Chapter 19: Chapter 19

While they were in the car, Ashy just sat quietly. She could not understand how she felt during those times.

"You thought I wouldn't whip you anymore?" Paul suddenly asked her.

Se looked at him, then spoke. "Yea, you got it right, I thought it slipped in your mind due to your busy schedule. I was about to go home then." She replied that it was true.

"You assumed the wrong thing? Why should I do that? I wa so excited while I'm at the meeting that I can't take you out of my mind.. " he smiled and turned his gaze to the road.

Ashy just fell silent. Deep within her she giggled.

They arrived at a garden restaurant where you can see just at the entrance how nice and sociable you are. This is obviously a place for only rich people.

Paul opened the door for her and held her hand to help her get out of the car.

The waitress greeted them and showed them the place. The place is beautiful. There is a place for those who want to bonfire. There are big trees around where there is a hut at a height intended for VIP's. One of them is the one they climb.

When it comes to its height, it is obviously decorated and squandered time and again.

"So how do you like it? Is the place good?" Paul asked, smiling as he looked at her.

She smiled back. Looking around.

"Yes, it's nice, the place is very romantic and it's very comforting to stay here." she replied.

They sat down and just waited for their food.

They were eating quietly, obviously, they just went there to eat.

After they ate, the waitress served wine.

"I hope you enjoyed the dinner." Paul raised the wineglass.

"Of course. The food is delicious and the place is beautiful. Obviously, it was a waste of time. " Ashy replied sparingly.

"This is all for you. I want to make you feel better. I want you to feel that I'm here for you. I wamted to make you feel how special you are." Suddenly, he said. He did not obviously regret anything he said.

"What do you mean, Paul?" Ashy asked him in surprise.

It sighed, then spoke.

"I don't know what your past is, but I don't care. I just know and I feel you're important to me and that's what's important."

"Paul, it's only natural for a boss to appreciate his people, isn't it? I can see what kind of person you are. How can you love the people who make fun of you? " When she deviated from the conversation, inwardly she already knew what it meant.

Soon, Paul was holding her hands.

"That's not what I mean Ashy, it goes beyond the employee-employer relationship. I want more. I'm falling for you and I want you to be my girlfriend. I'm not telling you to say yes now, I just want you to know what I feel for you. " Clarifying it.

"Maybe I can't do it yet, Paul. I don't want to think I'm just going to do this to forget or yo get even with my past. I don't want to depend on people and I don't want to get hurt any more." She replied that it was really true. Even though she felt a thrill about it, she still wanted to be sure of what she was feeling.

"I know, but I'm willing to wait for Ash. That is what love really means, the willingness to wait and the willingness to give comfort to the one you love." he answered frankly.

"Thank you ..." she smiled and then drank some wine.

In her mind, she will not just enter into a relationship that she is not sure about. Somehow, she wanted to feel love in her heart. She also needs to forget the person who caused her to be afraid to love again.

After they ate, they decided to go home. Paul took her hand and said goodbye to go home.

When she entered their house, her mother was there and she was obviously waiting for her.

"Ohh there you are. Come on and let's eat." She invited her to eat but she knew she couldn't keep up with it because she was done.

"Mom, I'm sorry? I didn't call you right away. We're already here. So Paul took care of us to eat out, so... "

"I know, Jem called me. She saw you. Just tell me a story while eating." She ordered them to sit at the table and eat.

"What can I tell you?" She think she asked Jem already..

"Not me Ash ... I already know that. Bring those flowers,picking up to work, taking you home, I'm already used to that kind of tricks and strategies. You don't have to keep it a secret from me. One more thing, there's nothing wrong with that. You're a girl, she's a young man." It stopped chewing then looked at her.

"He's flirting with me. He told me that he's falling fpr me. But I don't know if I should answer him and if I would accept his love for me."

"Why isn't there a spark? Don't you feel a thrill about him? Every time he looks at you, don't you feel ashamed?" She asked again that the investigator was even better if she could stop and let go of the word.

"Of course I do mom."

"Ohhh,, then what are you waiting for? Is it Storm? Is he the reason why it's hard for you to open your heart again? Ash, you haven't had Storm in a long time. He's also happy with his life, and you should be like that. Also, Don't lock yourself in the past, don't let it affect the good future that awaits you. I'm just here and I'll support you no matter what happens. " Her mother held her hands to make her feel the understanding she needed.

She smiled and sighed.

"I've thought about that too, mom. I just don't want to rush things. I want to be sure of how I feel and, if possible, I don't want to make mistakes. " A bitter smile was seen on her lips.

"Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are normal in a person's life. Falling down is part of the life we ​​walk. But we need to get up and be brave." These are things she can't exchange. Having a supportove mother who is willing to understand her at all times.

"Thank you. Don't worry when we're done. I'll tell you. You'll be the first to know." she promises the mother.

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Days and months passed, and then

It has also come to the point where Paul's courtship with Ashy is in full swing. She saw the sincerity in his courtship and his patience to wait. Until she answered it, and they were formally lovers.

Her mother, and of course, her friend Jem, enjoyed it even more than she.

"Finally! The long wait is over , still you end up yogetjer as lovers," she teased them.

They manage to have dinner at Ashy's house with her mom.

"It's what your friend wanted. I was tortured too much. I almost went back." Paul joked, who then immediately held her hands and kissed them, which made Jem even more excited.

They are happy with their stories that will never end until they are not even aware of the time. Jem and Paul immediately said goodbye to go home and for the mother and daughter to rest.

"Hon, we're leaving. I'll bring Jem first and then I'll go home. Will you have a peaceful rest and I'll see you tomorrow." He kissed her on the forehead and said goodbye to her mother.

"Be careful, hon," she replied.

Just smile and turn around.

She watched his car leave. When it disappeared from her sight, she then entered their house.

"Rest no Ash. You still have work tomorrow. I'll take care of it." Order of the mother, who then put away the things they used.

"I'll help you to be more agile so we can both have rest." She replied, then began to put away the belongings.

"I'm happy for you. I know that not everything is easy. But I'm glad that now I'm comfortable with someone to take care of you. I know Paul is a good man. I can see in his eyes how much he loves you dearly and how much he values you. I can see how he loves you wholeheartedly. " Her mother held her hands and then kissed her.

"You're acting weird again mom, don't be. I'm fine. I also love Paul. I know I'm not sure, but I'm afraid it's growing, especially since I like him and will be loved. " she tapped her mother on the shoulder and then continued what she was doing.

"Don't forget that the problem in a relationship is always a part of it. It will come and come. If it does come, think of the person you love. Go back to the times where you first met him, why you loved him and if why are you beating him. " Maternal worsening

She turned her attention with her mom. Is that advice for her current relationship? Or advice for her past lover? What if that happens? What if her former love returns one day? How brave she was to face it.

What if one day she felt like he was still the one she wanted to be with? Will she be able to handle the love she has now?