Chapter 71
Alicia escorted Ashton to his car. "I'm really sorry for using you like that." She apologized.
Ashton turned to her. "I don't mind at all, you don't have to apologize, as a matter of fact you're more than free to use me as you wish, you can use me anytime." He smiled.
Alicia could only manage to smile a little as she didn't know how to respond to that.
"Also about what I said to Adams, I was joking or just saying those words Alicia, I really mean them, I like you a lot, but I'm not going to pressurize you into anything, you can take your time and I'm willing to wait for you." He said. "I also wouldn't want this to affect our relationship or anything, you can be free with me, I'll appreciate it a lot."
"Honestly I was surprised, I didn't know you felt that way about me, but Ashton I—"
"Please." Ashton interrupted. "I'll love you to take some time and think about it, you don't have to give me an answer now, and I also did tell you that I'm willing to wait, so I'm going to wait for you Alicia, I'm going to wait until you share the same feelings as me." He said softly.
Alicia sighed. "I really don't know what to say, I'm at loss for words as it is." She admitted.
"You don't have to say anything, you can just tell me goodbye and maybe agree to go on a dinner date with me."
Alicia laughed. "A dinner date?"
"A harmless dinner date." Ashton replied. "Nothing attached, just want to have a meal with you."
"Alright." Alicia nodded. "So when are we going on this harmless dinner date?"
Ashton chuckled. "How does tomorrow sounds? I'll come pick you up by 8pm."
"Alright, I'll be ready."
Ashton bid her farewell, got into his car and drove off.
Alicia waited until she could no longer see his car, that was when she went inside.
Meanwhile, May was already waiting for her to come in, when she saw her, she hurriedly stood up and went to Alicia.
"Now what the hell is going on?" She asked, folding her hands across her chest.
"What do you mean?" Alicia furrowed her brow.
"You talk like you don't know what I'm saying, I'm asking about you and Ashton, is anything going on between you two?"
"Of course not, does it look like we're in a relationship?"
"It doesn't, but I sure can tell that that man has something for you." May stated.
Alicia sighed deeply. "Where's Diane?" She asked, going to take a sit on one of the cushions.
"I already put her to bed.'' May replied, then she went to sit beside Alicia. "Now don't try to change the topic, tell me what's going on and what happened when Adams came to meet you two."
"I lied to him." Alicia said. "Ashton confessed his feelings for me in front of Adams."
May gasp. "He did what!?"
"I was also shocked when he did that, and to make matters worse, I told Adams that I love Ashton and he's the one I want to be with, I only did that because I wanted him to leave and not cause any more problems, he already punched Ashton in his face and they would have both gotten into a fight had I not stepped in." She ran her hand through her hair in frustration.
"Oh my dear Alicia, you really have a lot on your plate, first is your ex husband who will obviously do anything to get you back, and now is the new lover boy Ashton."
"I really don't know what to do May, I doubt me saying that will keep Adams away."
"But I want to know something, are you really serious about wanting to keep Adams away from you?" May asked.
It took a while for Alicia to answer. "I don't..." She trailed. "Yes." She replied. "Yes I want him away from me, I don't want him chasing after me." It sounded like she was trying to talk herself into believing those words than really meaning them.
"I disagree Alicia." May said, and Alicia looked at her. "Those words didn't sound sincere to me. Adams failed as a husband the first time, but you can see it that he's changed, it's as clear as daylight, you may think that you're not going to be able to get over the pain of the past but maybe it's actually because you're not trying to, why don't you try giving him another chance to redeem himself, it's clear to me that you're starting to—"
"Please don't say it May.'' Alicia interrupted. "I'm just so confused right now and I can't be stressed out even more."
"You know I did hate Adams a lot, knowing what he did, how couldn't I hate a man like that, but now seeing all his efforts to right the wrong he did, I'm starting to see him in a different light, I can see his sincerity, I just hope you'll someday be able to see it too." She said softly.
Alicia didn't know what to say anymore, she simply stood up and left for her room.
May did feel pity for her, Alicia knows the truth about how she truly feels about her ex husband, but she keeps on trying to deny it, she doesn't know if she's scared of getting hurt again, if she's scared of trusting Adams again, but whatever the reason is that's keeping her from acknowledging the truth, she just hopes and pray that she'll be able to get over it and maybe give Adams a second chance. She knows he's changed, she knows he's never going to hurt her like he did before, he's proven that through his actions and now she's rooting for them to make up and get back together, they are a perfect match and if they're truly meant to be together then nothing is going to stop that.
"I'm going to help you Alicia, I'm going to help you find your happiness again." She muttered, she just hopes that she's right on this one.