01

Ashley looked up from the book that she was reading and glanced at the man. Her eyes widened when she saw a handsome man standing in front of her.

With his dark hair and piercing grey eyes, he was a sight for sore eyes. His jaw was strong and slightly clenched while his lip was tugged upwards in a nervous smile.

She looked him up and down, biting down on her lip.

Ashley blushed as she looked up, seeing the knowing look on his face. She can't believe that she was caught checking him out.

She nodded her head quickly and hid her face behind her book. Ashley felt her stomach fill up with butterflies. She tried to focus on the book but it was hard to when a Greek god was sitting right in front of her.

"You know, you're being a little rude right now." She heard him saying as he took a seat across from her. He slammed his books down on the table making her jump slightly.

Ashley pushed her book down a bit and rolled her eyes at him before returning back to her book. She bit back a retort and tried to distract herself again.

"Did you not hear what I just said?" The man asked, annoyance lacing his voice.

Oh god. Even with an annoyed tone, he still sounds hot.

"Oh I heard." Ashley snipped back coolly with a small hint of a scowl. She read the first few lines of the chapter and sighed.

It was impossible for her to concentrate with him sitting there.

Her forehead became hot and she knew it was from his piercing gaze.

"Well, it would be polite if you would say something or even acknowledge me." He had a husky and deep voice.

It made Ashley's inside churn with unwanted desire and she did all that she could to not let that desire show in her eyes.

Ashley looked around the cafe. A frown marred at her face at the sight of the emptiness. She started questioning why on earth the man would sit near her when there were many other tables still available.

She turned back to the man and raised her eyebrows at him. "I didn't find a reason as to why I should acknowledge you let alone be nice to you. Now if you would excuse me, I would like to continue reading my book." She gave him a pointed look before returning back to her book.

"Harsh." He muttered. "Pride and Prejudice? You're into literature?"

Ashley groaned and glared at him over her book. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

Though the man was good-looking, Ashley knew better than to associate with people like him. He had the whole playboy attitude and it would be troublesome to get involved.

"People like me? Now what do you mean by that, mia bella? Please, amuse me." he asked with amusement.

"A player." She replied coolly. "Someone who thinks he's above everyone else and who have no problems with breaking the hearts of many innocent and young girls."

She put her book down on the table and leaned back against her seat. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

He chuckled and then crossed his arm over his chest. "And how would you know that?" he picked up her book and flipped it around.

Ashley glared at him.

She didn't like it when other people touched her stuff without asking.

"I just do." She snapped before snatching her book back.

"Feisty." He said with a wink before leaning back against his seat. "Well, that isn't right mia bella. Ever heard of never judge a book by it's cover?"

God he's such an annoying idiot. She thought to herself.

She watched as he raised his arm up, signaling for the waitress. His muscles flexed as he did so and she bit down on her bottom lip.

A hot idiot.

"A hot idiot you say?" he asked her in amusement.

Ashley cursed at herself for saying it out loud. Great. Just great. Now he knows that she was checking him out. Lord why must she always say things out loud?

A light blush made its way to her face and she glared at him before picking up her bag. Placing the book inside, she stood up and placed a twenty dollar bill under her coffee cup.

Sending a last glare to the man, she walked out of the cafe and into the fresh Californian air.

.

.

.

Ashley felt her whole world crashing down when he said that. Her heart felt like it was going to break into a million pieces and she could feel her head becoming lighter. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and her hands shook.

She backed into the wall and placed her palm on it, praying that that was enough to hold her up. "Dante. What do you mean? W-why would you want a divorce?"