CHAPTER 121: DARE TO LOVE ME Think Marry 

Ashley 

I exhaled and finished taking the last notes. I was preparing for my trip to the UK. I would be going with Loli. I had spoken to Tino to pick me up at the airport. I would be using a private flight that Alaia had rented in the company’s name. I didn’t want to move the family plane; my father would surely be monitoring those flights. 

“Ash, we’ll go ahead to start working,” said Antonio as he left the room with Carolina. We were at the Garnett’s technical building. 

“I’ll head to the city if there’s no problem,” I said, closing my agenda. 

“Alright, see you in two weeks?” Carolina said, and I nodded with a smile. I wouldn’t see them 

until I returned. 

I stood up and started gathering my things. I was excited to visit the UK and my stores. I had 

missed everything, although I had to say that being here with Alaia, the kids, and the others 

had also been good, even though I had to remain hidden under the name and presence of 

Asher. I sighed and adjusted my hair under the beret. 

“I thought we were starting to be friends,” William’s voice resonated in the room. I had imagined he wouldn’t be here. I kept my eyes on the laptop as it shut down, thinking Will was 

talking to someone else. 

He threw some papers on the table, catching my attention. I looked up, and what I saw in his eyes made me frown. 

“You’re talking to me,” I pointed to myself. 

“Did you know Nick was the father of your nephews?” he asked seriously, a look I rarely saw 

on him. 

Recently, Nick had found out that my little ones were his, something we knew would happen eventually. Fortunately, Alaia was prepared to face it, and unexpectedly, the father of my children had decided to get closer to them. This was just the beginning. 

“Well, I don’t see why my answer to that question should interest you,” I observed him. 

“My cousin has lost two years of those children’s lives,” he sounded disappointed. 

“You couldn’t expect me to reveal something that wasn’t mine to reveal,” I swallowed a lump in my throat. I didn’t know why his disappointment bothered me. 

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CHAPTER 121: DARE TO LOVE M… 

“I wouldn’t have asked you to reveal it,” he shook his head and looked at the table. “I don’t 

know if I’ll ever know, and neither will you, but I feel that denying a father to children is something cruel, and I wouldn’t want to live through it, and I imagine you wouldn’t either,” he looked up. 

And I found myself forced to shake my head. 

“I would have just liked to get a hint of what we should look for, where to look. Nick is like my 

brother.” 

“I can understand you,” I bit the inside of my cheek, “but I couldn’t. This has to do with my family.” 

“The children are part of mine too,” he spoke, shaking his head. 

Wow, I wouldn’t have believed William had such deep feelings and was such a good cousin. 

“Will…” I could understand him. I knew it must be very difficult. Even I had thought Nick should 

know, but the circumstances surrounding everything were very complicated for Alaia. 

“I think I’ve understood,” he spoke again, and I stayed silent. “Nothing I do will help build a 

friendship, not even now that our families are connected through the little ones, right?” 

I made a gesture with my mouth and remained silent. This had been unexpected. I didn’t think 

it was important to him, or did I? I remembered the good relationship he had with those 

around him, how much his friends loved him, that friendship had been truly significant for this 

man. 

“William, I…” I felt like the worst person, that I didn’t even know how to have friends anymore. 

“It’s alright, Asher, I know how to understand,” his phone announced a call, and he quickly took 

1. it. 

“Jessie,” he mentioned, but didn’t this woman have anything to do? 

“Of course, tell your mother I’ll see her there. Of course, I’ve always known how to be there for 

a good friend,” William kept his gaze down; I admitted that the bit about being a good friend 

stung, and seeing him leave without saying goodbye, well, I didn’t like it. 

Without realizing it, all my efforts to push him away had succeeded, but I didn’t feel as I 

should knowing he wouldn’t be trying to have a good relationship with me anymore. 

I didn’t even understand myself. 

I watched him get into the car and headed to the truck, with a heaviness in my chest that 

wouldn’t go away. 

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CHAPTER 121: DARE TO LOVE M… 

I entered the house and saw Alaia smiling with my little ones holding her hands. 

“Auntie!” my kids ran towards me, and I covered them with kisses. 

“Everything okay?” my cousin asked, and I approached to hug her. 

“Yes, honey, everything’s perfect,” I nodded with a smile. My cousin already had enough on her mind for me to talk to her about my issues with William Garnett. I’d resolve it somehow. How? 

I had no idea. 

Alaia accompanied me and helped me pack my clothes while my kids played around us. 

“We’re going to miss you,” my cousin sighed. 

“And I’ll miss you even more, honey. I don’t know what I’ll do without seeing these precious 

little eyes every day,” I hugged my little ones tightly, and they responded with affection. “You 

won’t be so alone now that your ex is hanging around here whenever he wants because of the 

kids,” I commented with a smile and looked at my cousin. 

She huffed and rolled her eyes. 

“Don’t mention it,” she said annoyed, but I’d seen something different in her when the father of 

her children was around. She’d just be more stubborn than anyone and never admit it. 

***** 

Two days later. 

The plane landed in the UK at six in the evening. I took my suitcase and adjusted my cap to 

start feeling the city’s cold and, of course, the rain. 

Yes, I had missed these cold and rainy lands at this time of year. 

I said goodbye to Loli. Her father and brother had come for her, and they all looked very happy to see each other again. I smiled, watching them hug before saying goodbye to me. I was looking for a car to go to Tino’s place, as I saw he was taking a while to come for me when I 

heard a noise, like the kind you make to call a dog. 

I furrowed my brow, and the rear window of a car was rolled down halfway. 

“Are you deaf?” I heard a whispered shout and laughed, recognizing the voice. 

“But what are you doing?” I asked amid laughter. 

“Get in the car, you fool!” he continued in the same tone. 

I opened the car door, and there he was, my friend whom I’d missed so much, bundled up in a long black coat, sunglasses, and a black cap. If he didn’t want to draw attention, he surely 

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CHAPTER 121: DARE TO LOVE M… 

would with those clothes. 

Without saying anything, I threw myself into his arms with force and heard a very feminine groan from him. 

“But you brute, are you trying to kill me?” he scolded, but didn’t let go. 

“I’ve missed you so much, I took his face while he delicately adjusted his glasses and cap. 

“Sweetie, I’ve missed you too, but I’m not going to kill you,” he placed a hand on his chest, and I just laughed. Oh, I loved him. 

in 

“Let me see you,” he took my face, “gorgeous,” he clapped, “there’s something strange your eyes, you’ll tell me about it,” he gestured. 

“What are you talking about? There’s nothing strange,” I assured him. The last thing I needed was for him to notice something that wasn’t happening, nothing was happening to me. 

“Oh honey, I’m happy,” he hugged me tightly, and I didn’t let go. 

“Let me introduce you to Tony,” Tino pointed to the driver, and to my surprise, I saw a slim guy, I’d say fit, wearing a cap and glasses just like my friend. 

“A pleasure to finally meet you,” he nodded, looking at me through the rearview mirror, but the guy was handsome and had a masculine gay air, nothing like Tino’s flamboyance. 

“Likewise, thanks for coming for me,” I smiled at him, “I imagine your outfit was provided by Tino,” I said, and he laughed. 

“Indeed,” he responded, nodding. 

“But what a manly voice you have, Tony. It’s clear who’s the giver and who’s the receiver,” I said, laughing. 

“You’re so vulgar!” Tino hit my arm while Tony shook his head, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Tino was the one who had taught me those terms. 

***** 

We arrived at Tino’s apartment, located in an exclusive area of the city. Of course, our stores provided us enough to maintain this lifestyle. 

I entered and smiled; it was just as I remembered. 

“I don’t want to intrude,” I said, seeing those two being affectionate. 

“You’re not intruding, Ashley,” Tony approached me and took my hands. “Tino hasn’t stopped crying for his precious, his princess, and a couple of little ones.” 

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I smiled tenderly, looking at my friend and observing his attractive boyfriend. My goodness, Tino had good taste. He was tall, with dark hair and a beautiful smile. 

“Everything is arranged, honey. We’ll go to your house for a few days to throw your father off,” Tino took me to the dining room, where Tony was setting the table. He was a charm. 

After finishing the delicious meal, we had a conversation about Tony’s work as a model and 

what we’d do in the days I was there. 

I went to the bedroom after saying goodbye to them and opened my suitcase. I got ready for bed and lay down, closing my eyes, and Will’s face came to mind. I frowned and heard a message on the phone I used as Asher. 

Surprised, I saw it was from a number I didn’t recognize. 

I typed “Who are you?” after reading a “hello” and hit send. 

“It’s Joy,” she replied with a smiling emoji. 

“Hello Joy, how are you?” I sent, wondering where she got my number. 

“I’m fine. At a boring family dinner,” she replied. 

“I’m sorry for you, darling,” I responded, puzzled by this conversation with her. 

“Lol, I’ll be fine. The only good thing is seeing handsome Will,” I read the message and frowned. Now those two were inseparable. Joy continued writing. 

“My sister told me he’s the man she plans to marry.”