• T H I R T Y - T W O •

Natalia was hurt she felt as if she provoked him for his actions. She sat on the bathroom floor crying clutching the towel to her body. Why did Ashton do something like that. He clearly rejected her.

Ashton on the other hand was ashamed on his own act. How could he lose control? Nicholas asked him to take care of her not covet her to himself. He should have his emotions in check he can't lose control. All these days the thought of having Natalia completely to him was wrong. Ashton was confused with these new flow of mixed emotions. The things he was doing were they right or is he cheating on his dead best-friend?

An hour later when Ashton arrived at the dining table he saw Natalia playing with the breakfast instead of eating it. After the morning incident there was an awkward silence between them time to time they stole awkward glances towards each other but avoided eye contact. The tension between the couple was clearly visible by their behaviour and distance but the family members chose to keep quite and let the couple solve their issue by themselves.

Ashton sat beside Natalia and started having his breakfast, Natalia had kept her distance from him and that was making it more hard for Ashton. Was he again at square one? There was a complete silence in the mansion and between the people as well. Suddenly the loud ringing of Ashton's phone made everyone stop having food stare at him robotically. He excused himself and left the dining area. The caller ID was Xavier.

"Hello..." Ashton spoke first. He could hear his friends Allen and Aaron in the background and their loud noises. something kind of fight happening. What did he miss out on? "What's happening?" he asked

"Shut up you guys" he heard xavier barking on his bestfriends "Hello Ash" he called out

"Yaaa!!" he said in a low tone, something was wrong and fishy. His gut feeling was demanding something had happened when he was not there

"Austin's father 'Victor Reynolds' closed the Nicholas murder case" Xavier said in a go. He knew Ashton is going to blast on him. If his friends are this furious then Ashton will be on another level. Since morning Allen and Aaron are barking and howling on phone to different lawyers and judges of the world. The best one to open the case but nothing could come up. Victor has filled loads of money in each and every person's mouth none can help.

Ashton was silent for few minutes and his silence was breaking sweat on Xavier forehead "How??" was all Ashton said it was more of an angry growl

"Yesterday night I got an email from the Head Quarters that I've been removed from Nicholas Murder case and shifted to some other case. Today when I went HeadQuarters I saw the file is closed. He has filled bags of money to people and made sure no evidence is found and the case is closed" Xavier explained

"How could that son of a bitch do that??" Ashton shouted and his voice was heard all around the mansion like an echo. At the dining table they all were worried and sacred as of what happened that made Ashton so angry. The trio looked at Natalia but she herself was clueless. Natalia rose from her seat and went towards Ashton to see what mess is awaiting which made him so angry.

"Where's Austin?" Ashton asked. He needs to know was his best-friend involved in his father's game. How could Victor do this wasn't Nicholas like a son to him??

"He went to meet his father" Xavier said. Ashton veins were running too fast as if a rush was happening in his mind and heart. 'Austin isn't involved he can't be' he thought to himself

"He knew about any of this??" He asked verily hoping Xavier will dismiss his assumption

"NO he didn't, In Fact he wasn't in the town till today morning" Xavier was actually confused on what was Ashton asking. Ashton breathed in relief hearing his best-friend wasn't involved

His anger was back on Victor Reynolds again "That fucker planned all this. I won't leave him" He wasn't going to let him get away so easily and it doesn't matter even if he is his best-friend's father

"I've got some clue from the details that Natalia gave and I think there's a loophole to it" Xavier gave him the information from what he had learned from Natalia these days

"What is it?" Ashton asked. A clue means he's near to somewhere to find his best-friend's criminal

"I'm still investigating but can you like arrange someone who is close to Natalia from her maternal side" Xavier asked. The clues were all related to Natalia and he wanted someone who could give him details regarding Natalia and Nicholas which Natalia doesn't know

"Alright I'm coming we'll talk about it once I come. You find a way to re-open the case" Ashton agreed and ended the conversation. He needs to get back. There are lot of things pending from Victor reynolds to the clue. He will find the criminals at any cost he thought

"Okay!!!" Xavier said and cancelled the call.

Ashton turned and saw Natalia behind him hands folded around her chest and forehead ceased in confusion. She looked at Ashton her eyes questioning but he denied to answer. Rightnow their unknown feelings and relation was on an awkward stage where he can't even decide what he wants to do anymore.

He walked past her but didn't meet her eyes nor said anything it was hurting her more. Was this some kind of joke? Like for once he says he loves her and wants to spend his complete life with her and the now he's like she doesn't matter when here she is ready to give their marriage a chance and maybe start loving him. She was hurt. Was he taking any kind of revenge on her for breaking his heart million times before?

She wanted answers from him. What was he thinking? What's on his mind? Gathering all her shattered hope and a hurting heart she went behind him. He directly went to the bedroom and started packing things. She stood at the door and saw him collecting only his things not hers.

Was he leaving her? like divorce or something?

"Ashton....." Natalia called out his name in a low voice. Her voice choked while a river of tears roll down her eyes wetting her cheeks. The minute Ashton felt she is crying he turned and saw her crying standing at the door looking at him in betrayal. He couldn't decide whether it's due to morning incident or something else.

She broke down in fits of sobs and a pool of tears as her sobs increased Ashton's heart dropped a beat. Her cries obviously affected him. She is the reason his heart beat and here she was crying every tear made him more vulnerable. She dropped on her knees and sat on the floor holding the door crying loudly. She couldn't take it anymore her breakdown was needed. His ignorance stabbed her heart.

Seeing her breaking Ashton was close to his breakdown he rushed to her and gathered her in his arms. She instantly cling to his chest and cried on his shoulder, her murmuring made him shock and happy he didn't knew he should be happy or sad "don't leave me" she cried on his chest and buried her face in his neck. He rubbed her back and tried to calm her down but her cries increased. He tried to break the hug but she didn't let him. Ashton tried to speak something but she didn't listen to a single word. "Natalia listen..." he tried to remove her hands around his neck but she hugged him more tightly.

He settled her in his lap and let her cry for a few minutes. He didn't wanted to apply his physical power on her and break the hug. Natalia could be fire but inside she is soft and moreover broken. He didn't wanted to hurt her he has already done much damage in the morning. He rubbed her back and kissed her ears. His kisses started from ears and trailed upto her neck. She stopped crying and broke the hug she looked at him her eyes red and cheek all wet due to crying. Ashton wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. "Why is my baby crying?" he asked and rubbed his thumb on her cheek

She hiccuped twice and cried again "Natalia...." he called out her name but she cried again. All of a sudden she was irritating him so he just kissed her. She was shocked on his sudden act, he sucked her lips but she didn't respond he pulled her from her waist and again sucked her lips. Natalia was sure if this time she lost her loved one she wouldn't be able to live. she kissed him back with same intensity as his. their lips worked together in a motion, their tongue fighting for dominance while hearts racing in excitement. At this very moment Natalia felt the spark of love. She knew she is close to something like love she didn't wanted to deny. she kissed him like there's no tomorrow taking the dominance she explored his mouth while ashton was shocked on her sudden bold move. Feeling breathless Natalia broke the kiss and looked into his eyes "why are you leaving me" Ashton laughed on her statement which in return made her cry.

He instantly stopped laughing and hugged her but she pushed him away and stood up angrily from his lap. He caught her wrist and pulled her down to his lap again. she protested but he didn't leave instead just pulled her more to him. "You know your cute when your angry" he said when she finally stopped fighting and sat on his lap

"Stop being cheesy" she said and turned her face sideways. He smiled just how fast her mood changes

He came closer to her ear his breath fanning on her earlobe while her breath got caught in her throat "I'm not leaving you, not now-nor ever. You're stuck with me for a lifetime Mrs Cross" he said in a whisper in a husky tone making her breathe heavily. He sucked her ear lobe and bit the corner of her neck until she moaned his name in pleasure.

"Why are you packing??" she asked pushing him away angrily. He looked at her in annoyance and again tried to kiss her neck but she pushed him away

"At least let me just kiss you for a while" he wined and again tried to kiss her neck but she pulled away and it irritated her

"What happened to you in the morning then??" She asked. she saw his expression changed from annoyance to shocked and disbelief. He pulled his hands away from her waist as if he committed some sin "Ashton..." she whispered his name. His sudden action were a torture to her. What is it that letting him away from her? She hugged him tightly and hid herself in his neck "Don't leave please" she hid in his neck and tightly pressed herself to his body. Not even air could pass by. He too hugged her.

"Natalia I'm not leaving; love" he said ruining his hand through her hair

"Then what is happening to you?" she whimpered in his neck not breaking the hug. If seven months ago someone told Ashton that Natalia Hayes is going to cling to him and cry badly begging him to stay he would have laughed on that person on the mere thought. But today he couldn't believe his own eyes nor ears. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her. But is it right?

"It's all complicated baby, I promise I'll sort everything out" he said running his hand through her hair

"You won't leave me, right??" She asked him surprisingly he didn't have answer. There was a different kind of storm in his eyes and mind. Natalia broke the hug and looked at him he was uncertain of his answer but the hope in her eyes made him say "I won't" she smiled and kissed him again. He hesitated to kiss her but then he gave him. Afterall she was his lady love. His Natalia.

"Ahem Ahem" They broke the kiss and look back at the source of the voice and found Nina and Alessia at the door with teasing smiles on their faces "You know Ashton there's a bed in the room" Nina said while Natalia blushed on her remark. Natalia hid herself in Ashton chest to get away from the teasing.

"You should just lock the door and do the baby making process not sitting at the doorstep" this time Alessia gave her naughty remark

"Mom nothing like that" Ashton said a smile playing on his lips. He kissed Natalia's hair and hugged her tightly.

A/N: Hello Lovies!! Here is the update and i'm so happy we are going very near to the end of this book. LIke I can't wait to finish it ASAP. There are many chapters left but I'll try and complete within few months. Hope you guys like the chapter VOTE COMMENT AND SHARE.