Katherine's POV

I peeked at Ashton for the nth time , and still like every time
He looks so lost in his thoughts, paying no attention to the file in his hand.

We are sitting in his office working on a new project , in attempt to fix the loss that the company was subjected to lately.

Actually, It wasn't necessary to come to the company to finish this work, we could've worked from home , but it was obvious that he came here just to run away from his parents.

Both of them were there , father and mother , none of them said anything more to him, his mother kept on giving me disgusted looks while his father didn't pay much attention to me , he didn't even notice me.

We left directly after the small creepy talk with his mother , and i said nothing after the girlfriend thing , I actually don't know what to say.

And Ashton's mood changed totally after seeing his parents , gone all the joking and teasing, he just wore the same cold façade again.

He even wanted to take his stuffs and get back to the hotel , but his grandma hid all his things to make sure he'll come
Back.

"I took all your stuffs , so you are going to come back here . Okay." She said trying to convince him , Ashton gave her an annoyed look before he mumbled "Okay."

"Also , the weather tomorrow is good , so i think we should go on a picnic ." She said with a bright smile , the picnic idea made her enthusiastic for some reason.

"Picnic ? Seriously grandma." Ashton scowled.

"You will..."

"I.will.not.go !" He said stressing on each word showing his dislike in this conversation.

"Okay okay we will talk about this later , just come back before dinner." She said then turned toward me.

"Make sure he will come before dinner." She said to me giving me one of her warm smiles.

I nodded my head and went after Ashton.

Suddenly, The office's door bursted open pulling me out of my thoughts.

I snapped my head toward the doors direction , i spotted Alex entering without even knocking.

Typical Alex..

"Hello." He said in his usual enthusiastic tone , it sounded more like hellooowww.

He send a wink in my direction while stepping inside.

This guy is never going to change !

"What is with the grumpy mode ?" He asked looking at Ashton.

Ashton totally ignored him and went back to the file in his hand.

Alex turned to me and gave me a questioning look , i just shrugged.

"Sooo , your grandma called me , we are going on a picnic tomorrow." He said with a big smile.

Why he is always so happy !

"I am not going." Ashton said not bothering to look at Alex's direction.

"Whatever Mr. fun killer." He said then looked at me , "You going sweetheart?"

"Yeah , i think so." I said and i can feel Ashton's gaze on me.

"Great !" He said then threw himself on the couch beside me, throwing a hand over my shoulders.

I directly removed it away when i felt Ashton's glares boring into my skin.

"We will have fun. Me and you." He said giving me a wink, "Without that Ashton dude."

"I am going." Ashton said instantly surprising both Alex and me.

"What the.. You just said you don't want to go." Alex said standing up.

"I changed my mind." He replied with a blank tone, then went back to the file.

Alex looked at me with a victorious smile , and I couldn't help but smile too.

Well, that wasn't hard !

"Sweetheart." Alex said ,"We're going to eat dinner today , Cara , me and some other friends , wanna come ?"

"She is not going." Ashton said , more like snapped , not giving me time to reply.

"What now ? Are you Katherine ? Did they cut your dic.." Alex said looking at Ashton but i directly interrupted him , knowing exactly where this conversation is going.

"No Alex , I don't want to go." I said hoping he won't ask more.

I don't want to argue with Ashton about this now , especially not when he is in this mood.

"Okaayy." He said looking unsatisfied.

And then it hit me , he is going with Cara , this piece of shit !

"Wait ! You are going out with Cara." I said glaring at him.

"Don't go overprotective now sweetheart , we are just hanging out , some of my friends are coming too." He said raising his hands in surrender.

"Okay." I said crossing my arms not wanting to argue more about this , i kind of trust Alex now and i know he won't do anything because i will definitely kick his small tiny balls if he did.

He gave me a smile and then send a glare toward Ashton , who was totally ignoring him and then went out.

I went back to the files not daring to lift my eyes up because i can sense his intense gaze on me now.

We finished before dinner and then went back to his grandma's.

We were all seated on the big dining table , no one is uttering a single word , thick silence and tension was building up making it hard to eat normally.

You can just hear the clicking voice of the forks and the plates , everyone's eyes are fixated on the plates in front of them , as if not daring to look up and meet anyone's eye.

We all finished directly, the food in the main dishes still the same.

Seems no one is hungry..

Ashton directly stood up and then went away toward his room.

I didn't see him after.

I did the same , excusing myself, i went to the room i am staying in , took a warm shower , changed into more comfy clothes and then laid on the bed thinking about everything happening lately.

After a while, a knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts , when i was about to say 'Come in.' . Zoe opened the door slightly and peeked inside.

"Can i enter ?" She asked with a small smile.

"Yeah sure , come in." I said , and at my words , she stepped in closing the door behind her, she came and sat beside me on the bed.

"Sorry i came barging on you like that." She said with an apologetic look.

"No , don't say that , i was actually bored." I said smiling.

"But i need to ask you this." She said , i looked at her ushering her to continue, " Are you and Ashton a thing now ?" She asked unable to hide her enthusiasm.

"What ? No.. U-umm.. Yea.. I.. I really don't know." I stuttered unable to find an answer.

Her smile dropped, " But he told my mother that you're his girlfriend."

"Yeah i was shocked at that too , he just said it without asking me." I said , seriously though , how dare he make me his girlfriend without even asking.

Rude jerk..

"Yeah that's Ashton. I would actually be surprised if he asked you like a normal guy." She chuckled , " He would just come and order you to be his girlfriend and that's it."

I chuckled too , that was so Ashton-like.

"Seriously though, do you like him too ?" She asked.

I kept silent for a while not knowing what to say , " I don't know." I replied and that was not a lie.

I really don't know , i know i feel something toward him , his intimidating personality always intrigues me.

But i am not sure if i really do like him , maybe it is just some small attraction , maybe because I haven't dated a guy in years.

Can i really like him ?

Or more like , do i really like him ?

I am confused , I can't manage to find an answer to this question.

"Think about it." She said snapping me back to reality, " It would be great if you two become a thing , you would be his first girlfriend."

Her words surprised me , i felt like chocking on my own saliva.

"What do you mean first ?" I asked.

He never dated a girl before !

What the..

"Ashton never really had a girlfriend." She said making my eyes widen more, "Of course he had his flings , but a serious relation, a girlfriend.. Never."

"Oh !" Was all i said.

"You really seem so nice and kind , and we really clicked even though i just met you , like two day ago." She said with a bright smile , "And Ashton deserves a girl like you."

No he doesn't..

You have no idea what I've done to him..

At that thought , i felt ashamed again of myself and guilt rushed back inside my chest, making my heart clench.

Till when i will keep lying ?

I tried somehow to ignore these thoughts, just thinking of them terrifies me.

"I want to ask something , but I don't want to seem too rude or noisy." I said biting my lip.

"Yeah sure , ask." She said.

"Why Ashton doesn't have a good relation with his parents.. Well i mean your parents." I asked , then regret it once the words flew from my mouth.

Her smile dropped at my words and i can see how her expression changed into a sad one.

Damn it Katherine, why you have to be so noisy !

I cursed myself and i was about to apologize for crossing my limits.

"I really don't know." She said with a sad face, " It is like this since -as long as i can remember."

"I never really knew why they always treat each other in this way , why they are always distant." She said, " I asked them a lot , why they treat Ashton in this way , it is like they never really payed attention to him."

"I grew up with him going to boarding school, i was young back then , i never really saw him properly, just on vacations . I noticed how always my parents didn't took good care of him."

"If I don't know better , i would think he is adopted , but you can see how he look just like dad."

She shook her head , i can see some tears forming in her eyes , probably she doesn't want to talk further about this.

"One time i asked my grandma , she said they always treated him as a mistake.. but i never really understood why."

A mistake ?

What is that supposed to mean ?

"I am sorry for asking that , i know it is non of my business." I said when i noticed how much this affected her.

"No don't say that." She said , " You're Ashton's girlfriend, ofcourse it is your business." And her smile was back now.

"I am not his girlfriend."

"I think you will be , he won't let you go." She said Her smile changing into a smirk.

"Okay enough talking for now , i left Zack with John , he is probably giving him hard time now." She said before standing up.

"Goodnight." She said opening the door , "Goodnight." I replied smiling.

"Don't dream about my brother." She said before slamming the door and storming away.

I shook my head , then laid down placing my head on the pillow trying to let everything she said sink in.

I still can't shook the word Mistake from my mind , why would he be a mistake !

I still don't understand !

But for sure i know , if he is a mistake then he is the best mistake ever..

With that thought running in my crazy mind, i drifted to sleep.

***

The next morning, i woke up , changed my clothes into something more representable , for his mother to stop giving me those dirty looks.

Then, I went down , almost everyone was seated by the dining table waiting for breakfast to be served , i looked around but I couldn't spot Ashton anywhere.

Where is he ?

Is he still asleep ?

I went up again , toward his room , i knocked but no one answered , I knocked again and still nothing came from the inside.

So i opened the door slightly peeking inside , there is no one in the room.

I entered looking around , some clothes were thrown on the bed but he is no where to be seen.

Maybe he is in the bathroom.

I walked toward the bathroom door and when i heard the water's voice i felt somehow relieved.

I thought he ran away and left me here alone.

I stepped back deciding to leave before he comes out and see me here.

And in that moment , the door bursted open , my eyes widened afraid.

He went out with a small towel in his hand drying his hair with and he was ... Oh my god , he is wearing nothing but a damn boxer.

His eyebrows pulled together when he saw me , but then went back to normal , he gave a questioning look while i was too busy checking him out.

Look at his face , look up you stupid !

"I.. U-umm.. I just .. I just wanted ." I cleared my throat, " The breakfast is ready."

I saw a smirk forming on his lips , he surely knows how this is making me uncomfortable.

Oh my god Katherine , look up , stop looking down.

I can't damn it , I can't..

"I already ate my breakfast." He said looking at me with an amused look.

I don't need to be smart to know how much my face is red now, i feel my face is on fire.

"O-oh , O-okay." My voice was squeaky while uttered those words.

Get a hold on yourself..

"Is there anything else ?" He asked , his smirk is just growing bigger.

Damn you and your stupid hot body..

"No , no , i will.. I will leave now." I said making weird hand gestures stumbling on my way out.

Clap clap for Katherine , he probably thinks you're the weirdest clumsiest person ever..

I closed my eyes and cursed myself for acting in such a weird way.

I will lock myself in my room today so I won't get more embarrassed.

I walked toward my room , not able to shake the image of his body from my mind.

Stupid hormonal girl..

*****

I was in my room , texting Cara filling her in about what is happening, when i spotted a big spider walking on the wall beside me.

My eyes widened and i let out a scream. I don't how i threw my phone and rushed out of the room.

I ran out but directly collided with something or more like someone.

"Katherine, what is wrong ?" Ashton said his voice lacing with concern.

"There is a big huge spider in my room." I said in a panicked tone.

He chuckled at my response and gave me an amused look.

What is so funny about that ?

"You scared me , I thought something happened." He said , and then started walking.

Where are you going ?

"Wait." I said holding his shirt from the back.

"What ?" He turned and raised his eyebrow.

"Can you remove him from my room , please." I said giving him an innocent look.

He nodded and walked toward my room , with me following behind.

He entered and started searching for it, i panicked more when I didn't see him in the same spot.

No way in hell i am staying in this room alone.

"Katherine , there is nothing." He said giving me an irritated look.

"I saw it , i am sure , please just search more." I said looking around me scared he may jump on me or something.

The thought alone made my whole body shake with fear.

I turned around and let another scream when i saw it walking on the wall beside me.

I directly ran toward Ashton, i wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.

At my sudden action he stumbled a bit backward.

"Get him out of here , get him out please." I said burying my face in his shoulder as my hold tightened around his neck.

I felt how his chest vibrated , he is probably mocking at me, but I don't care , i just want the spider out.

He started walking , i lifted my eyes up and saw him walking toward the spider.

"NO NO , WHERE ARE YOU GOING ?" I shouted when i saw us getting near it.

"What ? You said remove it." He said casually.

Stupid jerk..

"Yeah , alone. Put me down." I said , my heart beating so fast , i don't know if because of the spider or how close we were.

He placed me down as i ran and hopped on the bed.

I watched him in horror , "DON'T KILL HIM !" I screamed when i saw him almost squeezing him.

He gave me a confused look , " Just throw him out." I said as i stood on the bed afraid to get down.

He shook his head and placed the big spider in his hand , and walked toward the balcony.

How can he touch him ?

Men are weird..

I stood on the balcony's door to make sure he will throw him out, and when he did i let out a breath I didn't know i was holding this long.

He entered and looked at me , " I can't believe this small tiny spider scared you."

"WHAT ? SMALL ? Can't you see how big it is." I don't know why i was shouting.

He shook his head and a small smile formed on his lips as he stepped closer toward me.

"You sure you threw him out ?" I asked trying to ignore my racing heart.

He nodded and stepped even closer , till we were inches apart , his hand went to my waist and pulled me closer.

I swallowed the lump in my throat , "What if he climbed back again ? I won't sleep in this room then." I said with a shaky voice trying my best not to think about how close he is.

"I wish he will come back then." He said , his voice low or maybe it is just the closeness.

"So you would sleep in my room again." He continued , his eyes looking at me with that look that makes me want to grab him and kiss the hell out of him.

A knock on the door made me pull apart instantly , Zoe entered after , "Katherine , are you.." She stopped when she spotted Ashton there.

A smirk crawled to her lips when she looked at me again , probably my tomato face revealed it all.

"Umm sorry for interrupting, grandma said get ready , we are going in less than an hour." She said before walking toward the door.

"You continue -whatever you were doing now." She said waving her hand between us and then stormed out closing the door behind her.

"Ugh !" I let out a frustrated sigh , for a moment i forget he is still here.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow , " Just go out and let me die in peace." I said pushing him toward the door.

At my words he smiled , "Next time , make sure to lock the door." He said before stepping outside.

I glared at him and closed the door , then went to get ready for this stupid picnic.

God knows what else will happen to me there !

***

It didn't take us long to arrive to the park , it was close to the house , and i was so thankful the Zoe was in the car with us , so I don't have to talk with that stupid human being.

We arrived there first, Alex arrived after and then his parents and grandma.

It was fun , spending time with Zoe and Alex ,this guy definitely knows how to make us laugh.

We were sitting on the grass on a blanket , while his parents and grandma went and sat on the benches.

After a while , Zoe took Zack and went to play with him , Ashton followed too.

I stayed watching them , my heart fluttered when i saw Ashton playing with him , or he was trying to play.

He definitely doesn't know how to play with children..

"So , what is going on between you and him ?" Alex said sitting near me , pointing his hand toward Ashton.

"Nothing." I said my eyes still looking at Ashton.

"Why both of you keep denying it , when everyone else sees it." Alex said again.

"I don't know." I said turning my head toward him.

I don't know what we are , Ashton and me , what is happening between us ?

He told his mother i am his girlfriend but he didn't say anything after , and I didn't bother to ask too.

I looked at Ashton again , and a smile made its way to my lips when i saw him trying to play with the ball with Zack.

Even though he suck at playing with children but i think in the future may be he would make a great father to his children.

At the thought, i felt my heart tighten in my chest , what is this feeling ?

"I like her." Alex's sudden words made me push all these thoughts to the back of my mind , i snapped my head in his direction, I did it so fast that i swear I heard my neck crack.

"What ?" I asked in alert, "Who ?"

He turned his head to my direction, wearing a serious expression,"Cara , i like her." He said making my eyes widen.

"Like her as in take her out and make her your girlfriend like her , or get in her pants and sleep with her like her ?" Well i want to make sure , it is not everyday Alex like a girl.

"The first one you stupid." He said glaring at me.

"You're sure?" I asked , still not digesting the idea.

"Yeah , i mean i never felt like this before , it is weird , so weird." He said with a sigh.

Oh my god !

"Did you tell her ?" I asked. Cara didn't say anything about that to me.

"No , of course I didn't. " He said , " I don't know what to say or do , i mean I never did this before. Girls are usually who ask me out." He said the last sentence with a smirk.

"Calm your balls Mr. Brad pitt ." I scoffed at his stupid sentence.

Men and their ego !

"Shut up , i am serious. What if she rejected me ? " he said and i can sense how worried he is about that.

"I don't think she will." I said with a smile, "Just tell her what you feel."

I looked again at Ashton , thinking about everything happened between us lately, how he said he liked me.

It felt good , I don't know why , but it did , it makes me smile every time i think about it for no reason.

"So you allow me to ask her out ?" Alex said jerking me back .

"You make me feel like i am her dad or something." I said.

"Well , you act like a one." He said shrugging.

I used to act like that because I didn't really knew Alex , but now i trust him and i am sure he won't hurt her.

"I approve." I said giving him a smile, "I trust you."

"Aww , you trust me , damn just admit it already , you are falling for me." He said and now we are back to usual Alex , "It wont be long till you ask me to sleep with you."

I shook my head amused , this guy is never going to change , he just told me he likes my best friend and look now..

"If it is not for Ashton and Cara , i would've kidnapped you now and went away." He said with a wink.

"In your dreams."

"Always." He said , the smirk not leaving his face.

I shook my head and averted my gaze toward Ashton again.

"Seriously now." He said, " Let me kidnap you and we can run away." And i thought he will talk seriously.

"I told you in your dreams." I repeated again.

"Why ? " he said frowning , "Because you can't leave Ashton or because you don't like me ?"

"The first one." I surprised myself when i said that.

Damn ! I have no control over myself.

"I knew it !" Alex said beside me throwing his fist in the air.

I saw Ashton coming toward us and i started getting nervous again and my stomach started feeling sick.

A different kind of sick .. A one I can't describe.

He seated himself between Alex and me even though there was a small space so he pushed Alex away.

"What what ? " Alex said faking anger , "You always treat me like your bitch."

"Because you are." Ashton said blankly.

I chuckled at that which made Alex glare at me.

"Sweetheart say something." He said giving me an innocent look, i just shrugged.

"So now you are on your boyfriend's side." He said and my eyes widened.

What the..

"I'll go with my dignity and leave you two. Lovebirds. " he said before standing up and walking away and I didn't miss the wink he sent in my direction before that.

"Are you bored ? " Ashton said breaking the silence, " We can go back if you want."

"No , i like it here." I said trying to calm my nervousness.

"Do you want to walk around." He suggested.

"Yeah."

He stood up and gave me his hand to help me get up too , i took his hand ignoring the goosebumps.

We walked around in silence and I can't get rid of this nervousness.

"Do you want to quit after we go back to LA ? " he asked suddenly surprising me.

"I don't know." I said.

Then i noticed how his face expression changed totally.

"I mean my boss is really tough and mean , he gives me a really hard time , and he just order me around all the time." I said trying to lighten the mood.

He smiled at my response , "He seems like a jerk."

"Yeah totally. He is." I said unable to hide my smile too.

"Well, my personal assistant, she is so clumsy , she never listens to me , sometimes she even shout at me." He said with a big smirk , "And i advice you not to anger her , believe me , i tried it , i ended up with a burned neck."

I chuckled at his sentence , " She seems so bad , why you didn't fire her already." I said and now we were standing facing each other.

"Well , even though she is so bad , but she is sweet , she have a kind heart. It is true she angers me but in the same time she is the only one that makes me laugh." He said inching closer , at his words my smile jest grew bigger.

"She have the most prettiest smile ever , that just by looking at it , i smile back." He said showing his big smile, " She is so innocent, and she amuses me a lot." He paused for a while.

His hand went to my waist , " And she is the most beautiful woman i ever laid an eye on."

With that butterflies started making a party in my stomach and my hurt fluttered more.

"So I can't seem to let her go." His voice was low , when he said these words his minty breath brushed against my skin making my whole body lit up.

"Then don't." I said , more like a whisper.

"I won't." He said before his lips crashed into mine.

My lips moved against his , making the flips in my stomach intensify, i felt i am kissing him with so much intensity as if this is going to be our last kiss.

His hand traveled to my shoulder going all the way down toward my hand , leaving a hot trail behind.

My hands went to his back grabbing it, i pushed him closer.

After a while , we broke the kiss , both of us panting , when I felt his forehead pressing over mine , i opened my eyes.

Looking at his eyes , seeing the lust in them , i knew the answer to all my previous question.

I like him.

I do.

I have a stupid big huge crush on Ashton.

And it doesn't feel wrong, it feels good..

So good.

"I li.." I was about to admit my feelings but water drops fell over us making me blink.

We looked up , the sky getting cloudy , it looks it would rain soon.

Another drops fell down over us, and it didn't take long till it started raining heavily.

Ashton grabbed my hand and pulled me with him.

He walked really fast , till we reached the car.

"Get in , i will go get Zoe." He said , the smile still on his face, his wet hair brushing over his forehead making him look ten times hotter.

I nodded my head as i seated myself inside.

After few minutes he came with Zoe and Zack , the get inside the car directly and Ashton drove us back home.

The whole ride i was thinking how i will tell him how i feel.

I have to tell him , and i will.

If i have to lock the door this time , i will , so no one would interrupt us.

We arrived , Zoe directly rushed away holding Zack in her arms for him not to catch a cold.

I went out and Ashton did the same , we walked away when i didn't feel my phone in my pocket , my heart dropped.

"I think i left my phone in the car." I said to Ashton.

"I will get it , you hurry inside, it is getting cold." He said before turning around.

I don't how i did what I did next . I grabbed his jacket abruptly, stopping him , he turned toward me confused.

I grabbed his collar and pushed him down , then pressed my lips against his.

"I like you too." I mumbled in his lips then pulled apart releasing his shirt.

I saw how his eyes widened a bit at my actions but then it changed to something else.

Passion and lust filled them , not knowing what to do next , "Go get the phone, i'll be inside." I said with a grin and started walking toward the house.

Where did all this courage come from ?

Wow ! First time i feel proud of you Katherine..

I was near the steps taking me
To the door when i lifted my eyes up.

I froze in my place, my smile disappeared and all the happiness i felt minutes ago vanished as i looked at him.

What is he doing here ?

"Caleb." I said in alert tone , "What are you doing here ?"

My stomach felt sick again but this time this feeling was way different.

A smile crawled to his lips , a smile i am not used to, more like an evil one.

All that didn't matter , what really did was what he said next,

"I am here for the final step."

__________________________________________

Cliffhanger ! Damn i am evil sometimes 😈

This is the longest chapter i have written in my whole life , 5.1k words .. 😂

So what do you think Caleb is going to do ?

And good morning Katherine 😂 you finally realized you like him 😂

I don't know why i added the picture above 😂 I just like it ❤️

Anyway , Hope you liked it , and Excuse all my errors.

Comment and vote 😊

Love ya ❤️