfect. But even after that difference, she is just like her, in every aspect… even her voice.
My voice must have awakened her, and opening her eyes, she starts to speak;
"Mr. Johnson, I need your help. That's why I came here to ask for your help with my father's company…"
Help? She needs my help… anybody in this world who knows me, knows that I don't help anyone. At least not for free! But the face of this girl made me listen to her plea… listen to everything she is going through, wanting me to help her so desperately.
And when she finally concludes her speech, I find that my heart has already given in to help her because of the resemblance… and my brain finally comes up with the solution.
If she wants my help, then she has to compromise with the exact same thing because of which my heart has lured me to help her.
Because if she was getting the privilege of the face she has, then she should be the one to bear the repercussions related to the very same face.
Emily, the girl who has left me after torturing my soul like hell… my heart is still willing to help her look-alike. Then, I will help her… but no matter what, I can never forget the betrayal I have gotten, along with the lesson it has taught me.
And now, I will finally get to exact my revenge by watching her squirm–
However, that thought is abandoned right there as I step into the empty room, my gaze falling on the neatly made bed on whose edge she had been sitting just moments before.
That girl has disappeared, leaving no trace of her presence behind. I feel my frustration rising at her sudden departure, and no matter how much I try to, I can't shake the feeling of annoyance simmering under my skin.
I expected her to stay true to her word, or at least have the decency to say no to my face! But she has chosen to run away like a coward– and really, that girl thought she can handle the corporate world? She wouldn't last a day!
She is just also just like her… She fled without giving me any answer, after knowing that she is not capable of fulfilling my demand… after knowing that she was wrong in the first place!
Running a hand through my damp hair, I can't help but feel a twinge of bitterness at her actions. What can I call it, if not hypocrisy?
The thought left a sour taste in my mouth, and I flung myself onto the bed, fuming with frustration.
I mindlessly scroll through my phone with a sense of detachment, but my thoughts are stuck in a completely different place. But as I swipe left again, a pang of longing sweeps through my heart when my gaze was unintentionally drawn to a photo of a woman with striking auburn hair.
I doubt that anyone in this world can deny the resemblance between Ashley and Emily, the woman I have tried so hard to forget… and it is really amazing, isn't it, how Emily can still play with my emotions so easily, even after leaving me so ruthlessly?
How could I allow myself to be fooled by her for a second time? And what's more humiliating is the realization that it wasn't even Emily this time – it was just an illusion, a shadow of the woman who had once held my heart in her hands.
With a bitter laugh, Ethan I toss my phone aside, my frustration boiling over into a simmering rage. I was a fool to let myself be swayed by Ashley's charms, to believe that she could ever be anything more than a passing distraction…
If it was anybody else, I wouldn't have given her a second thought, or even a chance to speak. But there was something about her that was so reminiscent of Emily that I just couldn't reject her…
I raise my hand to smash my phone against the wall to release my anger, but just then, the door opens.
It's her… Ashley. It is her again… my thoughts echo in my mind, and with that, the girl struts through the door. But it seems like she has changed completely.
Before I can figure out what's going on, she presses her lips on mine, the sweet cherry-like fragrance overwhelming all my senses while her hands work to untie the knot on my robe…
______
Ashley's POVIn the hotel lobby, I pace anxiously, trying to soothe the nerves gnawing at my insides. My heart is heavy with worry and anxiety, I want to make it quick, before my time runs out… Ding!The elevator doors chime open and relief washes over me, but it is rather short-lived. Tiffany rushes out, her eyes mirroring my own turmoil as she approaches, clutching a brown packet with the medication I'd requested. I knew she would do it, regardless of whether or not she agrees: Tiffany is nothing if not reliable. But instead of handing the packet over, she rushes to my side, speaking in an urgent whisper;"Ashley, please… do you even know what kind of mess you are stepping into? You are not in a state to make such serious decisions, you just lost your parents in a tragic accident just a week ago, and you've received a major shock today, just take some time to think about it."I brush off her concerns, masking my uncertainty with false bravado."Nothing is going to change even the
Ashley's POVThe bright morning light filters through the curtains, teasing my eyes and forcing me to wake up with a slight annoyance. But as soon as I try to open my eyes, I feel a heavy weight pressing down on my eyelids, along with a dull ache deep within my core.With a groan, I try to shift in bed, only to be met with a sharp jolt of pain that shoots through my lower body, paralyzing me for some seconds. My entire body feels heavy and sore, and I wince as I try to sit up; each movement that I make is met with resistance, and each breath is a struggle…. The discomfort is completely overwhelming, but it is not just my body that feels bruised and battered – it's my dignity too. Glimpses of last night start to appear in front of my eyes; at first, it's just some fleeting and disconnected images… and then, all the scattered memories come flooding into my mind at once. The deal I had made with Ethan… the pills I had taken to numb my senses… my clumsy efforts at seduction, him hover
Ashley's POV: I hurriedly make my way through the parking lot, while the thought is consistently ringing in my mind: I don't have a moment to spare. In fact, I have just enough time to drop by my apartment for a fresh change of clothes, before I have to be present at the headquarters of the Johnson Group. Going through my drawer, I grab the first shirt and pants I can find and quickly get dressed.Fifteen minutes later, I step out of my apartment, dressed in a blue striped shirt and brown pleated wide-leg pants, carrying an iced coffee in hand as my only breakfast for the day. I lock my door behind myself, and check once for all my belongings– keys, wallet, phone–I haven't even made it through my list when my phone starts to ring, as if right on cue. Fishing it out of my purse, I feel slightly anxious to see that it was Tiffany calling. No doubt, she wants to interrogate me on the spot… but I'll handle it.Reassuring myself, I answer the call and greet Tiffany in a pleasant tone
Ashley's POVWithin moments of her call, two burly guards step in behind me, as if they had materialized from thin air. Despite myself, I can feel a tingle of fear crawl up my spine and I begin to negotiate once again. "Just try to understand–"The girl clicks her tongue out of irritation, then smirks like she has just figured out a brilliant plan."If you really do have an appointment, then why don't you call the office, and I'll believe you. Look how simple it is… go on, do it."I can feel my cheeks heating up with embarrassment. "I… I don't have the number–"I haven't even gotten the chance to complete my sentence, when she chuckles loudly and points a finger towards me, dragging it from top to bottom. "What! What did you say? You don't have a number to call! Then please tell me, how the hell did you make an appointment in the first place if you don't even know what number to call?"I wince involuntarily; cursing myself for not asking Ethan for his number beforehand. Since the m
Ethan's POV I walk briskly through the lobby, my mind occupied with the day's pressing matters. In waiting for that girl to show up, I have inevitably delayed my next meeting, but I can still make it in time if we move quickly. However, we have just passed the reception when I hear my name being yelled out."This slumdog princess has the guts to say that she actually met President Johnson yesterday! Are you plain delusional, or do you think you are some angel descended from heaven?" Although the conversation is taking place outside, I can still catch some snippets. "There is one thing I know for sure, that if President Johnson doesn't pay attention to the dozens of well-dressed, high-society women working in this office, then he would surely not pay attention to someone like you!"The way she is screaming, and the sheer arrogance in this voice irritate me instantly. Well, this person better hope that they aren't one of my employees, because this isn't the kind of behavior I tolera
Ashley's POVI was completely shocked by Ethan’s words. I am not sure if it is my own heartbeat, or something ominous that causes my legs to start shaking, making me feel out of breath when my mind replays his words. He wants me to make myself presentable before entering the room? What... what does that mean? Is he hinting at something? Is he not satisfied with the way things went last night? Or is this supposed to be some kind of test?Before I can think about it any longer, Ethan coughs impatiently, which jolts me into action. Right now, I have already made him wait because of the drama at the reception desk. At this point, I shouldn't do anything to risk his displeasure at all… or I might lose everything.So I don't waste any time and come to a stop in front of the wash basins, clutching the marble counter for some support. I make eye contact with my reflection, only to find a pair of terrified eyes staring back at me… on the verge of crying. But I can't fall weak now. I splash
Ashley's POV:I might not have been prepared to face this group of distinguished people, and certainly not to have their attention focused on me… but I can realize the actual reason Ethan brought me here.He wants to use this meeting as an opportunity to present me as his ally. I may be one step away from melting into a puddle of anxiety, but the way he is handling himself with poise, gives me some subtle cues on how to stay relatively calm. After Ethan's prompting, the meeting starts without any delay. They begin discussing tenders and contracts, debating which companies are best suited for various projects. Their conversation flows seamlessly between French and English; and that is not the only difficulty I am facing in keeping up with everything that is being said. Their statements are laden with business jargon, and by the time I get the hang of one conversation, they have moved on to another topic. So I just sit quietly, feeling overwhelmed. The air feels a little suffocating
Ethan's POV: Stepping out of the hotel, I can sense Ashley following me like a devoted shadow. This morning, she seemed so timid, as if I was going to turn into the Grim Reaper and demand her soul at any moment. But during the meeting, she had slowly become slightly more comfortable, and had even contributed to the discussion, something that I wasn't expecting.Heading out now, I can't help but think maybe her resemblance to Emily didn't necessarily mean anything. Perhaps I have been too rash and impulsive after seeing her… so far, Ashley was proving to be a quick learner.Before I can complete my thoughts, I spot two people in the distance, getting into a car. Of course, I recognize them in a flash.It is Emily, the woman who betrayed me, along with the person I hate the most– and who used to be the man I once trusted most in this world. Naturally, they don't notice me as they get into the car, they are barely aware of their surroundings while holding hands and clinging to each ot