Everyone froze, since no one knew what would happen now. Hayley’s eyes flew towards Ashton’s and he winked, a sly smile spreading across his face. It made her instantly wary, as Madison’s words echoed in her head. It was true she wanted him to be here, but what if he was here to take her away? No, she wouldn’t leave without attending Sienna’s wedding.
Lucas and Nicholas went forward to deal with their enemies while the others watched worriedly.
“What brings you here, Alexander and Ashton?” asked Lucas, with a grave look on his face.
“We won’t cause you any problems. We’ve just come to take away Alyssa, Eva, and Hayley,” said Alexander.
“We’re not children that we will quietly go back with you, Alex,” said Alyssa defiantly.
“We will return only after the wedding,” said Eva, her eyes challenging an angry Alexander, who looked angrier at her comment.
“Sienna means more to us than your silly, immature enmity,” said Hayley, holding Ashton’s unwavering gaze. He raised an eyebrow at her stance.
“So? Have you heard them? What do you have to say now?” asked Lucas.
“I won’t let you stay here a minute longer,” said Alexander, his hands turning into fists, his eyes pinned upon Eva.
“I won’t allow you to use force here, Alexander,” Nicholas retorted.
“I’m talking to my sister. Get out of the way Nicholas,” said Alexander, wrenching his gaze away from Eva to focus on the enemy.
“She’s our guest right now,” reminded Nicholas..
“Calm down, boys. Alex, and Ashton, good to see you both after such a long time! Why don’t you stay with us till the wedding tomorrow? The sky is overcast, and it’s risky going back now. Tomorrow after the wedding, you could take the girls with you,” said Granny. They smiled at Lucas’s granny. There was a time when they were six to seven years of age and used to visit Lucas’s house only for granny’s cupcakes. Afterward, they just fell apart as they grew older till at high school, they turned bitter enemies.
“Hello, granny! So nice to see you,” said Ashton, giving her a hug and so did Alexander.
“Fine, we will stay the night and return home with them tomorrow,” said Alexander grimly. Ashton smiled at Hayley, but she looked away. She needed answers first.
“But if you create any trouble, I’ll do the same to you at your wedding!” threatened Lucas. They all chuckled, and the atmosphere lightened up.
“Done. Give us a room and we’ll stay out of your way,” said Alexander.
“Alyssa, show them the room next to yours,” said Lucas and a displeased Alyssa led them to the elevator and everyone breathed a little sigh of relief that no one would be getting murdered.
“I’m really stressed out!” said Hayley, melodramatically, sitting down on the rug spread on the floor. Eva too, sat down with her.
“Let’s play a game to cheer you’ll up,” suggested Christian, joining them on the rug. Skylar joined them as well, but Sienna preferred to play board games with Granny and Lucas’s little daughter, Alexia.
“What game are we playing?” asked Eva.
“Truth or dare,” said Nicholas, joining them, and Hayley clapped her hands with glee.
“We’ll start with you then,” she said to Nicholas, who shook his head.
“Alyssa, join us,” said Eva, when Alyssa arrived.
However, they all stilled when the elevator came down and Alexander and Ashton emerged. Alexander’s glance immediately fell upon the group on the rug and he approached them angrily, followed by Ashton. While Alexander and Nicholas fought with each other, Hayley was acutely aware of Ashton’s gaze upon her. But she didn’t look at him. How could he not call her even once after he left? Then there was the Madison issue. She had to know if they were friends with benefits.
“Let’s start with Christian,” announced Skylar, while Christian rolled his eyes at her.
Christian opted for dare and they dared him to climb up the stairs to the top floor and down in two minutes. They cheered him on as he completed the task in 100 seconds, impressing them all.
Next, it was Eva’s turn, and she chose the truth. “Have you ever written a love letter in your life? If yes, to whom? If no, whom would you want to write one to?” asked Skylar with a knowing smile on her face. Eva paled at her question, since she had written only one in her whole life to Alexander.
“I can’t answer that. I’m ready for my punishment,” she said, losing all her enthusiasm.
“Okay, kiss any guy present here,” said Nicholas, just to rile up an already annoyed Alexander. Eva went towards Ashton while they all just stared at what she was up to now.
“Bro, bend down please,” she said, and Ashton obliged. Eva planted a kiss on his cheek and he smiled at her. It was a sweet gesture and Alexander stood in a daze, too stunned to react. Eva went back to her place and settled down, and the game continued. Next, it was Alyssa’s turn, and she too chose the truth.
“Who’s your first love? You can only take names of guys who aren’t your father, brother, family members or friends,” said Hayley.
“Zac Efron always!” she announced, making Nicholas’s jaws drop as he seethed with jealousy.
“I’m far better,” he muttered when Alexander’s head jerked towards him and he glared at him.
“What did you say?” he growled.
“You heard me, Alexander!” taunted Nicholas, looking him straight in the eyes, challenging him to react. A silent communication took place between all the others seated on the rug. The game was over and they all stood up to stop a fight from breaking out. Christian caught Nicholas and pulled him away while Ashton pulled Alexander away. Lucas noticed them and was about to come over to give them a lecture when suddenly the doorbell rang.
It was Sienna’s ex-fiance, Roman Drexler. After a lot of melodrama, Roman left and there was peace finally. Lucas thanked Alexander and Ashton for standing up for them. Peace ensued, and they proceeded to the dining table. Amidst the chaos, Hayley didn’t get a minute alone with Ashton. At the dining table too, he sat beside Lucas’s granny and Christian, making her feel frustrated. Didn’t he want to talk to her?
After dinner, she trudged towards her room upstairs, which she shared with Skylar. With Skylar busy somewhere, Hayley walked down the corridor, listening to everyone’s laughter from the patio. Everyone was content in some way, apart from her. She felt a little jealous of Sienna. Why couldn’t she have the same love as Sienna did? She had expected Ashton here, but strangely, he had disappeared after dinner. Maybe he was busy with Alexander somewhere!
Suddenly, she heard his voice from the open terrace adjoining the lobby on her floor. It seemed he was talking to someone over the phone.
“No, Madison. You can’t join me there at my workplace. There’s no vacancy,” said Ashton agitatedly.
“No, I have my accommodation in the hotel itself. I’ll lose my job if you stay with me,” said Ashton with horror. A gasp escaped her mouth on realizing who he was talking to: Madison Parker. So Madison knew where Ashton went but she didn’t have a clue. She wanted to join him there and live with him. So Madison wasn’t bluffing when she claimed to be his everything! She didn’t need to clarify anymore. She knew Ashton wasn’t what he portrayed himself to be. He was playing with her feelings.
“I’m busy at the moment, Madison. I’ll talk to you later,” said Ashton, sensing her presence. Hayley whirled around and marched towards her room when she heard him call her.
“Hayley, wait.”
She ignored him and rushed into her room to close it, but he was faster. Placing his foot in the door at the last minute, he stopped her immediately. “What the hell is the matter with you? I came here only for you,” he said earnestly.
“Why don’t you go back to your f*cking Madison who’s joining you where you live?” she gritted out, glaring at him with her hands on her waist. She was done being nice to him. Here she had been worrying about him without a clue to his whereabouts while he kept Madison totally updated! He froze for a split second and then came forward to grab her arm.
“She isn’t. Did you hear me entertaining her? I asked her specifically to stay away, didn’t I?” he asked impatiently, noting the jealousy in her eyes.
“Whatever Ashton! I’m really disappointed that you didn’t find it necessary to call me. I didn’t know where you were, how you were, whether you were alive or captured. I was sick with worry while all along Madison knew everything about you. She threatened me last night, acting as if she didn’t. I’m sure she won’t listen to you and join you there. After all, you are friends with benefits, right? Anyway, you both deserve one another.” She yanked her hand free and walked out of the door, leaving him stunned.