Ashely
“I thought you sent me a bouquet of roses. ” The words came out slowly from my lips as the heat of the sun relaxed for a moment, making me see Mason’s face a lot clearer.
“I didn’t send you any roses. ” Mason emphasized and then the smile on my lips transformed to a sad frown, making creases across my forehead to form.
Trying to get it together, I then let out peals of laughter, placing my right hand over my lips.
“It should be my mother, I guess she felt bad for what she said, ” I lied, smiling wide with my teeth displayed.
I mashed my lips together, thinking of who could have sent me a bouquet of roses. I was hoping that it wasn’t Leo. Why would Leo send a bouquet of roses, anyways with that note? Maybe it was supposed to be delivered to another Ashley.
“Oh really?” Mason asked, hurriedly.
“Yes,” I answered hurriedly, “But why are you here?”
“I dropped by from work. I needed a breather and I also wanted to talk about yesterday, would you like to walk?” he asked.
“Of course. ” I answered hurriedly, removing my apron and folding it.
I shot him a smile as we resumed walking, his hands reaching out to grasp mine.
“You felt bad about what I did to you, didn’t you?” he stated in a firm and clear voice.
“I didn’t, Mason. It’s all fine.” I answered, barely having the courage to look him in the eye.
“It’s not fine, to me. I didn’t call that I would be arriving late and I am certain that ticked you off and also the way we had to end the date so early because of me. I should have called you, this morning to ask about how you were and all that was on my mind was work and work.”
“But you are busy.” I countered back.
“Even if you don’t want to say it, ” Mason answered as we turned towards an empty alley, “It’s not right and I hurt your feelings. I’m sorry, Ashley.”
I bit my bottom lip slightly, my back facing the wall.
“It’s okay, Mason.” My lips spread to give a dazzling smile.
“I only have five minutes left. Tell me something fun, at least.” he winked with his hand stretching to cup the back of my neck.
I swiped a hair behind my ear, chuckling lightly at his playful glare.
“Well, my boss came today and was upset that I was two minutes late. ” I started.
“Really? Is she cruel?” Mason asked.
“Short-tempered is the word. How about yours?” I asked.
“Nothing much. I was a meeting with a lot of old people who pretty much bored me almost to death but as you can see, I’m alive.” he laughed.
“We both have boring jobs, don’t we?” I guffawed.
“I agree.” Mason smiled.
I tilted my head, smiling and still star-struck by his memorizing features.
“Can we not go back to that diner?” I politely asked.
“Why?” I heard him say.
“I am not comfortable going on a date where you have taken several women, ” I answered, “-you can call me paranoid or crazy but that is what I feel. ”
“Is that why you were upset at me, Ashley Boark?” he reached out to fondle my cheek.
I held on to his wrist, wrapping my little fingers around it.
“Why?” I asked, “Isn’t it worth being upset about?”
“Yes, it is,” Mason muttered, “But I’ll do it for you, cutie. ”
My face fell at the mention of the word, cutie. My grasp around his wrist instantly dropped as I placed my right hand over his left.
“What’s wrong, Ashely? I won’t take you to that diner if it’s upsetting you,” he vowed.
I shook my head, “I just remembered that my lunch break is over. Unless I’m looking for a pay cut. ”
“Oh.” came the words from Mason’s lips as he slowly dropped his hands back into his suit pants.
“Then, I’ll get going as well. I just wanted to see you, ” Mason whispered, “I hope you’re not upset.”
“Why would I be? I’m fine. ” I promptly answered.
“Should I walk you back to the bakery?” Mason suggested again.
“That’s not necessary. Get going. ” I shot him a smile to relieve the tensed atmosphere.
“I’ll call you. I’ll make sure of that. ” Mason blew me an invisible kiss before running out of the alley while I stood there, still breathless.
Why was everything around me revolving around Leo and who sent the roses?
***
“Mason sent that bouquet to you, didn’t he?” Emily commented when I walked into the bakery, trying to put my apron back on.
I nodded without saying a word, noticing that some teenagers were about to enter the bakery. They asked for cakes and some pastries and laughed while waiting for their order.
My mind drifted back to the umbrella which I had tucked under the counter and the fact that Leo didn’t show up, nor did he call about it.
My heart raced faster and my right hand reached to message my chest region. I didn’t dare to call or give him a text so I hoped that he was fine.
And Nadia who was supposed to be here wasn’t.
I looked at Emily who was staring at the top jar.
“I am going somewhere with Elena, this evening. Can you and Damien, fill in for me?”
“Sure, where are you going with Elena?” she asked.
“To see my mother. ” I answered.
She stopped what she was doing and shot a glance at me.
“Why? Don’t you have a personal vendetta against her about her taking a debt in your name?” Emily questioned with a brow arched in confusion.
“I do. I just need to see her get some things straight. ” I answered.
“You would end up fighting.” Emily pointed out.
“Maybe. I don’t know. ” I shrugged.
“Can you clean up the tables before you leave?” she pointed towards the mess the teenagers had made and who was about to leave.
“They look like they are 14 or 15,” I whispered back, observing the way they were dressed in uniforms and the constant chattering.
“They didn’t even say, thank you.” Emily chuckled while watching them leave.
“I am not sure they are interested in praising your services. ” I smiled while reaching out for black clothe and a broom, ready to clean up the mess.
***
I knocked on Elena’s apartment door for the umpteenth time, my hands beginning to ache.
I was about to reach for my phone when the door creaked slightly to reveal a grumpy Elena who was rubbing her eyes.
“Were you taking a nap?” I asked while she opened the door wider.
“Yes,” Elena walked slowly, “And you ruined it.”
“You were the one who suggested that I come. “I countered back.
“Look at you, trying to argue with your big sister,” Elena teased with a smile, “You should accept whatever I say without questioning me. ”
“How is Joe? Is he here?” A sad smile spread across my lips, my eyes searching for any inch of him.
I wondered if Elena had signed the divorce papers or maybe they had buried the hatchet.
“He’s at work, probably burying himself in a couple of files, ” Elena answered with a light chuckle, ” It is quite odd of you to ask about my husband.”
“Okay,” I nodded, “Are you not going to take a shower?”
“I will,” Elena responded, “Do you want to eat anything while you wait? ”
“I am not hungry.” I promptly answered with a smile dancing on my lips.
“So,” Elena winked, “How was your date?”
I let out a deep sigh, shutting my eyes for a brief moment.
“I was just asking. Was it bad?” she tilted her head, waiting for a response.
“I’ll tell you all about it on our way. I’m driving right?” I said.
“Yes, you are, ” Elena remarked, “You don’t expect a heavily pregnant woman to drive, do you?”
“Why would I expect that?” I burst out into laughter, watching her leave the room in a dash. My eyes wandered around the living room, sinking and drowning in, every detail.
I reached out for a book on the center table, my hands reaching out to touch the hard surface and inhale the smell of a book.
I sighed. Elena had all the time to read books since she was on maternity leave while I, found it difficult to pick up a book after a long day at the bakery. My eyes turned to look at the clean kitchen and I was sure it was all Elena’s doing since she had nothing to do.
I dropped the book on the table and picked out my cell phone from my bag and checked if there were any missed calls from Leo.
At first, I shrugged off the feeling, thinking that everything was well but now, I wanted to hear his voice, listen to his jokes, and want only him to call me, cutie.
It sounded a bit selfish and even when I didn’t want to admit it, my heart was slowly leaning towards Leo’s. I felt my heart race and beat faster when his face flashed through my mind and when I thought of the way he looked at me while handing me the umbrella, my face fell.
He had that tousled hair that I wished I could rub my hands through and even when I was reluctant and a bit shy to take it, he pushed it into my hands.
I crossed my hands on my lips, sighing deeply again. The sharp smell of a scented perfume tickled my nose and I turned to see my sister in a red dress that was loose on the sides.
“I smelt you from a distance, Elena.” I chuckled while looking at her.
“Fair point. I like to be noticed,” she answered with a laugh.
I rose to my feet as Elena threw me her car keys while she walked slowly and right behind her, my hands slightly trembling when I remembered what the actual mission was.
Seeing my mother.