07

Chapter 4

"Why hello there Ashley. Where are you off to?"

Ashley turned her head around and groaned when she saw him. She hugged her books tighter to her chest and glared at him as he stood next to her, too close for comfort.

Using her index finger, she pushed his chest away, ignoring how his rock hard chest made her feel a little dizzy. "Ever heard of personal space mister?"

"With you mia bella? Nope." he replied with a toothy grin, popping the 'p'. He leaned his body against the wall and smirked at her. "Where are you off to?"

"Class." she rolled her eyes and continued walking again. She felt him walking besides her and fought to keep the smile off her face.

"Class? What's that?" he said with mock confusion.

"It's a place where those with goals and ambitions go in order to be successful." She turned to him and smirked. "Two things that you clearly lack."

"Ouch. Is it going to be like this every single time?"

"What? Me pointing out how incapable you are of learning?" Ashley stopped and turned to him, giving him a sickly sweet smile. "Seems like it."

"You wound me. My ego dropped down three sizes since meeting you." he placed his hand over his heart and sighed dramatically. "My heart can't take anymore mia bella. Please say something nice to help me feel better."

"I don't feel like feeding your ego. Any larger and people won't be able to see your," she glanced down before looking up and smirking at him, "little friend."

"I'll have you know, there's nothing little about me." he said in a deadpan voice.

"That's what they all say." Ashley replied.

"That hurts. Say something nice and maybe I'll forgive you." Dante grinned.

"I never asked for your forgiveness." Ashley replied.

"But you need it." Dante shoved her shoulder gently. "Come on Ash. Just one little comment."

Ashley just gave him a blank look. She poked his chest, "Nothing nice to say about you." her eyes danced with amusement when he gave her his unimpressed look.

"There's a lot mia bella."

"I don't recall any."

"Did we not have this conversation before?" he placed his finger under his chin as if thinking. "Ah yes we did. Yesterday to be exact."

"And we will only have to same conversation everyday so might as well stop bothering me." Ashley didn't know why but her heart tugged painfully when she had said that.

She didn't know why but the thought of not being able to see Dante made her sad beyond compare.

"On one condition."

She felt her heart stop. Did this mean that he would actually leave her alone?

She gulped and faked a smile at him. "Joy what do I have to do to get rid of you."

"Go on a date with me."

Ashley gaped. She dropped her books to the ground at just stared at him, not believing what had just came out of his mouth. "W-what?"

Dante nodded his head. Bending down, he picked up her books and held them in his right hand. His left hand went behind his neck and scratched it nervously. "Yeah. Go on a date with me and if you don't enjoy it then I'll never bother you again."

Ashley stared at him with her mouth wide open. She closed it and looked around. Her eyes moved back and forth.

"So what do you say?" Dante smiled hopefully.

Ashley smiled at him and nodded her head. "Alright. I'll go on a date with you. Just so I can finally get rid of your ugly fat face." she smirked and took her books out of his hands and started walking away.

"Why do you always ruin our moments?!" Dante shouted after her with strong amusement lacing his voice.

Ashley chuckled to herself and turned back. She sent him a small smile that he returned before walking into her class.

.

.

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Ashley and Mayla sat down at the coffee table. Things were silent. Not a single word was exchanged between the two.

Ashley looked down at her belly and her eyes teared up again like it has been doing for the past few weeks. She placed her hand on her stomach and looked away, trying to blink back the tears.

Her hand slowly caressed her stomach and she snapped her eyes shut, wanting to block the whole world out.

It was only her and her babies now.

No one else but them.

Everyone seems to abandon her at one point but her babies will never know what it feels like to be abandoned.

She will make sure that they have all the love that they need to prosper in this world. She will make sure that they will never know what it feels like to be left behind, to be hurt by those who were suppose to love them unconditionally.

"Ashley,"

Ashley opened her eyes and looked at Mayla, her eyes doing all the talking that she needed. She couldn't dare risk talking right now. It would only make her feel worse than she already did. And right now, she didn't to remain as calm as possible.

Mayla sighed and glanced away. Her finger traced the rim of the coffee cup that seemed to just had appeared out of nowhere. Mayla had probably ordered it while she was lost in her thoughts.

Ashley glanced down and noticed a cup of water also sitting in front of her. She smiled gratefully at Mayla when Mayla had looked into her eyes.

"I know this may sound bad but maybe it's time for you to return to Italy." Mayla muttered.

Ashley gulped. She picked up her cup and gripped it. "Why?"

Mayla turned away and looked at the people that were passing through. "Think about it Ashley. Italy is the last place anyone would go to look for you."