REVIVED

Ashley opened her eyes to the design on Cole's ceiling, this already told her brain where she was. The room was illuminated with the golden rays of the morning sun. She could see drip bags hanging on a stand; one filled with transparent liquid and the other with blood.

She noticed Cole was asleep beside her with his head gently resting on her chest. It seemed like he had slept off beside her. She felt blood rush to her cheek just thinking of the care-filled look he gave her before she fell unconscious.

The memories came to her making her reach for her neck. She touched the sore area which was plastered with a ball of thick cotton wool. Still, it gave her slight pain causing her to let out a hissing sound.

The sound suddenly woke the sleeping Cole as he raised his head in panic while asking a question in a sharp, quick, and sleepy way.

"Is Ashley okay?" he asked.

He turned to the pale wide-eyed girl staring at him in confusion and amusement. Her lips were dried and flaky and her face was pale white. He knew he was responsible for this and lowered her gaze in guilt.

"Are you okay?" he managed to ask.

Ashley knew how he felt and wanted him to forget about it.

"So…" she started playfully. "How did you get the blood?" she said with a smile hoping for the tension to reduce.

"I flew it over here," he said.

She was surprised how he could get it all the way to the villa.

"All the way here?" she asked with excitement and amusement in her eyes.

He knew what she was trying to do, to avoid him from feeling guilty or at fault, one thing Ayla would have really wanted. He saw Ayla in Ashley and hoped to treat Ashley just the way he did to Ayla. This would make him feel at ease.

"Why did you save me?" she asked. "Am I not just a blood bag?"

"Don't say that, you are much more than a blood bag" he said to the sickly girl making her return nothing but a pure Duchenne smile.

She reminded him so much of Ayla, she would often get hurt but try to make a joke out of it. Ayla was a cheerful being who melted his cold heart from childhood, unlike her friend, Aria, who seemed to complain and fight for positions and attention every time she got.

He had a feeling that Ashley was the reborn Ayla which obviously made no sense at all. He just hoped to avoid the last situation as he couldn't afford to lose her again.

***************************************************`

Janet sat with Tegan at a table for two. She was beautifully dressed in an elegant red dress.

Tegan had forced her to go out with him as a way of showing her gratitude to him, she didn't want to go but his persistence gave way to her current situation.

"So, do you like it?" Tegan asked while observing her impressed face.

Although Janet was forced or persuaded into this date, she appreciated his efforts. They were in an expensive restaurant all alone at a table for two. They were violinists who made the atmosphere really romantic.

The music and mood of the restaurant made her let her guard down risking her falling for this heart-toying monster. She gazed around with an uncontrollable smile on her lip.

"Well?" Tegan asked again.

"It's okay," she said.

"Just okay?" Tegan asked a bit disappointed at the plain compliment.

Janet noticed his change in emotions making her heart melt; was it her? Or was he looking more handsome today?

"It's beautiful," she said with a smile.

Tegan looked into her eyes, this was the first time she wasn't heady with him. He liked her sweet side.

"I have something for you" He broke the awkward silence.

She didn't say anything, but her eyes said it all. It looked at him in anticipation.

He held her palm out and got out a tiny box. Placing it in her palms and folding it into a fist.

She wondered what it was, all she did was hope it wasn't a proposal ring.

"What is that?" she asked a bit scared to open it.

"You can open it," he said.

She took a puff of air into her lungs, her brain was trying to manufacture a less hurtful way to refuse a proposal.

The box opened with a satisfying click, uncovering a silver chain with a ruby pendant; it was beautiful. Her eyes widened in astonishment, this looked too expensive for someone like her.

"Is this mine?" she asked to be sure.

Her question was followed by a proud nod from Tegan. Her countenance was so satisfying, it was obvious she liked it.

Her surprise turned into worry, "Are you sure you want to give me this?"

"Yes," He said with a smile. "Don't you like it?"

"I do but…" she said in haste before she felt a finger on her lips.

"That's all that matters" his voice was all deep and appealing.

Her face flushed red; his index fingers were placed on her lips and his voice was breathtaking. She turned her face from his gaze while placing her hands over her eyes to avoid weird stares and unnecessary blushing.

The music suddenly changed into a slow romantic one making him look straight at her red face. He noticed that she had been hiding it for a while which appeared really cute to him.

"Do you care to dance?" he asked.

She was about to refuse but he butted into her statement.

"Please, don't say no," he said.

She eventually accepted.

He walked over to her seat and let out a hand to assist her. She took his open palms and stood. From standing so close to him she suddenly noticed the height difference between them, she had to elevate her chin a bit to look him in the eyes.

"First before we dance, we can't forget something." He said.

"What?" she asked in confusion and curiosity.

He bent over to her so that his face was so close; this was making her heart beat increase with so much force. She was dumbfounded and couldn't say a word, all she did was look into his eyes waiting for his next move.

She was partially disappointed when he withdrew slowly.

"I want you to do me a favor by wearing this tonight," he said referring to the ruby pendant in his hands. He had bent to pick up the necklace on the table.

He place it around her neck and then hooked it at the back of her neck, letting the pendant fall freely on her bare chest.

"It's more beautiful on you," he said lifting her chin to meet his eyes. His action surely brought another glow to her cheek. He enjoyed it whenever her cheeks flustered.

Unexpected to her, he placed her hands on his shoulders and then wrapped his hands around her waist. They cruised to the rhythm of the music streaming in the open space.

When they got the hang of the dance, Tegan lifted her chins like he always did. She always felt a knot in her stomach whenever he did that.

Tegans next question made her legs weak.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice now deep, husky, and relaxed.

She couldn't reply all she did was stared dumbfounded and in shock, she even forgot to breathe. Though she didn't reply, her cheeks didn't fail to; it gave another glow.

"I guess that's a yes" he spoke.

He leaned in with his eyes shut and before she knew it their lips where collided. Her eyes were opened and she saw how he shut his eyes passionately, pushing her to close her eyes.

He gently kissed her like she was the most fragile thing ever and she went with the flow of the whole scene with her hands around his neck trembling a bit.

*************************

Ashley heard the sound of the door making her lips light up with a smile. Cole had gone to get her some orange juice all because she let out a little cough. She was so happy he was back.

She raised her head and sat up on the bed. Her excitement died down immediately as her smile folded back once Aria came in.

"Oh…you," she said without joy.

"Yes, I know you may be angry with me about that time" Aria started with a face of genuine guilt. "I want to tell you the truth of why I came back to this house," she said.

Ashley's natural irritation towards her turned into compassion as Aria looked genuinely sad.

"I'm actually… I'm pregnant with Cole's child" she said with her palms placed on her abdomen.

Her statement made Ashley feel a bit of heartache.

"Pregnant?" she said in shock. "You must be lying"

She knew Aria's schemes too well and felt it was a lie.

"Please, believe me, I happened one month after Ayla's death," she said with tears in her eyes. "Cole was so heartbroken and drunk that day. I was the one who consoled him, that night we…" she said before pouring out her tears.

Ashley felt a lump in her throat as Aria brought showed her a hospital document. It showed she was three months pregnant. It was already getting obvious as her stomach size was increasing.

"Does he know about it?" She asked.

"No" Aria replied immediately. "He was drunk that night and doesn't remember and I'm too scared to let him know"

Ashley also didn't want him to know but she had to be a woman and stand by another distressed woman even if she was a bitch.

"I tried to get closer to him all because I wanted to ensure my child's future," she said with a breaking voice.

There was silence in the room as Ashley was trying to process what she had just heard.

Aria walked up to her and knelt beside her bed with her palms together like she was begging.

"Please promise me you would help my baby get back to his father" she begged.

Ashley felt tears build up in her eyes but held them back and gave a little nod.

She didn't want to be selfish, she had to sacrifice her happiness to avoid ruining the life of this little baby and she was ready to do it. Not for Aria but for her baby; Cole's baby.