Chapter 48 - Amethyst Eyes 3: Bitter Taste of Defeat (1/2)

Ashley leaned against the door as soon as she got out of the CEO's office. Her eyes filled with pain, regret, and self-derision that until now she was still unable to give her lover a proper reply. God knew Ash loved Alex so much. But the secretary was still scared and had no idea how to handle this love.

Alex Li was a playboy – an infamous one.

There was no one who was able to tame or catch him until he met her. But she knew that it was only because she gave him a hard time in wooing her. Now that she had Alex, she feared that if she changed, if she showed the other who she really was, she would lose him.

It pained her that she had to restrain herself from showing Alex how much she loved him. But the idea that if she did, he might find her boring, after all, was much scarier. She feared that after seeing who she really was Ashley would just suddenly find herself alone – just one of Alex's many conquests.

Pushing the thoughts from her mind, Ashley sighed as she walked back to her table and proceeded on following her boss' instructions. She remained bothered, however, until it was time to leave.

At five in the afternoon, Ash took the invitations to Alex's office. Her fiancé wasn't there however as Alex went to his father at the chairman's office for a short meeting and so she just left the envelopes on his table.

With a weary sigh, Ash leaned against Alex's desk, semi-sitting on it as she placed her arms across her ċhėst. She really didn't feel okay with his plans for the evening. In all honesty, she had wanted to spend it with him at home, watching movies together or something. She couldn't tell him that, though. It would sound like she was restricting her fiancé, and the last thing she wanted aside from Alex losing interest in her was him telling her that she was such a possessive nag.

Feeling defeated, Ash sighed again, this time louder not realizing the door had opened. Alex had returned and was studying her.

”You look tired,” he commented which startled Ash, making her spin around to face him.

”Y-yeah…” she answered nervously.

”You should rest,” he told her as he crossed the room, approaching until he was only an inch away from her. Glancing briefly at the wall clock, he turned his attention back to her, grabbing her waist, pulling her against his body.

”Wait –”she tried to protest but she was ignored.

”It's already after office hours,” Alex told her before he lifted her chin up and claimed her lips, kissing her hungrily as if they hadn't kissed for a long time.

Ashley placed her arms on his shoulders, pulling him, wanting to be closer – demanding to be closer as their lips locked. She would be a hypocrite if she said she didn't want this.

She did, and she would always want this.

Their kiss ended and Ash could see the dėsɨrė in her lover's eyes. If this was only an ordinary day, she knew she'd be carried off somewhere for a nice dinner and then they'd spend the rest of the night mȧkɨnġ ŀȯvė.

But this wasn't.

Alex had made plans with his friends and Ashley would make sure her fiancé would have time to do other things without her, even though in reality, she hated sharing him with anyone.

”I'll be going now,” she said with a smile, making her fiancé frown.

”Why?” Alex asked her, and she reminded him of his meeting with his friends from college.

”But it's okay. I'll just tell them I can't go, after all,” he told her gently.

Somehow, it warmed her heart that he preferred her company over his friends'. But the gesture was enough. She wouldn't let her fiancé cancel on his friends.

”You should go,” she told him and when Alex frowned, she pasted a smile on her face. ”Even if we're getting married, we shouldn't be together all the time. You should have time for friends and other activities as well,” she said, lying through her teeth.

”Are you telling me to do what I want away from you? And you'll do the same?” Alex demanded and Ash thanked heavens she didn't cry as she nodded.

”We should give each other space too,” she told her fiancé and she watched as his eyes narrowed on her. She thought her words angered him, but then he smiled.

”Sure,” the CEO answered, sounding happy and her heart broke though she remained smiling.