'Let's get married!'
'Let's get married!'
Those were the words ringing in Ashlyn's head as she tried processing it. 'Marriage? Was he serious or did she hear him wrongly?'
Seeing the confusion written all over her face, Mark decided to explain what he meant. "We both are not interested in all this, but, we're in the same position because of our parents, so..." He paused when the waiter brought their orders and dropped two cups of cappuccinos on their table, placing one at each of them front before leaving.
"Let's get married just for them and our peace of mind. We'll both have our agreement and only live together for them to believe it's real. We're not going to go public and it would be between just your family and mine." He explained briefly and held his cup and took a sip of his drink.
Ashlyn heard his explanation and she finally understood what he meant. Why didn't she think about something like this since? She would have done that long ago to avoid her mother's pressure but now that the idea was present before her, she was definitely going through it.
"It's just going to be between us, right?" Ashlyn asked and Mark gave her a positive response and nodded his head.
"You don't have to rush. You got all the time you need till your next date." Mark said with a tone of sarcasm at his last words.
Hearing his words, Ashlyn scoffed, 'Next date? I'm not going for that again' She said In her head. Holding her cup she took a sip before speaking, "I'll give you a call tomorrow."
Getting a positive results from Ashlyn, Mark smiled and nodded his head before he continued sipping his cappuccino.
Finally, this was the first date that went well for Ashlyn, she couldn't help but feel satisfied with it. Both of them remained silent till they finished their drink and now their date was brought to an end.
"I'll be going back to my company, I still have work to do." Ashlyn said and stood up.
"I understand. See you tomorrow, then?"
Ashlyn nodded her head with a smile on her face before leaving. On getting to her car, she remotely unlocked it, entered, sat down on the driver's seat and called her mum's number.
"How was it? Hope you made your mum proud?"
Ashlyn heard her mother questions immediately the call connected. She could notice the excitement in her mother's voice and she felt a sense of relief wash over her.
"You can ask Clara about it later... So now, how are you feeling?"
Hearing her daughter's answer, Mrs Pedro was not satisfied with it but since her daughter didn't complain about anything like she always complained before, then she would assume that it went well.
"I'm still at the hospital. Dr. Snow told me to rest here for the day."
"Oh! thank Goodness. I'll give him a call to say my appreciation."
"You know, he's a fine young man and also single..."
"Mum!" Ashlyn cut in. "How many men do you want me to get married to?" She asked frustrated. She knew her mum was capable of bringing up a topic like this at any chance she get but right now she wasn't in for it. Though, she did nothing during the date other than seating, drinking and mostly listening, she was already exhausted.
"C'mon dear, don't put it like that..."
"Bye mum, I have to go to the office. I'll see you during the weekend." Ashlyn said before ending the call and she could imagine her mother complaining while calling her a spoiled brat. Running her fingers through her hair to the back she sighed in frustration before starting her car engine and driving off.
**********
Ashlyn arrived at her destination, came out of her car and headed to her office using the back door. As she walked into her office, she saw Kait seated comfortably on the couch while going through a file in her hand.
Kait, fully engrossed in the file she was going through yet, she noticed Ashlyn presence and she raised her head. With a wry smile on her face, "Did you find our prince charming, charming enough? Or you have lot of complains to give?" She said teasingly.
"Prince charming?" Ashlyn scoffed and brushed Kait words away before walking towards her and seating down beside her.
"Let me guess... It didn't go well like always." Kait said as she saw Ashlyn reaction.
Leaning backwards on the couch, Ashlyn lazily dropped her words, "I'm getting married."
"What?" Kait was shocked by Ashlyn outburst. "Can you repeat what you just said? I guess I didn't hear you well."
"Kait, you heard me well. I'm getting married soon." Ashlyn repeated herself again and was expecting series of questions from Kait but instead got laughter.
Kait laughed out loud as she dropped the file she was holding on her table. She knew her friend wasn't someone to take things lightly and make jokes but right now she couldn't help but laugh. Not because she thought Ashlyn was joking but because she couldn't believe Ashlyn would be saying something like that so casually.
She knew Ashlyn would be the last person to say she's getting married so why now? Did she fall in love with the guy? No, it definitely can't be that. When it comes to love, that chapter was a burnt page in her book.
Ashlyn let Kait laugh till her heart content before she spoke, "Are you done now?" Raising her brows up. She wasn't pissed because she knew her best friend playful nature and she was used to it.
Clearing her throat, Kait put on a serious face, "You can explain what happened now." She said and wanted to laugh again but held herself back.
Seeing Kait reaction, Ashlyn shaked her head and sighed before telling Kait everything that happened and how her date went without leaving a single stone unturned.
Immediately Ashlyn finished her narration, Kait bursted into another round of laughter. She laughed so hard that tears started forming in her eyes and Ashlyn just sat there looking at her with no words to say.