20 I Love Her

-=Parker Estate=-

"Mom, how can you do that to Ash?", said Ashton, fuming with anger.

"Ha! How can I not? She doesn't respect me!", replied by his mother.

"You are doing the same to her, mom! When did you respect her? Did you even treat her as your daughter?", asked Ashton, still mad.

"I lost my daughter because of her! It's all her fault!", shouted by his mother.

"Did you really think that you're the only one who suffered? We all are when we lost Andrea, but Ash is grieving until now because of you! You have lost a daughter, don't lose another because of your selfishness!", Ashton angrily replied as he left the room. Jae Kim left stunned in the room, almost losing her balance. With her trembling weakened feet, she walked to the nearest couch and sat helplessly. 'Andrea, mommy misses you so much. Ashley, you are a murderer! You killed my Andrea! You almost killed me too the day you were born! I hate you!', she screamed inside, fisting her hands in anger.

-=21 years ago=-

"Wahhh! Huwahhh!", the baby crying inside the delivery room.

"Baby number 1 is out. You are doing great madam, we just have to push a bit for the second baby.", encouraged by the doctor.

"Honey, she's beautiful. You can do it, I'm so proud of you.", said Alford while tightly holding her hand. Jae was breathing heavily with her eyes closed, she couldn't do it anymore and lost consciousness.

Beep! Beep! The sound of machines inside the room.

"Honey, wake up! Doc, what's happening?", asked Alford, already in panic.

"Her vitals are dropping. Baby number 2 is not out yet. We need to do an emergency cesarean section (CS), else the mother or baby will suffer.", the doctor said. "Please escort Mr. Parker out for now.", added by the doctor.

"Doc, please save my wife and baby. Please do everything to save them.", pleaded by Alford.

"I'll do everything that I can, Mr. Parker.", replied the doctor. When Alford was out, the doctors started to prepare the operation but an unexpected event happened.

The baby was out. She's not crying but she's breathing.

"D-doc, baby number 2 is out.", declared by the assistant.

"What?", asked the doctor. She hurried and checked the baby, she's breathing. She sighed in relief. "Please take care of the babies. Let's take care of their mom.", the doctor said and continued her work.

"Mr. Parker, your babies are safe and currently in the nursery. Your wife though is currently unconscious, she suffered a lot from delivery. We're hoping that she will be awake soon.", the doctor explained.

"Thank you, doc.", said Alford.

Five days passed but Jae Kim remained unconscious.

"Why is my wife not waking up?", asked nervously by Alford.

"She suffered so much from the delivery and also got complications, but I assure you Mr. Parker that she is safe. We are just waiting for her to wake up. I'm sorry." explained by the doctor politely.

"How can you say that she is safe when she's not even awake?!", said Alford angrily.

"I'm really so…", the doctor's words were cut.

"Hmm… h-honey?", hummed by his wife.

"Honey?! You're awake.. Thank goodness!", said Alford as he ran beside his wife. Held her hands tightly as he kissed it.

"Where's my baby?", she asked, scanning the room.

"They're fine. You don't have to worry about them.", replied Alford.

"No, I want to see my baby.", she insisted.

"Okay.. I'll let you see them. The babies are in the nursery.", he replied and talked to the doctor. They prepared the wheelchair for her and Alford pushed it himself as he led her to the nursery.

"Here they are, that's Andrea and Ashley.", said Alford as he pointed to the babies inside the room from the glass window while smiling.

"Andrea… my baby!", said Jae Kim, with longing.

"She is and her twin is Ashley, the younger one.", said Alford.

"No, I only want Andrea.", Jae Kim said.

"Honey, what are you saying? They are twins, they are our babies.", Alford said, frowning.

"No! My baby is Andrea. That other baby almost killed me.", she screamed, hysterically.

"What?! Honey… relax, since you just woke up.. We'll check them again tomorrow. We have to go for now.", said Alford. He doesn't want to make a scene. He's thinking that maybe his wife was still senseless from all the medicines given to her.

Days passed but Jae Kim's attitude was the same. She doesn't feed Ashley so Alford needed to hire a nanny for her and took care of all her needs. She always blames Ashley for what happened to her from the hospital. As time passed by, that treatment continued though she sometimes talked to Ashley but never cared for her. Until the accident happened, she hated and cursed her more.

"Dad.", Ashton said when he saw his father standing just outside the door right after he left her mother.

"Rock, I don't know what happened in the garden after I left, but leave your mom to me. I'll make sure to talk to her properly. It's already been years… she can't keep on blaming Ash all the time.", his father said.

"Thanks dad. Ash texted me and she's home safe. I'll visit her tomorrow.", Ashton said, flashing a small smile.

"Okay, say my regards to your sister.", replied Alford.

-=JKL Suites=-

The cinema room has dim purple lights, a starry sky ceiling and walls were covered in dark gray sound proof carpets. There were 3 big soft black single couches, 2 bean bag chairs and a glass table. The screen is 150 inches with high resolution, just best for viewing.

"Ready?", asked Ash as she entered the theater room.

"Yup. Come here.", Zero replied, tapping the couch next to him.

"Let me grab some drinks. Want some?", she asked.

"No, I'm good.", he replied, smiling. After getting her drinks, she sat next to him while leisurely sipping her drink. Zero glanced at her and got curious.

"What are you drinking?", he asked.

"Vanilla iced coffee. Why?", she replied, not looking at him. She's currently replying to Ashton's messages. "I have a lot in the fridge, you can just get one yourself.", she added, eyes still glued on her phone. Zero looked at her and since she's not paying attention, he grabbed her phone and pulled her into a kiss. She was shocked and did not react immediately. He kissed her with hunger and longing as he nibbled and gently bit her lips. She gasped and he instantly swirled his tongue inside her mouth then broke the kiss with a sound.

"Hmm.. I liked it. Let me get one myself.", he declared as he licked his lips then stood from his seat, he sauntered towards the fridge inside the room. Ash remained frozen and just followed him through her eyes with lips slightly parted. Zero is already back on his seat, feeling calm and relaxed.

"You.are.so.shameless!", she shouted each word, giving him punches on his arm. He laughed, leaning back on his seat and just let her.

"And you're just reacting now?", he replied, still laughing.

Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong! They were interrupted by the doorbell.

"Let me get the door.", she said, then stood. She walked towards the main door and did not bother to check the intercom since she's expecting it to be Nari, but she was surprised to see that the person was Ashton.

"Hi sis! Wanna have a drink with me?", he greeted, smiling as he swung the bottle of wine on her face.

"R-Rock! W-what are you doing here?", she nervously uttered.

"Can't I not visit you?", he asked, frowning.

"No, of course you can. I just thought that you'll be here in the evening.", she replied with an awkward smile. Ashton smiled back to her and walked inside. He went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a glass, poured himself and took a sip.

"It's too early for me to drink. Maybe la..", her words were cut as Zero emerged from the home theater room.

"Babe, who's your… Rock.", he was a bit surprised when he saw Ashton sitting in front of Ash while drinking.

"Oh, I see. Is that why you're anxious?", Ashton asked, teasing her.

"Shut up!", she replied, glaring at Ashton.

"Zero, I didn't know that you're here early in the morning.", Ashton said, looking at him.

"I slept here. I can't leave her alone.", he answered with all honesty. Ash mouth agape hearing his response. 'How can he say that like it's nothing?', she said inside.

"I see. Thanks for taking care of Ash.", Ashton said, calmly.

"Hmm. Since you're here, I can take my leave.", he said as he walked beside Ash. "We can watch the movie next time.", he added as he caressed her cheek.

"Hey, stop your PDA! Respect the singles, man!", shouted Ashton. "No need to leave, let's all talk. I have questions to ask the both of you.", he added. Zero and Ash sat across from Ashton.

"Want some?", Ashton asked him, referring to the wine.

"I'll get some whisky instead.", he replied and was about to get one but Ash stopped him.

"I'll go get it.", she said, then stood from her seat. Opened the cellar and grabbed a bottle of whisky and glass. Also added a small bucket of ice then got back. She poured some on Zero's glass then handed it to him.

"Thanks.", he whispered.

"So, what's the deal between you two?", directly asked by Ashton. Zero straightened on his seat after taking a gulp.

"We met once, almost a year ago. I liked her since then, but I didn't know who she was. I only know her name Ash. I searched for her everywhere from the past months but was not able to find her. It was hopeless since I knew nothing about her.", he started. 'He searched for me?! I didn't know that.', she uttered inside. Zero continued to narrate and skipped the part about their night of passion of course. "Then 2 weeks ago, my grandfather called, he told me to meet my arranged marriage partner. At first, I refused but he said that it's his best friend's precious treasure, so just to show my respect, I went to the restaurant.", he continued, looking at Ash. "Who would've thought that the person I'm looking for was her?", he smiled as he held her hand. "To cut the story short, since I like her.. I asked her to be my girlfriend. Fortunately she agreed.", he added, still smiling.

"You tricked me!", she said, sulking. He let out a laugh.

"That's it? What's the deal with arranged marriage?", Ashton probe. He had a feeling that it's not just a simple arranged marriage.

"Ahm.. Rock, the thing is… there's a contract. Let me get it for you.", Ash hesitantly replied then she went upstairs to get the contract.

"A contract agreement?", Ashton asked Zero while Ash was away.

"There is. You'll see it from Ash.", he replied, taking a sip from his glass.

"But based on what you told me earlier, you already like Ash before these… did I get it right?", Ashton asked, looking at him.

"You're right. I like her and she knows it. I'd be happy to marry her with or without a contract but I'll leave that decision for her to make.", he replied, smiling.

"Do you love her?", Ashton asked again. Zero's heart beats faster.

"I… I.. I don't know, man.", he paused. "I just wanted to take care of her, I wanted to protect her, see her happy every single day, tease her, embrace her tight while sleeping together, wake up each day with her in my arms, support and give her everything this world has to offer. If that is what love means, then I love her.", he honestly answered while genuinely smiling.

"God! I got goosebumps! Ugh! Okay okay.. I'll entrust Ash to you, just please… don't hurt her.", Ashton said, sighing in defeat as he raised his glass to him.

"I'll take care of her. Thanks Rock.", he replied, raising his glass as he nodded.