Chapter 106
I called Ashton. He didn’t pick up–he was probably busy–so I left him a message on WhatsApp.
“Can you come to the Mercer estate with me tonight?”
Meng
Since he hadn’t answered the phone, I didn’t expect a quick reply to my message either. After sending it, I got back to work and focused on finishing my tasks.
It was nearing the end of my shift when Ashton finally called back.
“I was busy earlier and just saw your message,” he explained.
“I understand. Are you free tonight?” I asked.
“What time?” Ashton replied.
I thought for a moment. If we went at six, it would be dinner time, and Ethan and Tessa would likely invite us to stay for dinner. I didn’t mind, but Ashton might feel awkward.
“Seven–thirty,” I decided. By then, the Mercer family would have finished dinner.
“Okay, I’ll pick you up at seven. Is that alright?” Ashton asked.
I laughed. “How are you planning to pick me up? On a shared bike?”
I didn’t mean anything by it; it was just a harmless joke. But when Ashton didn’t respond, I realized my words might have been misunderstood.
“No, no, I didn’t mean anything by that,” I quickly explained. Then I added, “I’ll come pick you up.”
“I’ll be home half an hour earlier. When the time comes, we can go together,” Ashton said, then paused. “Do I need to prepare any gifts?”
“No need. I’ve got it covered,” I replied and hung up.
Instead of heading home, I stopped by a men’s clothing store. Since I was taking Ashton to the Mercer estate, I couldn’t let him wear his usual casual clothes. Although I didn’t know if he had anything appropriate, it felt necessary to buy him something suitable, considering I was asking him to play a role for me.
At six in the evening, I had a light meal and waited for Ashton to come home.
But as the clock ticked closer to seven and I still hadn’t heard any noise from next door, I started to get
anxious. I called Ashton, but he didn’t answer.
I wasn’t sure if he was busy or had changed his mind about going with me. Feeling unsure, I grabbed my things and prepared to head to the Mercer estate on my own.
Just as I opened my door, I noticed Ashton’s door was slightly ajar.
Was he back?
Why hadn’t I heard anything?
Feeling puzzled, I pushed his door open slightly and stepped inside. “Ashton-”
The rest of his name got stuck in my throat as I froze at the sight before me.
I never expected to walk in on Ashton right after he’d showered,
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A towel was wrapped low around his waist, leaving most of his physique exposed. His tanned skin glistened slightly with water, and the towel barely concealed the essentials.
Ashton looked just as stunned as I was. A faint blush crept across his face, standing out against his
tan skin.
For a moment, neither of us moved. We just stared at each other, as if time itself had frozen.
Finally, Ashton broke the spell and walked into his bedroom. Only then did I regain my senses, swallowing hard as I realized my cheeks were burning.
I stood there, rooted in place, as I heard the sound of his bedroom door closing. He was getting dressed. That’s when I remembered the clothes I’d bought for him earlier and blurted out, “Ashton, don’t get dressed yet. Give me a minute!”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
What had I just said?
I’d told him not to get dressed and to wait for me…
While the words themselves were innocent, the context made them sound so wrong. Embarrassment flooded me, and I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.
But it was too late to take them back. I hurried to my room to grab the clothes I’d bought for him, then rushed back to his door.
I knocked twice. “Ashton, I bought some clothes for you. I’m leaving them by the door. These should fit you better.”
I didn’t bother explaining what I’d said earlier–I figured it was better to avoid drawing more attention to
- it.
Just as I was about to place the bag on the floor, the bedroom door swung open.
Ashton stood there, fully dressed.
He was wearing a crisp white shirt and black slacks, with the top two buttons of his shirt undone. It g ave him an effortlessly sophisticated look.
I’d never seen him in such attire before. Initially, I doubted this style would suit him, which was why I’d bought more casual clothes.
But now…
He looked like a picture–perfect CEO–minimalist, refined, and undeniably captivating.
I stared at him, momentarily dazed, until his hand brushed against mine as he reached for the bag.
“Do you want me to put these on?” he asked, glancing at the clothes inside.
I shook my head quickly. “No, no. You look great like this.”
Ashton’s gaze flicked back to the bag. “I’ll wear what you picked next time.”
He took the clothes and walked back into his bedroom to put them away. Meanwhile, I lingered in the doorway, my eyes wandering to his room–or more specifically, his bed.
The room was small, as the building was old. The new bed he’d requested from the landlord took up nearly two–thirds of the space. The blanket on top was folded so neatly it looked like a perfectly
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It reminded me of a bunk bed in the army, and I felt an odd urge to salute him.
Ashton returned moments later, ready to leave. “I’m done. Shall we go?”
Just as he stepped out, I couldn’t help but ask, “Ashton, do you have OCD?”
“Huh?” He looked confused.
I pointed at his blanket. “You’re not in the army anymore. Why do you still fold it like that? How much time do you spend on it every day? Isn’t it a bit much?”
“I’m used to it,” he replied simply.
“I think you might have OCD,” I teased. Habit was a powerful force, but this seemed excessive.
Seeing how perfectly arranged his blanket was made me feel exhausted. A mischievous urge to mess it up flared within me.
Ashton didn’t deny it. “Maybe.”
His gaze shifted to the gift I was holding for Ethan. He reached out. “Let me take that for you.”
I smiled. “There’s no need. I can handle it.”
“But I don’t like letting my girlfriend carry things,” Ashton insisted.
Before I could protest further, he took the gift box from me. Our fingertips brushed again, sending a jolt through me. I let go.
As we prepared to leave, the image of him fresh out of the shower crossed my mind again, making the earlier awkwardness resurface.
I turned to him and said, “Why didn’t you close your bedroom door?”
“I left it open for you,” Ashton replied casually. “I thought you might come looking for me if you were anxious.”
I blurted out without thinking, “So, you wrapped yourself in just a towel on purpose?”
Ashton’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “No. I heard my phone ring and came out to check. It was purely a coincidence…”
Was it really?
At least I hadn’t lost anything from the encounter–Ashton had a hot body, after all.
