Chapter 187
I never thought I could laugh like a kid again. Even though I was in my twenties, being lifted and spon around like that brought out a childlike joy in me.
After Ashton finally stopped spinning, I felt dizzy and couldn’t stand properly. So, I stayed in his arms, holding onto him for support. But as I rested against him, a thought crossed my mind–what if this was just another one of his tricks?
“When you were young, you loved to spin around like this,” Ashton whispered softly into my ear
His words caught me off guard. When Ashton and I first met, I was still very young. I didn’t remember much about that time, so I asked curiously, “What else did I like when I was young?”
“You liked to be lifted high and sit on my shoulders, pretending like you were riding a horse,” Ashton said with a small smile.
His answer made my face flush, and I pretended not to believe him. “I don’t remember any of that You’re probably making it up.”
Ashton didn’t seem bothered by my response. He continued, “You loved playing with water too. Yourd dance in it, splash it everywhere, and end up soaking wet every time.”
“Anything else?” I asked, my curiosity growing.
It struck me how strange it was that humans couldn’t recall the first few years of their lives. Those early years were the purest and most innocent part of anyone’s life. If we could remember them, perhaps they’d hold the key to healing many of the wounds we carry as adults.
“You used to love listening to stories and fairy tales,” Ashton said. “But back then, I didn’t know how to tell stories, so you thought I was stupid.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Did I really say that?”
Ashton nodded. “After that, I read a lot of fairy tales to prepare, but by then, you were gone. I never got the chance to tell you stories again.”
“Why didn’t we meet again?” I asked, feeling a sudden pang of sadness for the lost connection
between us.
Ashton’s voice grew quieter. “It was around the time my sister was born. Her health wasn’t good, so my mother took her to my grandmother’s house to be cared for. I stayed there too while my mother
worked.”
The mention of his past seemed to weigh on him, and his mood turned somber.
I hugged him tighter, hoping to lighten the moment. “What else did I do when I was a kid? From what you’ve told me, it sounds like I was very playful and naughty.”
“You were,” Ashton admitted, his tone softening. “You couldn’t sit still for a moment. But even though you were mischievous, you were also very cute.”
Ashton rubbed his chin gently against the top of my head, making me smile.
“Ashton,” I said teasingly, “from the way you’re talking, did you already like me back then?”
09.19
* Chapter 187
“Yes,” he admitted without hesitation
I blinked, surprised by his honesty. “How old were you back then? I was still a baby, Don’t you think that’s a little…” I punched him lightly on the chest, feigning indignation.
Ashton chuckled. “It wasn’t like that. It was just the innocent affection of a teenager. Pure and simple. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
He paused for a moment, then added, “But from then on, I never found anyone cuter than you–not even Alice.”
His words made my heart skip a beat. It was such a unique kind of affection, one that no one else could have replaced.
“So… is that why you proposed to me as soon as you recognized me?” I teased, raising an eyebrow at
him.
Ashton fell silent for a moment before replying, “That’s one of the reasons.”
“What’s the other reason?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. Ashton had a way of keeping me hanging, making me want to ask more questions.
“It’s because…” he began, deliberately drawing out his answer.
I grew impatient and tilted my head to look at him. From my angle, I could see his sharp jawline, which seemed impossibly attractive.
It was dangerous. Everything about Ashton seemed to captivate me. His Adam’s apple, his face, even his jawline–it all felt magnetic.
Maybe it was true what people said: when you love someone, even their smallest quirks, their most mundane actions, seem beautiful.
Snapping out of my trance, I pinched Ashton lightly. “Stop dragging it out. What’s the reason?”
Ashton lowered his head, his gaze locking with mine. “Because I want you to take responsibility for
me.”
His words left me momentarily stunned. “What do you mean?”
“You kissed me before and stole my first kiss,” Ashton said matter–of–factly.
His statement made my face heat up instantly. “I don’t believe you,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re making that up because I can’t remember anything from back then!”
Ashton looked off into the distance, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You did. After you kissed me, I told you that girls shouldn’t kiss boys randomly, especially not without a reason.”
The way he smiled made me feel like he was laughing at my childishness.
Annoyed, I reached up and pulled down the corners of his lips. “Don’t smile!” I demanded.
More Than A Favor
