Quote of the day:  A laugh a day keeps the sadness away, so don't forget to always smile.

     Love.

  Ashley stared at what Nora was busy writing on her cast. Yeah, she just got back from the hospital where she got her cast put on. Greg had left afterward to meet Davis, now she and Nora were both in Chloe's room, and Chloe was as usual being herself. She was busy plastering wallpapers of her babies here and there. Chloe was unfortunately turning the gorgeous room into something hideous. Well, no offence to the babies.

     "I got a new addition to 'my official crush list,'" Chloe said with a bright smile. In case you are confused her 'official crush list' as she calls it, are the names of all the innocent celebrities that she is stalking, males to be precise. And it is very rare to see her add a new name to the list, because you have to be perfect to be on the list. That should actually be an achievement for these celebrities, once you make it to the list, just know you are amazing.

     "Which poor soul are you planning on stalking now Chloe?" Ashley asked with a raised brow. Nora gave a soft laugh beside her.

   Chloe went over to her drawer and brought out a folded wallpaper, she spread it out and Ta-da, staring back at them was a familiar green eyed guy.

      "Since when did Greg Marshall become a celebrity?" Ashley asked bewildered.

     "Excuse you, he is hot," Chloe said with an eye roll. She soon got busy with plastering the picture in the middle of her babies.

      "Just don't let him see it, his ego would become larger than it already is," Nora said twirling the marker in her hand.

     "See what?" They heard a voice say from the door as it opened and closed loudly. They all turned to see Greg standing at the entrance with a smirk on his face. Wasn't he supposed to be meeting up with Davis?

     "Why don't you ever knock?" Nora screamed at him, but Greg's gaze had fallen on the picture on the wall. His stupid smirk spread wider than it was. Chloe was blushing beet red with embarrassment.

  Ashley wanted to laugh but didn't, she knew if she did she wouldn't hear the end of it from Chloe. They all turned to face the door again when they heard it open loudly again and Davis walked right in with a smile, as they say, birds of the same feather, flock together.

      "Davis!" Nora screamed jumping into Davis arms who in turn caught her like she weighed nothing. Ashley found herself blinking rapidly. Greg just ignored them both and walked over to seat beside her on Chloe's bed.

   "How do you feel?" He asked with concern like he hadn't just Brought her back from the hospital a few minutes ago.

    "Good," she answered stiffly. She still hasn't figured out how to act around him yet. They seem to have created a pattern where she spends the day with Nora while he and Chloe are at work, and at night he always seems to find his way into her room to check up on her and he ends up on her bed. The next morning he would be gone before she even wakes up. All this they do without even saying a word to each other.

    "And if it isn't my Ashley," Davis said interrupting her train of thoughts. He moved over to her and placed a kiss on her cast, she wanted to roll her eyes but stopped when he reciprocated the same on her forehead, she found herself blushing at him.

      "Who is the gorgeous brunette?" Davis asked looking towards Chloe who was still staying beside her babies with a weird look on her face, staring at Davis.

      "I'm Chloe," she said stuttering.

   Davis walked over to her with a smile, he took her hand in his and placed a gentle kiss on it, while the rest of them were watching with curious eyes. "I'm Davis Castle, the only friend that this idiot over here has." He pointed to Greg who had a scowl on his face.

    "Oh, its a pleasure to meet you," Chloe said gaining back her composure.

     "The pleasure is mine Señorita," Davis said with a little bit of Spanish accent entering his speech. Well it was understandable, if he spent so much time in Spain, its only natural that he learnt something.

   Ashley felt Greg pull her hand, then she turned to face him, "I need to have a talk with you."

   Though she was scared, but she knew it was about time they had that talk, they can't go on without having a real conversation. She stood up as Greg led her out of Chloe's room into his room. He opened the glass door leading to the balcony and led her there.

   "Well?" She asked.

  He stared at her with a smile before speaking. "It is about your father Ashley."

  She found herself stiffening up at this, he walked over to her side immediately and threw his arms around her.

    "What is it?"

    "The police still haven't gotten an hint to where he might be, and they weren't able to get enough evidence from your apartment. Its just that... I'm so sorry," he said quietly. She knew that Greg hired some detective to search out her father, that had been what got him and Davis so busy most of the time. She felt torn between two emotions, she didn't know whether she should be grateful to him or afraid for him.

  Ashley turned in his arms to face him, she saw that a frown had begun to form on his face, she straightened out the lines on his forehead and he seemed to ease up a little bit. "Is that why you are sad?"

     "I'm afraid you are stuck in my house till whenever he is found."

     "Okay," she said quietly. Staring up into his eyes that seemed to have her hypnotized by the minute.

  He bent towards her slightly, she felt he was going to kiss her, no, she knew, but he stopped just an inch away from her lips, he raised his head up. She could tell why he did this, he couldn't be sure if she was going to reject him. She decided to prove a point by pulling him down herself for the kiss but right then his phone decided to ring. He excused himself and walked into his room to answer the call.

   She faced out the balcony, staring at the beautiful view below her. Greg's room was directly opposite his garden, the garden he had created for his mother. She had found out from Nora that he worked on the garden himself, she found that so endearing.

There were thoughts playing around in her mind. Greg cared for her a lot, she could tell, but she really didn't deserve anything from him. She was also very afraid, she knew her secrets would be out once her father finds her. The reason her father is after her now has a lot to do with Greg, and that night two years ago.

      Her body shot up with awareness when she felt two arms go around her waist. She didn't need to turn to know it was Greg. She could feel it.

     "Ashley," he called out, deadly quiet.

     "Yes."

    "Can I ask you a question?"

    "Okay," she answered quite unsure. She was sacred of his impending question, although she couldn't tell what it would be.

     "Did you mean it?" He asked gently getting her confused. "What you said to me that day, did you mean it? Do you really feel nothing for me?" As he asked these questions she felt her heart tearing apart, his voice sounded so hurt.

      "No," Ashley said truthfully. She felt his body relax behind her. "I do like you a great deal," if not love you, she added silently.

     "So your reason for breaking up with me?"

   "I was scared Greg, there are a lot of things I don't want you to find out, and I was so scared for your safety." She felt her throat clustering up, he turned her to face him and she found herself staring into his green eyes.

     "You don't need to be scared Ashley, if anything I want you to trust me with anything. I want you to know I will always be there for you," he said. She felt assured but she was scared he won't be there again once he finds out who she is and what she has done.

      He stared at her lips longingly, she could tell from the look in his eyes that he badly Wanted to kiss her, and she wanted the same. So she did the only thing her subconscious had been kicking her to do, she pulled him down with her right hand, towards her into a kiss.

     Greg stiffened with shock at first, but he soon regained his composure and kissed her back with  hunger. His arms went around her waist, he pulled her closer toward him, this results in her arm been squeezed fiercely, she let out out a sound of pain. He jerked up, staring at her with guilt.

    "I'm so sorry, are you hurt?" He asked scared.

      "Not really, but can we take my broken wrist into consideration," she said with a chuckle raising her left hand up.

   He smiled and pulled her into a light hug. "I missed you Ashley."

    Chapter thirty eight.
Mary Aden.