It was almost evening when Hayley remembered her predicament. If she didn’t find the keys to her apartment, what would she do? The whole day, she had been busy with work. So, calling up Ashton and taking an update from him had totally escaped her mind. She tried his number, but he didn’t accept her call. Was he still at work? Confused and in a dilemma, she messaged him.
Did you get the keys to my apartment?Hayley.
She waited for fifteen minutes, but there was no answer. She called again, but still no response. Hayley chewed her teeth nervously, unable to decide. Should she go to her parents’ house? In that case, they would surely try to convince her to return.
Packing up her stuff, she drove home. Maybe she would wait for Ashton on the staircase. This should be a lesson for her to never forget her keys before leaving. Maybe she should wear them as a pendant around her neck!
After a few minutes, she parked her car behind Ashton’s and got down with a frown. If he was here already, why wasn’t he responding to her calls or message? She stormed upstairs and, to her immense surprise, found his door open and voices coming from inside. Who could be there with him?
“I’m not interested Madison. I already had my dinner at the resort,” said Ashton in a cold, disinterested tone.
“Let me treat you to ice cream, then?” came a woman’s voice, and Hayley immediately went behind a pillar to hide. So Madison was here with Ashton! No wonder he didn’t respond to her calls! Maybe he hadn’t found the time to get the spare set of keys for her.
“I’m not fond of ice cream, and you know it. Look Madison, I’m dead tired tonight. I can’t go anywhere with you.” Hayley frowned at his admission. She had no idea that he didn’t like ice cream! He always stole hers even when they weren’t on talking terms, but that was years ago!
“You know what? I can see you’ve changed, Ashton. You’re not the friend who always used to have my back. These days, I only get the feeling that you want to avoid me,” said Madison, her voice quivering with hurt. Hayley frowned at her accent. Was she brought up in a foreign country?
“Whatever! Can I sleep now?” asked Ashton impatiently.
“Fine. I’m leaving, but I’ll be back on Saturday evening. Mark the date ‘coz we’re going out to dinner.” She whirled and stomped out straight into the elevator while Hayley stood plastered against the pillar. Her heart thumped with apprehension since she had no wish to confront the woman. Although the wish to see her was acute, Hayley refrained from peering at her. The elevator went down, and she counted to a hundred in her mind before emerging from her hiding place.
This was the first time she witnessed Ashton’s interaction with Madison, and her heart danced with joy. Maybe she was just overreacting unnecessarily. There wasn’t anything to feel jealous of Madison. Ashton didn’t entertain her in any way.
She rang his doorbell and could hear him mutter curses as he yanked the door open. The moment he saw her, his lips stretched into a smile of relief.
“Hey! I’m sorry, I couldn’t take your call. Wait, just come in, already.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her inside before she could say a word. Then, closing the door, he turned around and flashed her a bright smile, checking her out in the process.
“How do you look so hot even after a hectic day at work?” he asked, flashing a skew smile that made her insides turn to mush. Such a flirt! Wasn’t he aware of his own good looks?
“I manage! So where are my keys? Have you met the landlord yet?” Ashton stood staring at her without replying, as if considering something in his mind.
“Uh, actually, no. He’s in New Jersey right now.” Hayley gaped at him, her worst fears coming true. Now what? There was no other way than to go to her parents’ house. She didn’t want to drive all the way there.
“I’ve called the locksmith, but he’ll be here tomorrow.” Ashton watched her slump onto his sofa in despair. He knew this was wrong, but he wanted her to spend the night at his place. He would never get another opportunity with Hayley being so stubborn. The kiss was just a trailer and his body has been on fire ever since. He just couldn’t get her out of his mind.
“I don’t want to drive home to my parents’ place. Oh, God! What do I do?” she asked in a state of panic.
“You can stay here, Hayley. I have a spare bedroom and a closet full of clothes you can borrow. You know what? I’ll make your favorite dinner too. It’s just a matter of one night.” Hayley looked up at his wide eyes and shrugged. She didn’t have any other option, did she?
“Fine. Lead the way.” Ashton smiled and grabbed her laptop bag, sauntering off towards the spare bedroom beside his. At that point, he wished he lived in his small studio apartment instead of this three-bedroom unit. She wouldn’t have had a choice but to sleep in his bed then.
“You can use this room. I’ll borrow some clothes from Paula if mine doesn’t fit you.” Hayley turned to give him a spiteful look, her body flushed with jealousy. Why couldn’t he get over that Paula woman?
“No, I’d rather die than wear her clothes. If she’s so dear to you, why don’t you spend the night with her instead?” She seethed inwardly, turning her back to him with anger.
“She would be busy with her husband! Why would I waste my night with her? I’d rather be with you,” said Ashton with a chuckle. Hayley turned around to gape at him. What? Was Paula married?
“Husband? I didn’t get you.”
Ashton took slow, deliberate steps towards her, his eyes holding her gaze all the time. “Yes, she and her husband Martin are the only friends I have in this building. You met her cousin Jake yesterday. Remember?” Hayley was too dumbstruck to answer him.
He came to a stop right in front of her, his unwavering gaze still on her. “Don’t you have anything to say now? There’s no one in my life, Hayley.”
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear, the light brushing of his fingertips against her cheek sending a tremor down her body. “Umm, I need to freshen up, Ashton. I’ll wear your clothes.”
Ashton release a staggering breath and composed himself.
“You can wear my old clothes. They might fit you better.” He walked towards the door to get them.
“Old clothes?” Hayley asked in confusion.
“Yes, the clothes my dad had bought for me when I was around twelve or thirteen years of age. I have them as a memory of him.” Shocked at his vulnerable admission, Hayley followed him to his room, remembering his old clothes. She had seen him wear them when she met him first at Alyssa’s house. She felt touched that he was letting her wear something that was precious to him.
Ashton took out a red football jersey and shorts, and Hayley smiled, remembering him wearing them. She knew they were his favorites at that time. Only she didn’t know why!
“Are you sure you want me to wear them?” she asked, hesitating a little. Ashton nodded, his voice choked with raw emotions. He wished he could tell her about his dad! He wished he could tell her about his reality! Would she run far away from him if she knew?
“Please wear them, Hayley.” Hayley smiled and took the clothes from him. He handed her a towel and fresh new toiletries to use.
“Thank you so much. I might change my mind and stay here if you pamper me this way,” she said with a chuckle.
Ashton followed her out but his face was solemn, his eyes darker than storm clouds. “I want you to.” Hayley blushed and rushed to her bedroom, not having any answer to that. It was clear there was more to Ashton Pierce than met the eye. Would she stay around him to know him better?
After witnessing his interaction with Madison, Hayley was sure he felt nothing for her. Now, after knowing about Paula, she wanted to rekindle what she shared with Ashton four years ago. Her heart filled up with hope and she freshened up and wore his clothes. They were clean and smelled like him. The clothes, although loose, were comfortable. They didn’t stand the risk of falling off her body. She bunched her hair up in a messy bun and emerged from the washroom.
The strumming of a guitar got her attention. The music was coming from the kitchen. Was Ashton playing it? It was a moving rendition of a popular love song. She stood watching him play with his eyes closed as he sat on a bar stool in the open kitchen. The soulful music had her mesmerized. She knew the lyrics of the song by heart, since it was her favorite.
I’m holding onto you forever.
Lead me to a place afar,
Where the skies are blue,
And I can be with you!
That’s all I ask of you, my love!
Give me a chance to prove my love.
She felt tears prick in her eyes. Was he playing it for her? This vulnerable, tender side to Ashton was something new to her! It made her fall in love with him all over again.