Ashley's POV

"Welcome home, love" He said without even turning to look who it was.

Of course it's Kevin.

Who else could it be.

"What are you doing here" I asked with a pointed look.

"And how did you get in" I added with an eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean by that? Didn't I tell you that I'll be back and I also texted you just few minutes ago" He replied.

"And to answer your second question, I have my ways to get where ever I want" He added further.

"I just knew it was you" I murmured almost to myself.

"But you said that you won't be back until sunday" I added sitting down beside him with enough space between us as I placed my handbag in that empty space.

Wait did you do that to create a line between the two of you, my subconscious asked with her index finger on her chin.

Well I didn't even have that in mind because I'm already too exhausted and also annoyed by his sudden appearance to think about these childish things, I shrugged mentally.

"Well let's just say I was missing you so I left all my work and came back immediately" He replied grinning as his gaze dropped down to my handbag that was innocently sitting between us.

I know he must be thinking exactly the same thing my subconscious did but whatever.

"By the way, where did you just come from" He asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Work" I replied shortly.

"Don't you think you are too far in your pregnancy to be still working" He said without any trace of unpleasantness or anything.

That's strange.

That's not what I expected.

"I know. That's why I took three months leave" I replied. I'm utterly surprised at the civilized conversation we were having suddenly.

"It would have been better if you just resigned considering that you'll be moving back to LA soon" He said as if it was the most casual thing in the world to say.

And here we go again with the 'moving back' thing. All this time while he had been gone I have actually not even once thought about the options he left me with. Maybe I was just purposely avoiding that topic because I knew already what my decision would be...that I won't go back with him.

And I also know that'll result into him moving in here with me and I don't think I can do much to stop him because I know him well, once he decides something he'll get it done anyhow no matter what.

And even if I managed to stop him from moving here with me than I know he'll somehow take me back with him and going back means that of course I'll have to see my family some day although there's no denying to it that I miss them badly but I'm just not ready to meet them yet...their questions will only create further chaos in my life nothing else. So as much as I don't agree with it but it's better if he moves here instead of me going back to LA.

"Now who said that I'm coming back" I said coming back to reality.

"Okay than I have no problem in moving here" He replied with that annoying grin never leaving his face.

"Kevin" I called out a moment later.

"Yes" He replied.

"Is all this really necessary I mean you moving here...you have work too and all..." I spoke pushing my luck that somehow he'll just leave me alone but he shushed me by placing his index finger on my lips as shivers ran down my spine and I totally forgot what I had to say.

If the situation wasn't so serious I would have actually laughed at how just his finger slightly touching my lips does some funny things to me.

"I agree I have work but there's something much more important I need to do" He said almost in a whisper.

"W-What" I managed to ask as he moved his finger away but yet he was sitting too close to me.

"I need to win your heart...your trust back" He said huskily looking straight into my eyes as if staring at my soul.

"Kevin..." I trailed off not knowing what it was exactly that I wanted to say.

I wanted to come back with some rude or sarcastic comment that would shut his mouth but...I just couldn't. I just couldn't find the proper words at the moment.

"Your love is my right Ash and I won't let it slip away...ever" He added tugging a few hair strands of mine behind my ear as I found myself leaning into his touch as his hand stilled on my cheek for a moment.

His gaze suddenly travelled from my face to my slightly parted lips, his familiar breath fanning my face...as his thumb gently caressed my lower lip and I closed my eyes thinking that he was going to kiss me and surprisingly I didn't protest against it instead I found myself awaiting his touch.

I opened my eyes frowning when I felt nothing for a few seconds, only to see him back where he was earlier, looking at me smirking with amusement in his eyes.

As I realized what he just did, I threw a pillow at him in full force wanting to wipe off that smirk filled with pride on his face.

I couldn't help the embarrassment and the blush that crept up on my cheeks as I mentally face palmed myself.

God!

He said a few nice words and just touched me once and that was all it took for me to melt...just like an ice on fire.

Where was my self control when I needed it the most.

Maybe it's just these damn stupid hormones that made me give in so easily or rather that made me give in at all for that matter.

It's going to be hard living with him again, isn't it?

I took a glance at him from the corner of my eyes as I heard his light laughter which only embarrassed and annoyed me even further.

"You..." I said throwing another pillow at him which he successfully caught before it could hit his face.

"Don't you dare laugh at me" I threatened pointing a finger at him.

"Okay okay I'm sorry but I just couldn't help it I mean look at your face it's all red and you have no idea how adorable you look right now" He said as his laughter turned into light chuckles before the room fell into comfortable silence as I looked at him, not with anger or annoyance though.

For a moment it felt like we were back to being the friends we were a few months back...like we were back to our childhood where we had no worries in the world, where we laughed freely, where we teased and annoyed each other to no end...a childhood where we were inseparable.

Suddenly it all became so overwhelming for me that my eyes watered up just at the thought that we were not together anymore...that it's never gonna be the same again.

I miss it...I miss our relationship...our friendship.

I miss him though he's sitting right next to me.

I just miss being happy and carefree.

"Ash..." His voice filled with concern as he noticed the tears in my eyes.

"Are you okay" He asked as he wiped away the few tears that have managed to roll down my eyes.

"Yeah but I was also there to wipe your tears every time you cried falling down, I hated tears in your eyes...I still do and no matter how many times I might hurt you unknowingly I'll always be there with you in every situation"

I shook my head and pulled away as I recalled what he said on the day when we went out together.

I just shook away the little memory as I snapped back to the reality upon hearing someone clearing their throat. I looked up only to see Kelly.

"Are you guys done with whatever you were doing" She asked in a bored tone as I looked at her still surprised.

"Kelly" I said suddenly excited to see my friend and sister.

I know I'm supposed to be mad at her but it's just that we met after so long and also I know I can't hold a grudge against her for too long.

"I know I was mad at you earlier but I really missed you" I said pulling back.

"Well not you but I should be mad at you" She replied with her arms folded.

"What are you doing here anyways" I asked totally ignoring what she said.

"As you said that Kevin will tell me everything once he comes back but surprisingly he didn't, even when I asked, saying that 'it's our personal matter and I don't want to involve anyone in it again'..." She replied than paused.

"I think he has got some trust issues now I mean after everything he's been through" She added in a whisper to me so Kevin couldn't hear it.

I frowned at her words.

"Anyways, I was adamant to know everything so I kept nagging him until he finally told me about your lie" She continued as her gaze dropped down to my baby bump for a second before she looked up at me with a look of hurt in her eyes.

"So I decided to come along with him to meet you because I really missed you Ashley" She said after a moment of silence.

And it was only than I realized that in the process of getting away from Kevin I have hurt so many people...my mom, dad, uncle Matthew, Kelly...all of them, who genuinely care for me.

•••

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Until next time.

Love,

Crystal ❤️