58 The First Step of Infidelity

Louis: What are you going to do about it?

He asks as he puts his empty glass down on the table.

Ashton: I...

What is right thing to do? Kate could have been forced into doing this, but she is still backstabbing me. Even if she had asked me to have a child so soon, I would have said no.

However, at least I would be at rest knowing that she wasn't going to go behind my back and do such things!

Ashton: I'm going to confront her.

I clench my fists tightly. Louis gives me a sideways glance and sighs.

Louis: So be it. Now then, what's my payment for this news?

Ashton:... What do you want?

I thought that he was helping me out as a friend, I guess that I was wrong. He must still be mad about what I did all those years ago. I have always been really impulsive, I guess that's why I always mess every up.

Louis: What do you take me for? I said that to see how you'd react.

Ashton:..!

Louis... Did he forgive me?

Louis: However, since you've asked, do me a favor and keep an eye on Ian Bleu in the coming up party. He might be up to something.

I have a feeling that he's referring to a secret deal of some kind. It sounds really important, even so, I do need to talk to Kate about our matter. If the matter gets really complicated then I don't think that I'll attend the function.

Still a little conflicted, I nod my head in agreement. We both leave the club and I immediately start to drive home, absent-minded. A few minutes later, my phone begins to ring.

Huh? That's my personal phone, who would-

Ashton:....

I become speechless as soon as I read the name of the caller- Claire. I hesitate a few seconds before picking up the call.

Ashton: Hello...

Claire: Ashton! The first copy of the magazine just got delivered to me! I wanted to show it to personally, though, I think it's already pretty late.

In contrast to my dull tone, she sounds rather excited.

Claire: I guess that just give it to you tomo-

Ashton: Now is fine, where do you want to meet up?

I cut her off instantly. I know that it's not very appropriate to get together at this hour however, I just don't want to go home yet. I'm not prepared to face her yet.

Claire: Really? Alright, so let's meet up at...

She sends me the location of the meeting spot and I start to drive that way. It doesn't take me long to reach there. As soon as I get off the car, I hear a cheerful voice calling out to me.

Claire: Here!

She waves at me, signalling me to come over. As I walk over to her, I realise something. She... behaves so differently now as compared to her rather cold self when we first met each other at the party.

So much has changed since then, I think that we got closer as well. Although, I don't know how long that will last since we're now... family.

We start to walk inside the cafe.

Claire: I didn't think that you'd agree to come.

Ashton: I had to, after all, I haven't seen much of your work since you became a journalist. It's late though, are you sure that your fiance wouldn't mind this?

Claire: Why would he? This is work and he's on a business trip anyways. Wait, I should be the one asking you this! What if your wife gets mad at me for keeping at this hour and starts beating me up with her shoe?

Ashton: Pfft.

She makes a really serious face while saying this and I can't help but let out a laugh. She's weirdly enthusiastic today. Maybe something good happened to her.

I had been looking at her the whole time and when I finally look at the cafe, I notice something.

Ashton: A cat cafe?

Since when was this here?

Claire: Mhm, I was going to come here anyways so I called you here. It's great to let off stress.

We take a seat in a corner and I pop up the question.

Ashton:... Did something happen? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

She goes silent for a moment before sighing.

Claire: I got... offered a promotion at work. It's a good post, but I...

She trails off. If it was someone else, they probably wouldn't understand why she's worried about this, but I do.

Ashton: You don't really like the work you have to do here, do you?

Creating false gossip and doing irresponsible things... That's one thing she loathes. She wants to be a righteous journalist just like her father after all. Her vigor is really attractive.

She nods and begins to tell me the details. We exchange our views back and forth about the topic and discuss the article. Before we know it, it's time for the cafe to close for the day.

Ashton: Oh, look at that, we've been here for too long.

Claire: I guess so. You are the only one who understands me so well, I might have talked too much.

Ashton: Heh, I don't mind listening to everything you have to say since it's you.

... Why did I say that? I can't let her know my feelings obviously. However, walking beside her like this makes me feel...

Claire: Hah, it's been so long since I had such a long and good conversation with someone that I completely forgot the time! I'm sorry for keeping you for so long.

It was almost midnight. We were walking down the dimly lit corridor alone. For some reason, the atmosphere has changed immensely.

Ashton: It's fine. Like I said, I like talking to you.

I don't know if it was because of the heart to heart conversation we just had, my current state of mind or the unusually romantic atmosphere, but my heart slowly started beating faster.

Claire: That's good to hear. Troy has been travelling a lot recently so I don't really get to talk to anyone that much.

Troy... Hearing that name makes my heart squeeze. Her hand is almost brushing against mine; I want to pull and embrace her, and tell her how I feel... Only, I can't.

Ashton: Is that so?

Is it due to my prejudice against Troy that I feel like they both aren't really that close? No, it must be my wishful thinking. They... have been in a relationship for years, it's only natural-

*Snap!*

Claire: Ah!

Ashton: Oh!

I hear a snap and Claire trips sideways. She tries to hold onto me by my shirt and as a result, pulls me towards her. Her back hits the wall with a small thud, with me unintentionally trapping her with my body and arms.

Ashton: Are you okay?

Claire: Y-Yes.

Perhaps since she's embarrassed about our noses almost brushing against each other, her voice trembles slightly. I don't part from her even after she replies.

My heart starts thumping as loudly as a drum in my chest and both out faces turn red. Her big, brown eyes stare into mine, searching for my true feelings.

The moonlight makes her beautiful face look even more alluring. I gulp nervously. Damn it, why is she so tempting? Normally, I would be able to control my feelings, but now.... I don't care.

I could be unconsciously using her and she might hate me for using her...

I slowly move my face closer and seal her soft lips with mine. That one touch suddenly reignites something inside me that I had thought had long been extinguished.

Her eyes widen slightly before closing. I expected her to push me away however, she places her hand behind my neck and pulls me in closer.

Taking this as her consent, I use my thumb to open her mouth and slide my tongue inside. She wraps her arms around my neck and our kiss deepens. I pull her waist closer to my body.

Claire: Ah.

A sweet moan escapes her lips and arouses me. Claire, what are thinking right now...?