21 Just Because

Ash was back with the documents in her hands. The atmosphere was silent between Zero and her brother but she did not mind it.

"These, you can read it. You can ask us anything.", Ash said, handing the documents to Ashton. Her brother read the documents. He did not ask anything until he's finished.

"I didn't know that grandpa is one of the owners of JKL Suites.", he said while staring at the documents. "It's not really a contract agreement if you're going to take a look at it… it's more of a … request. I mean, those old geezers are just entrusting the hotel chains to the both of you as they entrapped you to this marriage.", Ashton said as he exchanged glances at both of them.

"I know that. I just don't want to be forced into something. Also, I'm not just talking about me, we are both involved in this.", she answered while biting the tip of her thumb nail.

"You are not being forced, Ash. It's still your decision to make, that's why you have a year to think about it.", explained Ashton. "Besides, I think Zero doesn't mind being married to you. You're the only one who's hesitating.", said Ashton, looking at Zero while Ash glared at him.

'Ah! I'm liking my brother-in-law.', rejoiced Zero inside.

"I'm not sure if you are really my brother.", she said, irritated.

"Why are you hesitating to marry him? He's as good looking as me, rich and powerful… what else are you looking for?", Ashton declared. Zero smiled widely as he crossed his legs.

"Then marry him yourself!", she shouted, she's getting annoyed by her brother.

"Hmm.. No homo.", replied Ashton, shaking his head as he sipped his wine.

"We'll talk about it ourselves.", she calmly said.

Ring! Ring! Ring! Ashton's phone.

He fished out his phone from his jacket and saw the name of the caller 'Blondie'. He smirked.

"Hey blondie, what'd you need me for?", he greeted as soon as he answered the phone.

"Don't call me blondie! I need your help.", cried by the other person on the line.

"Hey, what's wrong?", he asked as he stood from his seat. Zero and Ash just stared at Ashton as he walked back and forth, looking so worried.

"I locked myself out from my laptop and I don't have any other backups.. I have a presentation tomorrow at work. I'm screwed! Help me please…", pleaded by the other person on the line.

"That's easy, but what can you do for me?", Ashton replied with a sly smile on his face.

"What do you want, Rock?", asked the person from the other line.

"Hmm.. I'll think about it. Keep it as my 1st wish for now.", Ashton said.

"Okay deal.", replied by the other person.

"Be there at 15. See yah.", said Ashton then ended the call. He was smiling widely when he saw Ash and Zero glaring at him. He paused. "Ahem. What?!", he asked as he cleared his throat.

"Blondie, huh?!", Ash teased him.

"I need to go.", Ashton said as he gulped the wine from his glass, completely ignoring her teasing. "Bye.", he added and kissed Ash on the cheek. He left. They both looked at each other then shrugged while smiling.

Sam was walking back and forth while biting her nails, she was screwed! All of her efforts from the past few days will be wasted if she cannot recover her laptop. She's hoping that Rock can help her so he called him for help. Now she's waiting for him at her condo. This is the second time she called him for help.

They first met when Ash was living in her own apartment at the age of 10. Trix and Sam always visit Ash and one time, Ashton came for a visit. They already knew that Ash has an older brother but it's the first time they met him in person.

"This is my big brother Ashton.", Ash said, introducing Ashton to Trix and Sam.

"Hello, I'm Trix and this is Sam.", said Trix while waving her hand to Ashton. Sam just timidly smiled at him.

"Hi. Just call me Rock.", he replied. "I didn't know that your friends were here. I'll just come by some other time.", he said, leaving the bags of food on the table.

"You don't wanna join us?", inquired Ash.

"Maybe next time.", he replied then left.

"Whoa! Your brother is so handsome, Ash.", said Sam while giggling.

"Of course!", Ash replied, smiling. "Let's eat!", she added.

That was their first encounter with him and since he keeps on visiting Ash, all of them got to know each other, pretty much got along very well. Ashton always bullied and teased Sam every time. Sam confesses to Ash and Trix that she likes Ashton but not expecting anything since he always teased her. However, Trix and Ash advised her to tell Ashton instead before leaving abroad for her study. Days after their high school graduation, she mustered all her courage and sent a message to Ashton before her flight to meet her at a café.

"Blondie, what do you want to talk about that you can't tell me over the phone.", Ashton asked. They sat across from each other. Sam was so nervous and kept on holding the cup in front of her with both hands.

"I...I will be leaving tomorrow to continue my study abroad.", she started, tapping the handle of the cup. "I will not be here for the next 4 years.", she added, looking up to him. Ashton was a bit surprised. He was not expecting that she would be studying abroad.

"I see. That's good to hear.", he replied, drinking from his cup. "Why are you telling me this?", he asked after taking a sip.

"Hmm… I don't know. I just thought that you might wanna know.", she shrugged. Ashton knew Sam already for more than 6 years and they get along very well. Unlike Trix, he feels different whenever he's with Sam. He treats Trix like a little sister since they are the same age as Ash while Sam is a year older than them, he likes to bully and tease her.

"Don't tell me you're gonna miss me, blondie?", he teased her. Sam rolled her eyes, then looked at him in the eyes, straightened her body from her seat.

"I will miss you, for sure… that's why I wanted to tell you something since I will be leaving anyway.", she paused. "I like you, Rock.", she confessed, her face turned red. Ashton was not shocked at all, he seems to be expecting it already. He just leaned back and stared at her flushed face. "...but I'm not expecting anything. I just wanna let you know.", she added, smiling.

"Hmm. I know.", he replied with a straight face.

"You knew?!", asked Sam in shock, covering her mouth with her hands.

"Look, you're still young Sam. You might like me right now, but it may change as you meet lots of people and experience different things.", he stated. This is the first time he calls him by her name. "Go and explore. Meet lots of people. Do things that you wanted to do. When you get older, whether you still feel the same or not, come back and let me know.", he continued. "I guess that answers the question that you have in mind.", he added, smiling back at her. Sam nodded while smiling sweetly to him. Sam went abroad to study and they both exchanged calls and messages for the first 2 years. However, they lost contact after that due to Sam's busy class schedule and Ashton on his newly established company. They just got each others' contacts when Sam needed some help with one of their artist's online issues. She told Ash about it and Ash asked her to contact her brother for help, that's the first time Sam reached out to Ashton after more than 2 years of no communication. She hesitated at first but eventually did message him.

Ashton was already briefed by Ash about the issue of one of their artists. He met Sam for the first time after more than 4 years of not seeing each other. Nervousness ruled over him but he tried his best not to show it. Clara said that Sam was expecting him in her office. Ashton took a breath before knocking the door. When he heard her distant voice say 'Come in', he tilted the knob and opened the door. There she is. Sitting on her office chair in front of a wide glass desk, crossed legs with a pair of black round toe stiletto plaid print high heels. Sam is wearing a high waisted rosewood pink knee length pencil skirt with side slit revealing half of her flawless thigh and black long sleeved turtleneck bodysuit which highlights her curvy figure more. 'You're a grown woman now, blondie.', he said inside. Piles of papers stuffed on top of her desk together with her wide screen monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse, a tablet and a frame with her, Ash and Trix in it from their high school graduation. She was startled when she saw Ashton standing on the door, she hurriedly stood and almost bumped at the edge of her desk. Ashton chuckled.

"What's the rush, blondie?", he said with a smirk on his handsome face. He walked inside after closing the door and met Sam halfway.

"R-Rock! H-hi..", she stuttered, her eyes wet all of a sudden then a tear fell from it.

"Hey, what's going on? Are you crying?", asked Ashton as he held her shoulders.

"I-I'm n-not…", she paused. "I-I g-guess I'm just overwhelmed.", she added, smiling while wiping her tears. She breathed. "Have a seat.", she continued. Grabbed the tissue and wiped her nose and eyes. They're slightly red. 'Sh*t! How can this happen to me? Why did I just cry just now? Did I miss him too much?', she cursed inside. She walked back and sat right across from him. "You're already aware about the issue, right?", she asked while handing him the papers. Ashton grabbed the papers from her hand but just to put it down on the table. He's looking at her face, her eyes and nose were slightly red, her face is still as beautiful as the last time he saw her. She's just the mature version now, adding her body changes, she looks so damn sexy. He smirked.

"Long time no see, blondie.", he said, leaning towards her and completely ignoring what she just said. "Didn't you miss me?", he asked with a smirk. Sam was surprised and she automatically leaned back on her seat while her hands pushed his hard chest without her knowing. 'Ah! I miss this handsome face.', she screamed inside.

"Back off, Rock!", she angrily said after getting back to her senses. Ashton sat back on his seat with a sly smile, as she on the other hand straightened her body.

"The work is done. I just came here to see you.", he casually said, looking around her office.

"What?", Sam asked.

"I said, I came here to see you. Did you go deaf or something?", he blatantly said.

"I heard you the first time. What I mean is, why do you want to see me?", asked Sam.

"Just because.", he replied, shrugging. Sam frowned.

"Fine. Now that you saw me, you can leave.", she said. 'I don't think I can take another minute with you. I miss you so much.', she said to herself.

"You're not gonna ask me out for lunch?", he calmly asked.

"Maybe next time. I have a lot of things to do.", she answered and went back to her chair, bowing her head while staring at the papers in her hands. Ashton did not insist and walked towards the door but turned his head before leaving.

"I'm glad to see you again, blondie…", he said, smiling. "...and I miss you too.", he added, then left. Tears dropped from her eyes and it soaked the papers that she's holding. She sobbed. Ashton didn't leave right away and stood by her office door, he could hear her little cry, he wanted to barge in the door and hugged her tight but he knows that it's not the right time yet. He wanted to make sure if Sam still feels the same way for him. 'She might miss me but that doesn't mean she still likes me.', he said inside. He breathed then left. That's what happened months ago. They only call or text each other for work. Nothing else.

'This will be the last time, Sam. Act like a grown up and move on.', she scolded herself inside.

Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong! She was interrupted by the doorbell. It's Ashton.

"Oh thank God you're here.", greeted Sam with relief as she opened the door for him.

"Yo blondie!", Ashton replied with a wink. He walked past her and sat on her couch. Sam is wearing a black high waisted thick leggings with an oversized mustard yellow t-shirt. The hem of her t-shirt was tucked in front, revealing her curvy hips. Ashton gulped. "Are you going somewhere?", he asked while staring at her.

"Just lunch with mom after we're done. Depends.", she casually replied.

"I see. Let me take a look.", he said, grabbing the laptop and started working on it.

"Do you want anything?", Sam asked.

"I want you.", he whispered, knowing that Sam was not able to hear it.

"What is it?", asked Sam again since she did not hear him.

"Water is fine.", he answered as he smirked. Sam walked towards the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. Put it on the table and sat at the edge of the couch as she checked her phone. Ashton at the same time was busy working on her laptop. Sam glanced at him after replying to her mom, he's in ripped black jeans, moss green t-shirt topped with a brown trench coat. His medium length red brown wavy hair was bundled together messily, some strands were hanging on his forehead, some were almost covering his deep black eyes. While staring at him, Sam can't help herself but be amazed and admire the nice-looking creature in front of her. 'I wanna pull that messy hair. Why do you look sooo good? Damn it!', she said inside, feeling frustrated. While she was busy staring at him, Ashton glanced at her direction and saw Sam ogling all over him. He smirked and turned his body to her, he's now facing towards her.

"Are you done staring? Want me to take it off?", he teased with a smirk on his face, slowly moving his eyes down on his body then back to her. Sam coughed.

"I'm not staring! Are you done?", she asked, turning her face to the side. She was caught red handed and her face flushed. Ashton let out a laugh. 'Even his laugh is so sexy? Unfair!', Sam screamed inside.

"Here.", Ashton said, sliding her laptop on her side. She immediately grabbed her laptop as she knelt on the carpet. Checking it and her face brightened as soon as the welcome tone was played. Opened the file, then she sighed in relief.

"Thank you so much. You're the best, Rock!", she screamed, giving him a 2 thumbs up while smiling widely at him. He was amused by her childlike reaction.

"I know, I'm the best. You owe me one.", he said, standing from his seat.

"Are you going already?", Sam asked as she stood from kneeling.

"Do you have anything else?", he asked back, putting his hands in his pockets.

"No. That's it.", she replied right away. "Wanna join us for lunch?", she asked.

"With aunt Sylv?", he inquired, thinking what to do.

"Yup. I already told her earlier.", she answered, smiling.

"Hmm. Okay.", he replied.

"Great!", she said, grabbing her long black cardigan and mini backpack. "Let's go.", she declared. Ashton followed her behind while smiling. Sam matched her outfit with white sneakers.