Time flies by quickly as we three catch up with all that's happened in all these years and the built up tension fades away. It's like the wall that was built between us is also crumbling away.
*Ring Ring*
Louis: Ah, that's my-....
Louis takes a look at the caller ID and his face goes emotionless.
Ashton:..?
I've never seen him like this, is it something serious?
Louis: I need to take this.
Before Drake and I can even say anything, he rushes out of the room.
Drake: Heh.
Drake gives out an amused chuckle.
Ashton: What is it?
Drake: Can't you take a guess? It was obviously 'him' who called Louis. This guy doesn't even know how to react to that.
Ashton: For real?
What kind of a reaction was that? Getting a call from you like... It's be so long, I've almost forgotten that feeling. After all, it was Claire who-... No, I shouldn't think about her. I shake my head to remove the thought from my mind.
Drake: I need to get home.
Drake puts on his blazer and starts walking towards the door. I guess he has to get back to Emily. It's getting late and I have work tomorrow, I should go too.
Ashton: Then I'm going too.
I'm about to follow him out when he suddenly halts and turns back to look at me with a serious expression.
Drake: Now that you're already in 'their game', I think you should understand something really well.
Ashton:..?
'Their game'? What does that mean?
Drake: You need to be careful, women from high ranking families can be very scheming. They will use you to get what they want without giving it a second thought, each one of them has an ulterior motive if they want to approach you.
Scheming? That doesn't sound like Kate at all. She couldn't have approached me for taking advantage; she didn't even know who I really was until last week.
Ashton: That's not true-
Drake: If you're going to say that the daughter of the Bleus is innocent, save it. Don't you know how her father achieved his current position? It was through deceit. Do you really think Kate Bleu, his daughter, would be a simple woman?
Ashton:.....
I go silent, not because I don't want to argue but because he might be right. It's been 7 years since I last saw her, she shows little change on the surface but what about her true self?
Ian Bleu, Kate's father, is a cunning man indeed. He's used dirty tricks to get his hands on whatever he wants. It's only natural that he'd teach his children the same to make them succeed.
As for Kate, if she really wanted to use me, she would've already known my identity and would've already done that years ago. I suppose there's nothing wrong with her.
Drake: Don't take it to heart, I'm only saying this to help you.
And with that, he leaves the room. I follow the suit with the things he said plaguing my mind..
My house slowly comes into view as the car drives closer. Hm? The lights are still on. The car pulls up in its spot and I get off. I walk up the stairs and open the door.
*Click*
Huh, something smells nice. I put my bag away and head to the place the scent is coming from. The dining area? I take a peek inside the room and my eyes go wide in surprise.
Ashton: Kate?!
She's sound asleep with her head on the table, several dishes plated in front of her. Ugh, crap. I forgot to tell her that I'd be back late. Was she waiting for me to come back? I feel terrible.
I touch her shoulder gently.
Kate: Mmn...
Her shoulders are cold and so is the food. She must've fallen asleep, waiting. It's not good for her to sleep like this. I lift her up in my arms and carry her upstairs to our room. I lay her down on the bed and sit down beside her, on the edge of the bed.
I take a look at her sleeping face, she looks as innocent as a child. It's the same peaceful expression on her face and drew me in 7 years ago. A small smile spreads across my face.
I stroke her hair affectionately, remembering the past when-
Ashton:..!
Kate: Mn.. Warm...
She grabs my hand in her sleep and squirms. I feel conflicted. I used to like her a lot in the past but never fell in love, I never even told her that for the sake of saying it when she said that she loved me at the airport all those years ago. She's probably past the feeling but what am I supposed to do?
I look at her face again. Who are you, Kate Bleu? Are you still the sweet and carefree 19 year old girl I met years ago or a vicious, scheming woman now? Do I trust you or doubt you? With these questions swirling in my mind, I withdraw my hand from hers and walk out of the room....