Start Of Something New

Ashton took his victory laugh when he heard Cara shout his name. "Music to my ears." He mumbled. It's not like he can annoy her every time he wants, like before.

He rarely opens his social media account. His admin mainly operated it, as he really does not have time to manage one. But to annoy Cara, he made an exemption.

"Ring, ring." Ashton's phone rang at a conspicuous time. He saw the caller ID, and his brows raised when he saw who it is; it is his secretary.

"Barry? I thought we are clear about our rule. No bothering me after office hours." Ashton's voice was frightening.

"But boss, this could not wait." Barry butted in before Ashton could scold him more.

"Okay, then, this better be worth my time. What is it?" Ashton replied with conviction.

"Our stocks prices skyrocketed to 10%. And you are the number one trending topic on all social media sites as of the moment." Barry blurted out in excitement.

"Hmm, good then. Why did you have to call? I mean it's not like it is a surprise that our company is doing well and that I am a hot topic." His arrogance is overwhelming.

"Well, boss, this time it is not entirely because of you. It is because of your fiancée; Cara." Barry said it straightforwardly.

"The trending topic is; Future Mrs. Crafter is hot, and Lucky Mr. Crafter." He added insult to Ashton's wounded pride.

"What does it have to do with me, then?" Ashton hissed at Barry.

"Hmm, because. They flooded us with endorsement and sponsorship offers for Ms. Cara. I believe it will be good for the company and your image." Barry reiterated. "Anyway, I just thought it would be good news for you. You know something to set the mood for tonight." Barry insinuating something Ashton never even thought of.

"Alright, that's enough, Barry." Ashton hangs up the phone, not wanting to hear anything more from him.

Ashton slouched on his bed and checked his phone. His eyes widened when he saw comments from other men.

"You can be my Mrs."

"I'd marry you any day,"

"You are the most gorgeous woman I've seen. You must be a model."

"Hey babe! I bet you are having fun right now with the response you got." Ashton knocked on Cara's wall.

Ashton patiently waited for her smart ass reply, but he did not get any. It's not like she would let him go that easily. He knocked on the wall again and did not hear a response. He can't quite explain it, but his heart is not at ease when he is not sure of Cara's safety.

He stood up and slowly opened Cara's door. Ashton found her asleep on the bed.

"Tsk, she must be real tired. She did not even take a quick shower. How can those men say they like this woman, when she falls asleep and does not even brush her teeth?" Ashton shook his head as he fixed Cara's position on the bed and covered her with her duvet.

He even took her blazer and shoes that were scattered on the floor. He can't help but stare at Cara. "What do they see in her that I don't see?" It puzzled him. Or did he just want to believe it that way? He can't appreciate Cara like others, is it because she's not his type or is his judgment clouded with hate?

Ashton went back to his room and went to bed after doing his night routine. He took a quick shower and opened his laptop. He bit his lower lip, trying hard not to move his cursor to his browser.

"Arrgh, this woman is driving me crazy!" He growled in frustration. He gave in and checked his social media page once again.

He ended up staring at the photo Cara posted, their first photo together. He downloaded it and saved it in his hidden folder like it was a crime to do it.

****

Cara felt rejuvenated. She realized that this is the first time she actually had the best quality of sleep in days.

"Oh, fudge!" She said, looking at herself. She jumped out of bed and took a quick shower to make sure it does not affect Ashton.

Cara is so used to always being by herself and not minding other people that it slightly bothers her that she needs to think of Ashton when she's about to do the most mundane thing a person does.

She also is starting to take care of herself. The stylist introduced her to this new morning routine for her skin. Cara was reluctant to try it at first, but gave in when her skin felt amazing this morning.

The clothes styling she learned yesterday also made her realize that what she's doing with a gray hooded jacket and pants are overkill. She's not a Mark Zuckerberg to be able to pull it off the way he does.

Cara somehow feels livelier now that she's looking at herself wearing a white dress with floral prints. The off shoulder neckline looked great on her as her sexy collarbones are showing. Her long wavy hair perfectly shaped her small face.

"Knock, knock" Cara knocked on Ashton's wall.

"Is this guy still asleep? Should I wake him up or should I just wait for him?" Cara whispered to herself, not sure of her next move. She paced back and forth of her room, waiting for Ashton to knock on her door.

Cara checked her watch and realized it's been an hour and still not a sound from the other room. She gathered her courage and opened Ashton's door.

Ashton was sound asleep. Cara saw Ashton's cell phone beside him. Notifications are blasting off like crazy.

"Are those notifications important?" Cara thought as she walked closer to Ashton. She reached towards Ashton's side, where his phone was.

Cara carefully climbed onto the bed and bent over Ashton.

"Hmm, hmm," Ashton moaned softly. Cara stopped and checked on the sleeping Ashton. Their faces are just a few inches away from each other. She can feel his breath. Her face felt hot. She suddenly felt awkward at their position; she instantly stood away from Ashton.

"Ahem." Cara cleared her throat. "Ash" She tapped Ashton's foot. "Ash, it's time to wake up." She lightly nudged Ashton.

He slowly opened his eyes and rubbed them with his fingers. "What a beautiful lady." He blurted out. Cara blushed at Ashton's words.

"I really hate that spell Cara. What I meant was the opposite. Why did you wake me up so early?" Ashton said without batting an eyelid.

Cara tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She felt ashamed of herself, blushing like a teenager at Ashton's words. She almost forgot that it is her fault that Ashton is always talking sweetly to her.

"You overslept." Cara said bluntly.

Ashton looked at his phone with his brows furrowed.

"Oh sh*t!" He exclaimed as he ran towards the shower. Cara chuckled when she saw his reaction.

****

While inside the car, Ashton could smell that new scent that made him curious, and seeing the woman beside her smile… He thinks he gets it now… "That scent…. Is Cara when she's happy. I've got to test it."

"You look happy." Ashton said. He noticed how Cara smiled while she looked outside the car window.

"I don't know, I guess… I just feel well rested." Cara responded, still with a smile on her face.

"You must feel really good after your post went viral." Ashton sneered at Cara.

Cara's bluish gray eyes narrowed at Ashton. "On the contrary; as soon as I saw your comment I logged out of my account. I don't want to get stressed out from all the hate comments I am bound to get." She explained her side.

"Heh, I don't believe you." Ashton pouted his lips, like a little kid that lost a game.

"You don't have to." Cara's face suddenly turned serious… Ashton instantly noticed the alluring scent went away.

Ashton's mind bombarded him with the realization. He felt like this skill of his is too intimate. Knowing when another person is happy should be developed through the relationship they share, and this skill is a cheat.

'It's true… it's her… I can sense her happiness…"