47

Ashley
I woke up again for the third time at midnight, hugging the sheets and staring at the moon. I remembered what Elena said the moment she walked up to the vehicle. I recollected the frown on her face and the way her eyes kept digging through my soul.
“You could have had a conversation.” I heard her say while I kept driving, trying to hold back the tears.
And when we stopped in front of her home, she spoke;
“I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to work extra hours to-”
I scoffed and shot her a glare before speaking.
“You’re going to clean up her mess?” I started, “How? How are you going to pay that much?
“I could take a loan from the bank. ” I heard her shrug.
I shook my head, turning off the engine of her car and turning my gaze away from hers.
“Speak up, Ashley. It’s unlike you to be quiet.” Elena spoke.
“Why should I say anything?” I answered, unbuckling my seat belt, “You already decided to take up a loan to help your mother. I don’t have anything to say, Elena. Thank you for letting me drive your car. Have a good night’s rest. ” And with that, I handed her back her car keys and walked out, still dabbing the tears that kept streaming not minding the fact that she was wailing my name.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and reminisced on the good memories I had with my father. He knew my mother drank and gambled but he kept on forgiving and giving her several chances that she would always take advantage of.
Elena always had a soft spot for mother, even when she stole the money I saved as a teenager, she still didn’t hate her unlike me. My resentment grew when she asked me for cash and disturbed me for it and it hurt when I saw mothers and their daughters walk into the bakery, hand in hand.
While I loathed mine.
I walked over to the fridge and took out a cold jug, filled with water. I dropped it on the table and took out a cup from the rack.
As I poured water into the jug, I found my mind drifting away and thinking about Leo. My hands wrapped around the glass, thinking about his lips and then I shook my head as if I was in a trance.
My mind should be on Mason and not Leo.
I gulped down the remaining content in the cup, washed it, and dried my hands.
I walked over to my bedroom, shutting it gently and breathing heavily against the door.
The ringing of my phone brought me back to reality as I sauntered over to my bed, looking for my phone.
I reached out for it and noticed it was Mason who was calling. A smile swept across my lips as I picked up the call, biting my lower lip in anticipation.
Slanting it across my ear, I heard his groggy voice say, “Hi, Ashely. ”
“Hello, Mason,” I answered shyly, “It’s late. Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“I promised to call. I’m a man of my word. “I heard him say with a chuckle.
“So why did you call?” I asked.
“I just wanted to ask if I hurt you in any way, Ashely,” Mason said while I heard a sigh from him.
I rubbed the back of my neck, goosebumps arising on my skin.
“You didn’t hurt me, why would you think that?” I laughed.
“You didn’t look happy and I could see that. If there is anything that I did to hurt you, let me make amends for it.” Mason spoke.
A low chuckle came out of my lips, “I am happy and you didn’t hurt me.”
“Do you like me? Did you just say it because you heard me say it, first?” Mason asked. I could feel how frantic and hysterical he was, from the way he sounded.
“W-What are you on about, Mason? I said I liked you. Do you doubt my words?” I countered back.
“I’m sorry. It’s just -” I heard a pause, “Because of my past relationships and I just want this to work out between us.”
“Alright.” I nodded, “Goodnight.”
“Are you upset?” I heard him say again.
I placed a frustrated hand on my forehead, “Why would I be?”
“I thought you were,” Mason answered.
“I wasn’t. I just want to go back to bed, ” I answered, “And you need to stop overthinking.”
“Alright, I should be going to bed, too. ” Mason answered.
“Yes, goodnight,” I answered flatly.
I heard him say goodnight before I dropped my phone back on my bed. I touched my chest, hoping to feel that heart racing I felt anytime he walked into the bakery but I didn’t feel it anymore.
I wondered why he asked me if I liked him. Has he grown out of interest with me?
I flopped back on my bed, a yawn escaping my lips and my eyes focused on the umbrella tucked carefully behind my bedroom door. I wanted to drop it in the bakery but it looked sentimental like an invaluable gift.
A smile spread across my lips as I shut my eyes slowly, embracing the darkness.
***
“So how did your talk go with your mother?” Emily spoke over a breakfast of cereal.
I poured more milk into mine, taking in a sharp breath before answering.
“It was fabulous. She acted exactly the way I thought she would.” I shrugged.
“She apologized and promised to get the debt off your back? ” Emily lifted a brow.
“Of course not. She acted like the bad mother she was.” I let out a low chuckle and continued digging in, into my cereal.
“And are you okay?” Emily wrapped her hand around mine.
“We should be headed to work. Get your bag.” I responded, grabbing my bowl and pouring the rest of the content into the sink.
I reached out for my duffel bag, heading to my bedroom to pick up the umbrella. My hands wrapped about the tip, hoping that its owner would show up today.
I called out for Emily, rushing towards her bedroom when I noticed her rushing out while holding her stomach.
“I have bad cramps. ” Emily groaned.
“You want to miss work?” I asked, a smirk dancing around my lips.
“I wish. I can’t afford a pay cut. ” she groaned with a smile while I walked towards the door with her, following slowly.
I shut the door behind me when I heard someone say, “Good morning.”
I turned around and let out a scoff watching my neighbor, Leah holding her son and fawning over Emily.
“Is she your sister? I have been seeing her lately.” Leah remarked with a laugh.
Emily was about to respond when I said.
“Mind your own business. Stay out of mine.” I responded. I glanced at Emily, urging her to walk.
When we were both out of hearing shots from Leah, Emily nudged me by the shoulder.
“Why are you so cold to her? Isn’t she your neighbor?” she stated.
“And why is she so nosy about everything?” I answered.
“She asked a question.” Emily shrugged.
“Not all questions deserve a response. ” I scoffed, holding back a laugh.
“I know. Just wondered why.” Emily answered and we then walked in silence, inhaling the fresh morning air. I looked at the stores that were just opening up for the day, sighting the new dresses placed in a mannequin.
I wondered when I would be able to buy one. The one I wore to the ball was still tucked away in my wardrobe. It was quite cheap but it looked like it was expensive.
“My mother said she wants me home and I should consider studying arts or music. ” Emily spoke.
“At least, your mother wants you to do something. You should do it and remember that your family wants you.” I responded, holding on to my bag.
“They don’t care about what I want. They want me to live by their rules. I’m sure that they would even pick the man that I would be engaged to.” Emily scoffed.
“Freedom,” I nodded, “It’s vital, isn’t it?”
“It is. Sometimes I feel a bit sad that they might not care about me. ” Emily said.
“Hmm.” came my response as we walked faster towards the street that led to the bakery.
“I hope Leo comes. He’s going to get a pay cut, eventually, and Nadia too. ” Emily started, “she creeps me out, sometimes.”
“Why?” I crossed my arm across my chest.
“I see her staring at Leo, sometimes. ” Emily said.
“And why is that strange?” I propped up a brow.
“Her eyes, it’s strange, you know. She rarely talks but the way she looks at him, it’s odd. ” Emily shook her head.
I patted her hair, laughing softly, “You must be really tired and stressed out.”
“Are you calling me delusional?” she feigned rage while puffing up her cheeks.
“Why would I?” I teased, nudging her by the shoulder, “You are the cutest person I know.”
“Whatever.” I heard her say while we walked closer to the bakery, my legs feeling a bit tired.
With the umbrella in my grasp, Emily pushed the door open while I entered behind her with batted breaths.
Was Leo here?
I heard someone let out a chuckle jumping out from the counter while Emily let out a scream.
“You scared me.” Emily placed her hands on her chest, bending her head and reaching out to grasp a table.
“Really?” I heard Leo say with a smile while tying his apron. I watched as he looked up, his eyes meeting mine.
I noticed his gaze focused on the umbrella in my hand and impulsively, I placed it behind my back.
I watched as he covered his mouth, trying to hide a laugh while I stood there, rooted on the spot ridden by embarrassment.