Episode 51

Ashley's POV.
I couldn't help that feeling at the back of my throat, threatening to explode. I couldn't help that sinking feeling of regret and blame. What have I done? The ambulance's siren became distant to my ears as I sat down beside my dad. He has an oxygen mask over his nose,his eyes still shut close as he laid unconscious. I looked out severally, praying for the hospital to come into view anytime soon.
I've fucked up. Again.
When the ambulance came to a stop I jumped off and followed the stretcher in till I was asked to stop at the ER door.
I was losing my mind with every minute spent standing out there. I was completely shut out. After what felt like ages,the doctor walked out. He asked if I was the patient's guardian and I gave him all the necessary infos. He told me he was still unconscious and would be best if I came back tomorrow. He couldn't diagnose what was wrong with him at the moment.
I stayed at the hospital until it was past 7.
Walking down the hospital's pavement,I didn't know what to do. I felt lonely. I wanted to call Katie but the last thing I wanted was worrying her about me. I thought about Ric but I'd just had a fight with him hours ago. The only option was to go back home until I heard from the doctor.
When I got home, I couldn't get my head in one place, couldn't stop thinking. I knew I had to call Ric. I couldn't stop crying. The last thing I wanted was his pity. If he even pitied me. I was a complete idiot to him earlier. How did my day turn out to be so bad?
I decided I wasn't gonna show up at his hotel with puffed eyes. Now wasn't exactly the best time to dress up given my father's condition at the moment but I didn't want Ric seeing me this way and pitying me before I even said a word. I stayed in crying for a while before picking myself up.
I took a quick shower and made myself jasmine tea to calm my nerves.
I found an old pair of jeans of mine and a t-shirt Katie had gifted me back in the old days. I felt strangely cold so I wore a coat over it and slipped on my old flat shoes. Thank God my feet hasn't really grown any longer from six years ago. I put my hair into a string at the nape of my neck before hurrying out.
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When the taxi pulled up in front of the hotel, I started to contemplate wether to go in or not. Ric would probably not want to see me anymore. And it was getting rather late. Speaking of which, I checked the time on my phone just to make sure.
9:15p.m
"Are you getting off ma'am?" The cab driver asks, bringing me back from my thoughts. I sigh a sheepish laughter before going off the cab. I took a long breath in as I stood facing the hotel, watching it anxiously. Here goes nothing.
I tightened my grip around the pink moll bag in my hand. I'd straightened out Ric's suit and folded it neatly into it. Well. . . . Suits are really hard to fold neatly so I pretty much just fumbled in into the bag. With the suit, I had a reason to be here. Even if it wasn't to apologise for being a total idiot earlier. I could at least pretend to be returning his suit if things went south.
Walking into the hotel's lobby, I went straight to the receptionist behind the desk.
"Hello" I said, my fake smile plastered on.
"Hi, ma'am," she smiles back " how may I help you?"
"Oh I'm here to see someone. Riccardo Marcello. I just need to know which room he's checked into"
"Oh. Does he know you're coming?"
"Um. . . . Not really" I blew out a non suspicious air.
"Okay I'll just give him a call. . . ."
"No, no. He's actually my boyfriend and . . He doesn't know I would make it to California today and I just wanna give him a surprise! Plus," I rode the moll bag to her unbelieving eyes " I got him a little present to set the mood. Do you mind?"
She laughs " of course not. Do you need a key?"
"No, that won't be necessary but much appreciated. Thank you"
"Okay. Room 713,19th floor"
"Thank you"
I took the elevator to the floor. When I came face to face with room 713, I didn't know wether to leave his suit at his door and turn around or go ahead and knock on the door. I stepped next to the door and knocked firmly. After a complete eight seconds,I heard the door click and swing open.
I felt my heart leap from my chest the moment Ric's face appeared. I felt my breath cut our my throat as I watched him speechlessly. How could I talk when even his appearance knocked the breath put of me?
"Hi. . ." I mouthed as his stares became really awkward.
He gave me a small smile before saying " I didn't think you'd find your way around here"
"I used to live here, Ric. Though I didn't know this hotel before, it was easy finding my way around here"
"I told you this hotel's crap"
I laughed a bit before pointing the bag at him "can I come in?"
"Sure," he moved away from the door " what's that?"
"Oh it's just your suit," I stepped inside and heard him shut the door close before walking to my front. I held the bag up to him again " sorry, might be a bit squeezed"
He takes it from me " I was gonna ask you to keep it but you're too skinny and would not fit in"
I suppressed a laughter. I watched as his smile slowly faded away. He pushed himself from the table and started walking away.
"I'm guessing you're here to tell me you'd be needing a flight back home tomorrow" he said over his shoulder.
Uh.
"That's not. . . . . Why I'm here,Ric" I slowly walked after him. " I wanna talk"
"About what?"
"About earlier"
I hadn't realized where he was leading me until I walked into his bedroom. The room was pretty nice. The curtains were down, the bed well made.
"What about earlier, Ashley?" He stops to ask, turning to face me,his hand tucked into his pants pockets.
"I. . . . . . . . I'm really sorry about earlier," I said " I know it was completely wrong of me to meet Drako alone and I shouldn't have yelled at you or say all those things. You were only looking out for me"
He doesn't reply. He just continued to watch me.
"I'm sorry" I repeated.
"I'm just worried about you, Ashley. I know people like Drako, that's why I wanted to be there with you. When he said he wanted to meet with you, I knew exactly what his intentions were. I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy"
"No, no" I found my legs carrying me closer to him and I stood gazing up at his dark eyes. I stared at his sensual eyes, my words tucked back down my throat as I watched them, mesmerized. When I realized I was being a complete freak, I blinked hard and took a step back before continuing "it was my fault"
"I hope your dad is doing okay"
"We had a fight after I left that restaurant. "
"Really," he starts to walk back to me "what was it about?"
"Just the loan stuff and Mom. . . . . . . "
"I'm really sorry okay?"
I nodded, feeling the tears well up in my eyes again. Damn these tears! I tried to bit into my lip to hold the tears back as I watched him, my vision slowly going blurry.
Probably noticing the tears threatening to flow out,he started walking closer, a concerned look on his face "Ashley,are you alright?"
I gave him a liplined smile. I wanted to lie,wanted to nod and tell him everything was okay.
"I'm sorry for yelling too, Ashley"I felt his hand reach over my arm "I just couldn't help my anger when i saw him all over you. I know it sounds stupid but. . . . . . "
"Dad is at the hospital,Ric" I cried,the tears flowing freely now. I said I wouldn't do this in front of him. "While we were arguing,he told me to.listen but I didn't and then he had this attack and fell. The he started bleeding and went conscious. Then. . . . . ."I felt like I was starting to hyperventilate " then. . . . . . He was unconscious and. . . . . . . "
Ric pulled me into his chest before I could say anymore. I dug my face into his chest and wept silently. I felt his hand rub up and down my back,the other patting my head.
"Sshh," he whispered "it's okay"
I nodded on his chest. We stood hugging for what felt like hours before he finally pulled me back at arm's length. I felt embarrassed that I had my tears all over his shirt but he didn't seem to notice or care.
The moment seemed to slow down and I just stood there watching him. His eyes watched mine intensely. I felt and heard my heart pound inside my chest until I could not take it anymore. The pain inside of me was immensely tiring.
I hadn't realized how close we'd become, hadn't realized how hard his palms dug into my arm until I felt his breath brush against my forehead. His bedroom dark eyes glistened,a bit of excitement lacing them. My eyes shamelessly trailed down his lips,a feeling inside of me giving me a scenario where I yank him down to me and kissed his lips.
I shut my eyes to get rid of the thought-Ric would never kiss me- when his lips came crashing into mine. The kiss is soft and slow at first as I stood there frozen in place,then it got deeper and soon my head started to spin. I could taste the mint taste of his mouth and it made me wanna take this kiss all the way to the next level.
I felt his hands slid over my hips and he pushed me back until I hit the wall. His kiss deepened and I responded, surprisingly.
I never thought Ric could ever kiss me even in this life!
His tongue lashed my mouth,seeking passage into my mouth and I gave him dominance of it,kissing back. I tried to suppress the moan that escaped my lips but it was impossible. I reached my hands over his neck and pressed my body into his hard chest. The heat of his body against mine was threatened to knock me off balance if this continued for another minute.
This has to be impossible.