Do You Like What You See?

"Hey, babe." Cara said it twice already. Ashton seems to be out of his mind at the moment. She slightly nudged Ashton.

"Huh? Yes?" He answered as it brought him back to earth from his daydreaming. He wiped the corners of his mouth as he cleared his throat and sat properly and wore his shirt again.

"What are you thinking? You seemed out of it…" Cara curiously asked Ashton, as she helped him fix his shirt back.

"Nothing. Hmm, what were you saying?" He is still blushing as Cara is helping him button his coat back.

"Ahm, I was just asking how we can hide the gatherings from the phantoms." Cara asked Ashton again.

"I got that covered, love. I arranged different activities for women over the next few months. This will serve as decoy to ruin the surveillance plans of the Phantoms." Ashton said proudly.

"You really are a cunning CEO." Cara chuckled at Ashton.

They walked back to their house, still with lifted spirits. "You know why I married you?" Ashton asked Cara, who asked the same question the other day.

"Well, yeah. You can't live without me and you are a freaking A-list celebrity. So it would be easier to explain than having me as your pretend secretary." Cara said straight away.

Ashton's brows drew together. "What the… that is actually a brilliant idea. Why have I not thought of that first?" He laughed mirthlessly.

Cara looked at him straight in the eyes. She felt betrayed by her only ally. She placed her hands on her hips. "Are you being serious right now?"

"Of course not. If we said that you are only my secretary, the next news would be; CEO of Crafter Co. is having an office romance with his new secretary. I mean, I clearly have to take you home. Theo and Thomas will not approve you to be with me, right?" Ashton made it clear to Cara that the situation really left him with no choice.

They continued walking. The atmosphere between them is much better after this ritual. It is as if Cara found a new best friend in Ashton. Theo pushed aside on the best friend level for Cara.

"Actually, there is a better choice." Cara sneered at Ashton.

"What?" It puzzled Ashton. He believes his option was the most efficient option there is.

"You could have just declared that you are gay. It would be hitting two birds with one stone. It will explain why you won't entertain women. And I will be your secretary slash bff. That way I can stay with you without Theo or Thomas objecting." She winked at Ashton.

He cringed at her suggestion. "That way, Theo will still have reason to pursue you. Is that what you mean?"

"Well, that's not a bad assumption." She proudly answered. Thinking she might be a good catch for Theo was a total ego boost for her.

Ashton clenched his jaw. It isn't like him to keep quiet in such bantering with Cara…. But he did. Cara noticed it, too. He did not object nor push his agenda. "Is he jealous?" She can't help but think to herself.

"But, I think we made the right choice, love." She lowered her head, hoping and waiting to get back to the lively Ashton she shared this special day with.

"You know how to make my heart flutter, babe." He responded in his low, sexy voice. He reached for Cara's hand. She willingly gave it to him.

Like a real loving couple, they walked back home with their hands interlocked. "Why do I make his heart flutter? Why am I so adamant to make him smile again?" Cara could not stop thinking about how her relationship with Ashton turned to this level so quickly.

A few weeks ago, she was sure that her heart was for Theo only. It has been the case for years already. But now, she is not so sure anymore and what's bothering her more is the uncertainty… "Does he feel the same for me?" She could only wait for Ashton to confirm it himself to her.

They both went into their own rooms and retired to bed. Cara kept twisting and turning on her bed, thinking of how she will handle the challenges ahead of her. She needs to find all the leaders of the elements without alerting the Phantoms. Not to mention the current flirtatiousness between her and Ashton could give her sleepless nights.

"knock, knock" Ashton's knock on the wall alerted Cara.

"Babe, sleep well. We have a big day tomorrow." He said lovingly. His concern was very evident in his voice.

"Okay boss. Goodnight." She responded like an obedient secretary.

****

The two are synchronized with their schedule today. Together they went to Ashton's office, and Barry rushed behind the power couple.

"Boss, the fireworks festival will be held later at five." Barry said to Ashton and then he handed Cara a piece of paper. "And this one is the speech I prepared for you."

"What for?" Cara asked Barry.

"Oh, boss told me you will be the one to give the opening speech for later." Barry clarified it to the confused Cara.

She pointed cluelessly at herself. "Me? No. I have stage fright." She said in her determined tone.

Ashton took the paper from Barry and guided Cara inside his office.

"Please don't disturb us today. We will come out when we want. But don't ever let anyone in my office." He warned Barry, who answered him with a big grin on his face. "I understand boss, you want more alone time with your wife."

Ashton closed the door and turned around to see Cara playfully sat on his office chair. With a smile on his face, he approached Cara. He stopped the swivel chair with both his hands. Ashton bent over to meet Cara's eyes. Suddenly the tension between them is alive again. He smiled and handed Cara the paper Barry prepared.

"The fireworks festival for later is one of our decoy. We will use the next events to trace the element leaders." He explained it to Cara.

She bobbed her head. Cara trusts Ashton fully. She knows that everything that he will decide on; he has thought about it a thousand times before.

"Okay, then hand me that thing." Cara studied the speech Barry made.

Ashton proceeded with his work, while the pretty woman beside him did her part, too. They caught glances and smiles of each other like young couples enjoying their time together.

"Is this how it feels to have a boyfriend?" Cara tried to cover her red face with the speech she's handed to. She hardly can mask her delight on their current relationship.

****

"It's time babe." Ashton stood up and wore his suit.

Cara did the same and retouched her makeup. "I'm ready." She answered as she exhaled deeply, trying to control her nerves.

Barry followed the two again, guiding them to the chopper he prepared for them. This is the first time Cara will ride on one. She is nervous but does not want to show it to Ashton. He clasped her hand and smiled at her. As if he knows how Cara feels at the moment. He did not even have to say a word.

The helicopter landed on the rooftop of the hotel near the bay. While going down to the event area, Cara could not help but admire the view of the bay. The vast sky, the sun almost kissing the horizon, meeting the calm water; it was a sight to behold.

They were right on time for the opening ceremonies. And like how Cara rehearsed for her speech, she did it flawlessly. Ashton watched Cara proudly, like a stage husband.

Ashton invited Cara to their private balcony. The hotel prepared a balcony facing the bay and a romantic candlelight dinner setup.

Cara was too excited to see the fireworks. She barely noticed the sumptuous dinner waiting for them. Her eyes twinkled with excitement as the fireworks display reflected in her eyes. Ashton's eyes were glued on Cara. The genuine smile on her face was more than enough to sooth all his effort to make this event possible today.

"Do you like what you see?" He whispered to her ears as the loud fireworks could barely make their voices intelligible.

Cara smiled back brightly at Ashton. "I am happy, love. I only dreamed of watching such a thing. And now, thanks to you I have the best seat in the house."

"Good." Ashton answered back.

"How, about you? Do you like what you see?" Cara asked him.

"I like it… I like it very much." He replied, as his piercing gaze locked on hers.