เข้าสู่ระบบASHLEY I watch André, waiting for him to say something. His gaze is cool, neutral as he stares, not uttering a word. He might not agree to this, but I really hope he will. It's the only way I can find out something about him, to relieve the gnawing in my chest. He tucks the ball under his arm, a faint smile suddenly appearing on his lips. He doesn't look annoyed like I thought. Rather, he looks intrigued. “Alright,” he finally says, his voice smooth. “What about me? What will I get if I make the shot?”I blink, relieved he accepted my terms with ease. “If?” I say. He's trying to weigh his options even when there's a hundred percent that he will score in the net. “You're already a pro player, André. You'll make the shot regardless of where you stand. Be it near the entrance or the skating ring.”He chuckles, the sound echoing off the walls in the quiet room. He shifts, the basketball still held tight under his arm. “Fair. But I still need something from you. I can't play for free
ASHLEY I stare at him, watching his movements. His hand is still squeezed together, his gaze on me. He's waiting for an answer… desperately. “I don't remember anything before the incident. Nothing.”His chest falls as he sighs audibly. He rubs his forehead, then looks at me, his expression now plain. Nope. I can't be quiet anymore. Not after all the suspenseful and suspicious questions. I place my hands on either side of the bed, relaxing my weight. “Well, I also want to ask you a question,” I say, not removing my gaze from his face. “And I trust you'll be honest with me.”His squeezed hand releases, resting freely on the armrest. “Yeah, shoot.”“How deeply do you know me? Your questions about my childhood life and sorts… they're really sus. So I'm wondering, is this just a crush or something different but intense? Because you somehow know my full name and favourite food.”A light chuckle escapes his mouth.“Jere is right, I guess. You're inquisitive and smart. Good, but it's not
ASHLEY I stare at him, my expression hardening into pure irritation. The audacity of him to say that. He's a hypocrite. He didn't want me. He never did—even if it took me this long to realize it. He just liked having me around. I never dated anyone or had a love life, while he did and he was okay with it. I had waited, year after year, helping him out with his crush life, always watching him chase everyone else, except me. I did it all, hoping it would be me soon, but no. He never looked at me that way—the way Jeremías does every single time he sees me.And now? Now that I'm finally progressing in that aspect of my life, he acts as if I've betrayed him. He acts like a deranged person. I had actually hoped, with the positive hope that we could make our friendship work and spend more time together, but it seems he's not ready for it. And I don't care. His jaw tightens, one hand clenched into a fist, but I don't care. I pick up my phone from the bed, then turn my back to him, w
ASHLEY I clench my teeth, a defensive heat rising in my cheeks. But I suppress it. I know I'm wrong, but only for not keeping my word. He has done worse. “I tried telling you that I wouldn't be home. I called last night, but Tessa answered. She said you were taking a bath and that she'd let you know later.”He pauses, staring down at my hand over his. Then, he turns to face me fully, his eyes narrowing with sudden irritation. “But seriously, Ash. You're sleeping over at a stranger's house now? Three times at that! You even wear his shirt now. How fucked up is that?”I furrow my brows, looking at him with bewilderment. “You mean your brother? He's not a stranger, Caleb.”Caleb scoffs harshly, the sound audible in the quiet room. “Right. But you wouldn't even know him if you hadn't followed me here, Ashley.”“You pleaded with me to follow you.”“And I'm starting to regret that decision,” he retorts, his face tightening. “Because now it's all about freaking Jeremías. The evil and sche
ASHLEY I bite down on my lower lip. “I'm not doing it all the time,” I say, my heart beating steadily against his chest. “It's only because he hurt his leg and he's in pain.”I try to make Jeremías understand. Yes, Caleb lied to me, and maybe for his benefit. But he was also right. I had thought about it, and we haven't really spent much time together. The times we would try to spend little time together, problems arise between us. Or either he's busy with his girlfriend or I'm with Jeremías. We didn't really have any good memories of our time here in Spain. And I didn't like it. This is Caleb and I, the inseparable duo back in New York. But over here, we're apart. Far apart and always arguing. I need to spend more time with him. If we are to ever fall apart, and all because of diversions, I won't be happy. Jeremías jaw tightens, his eyes darkening with a possessiveness I recognize very much. It scares and thrills me. “It doesn't matter, Ashley. You shouldn't be at his beck an
ASHLEY I shift, wincing from a painful sting. A familiar ache courses through my thighs as I move them. I blink, my eyes fluttering open. The room is dead quiet. I glance around the room, still wincing slightly. The grey curtains are closed, preventing the morning light from penetrating in the room. I sit up on the bed, glancing at the empty space beside me. Jeremías isn't here.I rake back a large part of my hair covering my face, trying to adjust to the bright light in the room. Oh, God.I can't recall coming back into the room on my own. I completely lacked the will power to do so. I remember collapsing onto Jeremías’ body, the strength of his grip as he carries me upstairs and lays me down on the bed. I also recall him whispering into my ear for me to rest. The rest of his words sounded like a mumble to me.I had slept off from there. I looked down at my body, knitting my brows. I didn't even recall putting on my clothes, but here I am, draped in his oversized sweater and com
ASHLEY The paintbrush slips from my hand, hitting the floor and splattering paint across the polished floor. I jerk my head around to face her. My mum and my dad are standing a few metres away from me, staring and smiling. I know that expression all too well. It is the same ‘smiling with just
ASHLEY “Boring right?” A young out-of-shape man says, leaning into my space. He holds up a bottle with the name “VODKA” boldly written on it, a greasy smile plastered on his face. “How about we go over to my place and I show you what real fun looks like?” “Fuck off, sicko,” I snap, the irritati
ASHLEY “Caleb!” What the hell? After all the ‘thinking about it’ and needing just closure, I find him inside a pool, tongue in tongue with a Spanish that ghosts him. I wish he doesn't know how to swim. I can just push them far apart and watch him struggle to get to her. He jerks his head arou
JEREMÍAS I surely didn't expect Caleb to bring anyone with him as he was coming, and especially not her. I knew they were best friends but I didn't know she was far different from how Caleb had described her the last time he visited alone. But she? She's pretty and delicate, in a way that make







