Chapter 1: Chapter 1

"Mabel,"

I turned around when my name was called. Ashton Valley, my childhood best friend stood watching me. The jet black haired man gave me a look of disbelief after that. "As usual, the woman called Mabel is hiding here."

I rolled my eyes when I noticed his mocking tone. "Where do you think I'll be? You know I don't like parties," I retorted in annoyance.

Ashton chuckled at that. "But for twenty-three years of your life, why hide under the stairs at a family party?"

Despite the fact that the stairs in my mansion were in the corner of the room, I also didn't like crowds.

"I don't know, okay? I just thought no one would check under the stairs?" I answered, a little confused.

"Oh yeah? Then how come I kept finding you down here in the first place?"

"You're just lucky, Ash." I said casually. "By the way, why are you here? Aren't you enjoying the party?"

I knew how this guy named Ashton liked to party, especially when there were lots of girls around him.

"Your family party is boring,"

I nodded in agreement. That night, I didn't know what I was feeling. I was glad that my father was finally engaged to the woman he wanted, Sarah. And that means I would soon have a mother. It's just that I was afraid to accept new people in my life. Since I was a baby, I didn't know what my mother was like, or what it was like to have a mother. Because she risked her life, giving birth to me. I only had my father, so I was afraid if someone separated us. I didn't want to lose him too.

"How do you feel?" Ashton suddenly looked at me, as if worried. But I knew what type of guy he was. He had never really cared, other than just curious.

I smiled and looked in every direction other than him. "My dad found such a nice woman. You know, Sarah is really nice-"

"I asked how you feel, not about your father, Mabel."

"I-" I was silent for a moment. I didn't know the answer, so I chose to leave my place. "You know what? I think I'd like to join the party now,"

"Mabel," Ashton insisted and giving me such a look. "Don't try to change the subject, and let me remind you that you don't like parties."

I looked at him blankly. "I don't know what to feel, Ash. I'm just afraid that my dad won't love me anymore," I finally got up the courage to be honest and explain everything. Ashton's lips were tightly shut, no words coming out of him now.

"I don't want to lose him," I continued. "I only have him,"

"You have me too," Ashton took my hands, bringing them close to his chest. "I'm here for you, Mabel."

I looked at him gently and nodded. Sometimes I forgot that he could act this soft. I was sure if I wasn't his best friend, I'd have fallen into his deadly seduction too.

I immediately let go of my hands from his grip. "I know, but don't try to seduce me and think I'll be crazy about you like any other woman."

Ashton chuckled at my statement. "Then it's better if you accompany me to see the beautiful women invited by your father,"

I rolled my eyes a second time. I liked him since childhood, but he never noticed. It was painful at first seeing Ashton having so many women by his side, but as time went on, I got used to it. He was charming, and had an aura that seduced the eyes of women.

"Hmm, let's go find an unlucky blonde." I knew how Ashton was attracted to blondes. The average woman who had been with him was a blonde woman.

I got up and walked quickly before Ashton could refute my statement. The woman who would be with him was an unlucky woman. After getting bored, usually he would leave them unilaterally.

We headed to the main room, where the guests gathered. But then I led Ashton to the second floor to make it easier to see all the guests from above. From where we stood, I could see my father enjoying the party. He stood with Sarah by his side, they conversed with one of the guests with a smile. My father rarely smiled, and that night he smiled...

"Your father looks pleased," Ashton commented.

I nodded. "At least I know that this engagement will be the best of his life,"

Ashton slowly drew closer to me. We were now standing side by side, gazing at the party crowd below. His arm wrapped around my shoulder, and I leaned next to his shoulder. "Everything will be beautiful in its time,"

"I know," I replied. My attention was suddenly drawn to a woman who had just entered the main hall area. Her hair is blonde, and she has a pair of ocean blue eyes. I had never seen such a beautiful woman... but why does her face look familiar?

"Ash," I called to Ashton, so he could see what I was seeing. But there was no answer from him, which made me turn my head.

Ashton was looking at me, and because I was looking at him now, our eyes locked. Had he been watching me since he didn't realize I was calling him?

"Ash?"

I snapped Ashton out of his daydream. It actually made him immediately let go of his embrace, and moved one step away from me.

"Sorry," Ashton muttered, rubbing his forehead.

I had never seen Ashton this awkward with me, but I didn't know, I didn't want to speculate on things that would only hurt me in the future.

"Look," I pointed at the crowd. "The woman in the blue one-strap dress,"

"The one standing next to Sarah now?" asked Ashton.

"Yeah!" I answered enthusiastically. "She's very beautiful, isn't she?"

Ashton didn't answer, which made me turn to him again. "She's cute, isn't she?" I repeated.

Ashton looked me in the eye, then answered. "Yeah, cute."

I blinked, once and twice as Ashton answered as if it were for me. Why do I feel so awkward now?

"So she's your target?" Ashton averted his gaze from me, back to the woman.

I sighed softly, why did I get annoyed when he took his eyes off me?

"I thought you two would make a perfect couple,"

Ashton only hummed lightly. "You'll see how I attract her,"

I laughed then immediately pushed him down quickly.

"I'm waiting up here!" I shouted, then Ashton gave me a thumbs up.

I watched Ashton's figure break through the crowd, toward the blonde woman. When Ashton reached her, he gave me a look as if telling me to watch carefully. I chuckled and watched like what he told me to.

Ashton was now fully getting the woman's attention. The two of them started talking, and I had no idea what they were talking about. But Ashton managed to get her to put on a dazzling smile.

As they continued to talk, I thought Ashton got carried away in their conversation. The man didn't turn to look at me, even a few minutes had passed. I'm alone, again.

I left my place, heading straight for my room. I made my way down the dark and silent hallway to get there, until somebody bumped into my shoulder and I yelped.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you,"

I flinched when I heard a man's deep voice. When I turned around, I was even more surprised to find his figure. He's so tall! I meant Ashton is tall too, but this guy in front of me is a little taller than him!

The hallway was so dark, I could only see the silhouette of his body, especially when we were so close. "It's okay, next time be careful when walking."

"I really am sorry. Um- I'm actually looking for a restroom. Can you take me there?"

I couldn't believe he got into the wrong hallway. Even though the hallway was dark, I still knew the way to each room, because I used to it.

"Follow me,"

I walked in front of him, leading the way without making the slightest sound. The stranger behind me also didn't make a sound at all, in contrast to the cranky Ashton.

We finally made our way to a lighted hallway. Arriving in front of the restroom, I turned around, and I was surprised to find the entirety of his figure. It really took me by surprise.

The man in front of me had sparkling amber eyes. He wore a white shirt with a black suit hanging over his right shoulder. His eyebrows are thick, and he has amber colored eyes like mine.

"Thank you, Miss...?"

"Mabel," I answered immediately.

The man smiled, showing his dimples. My eyes couldn't blink a moment later.

"And you?"

"Call me Adrian,"

Adrian reached out for a handshake, but just as I was about to shake his hand, somebody pushed my hand away.

"Ashton!" I yelped in anger when I found out who it was.

"I was looking for you, Mabel! And you're here with a stranger?" Ashton glared at me. His eyes showed the fire of anger. He had never been so angry that he raised his voice at me.

"Thanks for the help, Mabel." Adrian interrupted, which made me give him a quick smile. "Looks like I have to go in now. See you later,"

Right after Adrian entered the restroom, I immediately left Ashton. What's wrong with him?

"Mabel!" Ashton kept calling my name. He followed me.

"I don't want to talk to you!" I said. But it wouldn't be Ashton if he wasn't fighting for my attention. Ashton grabbed my waist, so I turned around and faced his face closely.

"Sorry," Ashton whispered as we stared at each other. I gave him a furious look so he could understand how embarrassing what had happened earlier. "I was just worried when you weren't anywhere, not even under the stairs. For God Sake, Mabel! I was looking for you everywhere, even in your father's garden."

I looked for lies in his words, but none of his words lie. Ashton was so serious that his ears turned red. I tried to get his hands off my waist, but that only made Ashton close the gap between our bodies. "I think you've found the woman you're after, that's why I let you enjoy your time."

Ashton sighed at my explanation. "Is that so? You're going to leave me?"

"I never said I would leave you!" I disprove his conclusion.

"But it's clear from what you said," Ashton looked at me hurt.

"No, Ashton." I rubbed his cheek which made him close his eyes, enjoying my caress. "Gosh, I'm sorry." Why am I the one apologizing now? Though Ashton who forgot about me.

"So, what were you talking about with her?"

Ashton let go of me, and shook his head. "I don't want to talk about that. Can we just talk about something else?"

"Don't tell me that woman rejected you,"

Ashton just shook his head.

"And then what?" I was getting curious. "What's her name?"

"Rainy," Ashton replied curtly. "Mabel, please. I don't want to talk about this. How about we get some ice cream as a sign that we're making up?"

I shrugged. "If you say so,"

Since childhood, we liked to buy ice cream at the park center parlor. It was our favorite place, and also a place to share sad stories. Like when Ashton's test scores were bad.

With Ashton, I felt like I was myself. I was free to express my feelings, including pain. I didn't know what to do if he never came into my life. He knew me more than I knew myself.

I smiled as we reached the car park. Ashton opened the car door for me. But as I was about to step inside, the sound of a woman calling his name made me turn to the source of the voice.

It was from that blonde woman. Or should I call her Rainy?

Ashton also looked surprised, did not expect the woman to approach him again.

"Rainy?"

Ashton's voice was so soft when he said her name. And for the first time in a long time, I felt my heart being sliced. I didn't know why I was feeling this jealousy again. And because of a blonde woman named Rainy?