Devin leaned closer to her ear, saying, “My sole goal now is you.”
Even above the roar of the music, Ashlyn was able to hear every word of Devin’s remarks.
She made no comment as she approached Jessie silently.
Jessie smiled at Devin. “What a coincidence, Devin!”
Devin smiled casually and said, “That’s not a coincidence. I came here with Ashlyn.”
Jessie’s lips parted to form another sentence, but Ashlyn cut her off. “Anyway, I’m here.”
At that moment, Jessie realized why she had asked Ashlyn to come over. “Hold on, Ashlyn!”
She got up and left quickly. However, she soon returned, a man in tow.
It was Aiken.
“Since Ashlyn is here, I no longer owe you. Ask her what you want to ask already.”
Aiken cracked a grin. “Hello, Ashlyn!”
Ashlyn glared at him. “It’s been a while. I’ve been wondering what has you so intrigued by me.”
Aiken gave a click of his tongue and said, “It’s not a big deal. I just want to ask something. Are you the famous cartoonist a few years ago named Royi?”
Everyone around Aiken was taken aback by his inquiry. Jessie inquired with bewilderment, “Who is Royi? Since when has Ashlyn become interested in comic books? Are you all right in the head, Aiken? There’s no way Ashlyn can be a cartoonist since she has been terrible at drawing ever since she was a kid.”
However, Aiken ignored Jessie. He merely glanced at Ashlyn and asked again, “Is that you?”
Ashlyn cracked a wry grin and remarked, “Your question is unexpected. However, I am not that person.”
Jessie saw that Aiken was still intent on pressing the issue. With furrowed brows, she remarked, “Now that Ashlyn is here and she answered your question, the bet we have is over.”
Jessie pushed Ashlyn and said, “Well, you haven’t recovered from your cold yet. Go back home and take a rest!”
Still wanting to speak out, Aiken was greeted with a snide glance from Jessie.
Ashlyn glanced at Aiken and said, “If there is nothing urgent, I’ll go back home. Have a pleasant time!”
Then she turned around and went out.
Smiling slightly, Devin observed Aiken. After that, he went after Ashlyn.
Aiken called out to Devin, “Hey, we haven’t had a drink together in a long time, have we? How about—”
“Maybe we can do it some other time.”
Devin waved his hand in rejection and followed Ashlyn out of the bar.
Aiken assumed that Devin was more skillful in chasing girls than Gordon.
With his peculiar personality, Gordon was probably better off never finding love again.
Gordon and Aiken had been friends for thirty years. Gordon was like a guy in a perilous game, who couldn’t see clearly the big picture. Aiken believed he couldn’t stand by and watch as his buddy fell into the abyss.
Aiken sighed and reached for his phone to contact Gordon. Suddenly, he was tapped on the shoulder.
His fingers trembled and he nearly dropped his phone.
As he looked over, he saw that Jessie was staring at him angrily.
Jessie said with discontent, “I don’t understand why you just asked that question. I have fulfilled my bet. I’m going.”
“How about I send you home?”
“No, I’m good.”
Aiken tapped his nose. He didn’t want to give her a ride anyway.
Following Jessie’s departure, Aiken made a hasty phone call to Gordon.
Aiken left the bar since it was too noisy.
As he picked up the phone, Gordon said, “What is it?”
“I mentioned a comic book by a cartoonist named Royi. Have you read it? I’m sure Royi is Ashlyn and the comic book hero is a lot like you.”
Aiken remembered the comic’s unexpected success two years ago. His cousin had requested that he had Royi autograph a book for her. However, the book publisher claimed that Royi was just a part-time creator and refused to sign the book.
Aiken’s cousin spent her whole summer break bugging him about why he hadn’t gotten the autograph. Aiken read the book out of curiosity. The story was about mundane events, but the artwork was superb. In the end, the hero and heroine were not in love with each other.
At that moment, he believed that the hero seemed familiar, and then he learned that the hero looked virtually the same as Gordon.
Actually, he had asked Gordon whether he knew any cartoonist.
Gordon had sent him a chilly glare, so Aiken had never mentioned it again.
Actually, it was a rather depressing story.
The story centered on the emotional development of a girl who had feelings for a boy. But the boy had no idea the girl secretly loved him.
When they finally met and had coffee together, the narrative was over.
Aiken noticed the sketch in his car when he met Gordon at midday, and it brought up memories of the comic book.
Aiken and Jessie happened to cross paths in the afternoon. Thus, he conceived such a plan.
Ashlyn might have denied it, but Aiken believed she was Royi.
In the car, Ashlyn turned to look at Devin. “Are you also intrigued?”
Devin beamed upon hearing her remarks. “Intrigued by what?”
“Am I Royi or not?”
At this moment, the traffic lights turned red. Devin brought the car to a gradual halt. He swiveled his head to look at Ashlyn and asked, “Is it important?”
Honestly, Ashlyn was taken aback by his response. A bright grin formed on her face, and she said, “No.”
Devin asked, “What I want to know is when you want to have another relationship.”
Ashlyn gathered her wits after a few seconds and stared at Devin. “Actually, I also want to know.”
Devin smiled. “If you are ready, please let me know.”
Ashlyn just smiled and remained quiet.
Twenty minutes later, Devin pulled over.
“At least let me walk you to the building,” Devin offered as he unfastened his seat belt.
He stepped out of the vehicle and moved to the side of the passenger seat, where he opened the door while holding an umbrella.
Outside, it was dark and rainy. Ashlyn gave him a blank stare in response. She felt a little chilly when a gust of wind came in through the open door.
As she stepped out of the vehicle, Ashlyn said, “Thank you for driving me home.”
“It’s a little cold. Let’s go inside.”
Devin bowed his head in her direction as his eyes fixated on her. Ashlyn was able to get a glimpse of the passion in his eyes with just a look since they were so close together.
She saw herself in his eyes.
After a moment of indecision, she turned around and walked toward her apartment.
Ashlyn saw that the side of Devin’s suit was practically soaked with rain.
The umbrella wasn’t small. Devin would not have gotten wet if he had been nearer to Ashlyn.
However, Devin maintained some small distance from her as they walked.
Ashlyn averted her eyes as she cleared her throat. “I’m grateful. I’ll treat you to dinner next time.”
Devin grinned contentedly. “You now owe me two meals now.”
Ashlyn smiled back. She entered the elevator as soon as it opened.
Ashlyn saw the elevator doors slowly closing. Devin was standing outside the elevator, a wet umbrella in his hand, and he was softly eyeing her.
If it was Devin whom she had sex with, would things have been different now?
However, it might not be the case. Devin was a playboy, after all.
Ashlyn got a call from Jessie as soon as she arrived home.
Of course, Ashlyn knew the reason for the call.
She picked up the phone, put the speaker on, went to the bar counter, and made coffee for herself. “Why are you calling?”
“How did Aiken find out?”
“Maybe he guessed it,” Ashlyn remarked after a little pause.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply