Chapter 74
Josie’s POV.
The past two days have been horrible for me. I never thought I’d be watching myself trending from the best language teacher in the city to the worst.
How I went from shining in glory to being defamed, thanks to Ashton.
I’m even surprised I’m standing on my feet today.
After leaving the hospital that day. I went to Jane’s place Tessa and Kendra rushed in too after hearing the news. All three of them had grim looks on their faces.
And Tessa! She couldn’t stop cursing Ashton.
“That ex of yours has some balls” She had snapped, snapping her fingers. I couldn’t even bring my eyes up to watch them. All I thought about was how I had lost my glory. Something that took me years to build since I arrived in the city. But with just one review, that career of mine diminished.
I had my hands in a ball, anger a living being inside of me.
“But you know what. I’m going to kick his goddamn balls” Tessa continued
My girls hatred for Ashton increased. Tessa had picked up the lacrosse stick Jane had kept for practice and rushed to the
door.
She has wanted to go to the hospital and hit the hell outta Ashton but Kendra and Jane held her back.
While all those things were unfolding. I was just dying inside.
–
It took hours for me to recover and I had asked the girls to take me somewhere I could drink my pains off. For the first time, my girls refused to leave the house.
So we cooped up at Jane’s that night, drinking. I thought it’d help scratch off the pains but it didn’t.
When I woke up the next day, the weight of loss and pain weighed heavily on me.
I walked on eggshells the past two days. While that was happening. I canceled my date with Diego and hid the truth about my job from him.
I even refused to go online again after that trend. But I knew that I couldn’t stay idle without providing for my daughter. Aria’s my priority. The reason I live. So I took it upon myself to find another befitting Job.
That’s why Lilly showed her support. I actually suspected that lady when she came up to us at the pub. But now that we actually related more, she was nice.
Lilly showed me some places I could apply for a job. I went for an interview but as luck may have it, it didn’t work out.
I actually decided to move on, so when Diego proposed a date again, I accepted it.
Moreover, Diego’s my boyfriend now. Maybe staying with him will help me forget and move on.
After all, it was through his help that Jam where I am today.
That’s why I told Tessa, Lilly, and Jane to help me select a killer dress for this date.
And they selected this bodycon skirt and peplum shirt, that shows my bust.
The look of lust and admiration in Diego’s eyes when he saw me took my breath away.
Chapter 74
But every vibe I had in me died when I found out he had booked a reservation at Hell’s Kitchen…
If I’m not wrong, this was where I saw Ashton the last time. My stepmother’s restaurant.
Diego noticed the change in my movements. How my face had paled but I tried to hide it.
That’s the best I can do. I thought everything was working perfectly until I heard that voice. Husky, deep, and sensational.
“Josie.”
My heart suddenly stops beating. The blood drained from my face,
That instant, my wolf stands on her hind legs, throwing her forelegs up, shaking her furs.
I try as much as I can to breathe and pretend that Ashton’s not here but it’s impossible.
Not when his eyes are drilling holes through my body, gosht
I do my best to ignore him, stabbing into the chicken on my plate but he’s insistent.
“Josie. This time. his voice seem more convinced,
As if calling me by that name from faraway isn’t enough. Ashton saunters close to us.
I panic. Darting my hand on the table, I grab the paper napkin and begin to wipe the corners of my mouth forcefully.
“Hey.
By the moon! He’s close now. In my space with Diego.
Gosh!
Breathe in breathe out, I say inwardly to myself.
“Who are you…” Diego asks, a hint of confusion and something else lingers in his voice.
I don’t raise my head immediately. A second later, I spill.
“How may I help you?” I snap at Ashton.
Now that I see his face, a flood of emotions fills my inside. I trade glances between him and Diego, and by the moon, I can’t help what I feel for both ΠΕΠ.
Although, Ashton’s stronger. More potent, nearly making my legs buckle.
“Who is he to you, Rose? And…why is he calling you Josie? Diego asks.
I open my mouth to talk..but words fail me..
Then I hear Ashton rattle out. “I’m her male.
“What?” Diego gushes.
That
response makes anger build inside me. Who heck gave Ashton the right to claim I’m his mate?
Turning my gaze up, I bash it at Ashton before looking at Diego and spill.
“Ex mate, baby”
Tension radiates from me to Ashton and Diego. It’s so thick it can cut diamonds.
“Allow me to introduce to you my man. Diego Lopez,” I whisper loud enough for him to hear. At that declaration, I hold Diego’s hand, caressing it.
Ashton growls low at the back of his throat as he watches me holding hands with Diego.
I wonder what must be running through his mind. Whatever it is, I give no damn shit.
Proving to him he means nothing to me makes me proud.
Because he truly doesn’t mean anything to me.
“Are you certain? My wolf’s voice chimes in
Certainly, I spill back even though my heart wars with my mind.
It didn’t dawn on me that people were watching us until my eyes drifted a bit and I saw everyone watching us.
That’s because Ashton’s alpha vibes is wafting through the air.
“Can you at least give me a chance to fix my mess?” Ashton asks.
A chance to fix his mess?
How will he go about restoring my glory? My reputation?
How will he go about getting me my job back?
This isn’t some fictional book where the hero has the right to manipulate elements in his favor!
This is reality. Where everything that’s destroyed can’t be mended.
Damn him! I bark in my mind.
It’s only then that I heard Diego’s question.
“What mess…” Our eyes lock and he finishes. “Is he talking about?”
Tension wracks through my body instantly, knowing Diego’s about to find out what had happened the past two days.
As Ashton opens his mouth to speak, I butt in.
“Let’s go, hun…”
I rise to my feet, holding out my hand for Diego. Nerves wrecked through me when I thought Diego wouldn’t agree to leave as he was looking intently at Ashton.
At long last, he concedes and curls his fingers around mine, standing up
That makes my heart tempo go down. I take one last look at Ashton, dragging Diego away.
Just as we reach the exit, my body collides with someone’s.
My stepmother’s.
I try to hide my face but she sees me and realization dawns on her.
“You?” She blurts out but I don’t stop spending a minute in her presence as I drag Diego away.
The ride back to my place was filled with pregnant silence. I could feel Diego throwing gazes at me, wanting to speak but
couldn’t
I on the other hand don’t stop flicking my fingers through my hair, scattering it. It’s all crazy.
What happened back there?
Ashton…
Then my stepmother…
Thinking about it all I find it hard to breathe. That permanent frown on her lips reminds me of those days I spent in her
She was never good to me.
She never wanted me around her son.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she still tried to prevent Ashton from being close to me. Even though I don’t
want to admit, it hurts.
Now that she’s seen me I’m sure she’ll do everything she can to push me farther away from Ashton.
Why do I feel hurt about that? I keep asking myself.
I don’t love Ashton again. I don’t want him again but why?
‘Don’t think that’s the whole truth, though… My wolf whispers.
With force, I push her to the back of my mind. Same as thoughts about Ashton.
In a record time, Diego’s engine hums to a stop in front of my house.
The street is dark and empty, lighted by the streetlights that blend the gentle glow of the moon.
I watch Diego bring out his key from the steering as I walk down from the car, walking up the porch steps.
I can feel the questions he has in store.
As soon as I open the door and step into the house with Diego in tow….
He asks, his voice cutting through the thick silence that shrouds us.
“Do you still love him?”
Hearing that, I halt in my tracks. Among all the questions I thought he’d ask, I never knew this would be among them.
TBC
