Warning: Long unedited chapter (:

***

  Ash's POV

  "Oh crap." Those two words filled the silence, clear and unbelievably strange coming from Anya's feminine voice, harsh and pretty ridiculous with the tone she used.

She was laying flat on her back, in the middle of the bed and staring at the high ceiling.. I on the other hand couldn't help the laugh that escaped me, just hanging up with Josh that called to inform me about today's meetings.

  "What?"

  That dark hair was perfectly spread around her head, her hands going over her stomach as she giggled out the next few words that confused me even more.

"I think we have a problem."

  I made my way towards the large bed, laying beside her and looking right at the ceiling above us. "Was that an ironic laugh 'cause you lost it, or is there an actual problem?"

I glanced at her, seeing that perfect profile of hers.. How her tiny nose slightly moved as she smiled before so casually looking back at me, almost like she knew she would find me staring.

  "Both." After the few seconds of that comfortable looking at one another, she looked back up at the ceiling and so did I. "I'm seriously losing it though. And the problem's pretty serious too."

  "Mhm." I heard myself mumble, hearing that mesmerizing voice right after.

  "I'm not kidding, Ash." Once again, my simple glance at her turned into staring, plainly observing how perfectly her lips moved as she spoke.. How she kept up the tempo and energy in her words even after the horrible day she had. "Kristin.. she doesn't know."

"You're gonna have to be more clear."

She looked at me and her voice came out fainter than before. "Kristin doesn't know about the fake engagement. She's gonna freak when she sees that we're sharing a room."

"Yea, it is kind of great that we get to share a room."

"Ash."

"What?" Right.. I was changing the subject again. I looked back at her and those azure blue eyes stared back at mine. "Why didn't you tell her?" I managed mumble out the words, not exactly able to focus on what we were talking about when she was looking at me like that.

Her deep sigh filled the room as she looked up at the ceiling again. "You convinced me not to."

"Wha- Hey, you were the one that wanted us to be a secret." And then her familiar soothing laugh filled the room.

  "I know, I'm sorry. I just tend to instantly blame others in that state of panic."

  She sounded tired, once again leaving me to wonder how she was able to do so well in life.. To keep herself going. To keep being positive. No matter what happened, she stayed positive, becoming the ray of sunshine my life needed.

  See, I almost gave up on my life after losing Jane. Yes, she was my first love, and I thought she would be my last, but when she died, I was lead by nothing but grief, nothing but guilt.. I blamed myself. I still did. A part of me was dead. If I just let her be that night, let her leave without a fight, perhaps her accident wouldn't have happened. But I was broken. She left me. And I couldn't help but try to get her back..

  My words effected her, upset her.. In the middle of the night, after coming back to the house I bought for the two of us to built a life in to get her stuff and leave for another man..

  The last memory I had of her was her golden blonde locks bouncing before she slammed the door and left in tears.. I wasn't the one that made her cry, but apparently it was hard letting go.. Yet she still did let go.. Getting in the car in which her new love was waiting and leaving with a simple goodbye.

  Perhaps I should've been at least happy I got to say my goodbyes. Even after everything she did, I still loved her. A part of me still died with her. I had dreams, memories, haunting me for months and months.. For the whole next year.. I found salvation in a dissolute life. Left for Mexico for almost a whole year with Stefan, relying on alcohol because of that despair for forget.. Relief from that grief. To throw it away, get rid of it.. To simply continue living without it.

  But even after getting back in Richwood, that night, I was still lost.. Completely broken. It didn't help. Soberness meant remembering, and I didn't want to remember. But then I saw the girl with the dark hair. The girl in the white dress, owning the dance floor, owning every damn person around her. Anastasia Nelson.

  She attracted attention. Without even trying to. She won me the very second my eyes lied on her. The very second that feminine voice purred, I was ready to fall on my knees just to get at least a taste of her. Once..

  Fate made its way  into my life, the puzzles finally being but together when after a week of meeting her, I found her in my office, desperate for a job. Of course, not remembering who I was, or what we almost did, but still there. Looking gorgeous, looking like my new salvation.

  Now I had her in my life. I had Anastasia Nelson in my life. Letting her turn it upside down, letting her rule it, slowly becoming it. Each time I looked at her, I thought, fucking hell, she's gorgeous.. When I touched her, I knew I was about to lose myself in her. And when she returned that touch, I did exactly that.. Losing my mind for her, with her.. My hands constantly itching and trembling to get that doze of her, whenever she was near.

There she was, laying on the bed beside me, sharing a room in Paris and laughing away our problems.. Tangled up in lies, yet still making our way through because of the little secret we had going on.. I could even go as far as to call her my lover.

  I cleared my throat and looked on the side for a second. I had to. If I didn't, I would start desperately longing for her, and I knew once that started, there was no finding resistance. Not when it came to Anya.

  "I thought Kristin is your best friend slash roommate.. Why didn't you tell her?"

  "I don't know. I thought I wasn't supposed to. I feel bad for leaving her out now.. I was just preoccupied with the tickets and everything that happened at the airport. I completely forgot." I felt the bed slightly move as she turned around towards me, leaning her head on her palm and laying sideways. "Should I though? Tell her?"

  The way she looked at me showed nothing but trust. It showed closeness neither of us were expecting, yet still ended up right there, looking for honestly and comfort in each other. I was very honored that someone as doubtful as her still trusted me and asked for my opinion.

  "What are you asking me for?" My question had no other intention than to hear her talk some more.. Explain to me.

  My voice still faded from how much of a damn distraction her simple face was, those wide eyes that made me long to see them look back at mine after not seeing her for a day.. My hand moved on it's own, putting away a small strand of her hair that was falling over her face perhaps as an excuse to simply touch her.

  She searched my face for a few seconds, then spoke with the same faint fading voice as mine.. Slow and unsure, almost like she was just as distracted as I was at that point. "Well, you're.. I trust you. I mean, you're stable and organized and tough.. You're perfect."

  At that point, her hand went over mine that was on her face and put it down, somewhat intertwining her fingers with mine, and leaving me quite upset.. Not with her, but perhaps because most people saw me as what she described.. And I-

  "I'm everything but that.."

  "In my eyes you are."

  "I shouldn't be."

  She scooted closer, letting go of my hand and running a small circle with her finger over my chest.. She supported herself on her elbows and searched my face with that intent closeness, that comfort.. I fought the urge to pull her close to myself and kiss her senseless.

  "Why? Because of some past that almost ruined you? We were all there, Ash, you were just strong enough to get through it.." Perhaps it was the moment to tell her that I got through it because of her. She was what my life needed, and I didn't know that until I met her.

  "You-" I seemed to scan her face in a way of trying to absorb all those fine lines and perfect features. "You should't be thinking like that."

  "Why?"

  "Because," I started off, still somewhat lost from what the sound of her soft voice did to me. "I'm not strong. I just didn't have a choice." She listened.. She listened so intently, it was unbelievable. It was the moment I knew I could tell this girl everything and still have her by my side. "It was either that or-"

  "Or what?" She leaned even closer, daring me to the fullest, yet still insisting on getting that answer. "Or what, Ash?"

  "Giving up."

"But you didn't." It was truly pleasurable to listen to her talk. I could listen all day, all night.. Her voice was soothing to me, and I had grown to find comfort in her closeness. "Look at you now. You're just beginning to thrive.. It's just your beginning, Ash,"

Her words were somewhat true. It was a beginning. But did she know it was all because of her? I found the salvation I needed in her. I found that relief in her. And so I told her exactly that.

"It's- You've changed everything when you came into my life.. You turned my world upside down, Anya, and I can't not like it." It was the best I could do with words, because it was honestly my actions with her that would explain better.. I was going to make this trip memorable for her. She deserved every bit of that letting go.. I wanted her to let me control this while she sits back for a while.

However, I should've known that my girl would be harder to handle. She smiled and leaned closer, scanning my face for a second and letting the silence reflect the steadiness of out breaths.. I stared and felt myself drown in desires for this woman, losing myself with just the picture of her leaned over me and daring me to the fullest. Christ, I wanted to take her right there. How could I care about some stupid damn meetings when I had a woman like her to worship the night away?

I looked to the side to at least try and keep myself together.. Not that it was working. "Stop it." I told her and her smile stretched.

"What?"

"Don't act so innocent, you're daring me."

"I'm not!" I couldn't help the laugh that melted along with hers, yet at that point all I could do was at least try and focus on something other than her.. It was hard to keep sanely resistant with her around..

"Yea?"

"Maybe a bit." She laid down beside me again, before we both looked at each other and kept quiet for a few seconds. "Just make this day better for me, I can't take it anymore,"

"Oh really? What do you want me to do?" I laid still, wanting her to be precise with what she was asking for here..

  Not that I didn't know, and most definitely not that I wasn't desperate for her at that point.. I just wanted to play her a bit. Explore the limits of her resistance. I on the other hand, didn't have any limits when it came to her, no resistance either.. Even at that point it took me everything not to take her right there and spent the day in the room..

"Kiss me." And I did exactly that. Why would I need convincing when I had the gorgeous Anastasia Nelson asking me such thing? It's not that it was much up to me. When it came to Anya, it didn't take logic, thinking, or much control.. Not at all in fact. It was one instinct over another.. All of them focused on nothing else other than her.

And Christ, if there was anything that could make me lose my mind, it was her. With those lips against mine, returning with that same intensity and hunger.. It was enough for me to lose myself in her.. Mind blank, lost, and the only feel I needed was her.

But that night was going to be our first night in Paris. Being fake engaged came with a lot of advantages. And I was going to make he best of it. I just couldn't allow my own desires overwhelm me. We once rushed into it and no matter how damn perfect it was, I was going to make sure she reaches that level of pleasure like never before.. It sent me to holy grail just seeing her in that state.. Back arched, eyes closed and lips parted, completely losing herself in that ecstasy. Tonight though. I wanted it to be tonight.

I stopped kissing her for a second, feeling how she ran her tongue over my lower lip and mumbled a small.. "More.." Instead, I moved away and saw the way she frowned slightly with her eyes still closed, reaching her hand over my shoulder, "Ohh, why did you stop?"

She looked at me and I adored the desperation behind those azure eyes. "I gave you what you asked for. A kiss."

It was fun seeing her desperate, seeing that I wasn't the only one feeling like something inside me was quivering for that touch.. But I still used every little strength I had to resist her.. I still have no clue how I managed to move away from her, from those alluring eyes, insanely daring kisses and words that made me want to rip her clothes right then and take her right there.

She was asking for pleasure but she had no clue the amount of it I was ready to give her.. She had no idea the things I would do to her and how damn much she would love them.

I sat up and saw how she scanned me to see if I was serious, how her lips parted in order to say something.. She didn't however.. Her hands only came over her face, her chest rising as she inhaled a deep breath.. That perfect cleavage that tightened the shirt to the maximum got me reconsidering everything I planned for her, perhaps lead by the thought that a simple lean would be enough to have her right there.

I had to look away for a second to keep myself sane. "But I- Ash, you can't tease me like that." That mumble was muted by her own hands.. The tension in the air that could be cut with a knife, and I needed any excuse to break it.

"We're in Paris, Anya. Sharing a room. With the view of the Eiffel Tower. When I give you what you're asking for here, it will be as good as to make you forget your own name.. Mine however-"

My voice was cut off by the laugh that seemed to escape both of us, the light slap that she preformed over my shoulder as well.. It was interesting how she thought my playful tone meant I was kidding, but the truth was, I was only trying to break the tension.. My words however, were promising.

My hand wrapping around her wrist made it seem like I would break it from how gentle her hands were, sitting up and pulling her along with me.. She thankfully worked with me and jerked herself up the same second, somewhat thinking the same thing I did.

I walked towards my closet that was already organized from the staff that previously visited me, wanting to at least try and get my mind off her.. Try to get ready for the meetings if anything.. But her simple voice as always was a pretty strong reason for me to stop midway and listen to what she had to say.. Perhaps it was instinctively, but her voice was captivating and damn distraction in that very instant.

"You're really going to let me go around Paris with Sally without a treat?" I undid my watch, putting it on the dresser as I was unable to keep the slight laugh that escaped my throat. She really refused to remember Sophie's name..

"Sophie," I corrected again, turning around to look at her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, hands beside her hips, feet hangings since the bed a damn large, and the soft locks of that dark hair so gently messed up.. Simply observing how I undid my shirt, eyes azure, beautiful and focused.. "And yes, baby, you're gonna have to go through the agony of exploring Paris while I rot on some meeting without you."

"You can take me on the meeting with you."

I took off the shirt, seeing how she took in a slow breath, her lashes very slightly flattering before she looked on the side.. Lord, she was testing me. Unintentionally, accidentally flaming every spark in my body from that simple look. I didn't even want to think what she could do if she tried.

It took every little resistance I gathered from every atom of my body to keep myself from rushing over, pushing her back on the bed and ripping those clothes off her her, just to touch, kiss, worship every square inch of that marvelous provocative body of hers.. Just to enjoy what I had for myself while it was mine.

The picture of her that night popped in my head effortlessly, on top of me, underneath me, in front of me.. Eyes closed, lips parted, eagerly quivering, sharking, trembling, with a wild dark hair and arched back..

My fists clenched around the material of my shirt as I was holding it, my jaw too, fighting every damn urge my body burned with in that moment. Our gazes met and burned with nothing but desire. She knew what I was thinking. I knew what she was thinking too. I wanted her, every second of every day, I wanted her for myself. It was true madness. A fucking craze I could not find my end with.

Yet, all I could tell myself was, A few more hours, Ash. A few more hours and everything was going to be perfect. I made out a smile, not aware that it was a smirk, watching how she sent me a hopeful look, trying to hide her own cravings that were flaming those blues with each look she sent me.

"Go have fun, Anya. And I'll tell Sophie to get you back sooner. I have something special planned for tonight." I winked just to make her smile, turning around and walking towards the closet.. So damn sickly loving every second of that familiar knowing of her gaze still being locked on me.

And after that moment, I counted the hours, the moments till the night fell, wanting nothing but to have another taste of that perfection that Anastasia Nelson was.

~

Anya's POV

Paris was really the most perfect city I had ever visited. My high expectations weren't let down, and I can go as far to as it truly made me gasp a few times while walking the city's streets. It was nothing compared to what I was used to, or to what I was expecting. It was another level of perfection I haven't experienced yet.

I was used to living in big cities, of course after spending almost my entire life living in London, and then even in New York for a bit.. But the whole french atmosphere, the many cafes on the corners, the language around me and the simple way of how the people dressed made me feel like I was on tenth sky. I even thought, it was worth it.. Getting there.. Losing all my clothes. It was most definitely worth it.

There were a lot of iconic places that the taxi driver mentioned while passing through them.. I had only heard of a few of them.. In fact, passing by the Arc de Triomphe was the only thing I recognized from some pictures I had seen previously.. Yet it was still a breathtaking experience seeing and hearing about whatever the taxi driver was talking about.

Kristin on the other hand seemed familiar with almost every sight he mentioned.. She took her time to take pictures of every little place we passed, while I tried keeping myself somewhat grounded, desperate to enjoy the moment first.

Sophie texted us the address we were supposed to meet at. The only way of us somewhat communicating with the driver was because we showed him the text. And after finally meeting with Sophie on the planned spot, we started the tour walking near Seine, and at last getting to experience breathing Paris' air.. No matter how pathetic it sounded, I was excited to feel it fill my lungs.

I thought perhaps it was my only time I got to experience something so mesmerizing, breathtaking.. Something so damn perfect around me. My worries and thoughts from before disappeared, all because of the simple thought of being in Paris.

I didn't go through all the stages and fazes of depression because of my destroyed bag because I could barely remember what happened, since I was left so speechless with all the sights and views.. However, I knew all of it would kick in later..

At that point I focused on walking and not falling, keeping my thin summer dress to myself as we fought the slight wind, laughing at every one of Kristin's reactions from Sophie's clear explanations, and still trying to wrap my head around where I was.. Everything, and I mean everything about the city was damn incredible.

The sun was gently caressing the gray stone Pont Alexandre bridge, seemingly so effortlessly connecting the two sides of the river, shining and shimmering in the Seine river. It was so soothingly different from the gray streets I was used to, so easily changing my mood to the better, without me even trying.

And even after around an hour of walking and listening to all of Sophie's answers to Kristin's questions, we reached the quieter small streets, once again so effortlessly taking my breath away.. Everything just seemed so richly old and elegant, reflecting the grace the city held through every inch of it.

The sun was reflecting from the stone streets, leaving me in full ave after everywhere I looked. All the small shop windows had large wooden frames, while the tiny terraces of the apartments above them reminded of those perfect doll houses, freshened up with bright colored flowers that were again so easily decorating the old little buildings. I stared and stared and stared and still couldn't get enough. And damn, I could sit there in the middle of the side walk and stare at the city forever.

It was only and hour and it still felt like my legs were going to fall off. Thankfully I was wearing the beige soft flats I had on before, while the yellow summer dress was one of the things I found in the closet of our room, of course as a result of Ash's promise that the company would take care of everything.. Literally.

Sophie walked fast, and didn't show much interest unlike that morning, of course unless Kristin bombarded her with questions.. Then, after checking my phone to see the clock, when it ticked almost exactly six in the afternoon, right around the little soft corner, Sophie stopped, turning to face me since I was a step behind and again elegantly running her manicure fingers through her shiny short hair, letting the goldish straight locks softly fall back to place.

"This place is called Palace des Vosges, very old, but very beautiful. A lot of famous people lived here, in fact." She released a slow sigh as she looked back at the small cafe that was taking a bit from the sidewalk, while the small building continued high up with around five floors in the cloudless sky. "You know our famous poet Victor Hugo? I've always been fascinated by his work.. I'm planning on getting an apartment somewhere down this street soon, but no one's selling yet."

"Hugo wrote Les Miserables, correct?" I asked as we walked up to one of the free tables, sitting down before I once again got distracted by one of the fountains peeking from the park across.

"Oui. You like his work?"

"You could say," Was all I had to answer, firstly because I read a book or two and didn't know any of the backstories.. Secondly, because it was ages ago and if I stared a real discussion, I might not remember how to finish it.

Kristin thankfully interrupted by asking a few questions about the street, and of course about who else that was famous lived near, and while Sophie spoke with passion, I took the time to rest my throbbing feet, to look around and breathe in with the thought of it actually being reality.

The best part of it all was, I was there with Ash. God, and he had something special planned for tonight. Who would've known I would be in Paris with Ashton Bonner, experiencing the actual best of having such a lover by my side, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No, I could've never guessed. Life finally smiled at me, and I was ready to live it to the fullest.

After the waiter took our coffees and smoothies order, Kristin excused herself to visit the rest room, reminding me once again that I forgot to tell her about the whole fake engagement extravaganza, while I was left with Sophie, for the first time alone.. And for the millionth time insanely intimidated.

If Sophie mentioned anything in front of Kristin, we were all screwed. Kristin wouldn't have a damn clue what Sophie was talking about, while I would be in big trouble after that. I should've done it sooner.. But at that point, all I could focus on was Sophie's sudden interest in me, and it pushed my thoughts off track.

"Okay, so now that we're alone, I hope you wouldn't feel as pressured to talk about the engagement.."

The wide smile that stretched her lips was dazzling, but definitely fake. Sophie acted nice with me only because I was Ash's fiancé. Not a real one, but still.. I could tell she never really liked me. She acted differently around him and when we were alone. She was unreadable to me even..

  "Let's start with, where did you and Ash meet?" Fake enthusiasm filled her voice as she spoke, slightly pressing her hand over mine for a second. "Come on, I'm curious.."

I cleared my throat and leaned back on my chair crossing my leg with the awareness that it was going to turn into a pretty long conversation.. I just hoped we would finish up before Kristin came back.

  "At a club actually. Back in Richwood. He had just gotten back from Mexico, and I was in Richwood for the first time after.. Around thirteen years I believe." At times of stress and nervousness, my accent kicked in, a bit but still.. I worked a long time to get rid of it once I got back to America.. I was eighteen and till a few month ago, I lived in New York.. My accent is still barely noticeable, but I notice it every time I start blabbing.

"Oh wow. You know, it does take a lot of guts to go back to a town that's filled with people that have a hateful history with your father.."

  There it was.. There was spite, a bit of very hidden intention to somewhat cause me hurt.. She still made it seem very smooth, like it was part of the conversation.. But I knew there was something shady about her from the very moment I met her.. And I had an idea of what the reason might be, I just didn't want to jump to conclusions yet.

"Well, I always had the guts. And more importantly, I love my sister, so," I watched how she rose her brows in surprise, but.. Something told me it wasn't as honest.

"Oh you have a sister.."

"Yea. Jenny. She's studying college near Richwood, so that's the reason why we came back." Again, I tried keeping the conversation normal, going against my own conclusions of what this woman's intentions were..

She signed slightly, leaning back on the chair. "I don't have any siblings.. I always wondered what it's like to do, though.. I mean, I always had Ash, but he was never like a brother to me, he was more of a.. Really close friend, you could say.. Those beneficial friendships, if you know what I mean."

  And just like that, the clear intention was direct, not much hiding or swirling around the subject.. It was what I noticed about her.. About her feelings towards Ash. The very second she came into his office a few days ago, back in Richwood, the way she hugged him.. It said a lot. And I knew I wasn't paranoid. Who would tell their ex-lover's fiancé about their sex history? Who did that?

"Oh I do.." I mumbled, shutting myself up with the glass of water.. She kept it fakery clean, still not directly showing her spite towards me. It was in her eyes though, she was just still playing a game of some fake interest..

"Anyways, we were talking about you.." She said after tapping something on her phone and then putting it back down. "You lived in London?"

  Oh. She knew that too.. I didn't even want to start thinking how.. Rich shady women like her caused some kind of sudden urge to be as careful as possible.. Panic even..

"Surprised you know that, but yea.. Almost my whole life. I came back to America when I was 18, with Jen."

"Oh, but that's alright, I mean, you probably had all the documents for living there.. Right?"

"No, actually not at first. I was born in London, and both my parents are from there, so.." I didn't think through at first.. I just wanted to get this conversation over with.. I didn't want Kristin finding out about this through overhearing.. So I was trying to rush it.. Almost giving out information about me that she wasn't supposed to know.. "I lived there till I was six, but then my parents moved to Richwood because of my father's job offer. And I was there till I turned ten-"

"And then your dad did the whole mix with the money.. It's sad that they accused him of stealing." My heart had a pretty familiar reaction.. Her words echoed in my head.. Words I had heard many times before.. I still had no clue how she knew all of those things about me, but she did. She was obviously trying to send me some message, but I still didn't understand what it was..

No, my father didn't do any kind of 'mix' with the money. He stole. He had his own company, promising a lot of people, a lot of families, new homes.. He would promise an apartment in return of a land, wrecking their old houses and building tall buildings on that spot.. For a smaller amount of money for their new flat. The buildings were never built, yet the money that people payed for their new apartments and flats after willingly allowing him to crash their houses literally with a wrecking ball, all went in my father's filthy pocket.

It's how he survived.. How he became wealthy.. Stupid rich. People in the beginning used to trust him, but he spent years after years dragging the process and lying about the date of the building being built. It was a small town, people trusted each other without signing deals.. But my father wasn't a man of his word. He was precise and intelligent, an unmerciful businessman, yet at the same time so eager for money that he threw himself in his own trap.

People got angry, and once the police got involved, he knew he had to either go to jail or go on the run. Unfortunately he chose the second one, and my mother being always by his side, took me and Jenny and left the house one night, along with him.. Actually, to be more correct, we didn't leave. We ran. Chased by the angry people, some of them dangerous even, leaving one traumatic night in my life to scar its way in my memory.

Some of those people were even left homeless.. Of course they were angry.. He even had deals with other illegal businessmen that after seeing that he wouldn't provide them, ended up angry, chasing after him.. After his life and family. Wanting him dead. I could still hear the gunshots, and they weren't from the police..

  I had a scar on my leg from that night.. It was just a reminder of that night.. The cut against the side of the old car was deep, and it still held that exact spot after so many years..

  However, I couldn't show my vulnerability in front of strangers.. Especially not in front of those that wanted to see that from me.

"I'm not exactly sure what happened.." I heard myself say, again earning a confident clear response from her.

"I understand though, we all tend to get allured by materialistics, make mistakes and then poof.. Everything you've always worked for is just gone. And that's when it hard to get back on top.." Her words were really true though, but I could still clearly read that this woman had no clear intentions with me. "I mean, if he didn't do what he did, you would've gotten your proper documents for staying in the US.."

"I did." I lied.

  No, I didn't have all the documents.. I mean, I went there as a student. I never finished college. I started working, job after job, and as long as I kept the job, I wouldn't get reported. I was from England, in all ways possible. I considered Richwood my home town because I always found it comfortable there.. Even after everything that happened with my father.. But it was only a business offer that brought my family there, and it was business that got us away.

"Really?"

"Mhm, yea." My voice sounded casual as I glanced over my shoulder to see if Kristin was coming.. She was inside the cafe, talking to a tall blonde dude near the little bar. Good. I had time to finish this. To close this subject once and for all..

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I honestly would've guessed that one of the reasons for your engagement with Ash is becoming legally American." My eyes instantly focused back on her as the frown of surprise from her words washed over my face.

  No, I didn't take it the wrong way. I knew exactly what she meant. Even though she laughed it through..

"God, no, of course not." I suddenly went way overprotective of Ash, for the first time facing such idea.. I never really thought of that option. Marrying my way to America. But now that she brought it out, I almost sounded angry. And I had no idea why.. The woman was just too manipulative, and all her methods were working.  "I mean, as long as I had a job, I could stay there, legally and all."

  I spoke in past tense since I already lied about getting all documents for staying there.. With a job and all, I still wasn't illegal. I mean, it was an option.. I would be illegal if I got a warning for deportation, yet still staying there.. As long as I kept my job at the company, I was good.

  And this was one of the reasons why I wanted to keep my thing with Ash private. If people found out, my job as his assistant would become a problem.. I would either have to quit out of dignity, or he would have to fire me. That's why I didn't want to get involved, no matter the things I felt for this man.. Yet I still did. And now I was even considering going  public and all.. I mean, a shirtless Ash made me consider a lot of things if I'm being real..

She cleared her throat, leaning slightly against the table and looking towards the view on the side. "Yea well who knows.. Genes sometimes kick in later in life.. Legality's not for everyone." Her voice was quiet but her words were clear. Sophie didn't have a french accent since she lived half her life in America.. So I couldn't have made a mistake in that.. I heRd her right.

And right in that moment, the waiter came with out drinks, while all that left me was a slightly frustrated.. "Pardon?"

  She played smart. I couldn't exactly show my anger because she was acting nice.. Like she said those stuff with a good intention. Yet I knew it was only to hurt me. The girl was clearly into Ash. And I was obviously in her way..

  I was on the edge of letting the frustration explode in me, to simply jump up my seat and leave a clear mark on that skinny face of hers.. But I kept myself civilized since she did it too.. Her attack wasn't direct. She played a different game, and I could tell.. She wanted me to know yet at the same time she didn't leave me space to show anger. It was insanity. A clear manipulator.

  Again, those elegantly sharp glossed lips of hers curled into a slight smile, rising her hand slightly in defense and widening her eyes in a fake surprise from my frustrated tone in that 'Pardon?'..

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that.. No, I just- I personally have gotten a lot of bad habits from my parents, so," Ah. Another nice way of pulling herself out of the situation.. Faking a regret and quickly getting herself  'clear'.. Smart methods.. But a bitchy fakness.

"I don't know of habits, but I do despise what my father put my whole family through.. So no, Sophie, I didn't take any habits from my dad."

  Again, in my voice there was clear frustration. I tried hiding it, but I was always bad at it. I never kept things to myself. I said stuff, did stuff if I have to.. But then again, I never found myself in such situation before. I was sitting there, acting like I wasn't angry, acting like I believed her fake 'apology', only because of dignity and the need to seem as civilized.. She did deserve a slap. A punch even. But the horny bitch was hating on me because of her clear drawing towards Ash. She was playing me. But I knew how to play too.

She pressed her hand over mine and smile again. "Of course. I get it. I totally do. I only follow my mom's example too.. I mean, my father wasn't the best family figure either, but my mom still never gave up on him.." 

  She leaned back on her chair, took her coffee and sat there relaxed.. Looking onto the side like she was thinking, remembering something. The anger was clear on me, I knew that.. But I wanted to let her know that I knew what she was doing. And then she finally admitted that clear truth..

  "And you know, I noticed I keep doing that too.. Ash had a lot of fazes through his life, with Jane and all that, then this unexpected engagement, but see, it always ended quicker than a blink.." She looked at me and smiled widely after taking a sip from her coffee, put it down and leaned closer to the table. Her eyes went to this dull unreadable state, her expression going serious for a second, before she finally said. "So not giving up has always been a pretty inspiring motto for me."

  And that was Sophie Louren's way of showing what she wanted.. What she was aiming to get. With a threat, a warning in her voice.. A promise even.

  But the thing was, the world we lived in was a lot dirtier than she thought, not as civilized and not as settle. I could play following only my own rules, and that's what I was going to do.. But my rules were wilder and guaranteed me a win.

  Just like that, out of stubbornness, my only aim and goal became getting Ash on my side, and with that showing her the closeness him and I had. I didn't care if the secret of our real relationship got revealed anymore, I only cared of winning this game, and perhaps with that, showing Ash what he was truly starting to mean to me..

  Fake or not, we were engaged. I came up with the excuse of leaving my ring in the shower once again, but I was ready to double up my role in being Ashton Bonner's fiancée and perhaps a bit lead by jealousy too, I was ready to easily show everyone how Ash and I belonged together.. Why we did.. Even if it was all a fake engagement, what I felt for this man was real. And I was going to show it.

  So yes, Paris challenged me, and I accepted it, knowing exactly how to lead the game with my rules and knowing that I would win it.

***

Game on, bitches. -A

  No, but seriously, so excited for you guys to read on! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and hope some of your questions about Anya's pst got answered. I'll tell you this, there's a lot more mystery in this book that will be revealed soon, so stay tuned babes!

  Also, the descriptions of Paris are not first hand, I did make a little research since I never visited, so I did put my imagination in a lot of it too.. But the Cafes and places I'll mention will be real, since my cousin did go and she recommended me all the best places she visited because of her blog.

  Give this chap a vote and a comment if you enjoyed both POVs! Also, let me know what you guys think will happen next..? Will Anya win the game or is her more drama coming their way?

  New updates every week! Kisses, babes 😘 Ly 💗