• T W E N T Y - S I X •

Natalia sat at the edge of the bed processing the whole day and in an admist she found herself as a criminal. She ruined Ashton. The guy had done nothing but protected her. He has tried to be in shoes of Nicholas but the problem was he is not Nicholas. He is Ashton. From day one till now she found herself settling in his life. Happy to be precise.

But was she not cheating her dead lover by giving someone else his space. Ashton had made her way into her heart but she can't give him that space. Maybe these hormones are provoking but she can't love anyone else than Nicholas. She can't give herself to anyone other than Nicholas. Ashton is her guardian but no, she can't bring up to the point of giving the space already reserved by Nicholas.

The reality was Nicholas was no more and Ashton's touch let alone can do wonders to her body like no one ever did. Today the kiss was fierce. She melted herself in the kiss, after their marriage this was the first intimate kiss till now and it did nothing but left her craving for more.

His touch bowled away her senses to think and react. She needed to be away from him or else she won't be able to resist the man. He was charming, handsome like some greek god. He was exactly what she had read in all those romance novel and all what she wanted in her man. But he was not her man just a guardian who is nothing but an angel in her life saving her from all the chaos of this cruel world. She need to get away from him to keep herself in check and love only one guy Nicholas.

Whenever she looked in his eyes there was a storm or the calmness before the storm. She could never read above this. He was still a mystery to her and his life was so irrational no sentiments towards anyone just for her. Maybe he didn't feel anything, maybe the kid or the human inside has died or maybe he is just too smart to depicer his feelings, hide it from everyone. The mask he wears is like the second skin. She feels like she has never seen the actual Ashton. Who was he??

Her trail of thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. She silently prayed it's not Ashton and much to her luck it was Xavier. The very first thing she did after entering home was connecting her phone to a charger. She didn't wanted another fight between them due to her phone not being connected.

She cursed Xavier he was indeed a devil. Today was going to be a happy day but he told she wasn't there in college and then her phone was off and then Ashton was angry. Last few days she has just forgotten about her previous life all she knew about her identity was Natalia Ashton Cross. That's it. She was living happily and she indeed forgot about Nicholas but then memories like flood rush through her brain and made her feel guilty.

The phone again rang snapping her back to the world from her imagination and guilt. She just wasn't in a mood to talk but then if Xavier calls Ashton on her not picking up the call he might just get more angry and top of all worried, groaning loudly picked up the call as of no other option was left.

"Women what took you so long??" he said from the other end irritation laced in his voice

"Why did you call??" she asked even she was irritated he ruined her plans

"Well, remember we go to college and I joined college cause of you so if next time your not coming let me know beforehand" he snapped at her

"What ever." she just shrugged it off. She didn't wanted to fight, she was in no mood to do so. There were many things left to figure out instead of fighting like kids

"The college is going on a field trip next week for ten days so please Queen Elizabeth do come to college" he said and cancelled the call.

She just heard the line went off, her mind still on Ashton and the morning kiss. The kiss played like a rewind tape in her mind and how his hand grasp his ass and pull her towards his erection. The thought gave her gitters. She wanted to feel him and wanted him to feel every inch of her but it was forbidden. He was her guardian and she only loves Nicholas. Or so she thought.

She heard another ring while looking at the screen the caller id was March. She picked up the call and was cheerfully greeted. Natalia smiled: this girl can never simmer down

"Nate........Hellllooooo" she screamed on the phone while Natalia laughed

"What's up Princess??" she asked amused to find her very much happy

"Let's meeeeeeeettttt" she squealed loudly. Something was up Natalia knew it. It's just March tone said it something was up with her. She was happy as if she was on moon

"Okay!!! Why are you so happy??" she felt herself asking unable to keep the curiosity

"I'll let you know once we meet. I've called Allison as well. I'll message you the address" she said with a go and hung up the call

Natalia whispered bye with a smile atleast someone was happy. March was the perfect person to divert her mind. At least a girl evening out can bring her mind some stability. Well the day didn't go as planned at least the evening was planned.

She changed herself into a floral print one piece reached her thighs with a brown belt around her waist along with the dress. She picked up a brown bag, she didn't wear any jewellery except for her wedding ring, Ashton's family heirloom and a gold watch on her right hand.

She walked out of her room and saw Ashton entering the house. He smiled at her weakly while she nodded her head not knowing what to do. She suddenly became self conscious and uncomfortable under his presence. This never happened before. She needed to be check of her actions and emotions. She can't hurt him more nor cheat Nicholas.

"Natalia....." he trailed off her name trying to gather some words to talk. While there was a battle between his mind and heart whether to apologize or not. He was not wrong but she wasn't at fault just the situation and circumstances led them this miserable.

"I'm heading to meet March and Allison" she said looking everywhere but him

"Dinner??" he asked wishing atleast they would have a meal together but maybe stars were on different side today

"I'll have with them" she mumbled and left the house without sparing another glance at him.

He walked to his room quietly without uttering a single word to Lotus about his dinner. The room was filled with a familiar smell, her smell. The scent of hers was intoxicating and the women was poison. But he gladly wanted to have poison.

At first he thought few moments with her and the wedding kiss would be enough to live his life, atleast happy but once he got a taste of her, like a moth drawing towards flame he was drawing towards her. Sometimes he wished it wouldn't the same women he and his best friend fell for or least the womens would be different.

Since childhood Nicholas and Ashton had the same choices doesn't matter if they're clothes, houses, business anything it be. They had always the same pick but he never thought he would fall for the same women.

He sighed in frustration, he could get anything at the snap of his fingers but someone said it true money can't buy happiness, he wanted happiness and peace which was far far away from him. Sometimes he just wished he was a child again living happily without the fear of the consequences ahead.

Remembering about childhood he remembers Anna - his sister. He missed her. She was the elder sister, always bossy around Ashton but he liked her. She used to always protect him from every possible problem. She was his savior, his anchor. He missed her if she would had been alive today, she could help him out. Heck he wouldn't be a playboy if his sister was alive.

But nor Nicholas, nor Anna was alive. He was alone, even if he had world he was still alone. He was a lost soul. Natalia had gambled with his brain and heart and the women's action pierce his heart like a knife. She not meeting his eyes was a clear sign she regretted kissing him and his heart ached. He is not a bad guy, why can't she love him.

He needed a drink to get away from it. He needs to remove the kiss out of his brain or else he might just lose his sanity. Minutes ago in the living room what Natalia did just tore him apart. He is already broken how much more is she going to tear his already broken pieces. He tried to be normal but she didn't even glance at him not even a single glance. He doesn't deserve hatered he hasn't done anything to deserve it.

She kissed him, he didn't. He had his emotions and desire in check but then he is no saint, even he has desires, needs he is a man after all. How much is he going to control. He was never a control freak if Natalia is going to initiate the fire and then act like nothing has happened then he is not to be blamed. He is not the villain for god sake.

His mind was rambling with jumble of thought and emotions. At one point he thought he is betraying his best friend for wanting his women but the next minute the thought that even he loved the women also crossed. What should he do. He was a mess, a chaos he needs to get back or else the women might just break him.

Hello Lovies!!! Happy New Year I'm so happy to post it around New Years. If you like the chapter please don't forget to Vote Comment and Share. What do you guyss think who's right, who's wrong. Please share your thoughts.