Falling for Him

~Song Recommendation: Sunroof - Nicky Youre & dazy~

The Sun was still not up when Amy woke up. She was looking forward to this day since the review of the first part of her manuscript will be out today. Her managing editor was excited as well when they talked over the phone last weekend.

She went to the gym alone to do some cardio since she forgot to inform her security team that she would be going to the publishing office early today.

While on the treadmill she decided to go back to the list that she was reading last night. Right, she was tipsy last night…

********

After the celebration, everyone went on their separate ways after saying their goodbyes. Henry and Amy went to their respective rooms.

"Amy, are you sure, you don't want to eat or drink anything before you go to bed? You did not eat that much at dinner," Henry asks her as he walks Amy to her room.

"Nah, I'm good, I might throw up if I eat anything. Those vodka shots are strong, gosh if only I knew. But I'm OK, I'll just sleep it out. Perhaps a cold bath will help too," she replied.

"Do you want me to join you?" He uttered while his lips curled into a devious smile.

Amy chuckled at Henry's attempt. It was just his jest but of course, like they say, jokes are half meant, right?

"Thanks for the offer, but you should rest, you went straight to the expo after your long flight, you must be tired."

"I'm never tired if it's you," He scoffed.

Amy smiled at him and pulled him for a hug. This made Henry hold his breath and stiffen for a short moment before he hugged her back.

"Thank you again for today... the investment and the celebration. I owe you so much. I promise to make it up to you. Just wait for a little more," she whispered to his ears before slowly letting him go.

'Wait for a little more? Wait for what?' He mused as he looked into her eyes.

When Henry did not reply and just stared at her, she took a deep breath and abruptly tip-toed to swiftly kiss Henry on the lips.

She pressed her lips on his, hard enough to push his head back a bit.

"Goodnight Henry," she then turned around and set foot into her room, and closed the door at once. She did not give Henry a chance to speak or move.

She bit her lower lip and smiled inwardly at what she just did as she leaned on the back of the door. 'That was embarrassing my gosh!' She blushed as if she was not the one who did it.

'But that felt good. I should do it again, he looks cute when caught off guard,' she pondered as she made her way to her en suite to freshen up before going to sleep.

On the other side of the door is a frozen Henry. He can't believe she kissed him, not on his cheeks but on his lips! They already did things beyond that but this is different. He did not initiate it; Amy did it on her own accord.

It took a while before he made any movements after just staring at her door. The corner of his mouth turned up slightly in a smile, as he shook his head while both of his hands were on his waist.

He then touches his lips, and closes his eyes, trying to engrave into his memory the feeling of Amy's lips touching his.

********

Amy squealed while smiling ear to ear as she remembered what happened last night outside her room as she walked on the treadmill. She is overjoyed with everything that's happening in her life right now.

She resolved the financial issue with Jayson's operation and also gained additional funds for the farm. Her boss is happy with her manuscript and now things between her and Henry are going well. She just couldn't ask for more.

She decided to make breakfast for Henry as soon as she was done with her workout. She will try her best to do the fifteen things on the list as her reward for Henry.

'Hmm… Since he's still not up, perhaps I should add a note too. It is also on the list so I'll be hitting two birds with one stone,' she said to herself.

She left the tray of food with her cute little note on Henry's bedside table before she went to the publishing office with her security team.

Amy spent her whole morning at the publishing office. She had a long discussion with her editor and other staff. And at last, it was a positive one that ended before lunchtime. Everyone in the meeting had a buoyant mood.

They congratulated Amy on a job well done on the first part of her draft after getting multiple rejections previously.

Finally, she got the much-awaited publishing deal. She was also given an advance for signing the deal and on top of that, her boss gave her a bonus.

"You don't have to do this boss, I am motivated enough to finish the book," she giggled as she tried to refuse the bonus being given to her.

"What are you saying? That's not for motivation, I want to give that to you for not giving up, you deserve it. If you don't want it, then use it to buy gifts for your niece and nephew. Tell them it's from me, her boss iterated.

Amy has been working in the company ever since she graduated from college. Her boss saw how she went through her trials in life. She was in awe at how Amy stayed strong in the midst of all of that.

Amy happily accepted the cheque and went straight to the mall to buy gifts for Jena and Jayson.

Before she could go in, she saw Ash going out of the mall entrance holding a paper bag that seemed to be a gift.

"Ash!" She called him up while waving her hand excitedly.

"Amy, hi, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I will buy gifts for Jena and Jayson. I just got a bonus from my boss and got my advance for the publishing deal, so I'm here to spend it all, ha ha ha!" They both laugh simultaneously.

"What's that?" she added referring to the paper bag he was holding.

"A gift for Mary for next week. Today is my only free time to buy her a gift. Have you had lunch?"

Amy did not answer him right away. Her security team is just right behind her somewhere, hiding in plain sight. She wanted to take this opportunity though to spend time with Ash. He is one of her very close friends anyway.

She avoided talking to him ever since he signed the contract with Henry and admits that she misses Ash especially now that Jena and Jayson are overseas.

"Ash, my security is here; can you give me a moment? I'll just talk to them, then let's have lunch together." Ash nodded before she went to Ava who was standing by the window glass of a boutique near her.

"Ava, let's have lunch here. I'll join Ash, but please I beg you don't tell Henry. We will just talk and catch up. I don't want Henry to get angry for nothing."

To her delight, Ava did not refuse her request and just gave her a heavy sigh and nodded. "As long as Mr. Brighton will behave, we will not report anything to the boss."

Amy and Ash had a hearty meal and as usual, Ava and her team sat near their table, still focused on guarding Amy against Henry's so-called 'threat'.

Like old times, Amy informed Ash of the good news about the farm and cafe, and how nervous she was while presenting her business plan in front of many people. She tried her best not to mention Henry in each of her sentences.

However, Ash already knew that they signed the contract with Welsh Holdings and not Barnes. Mary already told him everything plus the confession made by Henry last night to the three of them.

It was out of the habit of not keeping secrets from each other since they were young. It hurts Ash so much that the woman he loves and has known ever since he was young accepted help from a total stranger rather than from him.

He was smiling while listening to Amy's stories but deep inside he is bleeding. He can see the change in Amy's eyes. There's a glint of happiness and hope. Her eyes smiled too when her mouth did.

Her skin is glowing; her face is blooming like she's in love. Then it hit him… She's falling for him…

His smile faded as soon as he realized it.

"Hey, what's wrong? I can feel that you're not OK," Amy noticed the sudden change in Ash's facial expression.

"Amy, do you like Henry? You said last week that it was nothing personal," he felt pain in his chest as he asked that question. He wanted to confirm his suspicion but a part of him didn't want to hear the truth.

He already knows what her answer is but he's in denial, hoping that her answer will change, that it will be in his favor.

"Ash… You will always have a special place in my heart. You will always be part of my life and…" Ash cut her off before she could say everything that she wanted to say.

"You did not answer my question, Amy. Do you like him? Are you falling for him?" Ash gritted his teeth while waiting for her answer.

Amy's eyes started to well up. Ash is looking intensely at her. She was afraid to face this moment. The moment when she has to admit to Ash that yes, she is falling for someone that's not him.

She doesn't want to lose him, he's family to her, a brother, a very dear friend. But this is her situation now, and whether she likes it or not, she has to face it.

"I do… I like him… I'm falling for him…"