Future Mr. & Mrs. Crafter

"Cara!" Ashton knocked a few times. "Cara De Luna! Answer me!" still his heart thumping hard; it could lead a dragon boat team. "Cara, I'm going in!" he announced, as he was not hearing anything from the other side of the wall.

He took a handgun from his bedside table. He pushed the door open and looked around. He held his gun, ready to fight anyone who might cause Cara harm. Cara was not there he slowly walked towards the bathroom.

"What the hell Cara!" Ashton turned around and reached for a towel. Cara was still there in the tub. "Cara!" He still tried to wake her up, but he is not getting any response from Cara.

Ashton nervously held Cara's neck to feel her pulse, and then he placed his face near her nose to feel her breathing. Cara's pulse is barely palpable and her breathing is really slow, but she appears to be in deep sleep. Ashton carried Cara out of the tub to her bed.

As he carefully placed Cara on her bed, his heart is beating so loud he could hear it. No other woman has been this close to him physically. And now she might die in his arms. Ashton placed a blanket over Cara. He raked his hands through his dark, wavy hair. He rested his chin on his hand, thinking of his next plan.

"If she dies tonight, I am a free man. But letting her die here is equivalent to murdering her?" His thoughts bugged him. He glanced in Cara's direction. Her peaceful appearance made his heart beat even faster.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" Ashton growled with frustration. He can't accept the brewing feelings he has for Cara. He sat beside her and held her hands. Cara's hand is warm and there is no discoloration that might give him a sign that Cara lacks oxygen. He moved closer to her face to check the color of her lips.

"Her skin looks smooth and her lips... It is red and looks soft and..."

"Ashton?" Cara shrieked, surprised that Ashton's face is only a few inches away from hers.

He instantly stood and moved away from Cara. "I, I'm just checking on you. Are you okay?" He stuttered.

Cara found it weird, but she nodded and answered. "Why would I not be okay?"

Ashton sneered at her. "Are you serious? How on earth can you sleep in the tub? And why is your pulse so soft and your breathing so slow?" He bombarded Cara with questions.

"How would I know? I was asleep!" Cara answered back as she sat up on the bed.

Ashton turned his back from Cara. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Let's just talk tomorrow." And just like that, he left the room without looking at Cara.

"That guy has some serious issues." Cara thought to herself as she watched Ashton go out of her room. It startled her and hurriedly covered herself when she realized she's naked.

***

"knock, knock,"

"Cara, wake up and get ready. We have so much to do today." Ashton said behind the wall. Cara is already awake; well, she did not sleep at all after her accidental exposure.

She hurriedly prepared to go out wearing her favorite pair of jeans and a hooded gray sweater. Gently opening her door, she peeked and saw Ashton sitting on his bed, patiently waiting for her.

"I'm ready, let's go." Cara said in a soft voice.

Ashton looked at his future wife with disgust. "Are you serious right now, Cara? We went out to get some of your clothes last night and you are still wearing the same clothes?"

"This is a fresh pair; it's just that variety is not how you would describe my wardrobe." Cara murmured, trying to explain her part.

Ashton shook his head and chuckled. "Apparently style is also not part of it." He stood up and walked ahead of Cara. "Let's go."

Cara followed him without a word. She can't understand why she feels like she did something wrong to Ashton when it was her body that was exposed.

"We will have a press conference later, but we need to fix you first." Ashton glanced back at Cara's direction.

"I'm not broken. I don't need fixing." Cara said in a louder voice, slowly gaining her confidence back. "I might actually fix your attitude, Mr. Arrogant CEO. I think you need some reminding." Cara walked faster, catching up at Ashton's pace. She placed her right hand on his shoulder and whispered to him. "I am the Sakalam."

Ashton swallowed hard, thinking of the possible revenge of Cara. "Don't waste your energy, babe. Any curse that would hurt me will not work." He gave a half smile, trying to burst his ego.

"Let's see, babe." The corner of Cara's mouth quirked up; she knows very well that she's winning this intimidation battle right now.

"Whatever, Cara, you are still in need of a makeover. The world can't see me beside a disheveled woman all the time." He blurted out, not minding if he is offending the strongest witch beside him.

Cara hissed at him as they both walked towards Ashton's car. He broke the silence as they made their way to the major highway. "Whenever someone asks you about us, you answer vaguely. And insist that our relationship is private." Ashton reminded Cara of their setup.

"Yes, I'm not a good liar so you can count on me shutting up about our relationship." Cara seconded. She smiled at Ashton cheekily, reminding him she is yet to unleash her plan.

Cara looked outside the window, amazed at the surroundings. Ashton took her to the posh part of town. All the stores in these streets are the most luxurious brands you can imagine. Cara never went in this area, since she knows that she could afford nothing in here. Her jaw dropped when she saw just how many supercars are parked outside, like they are on an exhibit. However, Ashton's car is still the best there are only a few of this kind and she's one lucky car girl to be able to experience it.

Ashton noticed how Cara's eyes glistened at the site of the cars they passed by. "Do you even know anything about cars?" He sneered at Cara. "Superficial women." He further blurted.

"How about you? Do you even know anything about cars?" Cara responded with angst. She is an avid car girl since she was a kid. She would hang out with Theo at Uncle Thomas's car repair shop. It was just unfortunate that he needed money before to pay for his wife's medical bills. That's when he started working for Ashton's father and closed his shop.

Ashton parked at a three story building. It is quaintly designed but avant -guard is a thing for the rich. Cara gave half a shrug, not wanting to question Ashton's decisions that could trigger his tantrums again.

When they got out of the car, Ashton did not even wait for her. She was trailing behind him like his personal assistant.

Cara instantly saw how the associates in the store treated Ashton with respect. They assisted him like he was a king while they ignored her... Just how she prefers to be unseen.

"Mr. Crafter, do you need new clothes? A haircut perhaps?" A middle-aged man in a stylish suit approached Ashton.

"No. Mr. Homer, I need you to fix my fiancée." Ashton said it so casually, and pointed in Cara's direction.

The people in front of him were shocked. They ignored the boss's fiancée like she's nothing. Two female associates moved towards Cara.

"We are sorry for not noticing you earlier Ms." One of them said with fear in her eyes.

Cara gave her the thumbs up. True to her words, she will do her best to shut up the entire time she is out with Ashton.

"Ms. Helga, please accompany the future Mrs. Crafter to the Salon area." Homer hurriedly instructed his staff. He went back to Ashton and advised him to wait in their lounge.

"No, thank you. I'd like to wait for her at the salon. I should be near her at all times." Ashton responded. Little did he know it sounded so possessive and sweet of him to be always beside his fiancée.

The group went to the salon area for Cara's makeover session. Ashton sat a few meters away from Cara. The staff attended him with utmost attention; they gave him coffee and some cookies.

"This lovely woman is so lucky to have a boyfriend like you." An elderly woman who is having her nails done seated across Ashton, blurted out of nowhere.

The woman's remark confused him. "I'm sorry?" Ashton raised his thick eyebrows.

"I mean, not all men would accompany their woman in such a place. Look at me, my husband never had the time for me." She chuckled softly.

Ashton doesn't want to appear too romantic in front of other people. He touched his stubbles and answered. "Well, I am not too busy. Ms."

"Oh, come on, Mr. Crafter. My husband's company is not anywhere near yours. Yet you are kind enough to treat your woman like this." The old woman said, acknowledging the infamous CEO.

Cara's heart was joyous inside, not wanting Ashton to notice her faint smile. She knows how Ashton hates his situation right now. "Digital Karma for the arrogant boss." Cara said to herself.

Ashton immediately stood up and walked around the room. Cara noticed how he was checking every corner with a serious face. He looked at Cara at the mirror and mouthed the words; "There is some entity here."