Ashton:....
I take deep breath and press the 'Call' button on my phone. Please pick up..! I don't know who else to tell this to. After a few seconds, the call connects and 'he' picks up the phone.
Ashton: I-It's me.
???:... Fancy to get a call from you.
A man with a bubbly voice answers the phone.
Ashton:... Are you free right now?
???: Hey, no 'Hi, how've you been?' or anything for me?
Ashton: Hey, how's everything?
I ask him in a slightly urgent tone and it doesn't get past him.
???: I don't want to tell you.
Of course he wouldn't, after all that's happened.
Ashton:.. Are you at work?
???: Yeah, I'm busy. I'll talk to you late-
I know he's clearly trying to avoid me after what I did, but...
Ashton: I got married.
???:....
He says nothing for a while.
Ashton: Um-
???: Did you tell 'him' yet?
I know exactly who he's referring to so, I reply quickly.
Ashton: No, I was planning on telling him after telling you.
???:... Hold on a sec.
Ashton: Okay.
???: Put her on the damn stretcher!!
Ashton:....
I hear him scream at someone on the other side of the phone in a commanding tone. He really is at work, huh. He returns back to the call in his usual easygoing voice.
???: Scarlet Club, in one hour. I'm getting him too.
Ashton: Okay...
Before I can say anything else, he hangs up on me. How do I face them after running away all those years away without letting them know anything about it? I put my phone back in my pocket and leave the studio without Leah.
I know that she doesn't want to talk me right now anyway. I've hidden this side of me for 6 years from her and for her to suddenly find out that I'm not the kind of person she thinks I am, really is too much for her.
I'll think about dealing with her later. This Friday, I have to attend to cover photo shoot for Fuchsia Publishings. I won't be able to meet Claire after that unless she comes to the Highschool Reunion.
Then again, we'll have no reason to meet each other after it; I'm married and she's engaged, it would be.. absurd.
I get in my car, avoiding the usual questions of the paparazzi. I carefully remove my ring from my bag and put it back on. Since I can't wear it to work because I don't want to disclose the news yet, Kate and I came to an agreement that I wear it when I get off work.
I still have an hour before I meet them, I can take a detour. I tell my driver the destination and lean back in my seat. The City is worse than overseas, people always want to see foreign movies which made me even more popular here. It's not like I don't want the popularity, it's just that I can't roam about as I wish anymore, there are eyes on me everywhere.
When I got into scandals, the agency actually had to send bodyguards for me to ensure my safety. I hated publicity stunts because of that but, I had to do it under orders. I have made many sacrifices to reach this level, I don't want to foster anything that could ruin it all; that's why I can't tell the world that I've gotten married.
It would a dangerous move for both Kate and me. I look outside the tinted window; we're getting to the place. I take out the coloured contact lenses from my bag and put them on. Hiss, that stings. I blink a few times to adjust them. My naturally blue eyes will give me away so these brown lenses should work.
The car halts a few steps away from the store and I get off. I signal him to drive away for the time being so as to not attract much attention. I payed a fortune for my car and yet, I can't show off. I inwardly chuckle despite myself and enter the one place that used to be very important to me and 'a certain someone'.
The store board reads 'Sweet Treats' in a bold, quirky font. Claire and I had our first date here. It's been 10 years since then, it's surprising how this store still exists. I'm not a big fan of sweet things but, I really felt like coming here for some reason.
I walk in and take a seat by the window in the cafe area. A few people turn their heads around to look at me but then look away disappointed. Good, they don't actually recognize me. A redhead waitress in her early twenties comes up to my table after a short while later.
Mia: Have you decided what to order yet?
She smiles politely.
Ashton: Ah, yes. I'd like a black coffee and a mini bitter chocolate tart.
Mia:... Okayyy.
She scribbles it down in her notebook and leaves. I'm still nervous about telling them both. What I did was wrong but, at least for old times sake... I hold my head my hands sigh.
I told them that I would talk to them about them but now, my nerves are getting the best of me. How do I do it?
???: Ashton?
Ashton:..!
My heart almost leaps out my chest at the sound of the familiar voice behind me. I turn around to see the last person I would want to tell what's bothering me right now....
Ashton: You....