Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Ashley

I stood there as Aliniah went back to the kitchen. I could hear him approach me, and his steps stopped right before me.

“What was going on?” he asked me. I didn’t dare to turn back and face him.

“I-I was…” I stuttered, even when he had never misbehaved with me because I knew what kind of person he was. “I just asked her name”

“Why?” his voice was demanding.

“Wh-What why? I-I… I should know her name at least, right…”

“Turn around”

I took a deep breath and turned around. His face was tensed as he took a step towards me. Rays of fear rose in me and I closed my eyes as I prayed to God that he wouldn't yell at me. Or worse, beat me.

His hand touched mine, and a shiver traveled all the way to my spine.

“Follow me”

I nodded and opened my eyes. He was moving and his hand never left mine. We were in our room and he closed the door.

He looked into my eyes and for a moment, I was lost.

His eyes were so beautiful and I just forgot that he is some Mafia boss. All I knew was that he was standing right next to me, was looking at me with the love I have longed for, and was caressing my hair silently.

“Ashy” my name rolled out, this time more huskily.

“Vicent?”

“Stay away from anyone else. You can’t trust no one”

I nodded my head slowly and he bent down and kissed my forehead, leaving me breathless once again. I get so out of breath at this proximity, I can’t even explain my own action if someone asked me to.

He got away. “Bye, Ashy. Sleep now, it is late”

I nodded again, “Okay. Bye Vincent”

He smiled faintly and left the room. Calling him Vincent seems strange to me too, well, he was so feared everywhere, like Voldemort. People shouldn’t take his name, right? But here I am, calling him Vincent, in front of him and am receiving his smile. He is not that bad, he may be dangerous, but if you are bad, then only he does the same to you. that’s like karma, right?

I sighed and sat on the bed. After everything, when I think of what is right for me, Chris let me go like that. I know maybe he had some “reasons” but that doesn’t mean that he will let me go to someone known to be so dangerous. He didn’t care at all, and I think I am moving on from that betrayal.

But damn, it still hurts when I think of him. And what’s the point? I have to marry Vincent tomorrow, I shouldn’t think of Chris right now. I am sure he wouldn’t be thinking of me either. What hurts is that he didn’t even tell me a reason why he hates me. What hurts is that he said he didn’t care if they “fuck” me cause I am a “whore” and I deserved it.

I can’t even get myself to think about it, and at the same time, I can’t get his voice out of my head, when he says those cruel words. I can’t even start to imagine what could have been the reason. Was he involved in this kidnapping? Frankly, I think he was.

But again, it doesn’t matter what I think. I have to think about what I have to do now.

Tomorrow is my wedding. Okay. I would have been happy, even if it was with Vincent because I feel he is good, only if Lara was with me. I am not happy and am not gonna cherish this wedding if I don’t meet Lara. How can I leave the only family I have now?

I wish I had some wedding-wish. I would have asked him to let me meet Lara. But now, I can’t. I don’t even know what is gonna happen tomorrow.

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Lara

I sat down on my bed as I tried calling Ashley the third time. It has been two days since she hasn’t called. Well, it is not like she doesn’t call me, and it ain’t either that she always picks up my call, but I am still worried.

I sighed and as a notification popped, I looked at my phone. I smiled as I received a message from Ashley.

“Hey. Sorry, got caught up in some work. Actually, I am gonna call you after I am free. I am sorry, I think that’s gonna be long, Bye sis”

I sent an “Okay :)” to her. All I want is that she is fine. She is so busy nowadays, and frankly, I am happy about it.

I felt movement beside me and I looked left to me. “Hey”

“Hey” I wished him back.

Victor and I have been in a relationship for a lot of time. And we both are quite good for each other.

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Chris

“This,” I showed mom what I was sent, her making love to some guy. It was a discreet video and the authenticity was checked by my own man. It was a real and true video.

“What? When did this happen?” she questioned as I shut my phone.

“I don’t know. But this is a recent video”

She looked shocked and hurt by it too. “Are you sure this is trustable and isn’t fake?”

“It is not. I got many photos too” I held back my tears as they threatened to drop while telling it all. “And right now… she-she is, I am sure, fucking with someone else”

“Don’t say that Chris!” mom warned me. “Calm down, darling”

I sobbed as I hugged her and she hugged me back. “Leave her. I think Heather is good for you”