Andrew wiped the tears off Ashley's face and moved closer to her. Then he whispered to her in a soft
voice, "No, no. You're my only one.
I can explain that. It's true that I had a meeting with the CEO of the Feng Group. I just didn't expect that
it would be with Lesley. When I first saw her, I immediately wanted to leave. Just as I was about to
leave, she stood up and faked falling into my arms. I didn't know that she had left a lipstick stain on my
shirt.
My shirt smelled like her perfume. That's why I didn't want you to hug me. I wanted to shower first to
get rid of the smell. All my clothes that day smelled like that so I threw them away."
This was probably the first time that Andrew's said so much and the first time he had explained himself
to a woman so patiently.
He only did that because he loved Ashley so much.
Andrew placed his chin on Ashley's head as he hugged her tighter. He said gently, "So, no, I am not
having an affair with anyone. You're my only one. Please stop crying, Ashley."
'Whenever you cry, I feel as if my whole world is falling apart.
So, please don't cry.
It's my fault, ' thought Andrew.
Ashley was still dazed. Even when Andrew had already explained himself, she still couldn't stop herself
from crying.
"Then… why… did you ignore me for so long?" Ashley asked while sobbing.
Andrew sighed. Ashley had gone to see Ron that day. When she came back, she was already treating
him coldly. He immediately connected it to Ron. He wasn't actually planning on ignoring her. He was
just afraid that Ashley might leave him.
Andrew remained silent.
Ashley didn't know why she was so insistent. "Tell me!"
"Do you remember who you went to meet that day? You treated me coldly that day. I thought it's
because you had feelings for him so..."
Andrew didn't finish his sentence but Ashley already had a pretty good guess what he was going to
say.
'Ron and I? That's impossible! I've only looked at him as my brother. I never saw him any more than
that. Why would I suddenly have feelings for him?' she thought inwardly.
"I… don't love him. I just see him as my brother," Ashley said.
"Well, I see," said Andrew.
'From now on, I won't doubt you anymore, ' thought Andrew firmly.
Ashley looked at Andrew. At that time, they were sitting on the floor. Ashley was in Andrew's arms,
looking awkward.
Andrew's shirt was soaking wet from Ashley's tears.
Ashley pushed Andrew away and said, "I want to stand up."
Only then did Ashley realize how long she had been really crying.
Plus, she looked like a mess.
'Oh, no! This is so embarrassing!' Ashley thought to herself.
She just wanted to hide forever.
Andrew held Ashley tighter and said, "You are not going anywhere. I will never let you."
At this moment, Ashley's eyes were red and her hair was a little messy. Her face was flushed because
she had just cried.
She looked just like a bruised peach.
Andrew was a bit aroused at that moment and it didn't help that Ashley was moving so much.
Andrew stopped Ashley as he said, "Stop moving"
Ashley knew this tone very well. She did as she was told—she remained still.
Suddenly, she felt as if the atmosphere was so awkward that she couldn't focus on anything else so
she spoke, "Why didn't you talk to me that day?"
'You made me so worried and all I did was overthink.
If it weren't for Ellie, we still wouldn't be talking right now, ' Ashley thought to herself.
She sighed inwardly. 'Do I not trust Andrew enough?
When I saw that lipstick stain on his shirt, it was as if I couldn't think rationally anymore.
The more people care about someone, the less rational they tend to be.
I'm exactly like that.
I think I have to be more careful next time.
I need to trust Andrew in the future, ' she thought.
Andrew tightened his embrace around Ashley. Then he spoke, his voice low, "I thought it was just
nothing. I didn't know you would assume as much. I hated what she did but I didn't want you to be
bothered over nothing. Ash, I'm sorry. I promise I'll tell you everything from now on."
He couldn't help but feel irked at Lesley. He didn't expect that she would cause this much trouble in his
relationship.
Meanwhile, Lesley had no idea how much Andrew despised her.
She was still patiently waiting for Ashley and Andrew to be in hot water so she could take advantage.
This was just Lesley's wishful thinking.
Andrew and Ashley's relationship was stronger than ever.
"Okay," said Ashley.
Suddenly, Andrew felt his body grow itchy and hot as if there was something climbing unto his skin.
He then recalled that Ashley had served a lot of spicy food for dinner. He was so worried that Ashley
was going to break up with her that he hadn't paid much attention to what Ashley was serving him.
Andrew just ate whatever Ashley dumped on his plate. He was allergic to peppers. In fact, he hadn't
eaten one since he was young. Francis had just told him that he couldn't eat spicy food anymore.
Andrew suddenly released Ashley and said, "Ash, I just remember I have a lot of things to deal with..."
Before Andrew could finish, Ashley hastily grabbed his hand and said, "What's wrong? Is it anything
serious?"
Andrew couldn't meet her eyes. "Don't worry. I just need to tie up some loose ends at work. I'll be back
later."
When Ashley grabbed Andrew's hand, she felt its temperature to be a little high.
It didn't help that Andrew was acting a bit strange too. It was getting late and she was wondering why
Andrew couldn't put off whatever he was going to do for the next day.
As Ashley was in deep thought, Andrew suddenly released his grip on her, causing her to lose balance
and almost falling to the floor.
As much as he wanted to help Ashley, he knew he had to go.
"Ash, just rest for now. I'll be back later," he hastily said, hoping to be able to leave right away.
Ashley narrowed her eyes, looked at Andrew who was just about to leave. Then she said, "Andrew,
don't move!"
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