CHAPTER 135: DARE TO LOVE ME She Doesn’t Exist
Ashley
I took a trip to the UK the same day Tino called me. I had been with Will, and I was thinking
about telling him the truth and letting whatever happens, happen. But my friend’s call and the
trip prevented me. I don’t know, I felt like maybe I shouldn’t say anything and wait for this spell
I had for that jerk to wear off. I’d tried to forget him several times, and I hadn’t been able to do
- it.
During my stay in the UK, I had to go directly to the owner of the fabric factory because our
distributor hadn’t delivered the latest raw materials that were made expressly for us. Our
customers wouldn’t find the same textures and colors in our garments if we used other
materials. If they delayed the delivery of the fabrics any longer, I was sure we wouldn’t make it.
I arrived yesterday, just in time for Alaia’s birthday. I couldn’t miss it for anything in the world.
We’re sisters.
After they finished styling my beautiful short hair, I was ready. In this boy stage, getting ready
took less time. It was something I’d miss when I was a girl 24/7 again.
I waited patiently for them to finish getting Alaia ready. They were still doing her hair, but she
already looked gorgeous.
When we were all ready, we left for the hall where we were celebrating the birthday. I had so many things on my mind: the collection, my father, and what I had most on my mind was him, that kiss. I shook my head, not wanting to think about it anymore.
We entered the exquisitely decorated venue. Everything Tino and I had discussed with the
organizer was as it should be. I could take her to the UK to work with us.
I stood behind Alaia when I saw my grandfather appear. I tried to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. Every time he visited the house, I would disappear until he decided to leave. I looked at the beautiful jewels he had given her and smiled. Finally, it seemed he had accepted my cousin as part of the family. It was either now or on his deathbed.
I shook my head.
“Everything is perfect,” Tino jumped up, looking excited, and straightened my hair, which was
similar to his.
We sat down at the table, and everything was going as expected until I saw him come in. There was Will, looking as handsome as ever. I grimaced before taking a drink. Alaia seemed to be in the same state as me after seeing Nick, but I allowed myself to maintain my
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CHAPTER 135: DARE TO LOVE M…
composure. Tino was quick to give himself away. Of course, he had invited them. I swear if I
didn’t love him so much.
William
I had been trying to remember what happened that day when I drank to oblivion, but it was
impossible. All I could find out was that Frank and Asher had come to get me at the bar and taken me to my apartment. I asked for the security footage from my building, but after
reviewing it several times, we couldn’t see the woman. Which made me think that the girl I
saw was only in my dreams. I was sure I had never seen her anywhere, and I would remember
her. So I put my obsession with that image aside. It made no sense. She didn’t exist.
We received the invitation to Alaia’s birthday a few days ago. To be honest, I didn’t think they
would, but here we were, entering the hall, which was decorated as one would expect from a
family like the Russells.
For some reason, which I didn’t know, or which I kept refusing to accept, seeing Asher made
me feel a great conflict, and I admit that it was starting to disrupt my life. That’s why I tried to
run into him as little as possible, or I would do something I was sure I would regret.
We entered the hall, and the first thing I saw was Alaia’s family’s table. My mind went into
meltdown when I saw Asher looking as masculine as the men present, and I felt
uncomfortable with the attraction I felt for him. This was ridiculous.
“Did you come alone?” a girl asked, sitting down at our table. I looked at Asher and turned
back to the woman. My eyes scanned her. I found her attractive, and I felt excited because it
seemed I was back. I started talking to her.
I hung on to her every word. She was an interesting girl. She was the daughter of an important
businessman, and she worked with him.
I held every muscle in my body to keep from looking in Asher’s direction, but it was inevitable.
After enjoying Coldplay, and everyone had returned to their tables, I saw him move to leave the
room. I stood up and walked after him. I felt I should thank him for taking me to my apartment
with Frank.
“Asher,” I said as I saw him take a drink. He turned halfway around and looked at me, his
expression unreadable. I contained the emotions that seeing him so close caused me and
summoned up my common sense. I was losing my mind.
“I wanted to thank you for taking me to my apartment,” I spoke quickly, and he seemed to be
waiting for me to say something else.
“You have nothing to thank me for. You would surely do the same for me,” he said, avoiding my
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CHAPTER 135: DARE TO LOVE M….
gaze, and we were silent.
“As always, the girls are waiting for you,” he commented, looking at the women who were at
the table with Nick.
“I just…”
“I have to go,” he passed me, not letting me speak.
“To meet them,” I finished when he was gone. s**t, I was going to have a mental breakdown
soon.
The meeting ended, and I decided to go with the girl. I had to try it. I needed to know that I was still the same man I was months ago, although I suspected the outcome wouldn’t be what I
expected.
Ashley
With a knot in my stomach, I watched him leave with that girl.
“What’s wrong?” Tino stood in front of me.
“What’s going to happen to me? Nothing,” I said angrily.
“You can’t fool me. You’re up to something,” he pointed out.
“Oh my God, nothing’s wrong with me.”
With the disappointment and anger of knowing that William was still the same man I met, I took Tino’s hand and led him to the restrooms. That was it. I would keep my secret. I would go back to the UK and sort out my life. That was what was important, not a man who was never
going to change.
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