**Edited!!

The next morning, I found myself standing in front of my mirror with Kacey beside me. My floor was littered with every single piece of clothing I had, as was my bed. I looked at myself in the mirror, "I don't think so." I said.

Kacey had picked out a dress for me to wear. It was super cute, but it seemed too fancy, and maybe like I was trying too hard. Ashton said to dress comfortable, but sexy. How the hell was I supposed to do that? "It looks like I'm trying too hard Kacey."

"No, it doesn't." She protested.

"Yes, it does. Let's look for something else."

I turned and went to look through my clothes for something better. After a few minutes of not finding anything, I grabbed my phone sending a text to Ashton to see what exactly we were doing.

To: Sexy Beast (Ashton)

From: Layla

It's Layla. What are we doing today?

I stood by my bed looking over my clothes and suddenly my phone beeped in my hands. Looking down I saw it was Ashton.

From: Sexy Beast (Ashton)

To: Layla

Nothing extreme. Probably lunch, and see where things go...

Like that helps, I thought sarcastically. The sound of my name being called had my head snapping towards Kacey.

"I found the perfect outfit." She said holding up a pair of dark blue washed jeans, and a white sweater.

"Okay." I grabbed them and started taking off my clothes. I stood there in my bra and panties, reaching for the jeans. Since they were black skinny jeans I had to do the little dance to just put them on. Buttoning them, I reached for the sweater. As I reached for the sweater I saw Kacey's eyes on my stomach. I knew what she was looking at.

Across my stomach from my left side of my ribs, to just above my belly button was a jagged scar. Just looking at it made me sick. Not wanting to look at it and remember how I got it, I pulled the sweater quickly over it. Kacey sent me an apologetic look, but I waved her off. I didn't blame her for staring at it, it's hard not to stare at something like that.

"Yes. That's the outfit, but it needs something else. Hmm..." Kacey said, looking around my room. A second later she held up a pair of high heeled black booties with a peep toe. I couldn't help but smile as I slipped them on.

"I like it." I said. The outfit was plain and simple but also made me look classy.

"You look hot, but let's hurry and do something with your hair."

"Hey! My hair looks fine!" I said, defending it.

"Okay... Sit." She pointed at the chair in front of my desk and mirror.

Obeying her, I took a seat and let her do her work. Honestly, Kacey could do wonders on anyone. I closed my eyes and let her do her thing as she pulled my hair and poked my eyes with eyeliner. I kept protesting at the amount of eye shadow she was using, but her excuse was that I was going on a date with a hot multi-millionaire, and that it was essential that I looked my best. Apparently the soft, tinted browns she was using brought out my eye colour.

"There you go." She announced proudly. Opening my eyes I stared at myself. I couldn't help but smile at my reflection. A little bit of blush covered my cheeks. My lips were covered in a pale shade of pink lipstick. My brown hair hung down in soft waves. The look was completely me, and I loved it.

"I love it. Thank you, Kay!" I said standing up and hugging her.

"You're welcome. You look smoking hot. Ashton won't know what hit him." I smiled at her and grabbed the small shoulder bag on my bed. I put my wallet, keys, some extra lipstick and gum inside. I grabbed my phone and checked it to make sure I hadn't missed a text.

"When you get home, I expect a full low down on what happened, what you did. So basically, everything that happens from the moment you leave here until you step back into the apartment. Got it?" Kacey told me, her voice hard and commanding.

"Yes, mom. I promise." I said, saluting her. Even though she can be demanding, and sometimes pushy, I love her to death. I don't think I'd be here, or want to be here, if she wasn't. I'm just glad she's my best friend and hasn't ever left me. "Thank you for doing my hair and makeup." I hugged her tightly.

"Your welcome. Someone's got to make sure you look amazing. Because without me, you wouldn't be able to." She said.

"Aw, it wouldn't be a good day without you saying I'm pretty without your help." I said sarcastically.

"Someone's got to do it." She said smiling at me. Laughing, I shook my head at her. Just then my phone buzzed. Looking down I saw it was Ashton.

"Okay, I've got go. See you later." I said, pulling my bag onto my shoulder.

"Okay. See you later. Have fun, if he invites you back to his apartment, say yes." She said winking at me.

"Kacey!" I said.

"What? Just go." She opened the door and shoved me out. "Have fun!" With that, she shut the door on me. Great.

I walked down the stairs and outside. Idling by the curve was Ashton's limo. The moment I stepped out of doors I saw Ashton step out of the limo and come towards me. His driver stood off to the side with the door, waiting for us.

"Layla." He said with a smile on his face.

"Ashton." I said, my voice kind of shaky. Layla, you've got this, act cool. Don't let him know how he affects you. I said inside my head.

"I've got to say... You look amazing." He said, looking me up and down. I could practically see him undressing me in his head.

"I know I do. I thought I may see some attractive guys while we're out." I smirked at him and walked towards the car, leaving him standing there with a mixed look on his face. Smiling and nodding my head in thanks to his driver, Clark, I slid inside. A second later, Ashton joined me. By his posture I could tell he was angry for some reason. Doesn't he know I was joking?

The car started forward and we sat in silence. Ashton stared out the window and I sat there playing with the rings I had put on. I was usually fine with silence, but for some reason I couldn't stand another second of sitting here with the awkward silence wrapped around us.

"So where are we going?" I finally asked, biting my bottom lip hoping Ashton would answer.

"Somewhere." He answered vaguely.

"Great answer. That really helps." I said sarcastically, looking out the opposite window. We remained in silence as we drove deeper into the city. I almost felt like a tourist as I leaned against the window to look outside. New York has always fascinated me, even as a child. I was never allowed to come downtown like most kids in high school. Even after living here for four years I still have not shopped or looked around in downtown New York. I never had the time or the money to do so. Kacey always invites me to come with her, but I'm either working, or was attending class. Well, there's also the factor that I'm usually too broke to do any shopping. So now I was looking at everything I could as the limo driver maneuvered us around traffic.

"Whoa." I breathed as we passed the jumbo sized TV playing ads, the big posters announcing upcoming movies, and the big crowd surrounding a building or window of what looked like the Good Morning America set. I felt like a child at a candy store. "Its so pretty." I murmured after we had passed it all. I bet it is as pretty at night with all the lights going, I thought to myself.

"Have you never seen downtown New York before?" Ashton's voice asked softly next to me. A blush erupted across my cheeks before I could stop it. I looked over at him sheepishly, not having realized I was acting like a weirdo.

"I-I haven't." I finally stuttered out. God what is wrong with me? Layla, get yourself together!

"You've lived here your whole life but you haven't seen downtown?" He asked confused.

"Well I lived about twenty minutes outside of town, and my parents were... Strict." I vaguely answered.

He sat there quietly, a strange look on his face. Not even a minute later he smirked to himself and turned back to me. I looked at him confused, but also curious. What was he thinking about? I wondered. Before we could say anything, the limo came to a stop. I tried glancing out the window behind Ashton's head, but I couldn't see anything. The door opened up not even a second later. With the grace I wish I had, Ashton stepped out of the limo then turned holding a hand out for me. I slid over and tried to gracefully step out like Ashton did, but instead almost ended up tripping. Ashton's warm hand gripped my hand, preventing me from embarrassing myself. A blush grew on my face, and I looked anywhere but at Ashton.

"Thank you." I said, and started taking in the place we were at. In front of me was what looked like an expensive restaurant. Couples, and business partners sat outside enjoying the semi cold air, a light chatter lingering around the tables. A slight tug on my arm alerted me that the front door to the restaurant was being held open for us. Ashton tugged me along behind him as we walked through the entrance.

"Hello, Mr. Miller." A tall blonde purred at Ashton. I looked up at her and scowled. I thought my uniform was small, this women's top was so tight you could see the outline of her bra. Her breasts were practically pushed up to her ears and looked ready to break free. I didn't even want to know what bottoms she was wearing. Her face was caked in makeup and I could see her hair was dyed that ugly blonde color, clearly not her natural color. Her blue eyes didn't even glance in my direction as she stared at Ashton as if he was a piece of meat. "Would you like a table outside or inside?" She asked, her voice coming out in a hushed tone. Is that supposed to sound sexy?

"A table outside please." He said, not really paying her any attention. She seemed surprised for a second, but recovered and grabbed a menu, turning to lead us to our table. Noticing that she grabbed just one, I rolled my eyes and snatched a menu off the counter before following after Ashton. As I trailed behind them, I saw she kept pressing herself against his side. A part of me wanted to walk right up to her and rip her fake blonde hair out. Shocked at myself, I shook my head. Why does it even matter to me? It's not like we're dating. Yes, but you are out on a date with him, and she's practically on top of him, a voice reasoned back at me. I couldn't help but agree. We finally reached our table and the girl purposely pressed herself close to Ashton as she set his menu on the table.

"If you need anything, just let me know." She said, winking at him and bouncing off. Rolling my eyes I sat down in my chair.

"I was going to hold your chair out for you." Ashton said next to me.

"I got it." Was all I said. I heard him sigh and I smiled inwardly. I won't be some weakling around Ashton.

"What would you like to eat? This place has a good selection." He said, glancing up at me over his menu.

"I like almost anything, just not seafood." Something about the texture has always bothered my taste buds.

"You don't like seafood?" Ashton practically gasped at me. I couldn't help but laugh softly at his face. His face almost looked like I had kicked a puppy or something.

"It just tastes weird to me." I said shrugging.

"I don't know who you are." He said shaking his head at me, but when he looked up, his eyes were filled with amusement.

"Not liking seafood isn't as bad as not liking cookie dough." I said.


"I don't like cookie dough." I gasped, not believing my ears.

"You don't like cookie dough?"

"Nope." He said, shrugging just like I had.

"What kind of person are you?" Ashton just stared at me in amusement.

"What's the big deal? It's just cookie dough. I'd rather eat it after its been cooked." I just shook my head at him and looked down at my menu.

To say this was a fancy establishment would be an understatement. The meals were pretty pricey. Just for a plate of pasta it was $29.99. That better be some damn good pasta, I thought. I looked for the cheapest thing to get, and only ended up with a side salad for $9.99. Ashton must have seen the look on my face.

"Layla, don't worry about the price, I'm paying." He said.

"Have you not seen these prices? They are more than I spend on my weekly groceries."

"I can afford it. It's okay, get whatever you want." I really wanted to say 'yeah I know' but I held it in. A few minutes later a waitress came over to take our drink orders.

"Hello, I'm Amy, your waitress. What can I get you two to drink?" She asked. Smiling down at us I saw she wasn't looking at Ashton like the other girls. Shooting her a smile I answered.

"I'll just have water."

"Same here." Ashton said as well.

"Okay. Are you ready to order or need a few minutes?" Ashton looked at me, silently asking if I was ready. Nodding, he turned to Amy.

"I'll have the lasagna." He said, handing her his menu.

"I'll have the pasta marinara." I said smiling, also handing her my menu.

"Sounds good. I'll get that in and get you your drinks."

After she left, we sat in silence. I could feel his gaze on me, making me feel self-conscious.

"So are you in college still?" He asked, breaking the silence between us.

"No, I finished almost two years ago."

"Oh, where did you go? NYU?"

"Yeah, my friend Kacey, and I both attended there."

"She's the one from the club right?" I couldn't help but be surprised that he remembered Kacey from the other night. I nodded, just then, Amy returned with our drinks. Once Amy had placed them in front of us, she sauntered off to another table. "What did you major in?"

"I studied English and majored in Journalism. I want to be a writer or an editor." I said, taking a sip of my water. He actually looked impressed after I had finished talking. "How about you? What did you study?" I asked wanting to know more about him.

"I went to NYU too, and majored in Business." He immediately answered.

"That's pretty cool. Is that how you got your company started?" Ashton seemed to be surprised for a second before answering.

"How did you know?" He asked.

"You're all over the internet and magazines. Did you think I wouldn't find out?" I asked giving him a look.

"Well, I guess you would have found out sooner or later. Anyway, its not a big deal."

"No big deal? You're a multi-millionaire." He just shrugged.

"Yes, but it doesn't matter. I leave business at work, not in my personal affairs." He said. His voice coming out serious and it almost felt like a warning.

"That's good. No one likes talking business when they are on a date anyways." I said, letting him know I'm not going to go picking around in his business. What he does on his own time is his business, not mine. He seemed happy after I said that, and sent me a smirk. But this time, the smirk wasn't cocky it was just a smirk, almost a smile.

We sat there and talked for about five minutes, before our meals came. When mine was placed in front of me, I was happy to know that it was actually a big portion, instead of a small one. My stomach growled softly and I put a hand on it, trying to silence it. My pasta looked and smelled amazing, Ashton's lasagna looked great too. Grabbing my fork, I tucked in. I couldn't stop a small moan escaping my lips, the pasta tasted amazing.

"Good?" Ashton asked, smirking at me in amusement. I nodded and felt my cheeks heat up.

While we were eating I couldn't help but glance up at Ashton. He looked like a model that had just stepped out of a magazine. I couldn't help but think that this date was going to turn out amazing.

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HI!!! Super sorry for not updating in a while! I have been so busy with school, which almost over thank god, homework, and I just got promoted to manager at my work so Ive been working everyday for 2 weeks, so very sorry!

Anyways I hope you like this chapter I know it isn't the best but I wanted to get something out there for you guys since I haven't updated in so long! I know the ending is weird because I couldn't think of a way to end but its about 5 pages or so, so I just wanted to end it. Let me know what you guys think I love knowing what you guys think of my work :)

Keep READING, VOTING, and COMMENTING!! THANK YOU!!

<3

-Ken