Chapter72Just Taking a Quick Nap
The meal and soup had been a disaster, so inedible that they were promptly discarded. Plan B, it seemed, was pizza. Damian, leaning on one hand, regarded the plain pizza on his plate with a blank expression. "Ashley," he began, "there's something called hospitality. Are you really serving pizza to your guest again?"Ashley inwardly scoffed. What guest was he, anyway? If he didn't like it, he could eat elsewhere! However, remembering their "joint project" for the third time, she managed to offer him a smile. "It's different this time," she assured him. "Last time, it was chicken and fruits; this time, it's chicken, no fruits." Her words nearly drove Damian to the brink of frustration.Once the pizza was consumed, Ashley let out a contented burp. Damian's eyebrows furrowed in disapproval. "Such fine table manners," he commented dryly."I'm not treating you like a stranger," Ashley retorted, not missing a beat.Pushing his plate away, Damian sighed. "Sure, but a little respect wouldn't hurt, rather than serving me freezer aisle food."Ashley didn't want to argue. The effort of cooking had already drained her, and she had no desire to engage in a verbal battle. "You know I can't cook," she admitted. "I barely manage when I eat alone. Buying all these groceries is just a waste. You can take them home later."Damian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Do you think I'm like you, fond of taking things home from someone else's place?"His comment stung, and Ashley felt a lump forming in her throat. "Do whatever you want," she muttered.Damian then produced an antique vase he had purchased and placed it on the coffee table. "Find a spot for this," he instructed.Ashley remembered the price tag on that item, hefty enough to secure a small house in Rochester City. "Leave it here? You bought it, you should take it home. It's not my belonging. No need to feel embarrassed."Casually surveying the living room, Damian replied, "Seems like Ashley forgot whose house this is. My stuff stays in my house. Any problem with that?"Ashley was at a loss for words. She'd been practicing deep breaths every day, improving her lung capacity. "Alright, Damian, just make sure it doesn't get broken. I can't afford to replace it.""There's no antique shelf for it. Go buy one tomorrow," Damian replied smoothly."This is your place. Why should I be the one to buy it?" Ashley shot back immediately. And antique shelves cost a fortune! She had already maxed out her credit card today. Was she expected to sell an organ or something?Damian spoke as if it were the most natural thing. "Didn't Ashley want to use her rent money to buy furniture? Your memory is so short. Should I draft an agreement and post it on the wall to remind you to self-reflect thrice daily?"Ashley's stomach ached, regretting those pizzas that didn’t sit well with her. "Ha, sure! I'll buy it, just for you," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm."There's no bookcase either, nor a single houseplant..." Damian continued."Damian, we can buy things gradually. Don't you have things to do this afternoon? I won't keep you," Ashley interjected, her patience wearing thin.Damian lounged on the couch, comfortably reclining in a lazy pose. "Just ate. It's not good to move around. I'll digest for an hour first."Ashley wanted to speak, but he beat her to it. "Where are the slippers?" After slipping them on, his demeanor became even more domestic. "Find me a book.""I just moved in. I have no books. A calendar, maybe? Interested?" Ashley retorted, her exasperation reaching new heights.Damian's glance drifted lazily from the sofa to her face, the afternoon sun casting a gentle glow, softening his mood inexplicably. "Come here," he said.Every alarm bell in Ashley's body rang, and she stepped back cautiously. "What for?" she asked, wary of his intentions. A man brimming with desires, judging by Damian's character, was surely up to no good.
Damian gestured to the space beside him, his voice light and teasing. "It's broad daylight. What could I possibly do that would make you so uncomfortable? Afraid it'll come back up?" Ashley, having recently experienced a whirlwind of emotions, felt her thoughts racing and her cheeks heating up. She moved over to him slowly, making sure to maintain a clear boundary between them and grabbing a cushion for comfort. Damian glanced at the space on the couch she had left between them, his tone playfully dismissive. "Don't overestimate your charm." Ashley shifted closer, clutching the pillow tightly to her chest. Damian closed his eyes as if preparing for a nap, his voice deep and lazy. "Keep quiet, stay with me for a bit."The warm sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a comfortable temperature that stirred emotions and invited one to forget the past and revel in the present moment. Ashley remained silent, her quietude serving as her greatest concession. Damian shifted down a bit, his arm snaking out to hook around Ashley's shoulder, effortlessly drawing her into his embrace. His large hand enveloped her slender shoulder. "Slept poorly last night. Time to catch up on some zzz's."It all felt so natural, so right—as if he was still her husband and this was their shared home, engaging in the mundane routines of any other couple. Grocery shopping, cooking together, followed by a full meal, and snuggling up into a deep sleep. But they weren't that couple anymore.Feeling resistant, Ashley tried to push away. "Damian, I really want to land that project, but I have my standards. Don't push it too far."Damian cracked open an eye, a hint of joy playing on his face. "Getting all worked up over a hug? If you're so moral, why bother being my sidekick for the day? Feeling shortchanged?" Ashley pursed her lips.Noticing her downcast gaze, Damian commented on her quiet distress. "If you're going to play the game, don't pretend to be a saint. There's no having it all in this world. If you want to leave, then go. I won't stop you." Ashley remained silent. She had chosen this path; she had no right to be self-righteous.Seeing that she didn't move or object, Damian closed his eyes again. The room fell quiet, filled only with their intermingling breaths and heartbeats. Gradually, sleepiness overcame him, and Damian drifted into a light slumber.At first, Ashley was tense, worrying he might do something all of a sudden. But once he was asleep, her guard dropped, and relaxation led her into sleep as well. Damian wasn't much of a napper, typically resting for just about twenty minutes. When he woke up this time, two hours had passed.His arm felt numb as he moved it, revealing the woman cozily asleep against him. Ashley was in a deeper sleep, using his arm as a pillow. Curled up on the sofa, she looked small and delicate—a bundle of fine limbs. Half leaning against him, her long, smooth hair cascaded down, revealing a fine nose and pointed chin.The afternoon sun shifted westward, casting an orange glow that tenderly gilded her. Damian lay still, not bothering to move his arm. "You're awake?"Ashley's eyes fluttered open to find the day had turned to night, and Damian was engrossed in his phone, likely scrolling through a flood of work emails. Embarrassed, Ashley ran her fingers through her hair. "Why didn't you wake me?" She was frustrated with herself for sleeping away half the day and achieving nothing but fatigue from their antics.After finishing his email, Damian slipped his phone into his pocket. "Good timing, you're awake. Wipe your mouth. Let's head out." Ashley quickly dabbed at her lips. "Where to?"Damian wasn't asking for her opinion but issuing an instruction. "Christian cleared your sister's name from the trending topics. You think this will just blow over without a word from you?" Hilarious!"What else am I supposed to say? Didn't he give me a hard time at Blue Star that day? Moreover, since he instigated the whole mess, isn't it only right for him to smooth things over? If you want to go, be my guest. I'm not going."
When it came down to it, she just didn't want to see Christian.
