LOGINASHLEY
I watched him frown at her, and I almost snorted. She didn't ask to be brought into this world. I looked down at her. She looked really sad, like she understood what that single look meant. That, she just got rejected by her own father. I ran a hand through her hair, and she looked up at me. I smiled at her, hoping that would help. She snuggled further into my laps and closed her eyes. Nicholas was speaking to the doctor, and I tuned out the conversation. I was aware when the driver started the car again. My mind wandered to Luciana again. For someone who said, there's something called protection. He fucked up big time. What's he going to do to her? Was he even going to tell the world about her? Will he keep her? I just had a sense of responsibility towards her. Like I needed to protect her. Even though I had more worries than that. I stared at him. I didn't know if it's in my place to ask him what his plans were. He looked up from his phone and cocked an eyebrow at me. I shook my head in response and turned my gaze to the window. I couldn't get the words out. I leaned back against the headrest and closed my eyes. I knew something the whole world didn't know about him. He was a dad. I couldn't explain the weird feeling in my stomach. I didn't know what that meant to me. Like, it was even supposed to mean anything. I heard light snores, and I looked down at her. I smiled at her. She looked so beautiful. She had her dad's good genes. She managed to fall asleep amidst this chaos. I looked up and saw we were back at his place. The driver pulled up in front of the mansion, and he got down. I followed after adjusting her in my arms. He unlocked the door with his fingerprint. I allowed myself to take in everything as we walked further into the house. It looked like something out of the movies. It screamed money. I felt so out of place. Like I didn't belong. I followed him into the kitchen and settled on the counterstool. "Do you want anything?" He asked as he rummaged through his fridge. "Water," I replied. He slid me a bottle of water, and I mumbled a thanks. I balanced her on my laps and held her with a hand. I managed to uncork the bottle with another. "The meeting is in a few minutes," he paused. I nodded in response. "Keep her quiet. I will take care of the meeting." "Who's going to take notes?" I asked. "I can manage." What the hell? So why did I need to come here in the first place when he could MANAGE? I should be in bed by now. Finishing up a series or in dreamland. "You would be paid for your troubles," he murmured. That sounded good. "Where can I take her?" He raised an eyebrow at my question. I sighed. "This position isn't that comfortable for her. Can you direct me to one of your guest rooms?" "Oh! Go left. You will find a hallway. You can take one of the two rooms." I thanked him before walking in the direction. I took the first room that I spotted. My jaw dropped as I stared around the room. The room was almost the size of my whole apartment. And it's just the guest room. Damn this rich people. I gently placed her on the bed. Her mom couldn't even pack some clothes for her. All she had on was a green onesie and baby shoes. We didn't even know if she had any allergies. The least she could have done was put a list of her likes and dislikes in the basket. I put her hair away from her face while sitting down next to her. I covered my mouth as I let out a yawn. I was tired. I laid down while keeping my eyes on her. She's still fast asleep. My eyes felt heavy. Just five minutes. __^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^ I groaned loudly as light shone brightly on my face. Did I forget to close my window again? I opened my eyes slowly while trying to adjust to the light. I sat upright when I realized the bed was way too comfortable to be mine. I looked around the room. There's no way I became a heiress overnight. A small sound got my attention, and I looked at the other side of the bed. Luciana. The event of last night flooded my thoughts. I checked the time on my phone and realized it's twenty minutes to eight. I had missed messages and calls from Maya. I quickly typed her message that I was fine. I got out of bed and found the kitchen easily. He looked up, and I was stunned. He looked so good in the morning. It's the first time I saw him in anything other than a three-piece suit. He's dressed in casuals - a sweatshirt and a pair of joggers. I brushed my hair with my hands, trying to look presentable. "Good morning, boss." He gestured for me to take a seat beside him, and I took the one farthest to him. For one, I hadn't brushed my teeth nor taken a shower. He stared at me, and I fiddled with my fingers under the table. "I am sorry for waking up late. I have to get back home to change and then head to work." He shook his head. "It’s no problem. You deserve it after yesterday." I breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't even look like he was ready to go to work. Or maybe this's his morning routine. "Actually, I have an offer for you," he said slowly. An offer? For me. What could it possibly be?NICHOLAS. That's nice. I'm proud of how far you've come.I read her words again.I felt something indescribable. It was foreign. My heart settled with it like it understood it. My mind was trying to make sense of it.I took a sip of my water and leaned my back against the wall. I needed to reply. I didn't have the right response in my head. Or I just thought they weren't good enough. I tapped on the dumbbell in my hand as if it could give me the answer.I was working out when the message came in. That was thirty minutes ago.I resisted the urge to put a call through to her.I wanted to hear her voice. To just feel her presence around somehow. I was changing a lot. I couldn't deny that I didn't like it. Old me would have laughed if he was told he could turn into this.This version. Having feelings for one woman. Finding it hard to do my usual thing. Smooth talk. Sex. Forget.I typed out a message.Just going with the idea that came to my head. Somehow, you helped
ASHLEY“This is so cute,” Lily let out.I smiled at her words, my eyes drifting to Molly as she painted her nails. I turned back to my phone just in time to see his message. I am alright. What are you doing?I tried so hard to hide my smile because I didn't want the girls to tease me again. Watching Molly paint my sister's nails. You?I pressed send before my brain found one hundred and one things wrong with that message.I tapped my fingers against my lap while waiting for him to reply.One minute went by.No reply.“Will you like to use the same color as me?” Lily asked.I nodded absentmindedly.“You good?” Molly asked, raising an eyebrow.“I am.”I fought the urge to breathe a sigh of relief when my phone finally vibrated in my hands.Six minutes felt like a year.Not like I was counting down the minutes or anything. Putting Lucy to sleep. Is it like a girls' night?I read the message without opening it. I didn't want to reply immediately. I didn't want it to look
ASHLEY“Ahhhh!”I smirked before turning to her.“You both owe me ten dollars.” I paused.They both narrowed their eyes at me.“We weren't screaming. We were just mimicking the characters,” Molly replied.I couldn't help the scoff that escaped my mouth.“I'd be dumb to believe that.”“This is scary,” Lily grunted.I giggled. “I warned you both.”“How are you not scared right now?” Molly asked.“The key to not being scared by a horror movie is to remember that it's all fiction. The characters are imaginary… they can't come and hurt you in reality.”They rolled their eyes at me.I ignored them and grabbed a handful of popcorn.By the time the movie ended, the three of us had already agreed that we'd had enough of being scared for one day.After we left the restaurant earlier, we headed to the mall.We shopped on Molly's credit card, as much as I hated to admit it. I didn't let her buy anything for me, but she did buy things for Lily.My stomach twisted.An emotion I had felt so many tim
NICHOLASDate idea: Plan a beach date for the special person.I let out a groan before closing my laptop.For a basic date, the internet ideas would have been useful.I don't move like that.Not trying to brag or anything, but Nicholas Bianchi doesn't do basic.I wanted it to be perfect.I wasn't even sure she liked me.Yes, we kissed. We confessed we had feelings, but…What if she doesn't exactly like-like me?Then I was preparing to experience my first heartbreak.She should, right?“Da-da!” Luciana mumbled.I turned to her on the floor in front of me. “Yes, principessa.”“I want ow cream,” she babbled.I stared at her, confused.Her vocabulary was beyond me. I still didn't understand most of her words.I wished Ashley was here. She somehow understood her every time.I wondered if she was okay.She hadn't looked alright when she left this morning.And she wasn't coming home tonight.I knew there was more to her than met the eye.I hoped that one day, she'd be comfortable enough to s
ASHLEY. "Girl!" Molly squealed immediately we walked up to her. "I have missed you so much."She pulled me into a hug and I relaxed into it. I needed the warmth. At least, something was normal from my crazy life. She pulled back and she finally noticed Lily. "Lily? Is that you?" she gasped. Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's me.""Come here baby girl!"Lily winced slightly as her hands wrapped around her. I wondered what other bruises she was hiding. It made me sadder than I already was."I am so happy to see both of you," Molly added. We finally settled into our seats. "I missed you too," I replied with a smile. "What’s new?"She beamed widely while patting her hair. "It’s just__" she trailed off."Just what?" I asked, confused. She gave me a pointed look. "Look," Lily said gesturing to the hand she was using to pat her hair. I finally noticed it. I squealed loud. "He proposed.""You are engaged.""We have a wedding to plan.""My best friend is getting married.""This's
ASHLEY. I walked into the familiar building. My heart didn't stop pounding in my chest. I knew whatever’s going to happen in there wasn't going to be anything good. I had to meet up with Molly later today. I was excited for it until I got the message. Nicholas didn't object when I told him I had to go somewhere. Didn't ask any question. And I was thankful for that... I didn't know how to talk about Melissa without breaking down.I took deep breaths as I came in face to her apartment's door. I pressed the doorbell before putting my shaky hands in my pockets. Lily opened the door. I gasped at the sight of her. Her face was slightly bruised. I felt many emotions at once. Anger. Fear. Nervousness. Helplessness. One stood out... Helplessness. "Is it that bad?" she asked lowly. I tried to muster a smile while trying to keep my tears at bay. "I am sorry."She gave me a pointed look. "Don't start!""But_""Nothing. She is waiting for you in the living room."I nodded as
NICHOLAS.I sipped my coffee while staring at my PR team. "Another scandal, Mr. Bianchi?" the lady said.She's in her mid thirties, and age has never been a problem. I could guess I wasn't her type.I smirked. "She’s single."She scoffed. "The third one in a week. Your public image isn't looking g
ASHLEY. I walked out of the organization as my phone rang again. Incessant this time so I couldn't ignore it. 'What do you want this time, mom?' I said the last part with so much venom.Not like the woman deserved any good from me.'That’s no way to greet your mom, daughter. Or should I say step-
There were times in life that you wished you could change some part of your life easily. Like erase them completely. That part of my life was related to Melissa. I didn't know how she knew that I worked for the Bianchi. Inc now. She told me to increase her monthly pay because I was earning more
ASHLEY."Lend me your blue shirt, Maya. It would go well with my black skirt tomorrow," I said after swallowing the food in my mouth."Sure. Still can't believe you're going to be working with my crush up close." She squealed.I rolled my eyes at her. She's one of his fans."It’s nothing special."







