Episode 39

Ashley's POV.
I'm meeting Michael Amoretti. The only talk of town. It's kind of surprising how I've come to realize that I've anticipated meeting him like he was some movie star and now, standing before him now, he looks like a mafia man with all the hotness,but he doesn't look any dangerous like Ric would give credit for.
The way he greeted me,like he knew me made me a little bit nervous. I was about looking back for Ric when Miranda's presence caught my eye. I remembered her vividly. We'd met once at a lunch meeting with Ric and at a party. She was especially a nice woman and I saw no reason not to show my gratitude for meeting her here tonight. She's wearing a floating ball gown,a small mask that concealed only her eyes placed firmly above her nose.
She seemed to stop the moment she saw me but her lips soon lifted into a small smile before stopped before us.
"Hello gentlemen" she greeted courtly.
"Hello Miranda" I replied "you look beautiful on that dress"
"Oh thank you," she leant in to exchange a peck with me before moving back and adding "I didn't think you'd recognize me,Ashley"
"Please," Frenchie cut in "your mask covers barely one quarter of your face. What's there not to recognise?"
"You know her?" I asked him,surprised.
"Oh yes," Miranda quickly replied "We ah used to work together"I nodded " what are you.... Doing here?"
"We're here together" Ric replies from nowhere, his hand falling against my waist and holding me still and close. I slowly looked down to his hand holding my waist and up to his face to see a firm smile on his face as he looked from Miranda to Michael.
"Hello Michael" he said,smiling mischievously at him.
"Hello Marcello" Michael replied. Suddenly, I felt like I was caught between two big king lions about to go on a wild battle.
"I think I recognise you from somewhere" Ric said to Miranda.
She remains still for a moment before taking off her mask,revealing her face.
"Of course you do,Mr Marcello"
They looked at each other long enough to tell me there was something transpiring between them that I had no idea of. But I remained still as they all scanned each other's faces.
"I'm surprised you're here,Miranda"
"So are we,Mr Marcello" Michael finally spoke,turning face up to Ric now."shall we have a drink together? Dancing starts soon"
Ric watches him narrowly for a moment before smiling widely and picking up a full glass from the table. Then I watched them as they walked away. . .
And what. . no!
"Hell yes baby"
"Hello gentlemen" she greeted courtly.
"Hello Miranda" I replied "you look beautiful on that dress"
"Oh thank you," she leant in to exchange a peck with me before moving back and adding "I didn't think you'd recognize me,Ashley"
"Please," Frenchie cut in "your mask covers barely one quarter of your face. What's there not to recognise?"
"You know her?" I asked him,surprised.
"Oh yes," Miranda quickly replied "We ah used to work together"I nodded " what are you.... Doing here?"
"We're here together" Ric replies from nowhere, his hand falling against my waist and holding me still and close. I slowly looked down to his hand holding my waist and up to his face to see a firm smile on his face as he looked from Miranda to Michael.
"Hello Michael" he said,smiling mischievously at him.
"Hello Marcello" Michael replied. Suddenly, I felt like I was caught between two big king lions about to go on a wild battle.
"I think I recognise you from somewhere" Ric said to Miranda.
She remains still for a moment before taking off her mask,revealing her face.
"Of course you do,Mr Marcello"
They looked at each other long enough to tell me there was something transpiring between them that I had no idea of. But I remained still as they all scanned each other's faces.
"I'm surprised you're here,Miranda"
"So are we,Mr Marcello" Michael finally spoke,turning face up to Ric now."shall we have a drink together? Dancing starts soon"
Ric watches him narrowly for a moment before smiling widely and picking up a full glass from the table. Then I watched them as they walked away. . .
And what. . no!
"Hell yes baby"
This is really good"I said honestly.
"I'm glad you agree,Love. They serve the best"
I nod and slowly eat up.
"You look nice today" I look up to find him looking at me.
"Um thanks"
"But you look better on your work dress"
I give him a pointed look and he retracts his words.
"I'm sorry, this isn't the pervert side of me talking"
"So you do know you're a pervert"
"Every man is,love. We just show it differently."
"What do you want?" I didn't wanna use his name. He still looked like a respectable man after all. Even though he looked like he was in his early 30s.
"I wanted to apologize about the other day. I'm sorry I said all those things to you. I was just drugged by your intense beauty"
"Um..... Thanks?"
"And I...... Wanted to have a talk with you"
"Okay?"
"Why do you work there?"
"Why not?"
"Can you just tell me?"
"No, I don't even know you"
"Then let's be friends"
He said that so casually like it was supposed to sound normal coming from him to me.
After a second, I open my mouth to speak but his phone started ringing from his pocket.
"Excuse me"he said to me and I gave him the i-dont-care-what-you-do face. He retrieves his phone and picked it.
"Yes?"he says into his phone and I watch his face turn into a frown as the seconds turned into a minute. "I'll be there"
His last statement makes my heart crack a bit. So now he's gonna leave. I don't wanna care. I do not care.
He disconnects the call and looks back at me.
"Yeah, yeah I know. You got to go" I speak before he could say a word, feigning tired "sitting here with you was getting really boring anyway"
He just smiles. A different smile. This time he's not amused, there was rather something else I couldn't quit figure out or give a word. Behind that smile, he looked pissed. Something that had to do with the call he just had.
"You're right. I'm sorry. But we'll do this again. Its just........this is quite urgent."
I just nod, holding my lips into a line so he doesn't think I'm upset. 'More like he doesn't NOTICE I'm upset'
"I'll let Kevin drive you back to school when you're done"
I just nod, processing the fact that Kevin is his driver. He was hot too.
He starts to rise up but stops mid way and said "I didn't catch your name"
"I didn't say it" I replied sternly. His lips twist into a smile again and he leans in to whisper in my face "oh you'll tell me your name, "his gaze held mine "and you'd be screaming mine after it"
If I didn't slap myself for not replying or stabbing my heart when I get home for thinking too fast and too far about what he just said then I must be loosing my mind.
I watch his back as he walked out of the doors,thankful that he hadn't stayed to watch my cheeks flush pink.
I could hear my heart pounding fter him,before I angrily toss the napkin on my plate.
Why didn't I say anything?.
She smiled and I couldn't help wonder the reason behind her sudden cheerful mood for some days now. Just a week ago she was drowning in great hurt and I remember her looking so pale. Maybe I should confront her about what Robin and I talked about.
"Heard anything from Robin?" I asked her.
Her smile slowly fades away before she replied "No"
"Well.....I met with him last week"
"You did?"
"Yeah. Listen Katie," I shifted on my seat "Robin called me and asked us to meet. We met for lunch and.....we talked. About you two"
"I really don't wanna know what you two talked about, Ashley"
"Katie, listen please. I wouldn't be doing this if I don't think it's right. I really think Robin still loves you...."
"Well I do not love him anymore"
"...and he explained to me what really happened that prom night"
"I really don't wanna talk about this,Ash"
"Katie," I held her still "Why don't you just talk to him. He really wants to talk to you. You don't have to go back together, all he asks of you is to let go of the hate and I think it's really gonna do you good,Katie"
"I really don't know,Ash. It's been so long. I can't..."
"I think there's been a huge misunderstanding between you two and I agree you have every right to be so mad but I think it's better if you hear him out"
"This feels like opening up another wound"
"That's why you need to do this. You two should meet,present your own point of views from the matter and....let things go"
"He told you he hadn't cheated on me?"
"Well....yeah. He said he'd told you about what happened between him and Cindy at her party and you were okay with it"
"Yeah,I was but I was doubtful. Then Cindy sent me a photo of them together."
"Really?" Nobody told me that.
"I was upset and I confronted him the next day. Prom day. He kept lying so I broke up with him. I'd went back to talk to him but I caught him with Cindy in the bathroom, deep throated with their tongues. I felt hurt,Ashley. I felt betrayed"
"I know but I think it was all a big misunderstanding and it's really best you talk with him. Okay?"
She heaves a deep sigh before replying "fine. Maybe you're right,it's time I face it. I know Robin is guilty as charged"
I gave her a small smile "Okay. When next we talk,I'll make sure to tell him your decision. Sure he'd love to drop by at the house sometimes"
Katie nods with a small fake smile.
**
At the office, I was avoiding Mr Marcello as best as I can. I still told him I couldn't go to his party anyway, so I might as well give him the benefit of doubt about my intentions. I'm not going to lose my job but he should know very well that going to that party with him is against my will.
When I stopped at his office to read his schedule, he wouldn't look at me. Not that I cared.
Sometime I wanted to ask him why he was on my phone the other night but I knew very well than to ask. We barely exchanged any words through out the day and when it was time to leave,I couldn't be more glad.
I sat stuffing my bag with some papers and my book when he walked past me and into the elevator. Just then,I felt a harsh pain in my head and I crouched on my desk. I should've taken some aspirin before leaving the house. Better still,I should keep some aspirin inside my drawer. I'm gonna need it everyday that I'm working here with that Mr Marcello.
"Hey,are you alright?"
I looked up to see Trevor in front of me, his suit bag in his hand.
"Hey... Yeah am alright"
"Hello people!" We both looked to see Nina walking towards us,a wide grin on her lips.
"Hey Nina" I greeted her,shoving my phone into my bag.
"Not today Trevor," she said to Trevor "I'm driving her" then to me "come on,The boss says I should drive you to pick up some dresses"
I stared at her in surprise. Mr Marcello had mentioned that Mona would be getting esome clothes for the gala but I didn't know he was serious about that!
"Dresses?" Trevor walks in to her front "what dress?"
"There's a party this Saturday," I told him "and Mr Marcello wants me to go with him. Can you believe that?"