Chapter 51 - Amethyst Eyes 6: All or Nothing (2/2)

He couldn't do that. He loved Ashley too much to give her up. But it would definitely be sad if after five days, nothing would happen. He would give up forever.

”Do you hear me, Ash? Five days. You have five more days,” Alex told his sleeping lover, a tear falling from the corner of his eye as he kissed the top of her head. ”Tell me you love me…please…”

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There was something wrong going on and Ashley could feel it. Ever since that day at the office when she told her fiancé that he could go out and do other things without her, Alex had really been going out and coming home very late – or early, if you counted three in the morning as such.

Today was Sunday, two days before their wedding, and they should be meeting with the coordinators about the last-minute details. Alex, however, surprised her earlier by telling her that he had already taken care of everything and that they had nothing to worry about anymore except to be at the wedding hall on Tuesday.

Having nothing to do, Ash walked to their room with a plan on asking Alex to go somewhere to unwind.

”Alex I –”she called out as she opened the door but stopped midstride, her smile vanishing from her face as she heard Alex talk.

Her fiancé was on the phone and hadn't realized he was no longer alone. Usually, Ash would leave him whenever he had a phone call. This time, however, by something unexplainable, her legs wouldn't move to turn around. It might be because of the way Alex spoke so she stayed to hear snippets of his talk. If anything, his call was somewhat suspicious because his tone was lower and almost in a whisper as if he didn't want anyone hearing his conversation.

”What? Again? We just saw each other last night,” Alex complained followed by a low chuckle, obviously pleased and Ash frowned. ”Don't tell me you miss me already?” he added and her eyes widened as she placed a hand to cover her mouth.

She couldn't afford for Alex to see her listening to his conversation. She also couldn't bear to listen to him further.

Alex was flirting and Ash was shocked. But the next part of the conversation froze her.

”Today's Sunday. Ash may want to go somewhere,” Alex continued, and Ash thought his voice sounded as if her wanting to go somewhere was a problem.  ”I can't promise anything but let's see what I can do. I'll try and see you tonight. Usual place,” he continued before he paused and smiled tenderly. ”Okay. Love you…”

The last words washed over Ashley like ice; a gasp escaped her lips and she quickly bit them in fear that Alex would find out she eavesdropped. She blinked several times as her eyes heated up, her lips trembling against her hands. Feeling nauseated due to what she overheard, Ash swallowed another cry as she ran out of the room towards the bathroom.

Oh, God. Was Alex having an affair?

With her body shaking, Ash opened the faucet and splashed water on her face. Tears fell freely and unstopping. Her ċhėst heaved as she breathed in, trying her best not to cry out loud. She knew she should confront Alex about it but she was scared.  Oh God, she was scared…

His voice as he spoke on the phone kept repeating in her mind.

[I'll try and see you tonight. Usual place…]

Alex was meeting someone and that someone…

He said 'I love you' to that someone. Those three words were exclusive only for her days ago.

What happened?

Ash lifted her head and stared at herself on the mirror, noting her red teary eyes and puffy nose.

”Was it my fault?” she wondered out loud albeit knowing deep inside that it was. After all, Alex obviously didn't want to go but she pushed him.

Did Alex meet that person when she urged him to meet with his friends? If so, there was no one else to blame but herself.

Oh, God…