Chapter 20
DEMI
I know I should forget it. Heck, I should have forgotten all about it by now, the way I struggle to remember what Ashley's lips felt like when we kissed but every time I look at the man in front of me, the evergreen memory of that thirty seconds long kiss all comes flooding back. I watch him rise, a conspicuous scowl on his face as he walks up to me.
"Thank you, Rachel. You can go back to your desk." I hear the clomp of the smallish secretary's shoes as she skitters away. My eyes remain trained on Ashton. Would I have struggled to forget the kiss if Ashley had been in his place? I continue to wonder as his bluish orbs of eyes peer into my soul. What exactly is this pull? The more I ruminate over the kiss, the more I realize that the act itself isn't the reason I get flustered around Ashton; it's the man himself.
"Gris, if you would excuse us."
The bespectacled man bows and quietly leaves. Ashton and I hold each other's gaze for a moment longer. His face is impossible to read.
"I have a very important meeting to attend this morning and I should be preparing for it. This better be good, Branson."
Though his eyes are flat and his voice cold, it fails to register the silent threat. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. Thus, I tear my eyes away from his daunting ones to survey his office. It's a cozy space with minimalistic designs. There's barely any clutter at all. Every art, furniture and even potted plant seem to be needed to complete the look. I imagine that even trying to move a paper clip will be risky as it will instantly be noticed, terribly missed and frantically searched for.
My eyes return to Ashton's face. His facial muscles are a little bit relaxed now and he doesn't look like he wants to rip my head off for ruining his day a little shy of eight am.
"Yes, this is still about the kiss." I blurt out his suspicion. Before he can finish rolling his eyes, I continue. "I'm not losing sleep over it but apparently Ashley is." Ashton's eyes soften with concern.
"What makes you say that?"
He's been avoiding me. He didn't speak to me this morning and hasn't returned any of my calls. I need you to help me talk to him."