Chapter 5

Eric parked his car, at a car park they both got down and trekked, Ashley still holding her manuscript, unable to hide her excitement they walk them into the amusement park Ashley remembered the same place Felix confess to her "Eric" she halts "let's go home" she said hiding her teary eyes "why?" she looked away avoiding his gaze, Eric grab her chin and made her look at him "Felix again?" he said seeing her teary face Ashley burst out into tears "I just can't believe he didn't love me Eric" he inhales sharply he thought he had made her get over him but it turns out that he was wrong "Eric you are just trying to make me feel better right? you don't want me to be seen around you... am..."

"shh..." he slam his finger on her lips "Ashley... that's not right" he drew in a sharp breath and turn back "stay here I'll be right back"

"where are you going"

"just stay here and don't dare leave" he turn his back and ran when he left she found a tree just a few steps away from where Ashley left her, there was a bench under the tree she sit down there while waiting for Eric.

      Moments went by and Eric returned with ice-cream he was the only one who knew the thing that can make her feel better, Ashley raise her head and look at Eric what she saw in his hand make her blush hard, "here take this" he said and handed her pink color ice-cream "your favorite strawberry ice-cream and the only thing that can make you feel better" he smile at her and she smile back "only I know this little secret of yours even your ex-boyfriend don't" she chuckles licking her ice-cream "something to be proud of" she scoffs, Eric finds it difficult to take his eyes off her she is cute as she was licking her ice-cream "have a taste" she said, Eric stared at the ice-cream while Ashley was waiting for him to lick, in the next moment Eric lick the ice-cream tasting it, Ashley lick it thereafter him, Eric continuing watching her as Ashley was licking her ice-cream, the soft breeze blew, blowing Ashley hair on her face Eric pull the hair tugging it at the back of her ear this makes Ashley stop licking the ice-cream and stare at him, he was still staring at her with those "Ashley..." he call out solemnly wrapping his palm on her palm entwining their finger together "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it, just like you, you are very beautiful but Felix can't see it" his words was slowly melting Ashley heart invisible tears laid on her eyes "The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul just because Felix said you were not his type doesn't mean you were nobody's type and Ashley... beauty awakens the soul to act and things are beautiful if you love it" his hand caress her cheek "I love you and you know it, you've meet me before Felix, I always want to be around you and you also know how much I cherished this friendship, no matter what happens I will always be proud to call you my best friend... Ashley you understand me more than anyone else does and I know everything about you and you too know everything about me. so tell me why I don't want you to be seen around me... I love you Ashley and I will always be with you no matter what people say" Ashley's eyes became clouded with tears she never knew Eric cherish their friendship so much she met Eric even before Felix and he did almost everything a boyfriend could do so why is she not getting over Felix yet when she has someone who loves her for who she is, she averted her gaze from him trying to stop her tears she lick her ice-cream, the ice-cream already melt causing it to drip by the corner of her lips she was about to wipe it away when she felt Eric lips on the corner of her lips and he licked the ice-cream the tears Ashley was holding back voluntarily burst out on its own accord she threw the ice-cream on the floor and threw herself into his embrace wrapping her hand around his waist "thank you, Eric, thank you so much, thank you for everything" she buried her face on his chest crying Eric hugged her back, hugging her head on his chest and caressing her hair.

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they both walk to the beach the ocean wave was rising and falling though Ashley was still a little bit moody Eric smirk devilishly as he suddenly grab her manuscript and drop it on the ground then he lifted her up and carried her towards the ocean "hey, you cheater" she laughs hitting his chest multiple times he landed her feet on the water "it's cold" she giggles, Eric nodded that's is the laugh he want to see on her face, Ashley blink at him and draw him to the water beside her "hey, you know..." before he could complete his statement the ocean wave dash towards them "run..." he grab her wrist and ran away with her both of them laughing their shoe is wet already, they both pull it off and dash towards the ocean and run off if the wave dash towards them, they did that for several times forgetting their pain as they did the last one Eric carried Ashley on his back, piggybacking her and twirl her around, Ashley laugh wrapping her hand around his neck "haha...." she laugh, her laughing sounds like a sweet melody into Eric he never wanted it to end.

       after playing for several hours they sat on the ground breathing heavily "that was fun" Ashley excitedly declare "yes it was" Eric draw in a sharp breath "oh the manuscript" she picks up the manuscript laying innocently beside her and handed it over to Eric "I wrote that for Felix and me" she said and suddenly Donald tore it and throw it away, "huh?..."

"I will destroy every memory of him left" Ashley chuckles "what should I do the audition is next week, and you know how much important this is to me"

"I already prepared for that"

"Really?" Eric nodded "listen to these lyrics" he clears his throat and stare into Eric's eyes with that seductive gaze of his making Ashley's cheeks redden "♪you are so important for me to leave, just like the wind for breathing, I search for you just like the feet search for ground. 

     whether I have to laugh it cry, I search for you like someone crazy, whether you fall in love with me or not, tomorrow If I have permission to love or not♪" he moved close to her and place his hand on her cheek, cocking his head as he was singing beautifully for her, Ashley lowered her head smiling blushing so hard "♪ I'll carry the pieces of my broken heart and I will stay at your doorstep♪" he caresses her cheek rubbing it slowly and softly "♪ I will still keep on loving you, but I will still keep on loving you, I will die for this love and I will still keep on loving you♪" he smiles at her "I love you dear friend" Ashley scoffs she clears her throat as she began to sing "♪ since you met me in such a way I feel more precious and glowing than before, I smile with the entire body, not only with my lips. my day and night have become more beautiful because of you. but am scared that this relationship will not remain forever. you will be somewhere and I'll be somewhere else♪" suddenly her eyes become clouded she wasn't singing but confessing her feelings, how he had made her happy and her fear, realizing this Eric too sings "♪ But the moment when you remember me, I'll come as wind and I'll still love you♪" he fades out Ashley bit her lower lip and look back at him getting lost in his gaze.