Ch
Ever since agreeing to be Alejandro’s fake girlfriend, Ashley had been plagued with regret. What was she thinking, letting emotions cloud her judgment and getting roped into deceiving an elder?”
Today was the day she was supposed to meet Alejandro’s mother.”
As she opened the car door, she froze–there, on the passenger seat, was a small sign that read: [Ashley’s Reserved Seat.]
She stared at it, speechless. “Uh… was this really necessary?““}
Alejandro let out an awkward chuckle.
“I’m not entirely sure. I just heard that girls like things like this, so… I figured, why not?“”
Internally, Alejandro sighed. Too bad Ash doesn’t seem impressed.”
The car pulled onto the main road and before long, they arrived at Alejandro’s residence–a sprawling estate lined with towering oak trees.
Before she could step inside, he turned to her apologetically. “Sorry, my mom ran into some issues. I need to swing by the airport to pick her up first.“N
“I’ll drop you off here and I’ll be back soon.“}
Ashley nodded in response, not thinking much of it. But the moment she stepped inside, she was met with Zoe’s mischievous grin and exaggerated winks.
Her nervousness instantly eased. “Zoe, you being here makes me feel way less anxious about meeting his mom.“”
Zoe immediately grabbed her by the arm, giggling. “I knew you’d be freaking out! Don’t worry, Aunt Alana isn’t here yet.“\
“The flight got delayed. Good thing you’re here. I’ve never lied to an older before–I’m scared I’ll mess up.“>
Seeing her best friend so anxious about deceiving someone, Zoe felt a slight pang of guilt.”
Girl, the real liar here wasn’t you–it’s that cunning wolf, Alejandro! That man is hopelessly in love with you, yet he insists on lurking in the shadows, playing mind games…”
Just then, the butler returned from the garden, leading a majestic Border Collie named Chiquito. When he noticed the way Ashley’s eyes lit up at the sight of the dog, he chuckled and handed her the leash.”
“Want to give it a try? Chiquito is very gentle and understands people well.”
Ashley swallowed hard. There was no resisting a fluffy animal. Before she even realized it, the leash was already in her
hand.”
“Wait… where are you going?“”
Chiquito had been perfectly well–behaved in the butler’s hands, but the moment she took over, he started pulling her in a completely different direction.”
“Where is he even trying to go?“}
Ashley turned to Zoe for help, but before she could react, she realized something–Chiquito was way stronger than he looked. And she was absolutely not in control.”
Chiquito tugged hard on the leash, dragging her into a room. Judging by the decor, it had to be Alejandro’s study.
“My cousin’s study? This little troublemaker better not be planning to cause chaos in here,” Zoe mused, raising a brow as she followed behind.
Instead of making a mess, Chiquito bounded straight toward the desk, pawing excitedly at a framed photo.
Zoe glanced at the picture of Alejandro and scoffed.
“Seriously? Keeping a framed photo of yourself on your desk? That’s next–level narcissism. Alejandro is exactly the kind of man even a dog wouldn’t date!“}
“Right, Chiquito?”
Ashley stifled a laugh at Zoe roasting her own cousin but managed to keep a straight face.N
However, Chiquito clearly had a mind of his own. With an excited leap, he knocked Zoe off balance, sending the frame crashing to the floor.
The glass shattered and two photographs slipped out.!!
Ashley crouched down to pick them up, her fingers hesitating as she took a closer look. Her breath hitched. They were photos of her.”
The edges were worn, the colors slightly faded–old photographs. And in them, a young girl and boy stood side by side. Her and Alejandro.
It was from that summer in high school–the time she had clung to Alejandro as a way to distract herself from her
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photos of her.
The edges were worn, the colors slightly faded–old photographs. And in them, a young girl and boy stood side by side.
Her and Alejandro.N
It was from that summer in high school–the time she had clung to Alejandro as a way to distract herself from her
heartbreak over Max.
If she hadn’t seen this photo today, Ashley wouldn’t have even remembered that she and Alejandro had taken pictures together.
One corner of the photograph was blurred–worn down from being handled too many times, as if someone had repeatedly picked it up and looked at it over and over again.”
Her pupils trembled slightly. She couldn’t quite put a name to the emotions stirring inside her.”
Ashley wasn’t naive. Thinking back on everything that had happened since she arrived in Puerto Vendaval, it was impossible not to realize–Alejandro had never let go of his feelings for her.”
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