LOGINA few days after that night at the penthouse, Ashley found herself standing near the entrance of a quiet city park, nervously adjusting the strap of her bag. Dante had asked if they could meet. Her heart had been fluttering ever since. She spotted him a moment later, walking toward her with his usual relaxed confidence. When his eyes found hers, a warm smile spread across his face. “Ashley.” “Hi,” she replied softly. For a second they just stood there, both a little shy in a way that felt new. “Walk with me?” Dante asked. Ashley nodded. They moved along the quiet path together, the late afternoon sun filtering through the trees. At first their conversation was easy—small jokes, teasing remarks, the kind that came naturally between them. But Ashley noticed something. Dante seemed slightly nervous. Eventually they reached a small bench overlooking the park pond. Dante slowed and stopped walking. “Ashley… wait.” She turned to him. “What’s wrong?” He let out a quiet breath
Dante’s hand rested lightly on Ashley’s elbow as he guided her away from the noise of the party. His brows were slightly drawn together as he looked down at her.“I’ll drop you home,” he said gently.Ashley nodded automatically, but as she glanced at the time on her phone, her expression changed instantly. The color drained from her face.Dante noticed immediately. “Hey… what’s wrong?”Ashley hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. “I—I didn’t realize it was this late.”“So?” Dante asked softly, confused.She swallowed. “My dad… he locks the house after a certain time. If I’m not back before then…” Her voice trailed off, the panic clear in her eyes.Dante’s expression darkened slightly. “You mean you can’t get inside?”Ashley shook her head slowly. “Not unless someone opens the door and Tristan, he doesn’t even have a phone yet. I can’t call him.” She exhaled shakily. “I’m basically locked out.”For a moment, Dante just looked at her, thinking.“Then you’re not
The next afternoon, Dante arrived early, Julian beside him as usual.“Relax,” Julian said, leaning back. “You’ve been checking your watch every two minutes.”Dante didn’t answer. His eyes were already scanning the street.When Ashley appeared, Julian smirked knowingly. “Ah, the coffee girl herself.”Ashley looked different today. Jeans and a soft sweater, hair tied back loosely, no makeup. She smiled slightly at the car, glancing at them both.Dante stepped out immediately. “Hi.”“Hi,” she said, a little shy, but warm.Julian’s grin widened. “Well, this is interesting. You look… serious.”Dante ignored him, focusing on Ashley. She climbed into the car quietly, settling in beside him.“Ready?” he asked.Ashley nodded.The drive was simple, quiet. Ashley talked about school, her brother Tristian, the little routines she tried to keep with her father, even with the chaos at home. Julian listened too, nodding along, already seeing why Dante’s usual flippant charm didn’t apply here.Eventu
The small café they found this time was different from the one Ashley used to work in. It was quieter, tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop. The tables were small and close together, and the smell of fresh coffee filled the air.Ashley sat across from Dante, stirring her drink slowly.It still felt strange seeing him outside the café where she used to work. There, he had just been a regular customer.Here he felt different.Julian leaned back in his chair beside Dante, watching the two of them like he was observing some interesting experiment.“So,” Ashley said, glancing between them. “You two are always together?”Julian pointed lazily at Dante. “Unfortunately, yes. Childhood friendship. I’m stuck with him.”Dante rolled his eyes. “Ignore him.”Ashley laughed softly.For a moment, the conversation flowed easily. Small things. School, classes, random jokes.Eventually Ashley glanced at the time on her phone.“I should probably go,” she said, standing up slightly. “My bus comes
By the third day, Dante didn’t even bother pretending. He walked into the café like it was part of his schedule now.Julian followed behind him, already shaking his head. “You know this is getting embarrassing, right?”Dante ignored him and took their usual table.Ashley noticed them immediately. She tried not to smile. “Two coffees again?” she called from the counter.Julian raised his hand. “Make it three today.”Dante turned slowly.Julian grinned. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly.”Ashley laughed and disappeared behind the counter. A few minutes later she returned with the tray, carefully balancing the cups.“Three coffees,” she said.Just as she reached the table, someone behind her bumped a chair.Ashley lost her balance and the tray tilted.Hot coffee splashed forward, right onto Dante’s shirt. “Oh my God!” Ashley gasped.The tray clattered onto the table. “I’m so sorry! I’m so so sorry!”Dante looked down at the large brown stain spreading across his shirt.Julian
Note; This is a short side story of Dante and Ashley love story. The café was small and quiet, tucked between two busy streets where most people walked past without noticing it.Dante Montclair liked it that way.At nineteen, his life was already loud. Too many expectations and too many people who knew his last name before they even knew him.So whenever he could escape, he came here.A simple corner table. A cup of coffee. His peace and quiet.He was halfway through answering messages on his phone when the bell above the door rang loudly.“Sorry! I’m late!”The voice came rushing in before the girl did.Dante looked up.A girl hurried behind the counter, slightly breathless, tying her apron while apologizing to the older woman working there.“I missed the bus,” she explained quickly.The woman shook her head but smiled anyway.“Just start taking orders.”The girl nodded eagerly.That was when Dante noticed her properly.She couldn’t have been older than seventeen. Her hair was pull
Danae didn’t tell Ashley where they were going.She only said, “Come with me. I need air.”They ended up at a small boutique garden on the quieter side of the city tucked away from traffic, hidden behind tall hedges and stone paths. It wasn’t crowded. Just the sound of water trickling somewhere nea
The apartment was quiet when they got home, the kind of quiet that only came after an emotionally full evening.Ashley slipped off her shoes and padded into the living room. Dante followed, loosening his tie, watching her like he was still processing the night.“Well,” she said lightly, sinking ont
Weeks later, life had begun to settle into a gentle flow. Dora’s health had improved remarkably; she was stronger, more energetic, and loved running around the house, laughing without the threat of sickness that had once hung over her.She had quickly grown comfortable with her grandparents and mot
The engagement party was already in full bloom when Ashley stepped into the hall.Soft music floated through the space, champagne flutes clinked gently, and conversations hummed under the glow of crystal chandeliers. Everyone who mattered was there, Danae standing near Dora, who looked around in a







