Chapter 145
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It’s funny how girls tend to want to look their best for the boys they like. As I adjusted my hair and smoothed my clothes before leaving the bathroom, I realized something undeniable—I had developed feelings for Ashton.
When I stepped out, Ashton was already waiting. He immediately moved closer to help me, but I ducked away, feigning an indifferent attitude. “I’m fine,” I said lightly.
He didn’t push it and simply followed me to the dining table.
On the table were the steak and vegetables he’d promised to make, but he’d also prepared a plate of mashed potatoes and a platter of cut–up fruit. The food was beautifully presented, looking like something out of a gourmet restaurant.
“You know,” I said, offering him the highest compliment I could think of, “your sister must be really lucky to have you.”
Ashton didn’t respond, his face calm as always.
Then, I remembered–his sister had heart disease. The mention of her might have touched a nerve. Feeling a bit awkward, I changed the subject. “Where do you live? Or rather, where does your sister live?*
He looked at me, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t answer right away.
I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Why are you hiding it from me? Do you think I’d hurt her?”
“Palria,” he finally said. “It’s a small city south of Amaty.”
-His answer was precise, detailed.
I nodded lightly, committing the name to memory. Then, trying to keep the conversation casual, I added, “My boss felt bad for me and gave me two days off work.”
“Oh,” Ashton replied, his tone nonchalant as if it didn’t matter.
Ashton was an incredibly even–tempered person. I had never seen him get flustered or overly emotional. His calm demeanor set him apart from most people I knew.
Maybe it was his upbringing–he seemed so different from everyone else.
The mention of my time off reminded me of my mysterious boss, so I brought it up. “Why do you think my boss is so nice to me? I just started working there, and I haven’t done anything special yet.”
As I said this, my thoughts drifted to Logan’s business proposal and how quickly my boss had rejected
- it.
If it had been up to me, I would have accepted it. Logan’s company wasn’t bad, and partnering with him would have been a smart business move. Turning him down didn’t make any sense–unless my boss had a personal reason for doing so.
“Hmm,” Ashton murmured, his usual brief response.
I was used to his stinginess with words, but it didn’t stop me from leaning closer. “Do you think my boss is being nice to me because he secretly likes me?”
Ashton took two bites of mashed potatoes before replying, “Maybe.”
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<Chapter 145
“What?” I blinked, pretending not to understand..
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He raised his gaze to meet mine, his eyes calm yet piercing. “You have the looks for it.”
I smiled, my heart skipping a beat. Was that a compliment?
“Are you dating me because of that?” I asked, half–teasing but curious for his answer.
Ashton’s jaw clenched slightly. “Partly,” he admitted, “but that’s not the main reason.”
“What other reasons could there be? We’re not that close,” I said, pressing him gently. I still remembered how he’d proposed the idea of marriage when we barely knew each other.
Ashton didn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes lingered on my plate. “Are you going to finish that?”
I glanced down at the few remaining bites on my plate. It wasn’t like me to waste food, especially when it tasted this good. “I am,” I said, popping a piece of lettuce into my mouth.
Without another word, Ashton got up and cleared his dishes. He carried only his share to the sink, making it clear he wasn’t planning to continue our conversation.
“I’m not going to eat the rest of this,” I said, gesturing to the untouched portions on the table. “You can clear it. And could you clean up? I don’t like a messy kitchen.”
He murmured in agreement and began washing the dishes.
I finished the last bite of my food, then took my plate into the kitchen. As I handed it to him, I said, “Take the rest of the groceries home. I won’t need them–I’m traveling somewhere.”
His movements paused briefly, but he didn’t ask where I was going or why.
“Okay,” he said simply, his tone as even as ever.
His lack of curiosity felt like a weight pressing on my chest. It left me feeling stifled, as though the air in the room had grown thin.
“I’ll be in my room. Close the door when you leave,” I said, turning on my heel and walking away.
In the privacy of my bedroom, I opened a ticketing app on my phone. I needed to get away, even if only for a little while.
My fingers hovered over the screen, and I found myself booking a train ticket to a faraway city. Somewhere I could think. Somewhere I could breathe.
< More Than A Favor
