Part 30

Part 30
/Ashton's POV/



I tried not to look at my cell phone for the hundredth time. It was driving me crazy not knowing where Aria was. She usually called whenever she is free or when she is angry with someone. And usually, I get a text back at least for calling her. But nothing. My phone didn't light up since last night with her text or calls. The last thing I remember was her text about going to some party.





"Dr Ashton?" The head nurse knocked on the door. Tearing my eyes off the phone I focused my attention on her. As always she stood at the edge of the door with her hand tucked behind her back.




"Come in please"




She shook her head, "In a hurried doctor. Just wanted to remind you that you have to be on rounds in ten minutes"





My eyes immediately moved towards the clock. It was ten in the morning and I could already feel the tiredness seeping in my bones. All because I couldn't sleep last night and had a late shift. Mustering a smile I nodded my head at her.





"Thank you, Julia. I'll keep that in mind."




"No worries" With that she walked out of there.




As soon as she was out I picked the case files that were on the table to study. It was essential that a new background about the patient before deciding to proceed further. Too engrossed with the reading I did not pay attention to the phone ringing. As it continued I picked it up without even looking at the name.



"Hello?" I huffed





"Ashton" She softly breathed and my insides turned around at her voice. It seemed dramatic but her voice was everything I needed to hear.





I don't think its a shock that I was in love with her. Everyone knew about it, at least her family members did. They vouched for me and had no problem in giving their blessing but it was Aria who was hesitant. She did not want to enter into any kind of relationship. And even though I pretend it's fine for her sake it stung. All these years I have been waiting to tell her how I feel.





When she rejected me 5 years ago it did not hurt because I just asked her on a date. Later she extended the hand of friendship and it was fine but after knowing her all these years it was difficult to not fall in love. Aria was everything you would want around. She's loyal, sweet, understanding and funny. Not only that but the way she handles Aiden was remarkable.




It was just a year ago when I truly came into an understanding that she was it. No one can ever amount to the affection I felt for her. She definitely thought me as one of her best friend and nothing more. I can change that. I was sure about it, only if she gave me a chance.





Her soft sniffles from the other side of the phone made me alert.





"Aria hey are you okay-" I got up from my seat, trying to find my keys in the mess that was my table. Sometimes I really regretted not having an assistant to clean up in the morning. Technically Antonia does a great job but I eventually mess it up.





"No" She quietly said and it broke my heart. The silver shining in between the files caught my eye and I hastily picked it up.





"I think I fucked up" She whispered.




My eyebrows raised at that. I don't want to believe anything so I just let her talk but she was quiet after that one line.





"Where are you?"





She wetly laughed, her voice strained like she had been crying for a while. "You don't want to know"





"Aria" I patiently said before taking a deep breath.




"Edward's driveway"




My breathing stilled at those words, it felt like a painful burn to my heart. It felt like someone had stabbed me with a dagger right through my heart. What was she doing there? Is that the reason she couldn't pick my calls? Because she was too busy with him? Did she spend her night with him? Those thoughts made me nauseous so I tried not to think about it.





"Ashton" She softly said as if to check whether I was still on the line.





"Yeah" I chirped trying to sound unaffected.




"Are you able to drive? Do you have your car with you?"




She sighed almost sounded like she was relieved. "Yeah...I'm sitting inside my car"




"Okay good. Send me the address to the closest cafe. We'll meet there. Yeah?"





"Yeah" She hummed before she hung up the phone. I sighed, pocketing my phone inside. my body felt heavy as I try to walk further, my mind revolving around those exact words. How can she still be with him? Even after everything he has done?





"Dr Ashton?" Julia knocked again and I looked over my shoulder. It was time for my rounds but I needed to see Aria. She was carrying the pad and pencil tucked behind her ear. Her hair neatly tucked in a bun.





"Ready sir?" She questioned as her eyes moved towards my hands.




"Sorry I don't think I can do it. Family emergency"




"Oh-"




"Yeah, I'll be back soon." I dashed out of there before she could say anything.




Ravines Cafe was just a street away from Edward's house. As I entered the cafe I noticed Aria, sitting there in the corner with her head ducked down. I strode towards the table and pulled the chair which made her squeak and lookup.





"Hey" She rasped, her voice sore and odd. I took a seat, my eyes still set on her. It was clear from her face that she was hungover. Her clothes a bit dishevelled and hair sticking in a different place.





"Hey stranger" I whispered handing her the water glass. She sighed gulping another glass of water.





"I am sorry" That's the first thing she said as she placed the glass back on the table. Before I could open my mouth to protest she cut me off





"Gosh, what was I thinking? You must be busy and I just called you crying like a loser"





She wetly laughed picking the tissues from the stand and furiously dabbing at her cheeks. Her eyes had the residue of the black mascara as she tried to wipe them off. I took the tissue from her hand and held her hand.






"You know I would drop everything for you, right?"




She avoided meeting my eyes and instead stared at the floor for a few seconds. Sometimes it felt like she knew what I was feeling but did not want to admit it aloud.





"Yeah"




"Good. Now did you order something?" I asked wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes. She shook her head, staying on the same spot as I gently wiped under her eyes and finally threw that tissue away in the trash.





"Was waiting for you"





I sighed, "You shouldn't have. You need to eat something for that hangover"





"I know" She weakly smiled with a shrug and pulled the menu towards herself. The waitress was already standing nearby so it was easy to order. As Aria was trying to cure hangover she ordered eggs with extra cheese and some toast with orange juice.





"Do you want to talk about it?" I silently asked, scared to provoke her or upset her. She seemed devastated enough and I didn't want to add salt to the injury.





She folded her hands nervously, playing with her fingers before she looked up. My chest tightened as her eyelashes fanned her cheekbones. She was so pretty and she had no idea the effect she had on people that's the thing. Some days it was just painful to look at her without imagining what would it be like having a future with her.





"It's really embarrassing" She whimpered




I gave her a smile, "I don't think anything can be as embarrassing as my puking story"





She giggled throwing her head backwards. The sweet sound made me stare at her few seconds before she slapped my arm, "That still gets me! Stop"





"Feel lucky that you were not there" I grinned





"If I trusted me I would have never talked to you"





"Hey"




"Don't hey me. You puked on your date Ashton. Who does that?"




I shrugged, "Apparently I do"





She rolled her eyes and picked the water of glass again. It was helping her wear off that hangover.





After a few more seconds, she finally opened up about everything. Thankfully she spared the details that would hurt me the most. But still, it hurt me knowing that she was there with him. My fingers clenched into fists by my side as I let her complete the entire story.





"And that's why I called you" She murmured holding her glass tightly in between her hands.





"Oh okay"





"You are upset with me, aren't you?" She questioned, her lips pressed in between her teeth.





I shook my head because I was not upset with her but with the situation in general. I was angry about that Edward who decided to come back in her life. The same person who is the father of her child and can easily woo her again.






"No, I'm not"




"You're lying"




"No, I'm not"



She frowned, "You don't have to protect my feelings. I can handle it. If you upset just spit it"




"Aria" I gritted my teeth because she was purposefully trying to get a rise out of me. It's like she wanted me to show how angry I was with the situation in general.





"I said I'm not"




"You so aree," She said in a sing-song voice




I scoffed, "Yeah like I could ever be upset with you"




"And why is that?" She raised her eyebrows




"You know it" I rolled my eyes, leaning back against the chair. She innocently blinked her eyes and shook her head.





"I don't"





"Because I like you. Like you, a lot and you know it."




She gasped, her eyes widening dramatically as if she didn't know. Looking around she turned back to face me. Her fingers shivering slightly and her cheeks red as she chewed on her lips.





"You are lying"




"I'm not and you know it"




She cried, "Why are you telling this now?"





"Because I'm tired of tiptoeing around you and pretending that you are just my best friend and nothing more. And that it doesn't affect me when you casually hug me"





"But you said-"





I sighed, "I know what I said but this is the truth. I like you. And that's it. I don't know what to do about it"


Instagram: San_2045
Facebook: The Scripturient
Additional writings on Dreame: San2045