A Love Trap

Ashley felt relieved when she heard Ellie's voice. If Ellie took a bit longer to come back, Ashley might have been suffocated by Raymond's hug.

"I'm alright." Ashley smiled as she thanked Ellie.

"We can leave now. I've already finished your discharge papers," Ellie said when she held Ashley's arm as she tried to separate her from Raymond. They walked together towards the door.

"Ashley!" Raymond called out to stop the two ladies and ran towards them.

Ashley stopped and turned around. She looked at Raymond with cold, indifferent eyes. With a blank expression on her face, she said to him,"Raymond, our relationship is over. I do hope we can get past our history and be normal friends in the future, but you are now engaged to my sister Lena. What do you think she would feel if she sees you following me around like this? You need to stop."

Ashley would have cried if she said this a month ago. She really loved Raymond and never imagined that she would say such words to him.

However, she found the courage to say the words that Raymond needed to hear. Ashley felt relieved after saying what was on her mind.

She realized that the connection she had with Raymond was similar to that of a brother and sister. She did admit that his kindness made him attractive. His gentle nature and how he understood her were part of his charms. However, it all disappeared the moment Ashley saw him and Lena sleep together.

"Ellie, we should go."

Raymond was stunned by what happened. He never imagined Ashley to be so cold to him. She even mentioned Lena's name just to rub the fact that it was over between Ashley and him. His feet, like his heart, were reluctant to move on, so he just stared at Ashley's back as they left.

"I'm really happy to leave this place. You can't do much in the ward. Do you have any idea how bored I was in this hospital?" Ashley complained to Ellie who walked by her side. The bright smile on her face showed no signs of the fact that she was sick lately.

"On the bright side, it seemed that you've learned your lesson. Hospitals are boring places so you must avoid being sent here. You must take good care of your health especially when I'm not around. If you are ever brought here again, I'll punish you." Ellie scolded Ashley sweetly. She pretended to threaten her with an angry stare.

"Yes, my queen. I understand." Ashley mocked her with a childish smile. They felt relieved that they could joke around each other again.

They continued to walk until Ashley pulled Ellie by her sleeve to get her attention. She said to her,"Ellie, I really crave for hot pot right now. How about we eat one outside?"

"Ashley, have you forgotten that you have just got over your cold?" Ellie denied Ashley's request.

"It's not that I've forgotten. I've been eating hospital food for such a long time. They are very bland and I think I lost my sense of taste during my stay there. I really want to eat something spicy now that I'm healthy. Ellie, please…" Ashley held Ellie's hand while begging. She pleaded with a sweet voice like a child.

After she heard Ashley's words, Ellie also started to crave for hot pot.

liked to eat hot pot. They wanted it to taste as spicy as possible. It was one of the many things they enjoyed doing together. However, they became so preoccupied with their jobs that they didn't have the time to go to a restaurant together in quite some time.

little push

in to Ashley's sweet talk. She decided for them

modest, reserved woman. However, when the two of them were together,

the lively Ashley. She didn't want her to

noon scorched the streets. People were reluctant to leave the comfort of their houses and offices. There were

looked

and Ellie's table. She took out her notebook and asked for their order. However, the two of them couldn't agree on which soup to

immediately replied the waitress,"Red spicy

said,"No. Two-flavor soup for the hot pot,

but Ellie ordered a two-flavor soup. Ellie still didn't want Ashley to eat something spicy. Ashley stared at Ellie with her sad, beautiful eyes. She looked like a child who had just lost

for Ashley and changed her mind. She really had a soft spot for her. They decided to order a red spicy soup but less spicy than

their mild flavored soup. They talked about the last time they ate together outside. It was still early when they

sun just started to come down when Ellie and Ashley arrived at their apartment. They decided to clean

…

rather important document in his hand. He stared at the paper with a blank face. It looked like his

confused Johnny, who stood by his side. Johnny tried to say something, but

stared at that document for half an hour. He hasn't turned a page nor reacted about its contents. What's going on

Mu?" Johnny

finally reacted. It seemed like he wanted to hear those words all this

previously blank face was now filled with vigor.

gave. He just said that to get Andrew's attention. He was worried about why Andrew acted so distractedly today so he said those words.

towards the parking lot. He started the car, drove towards the gate and

car as they drove by Harkim Restaurant. They both got off and

in the hospital. Did he decide to have dinner first before his visit?' thought Johnny as he tried

towards the establishment. He stopped just before the entrance and let Andrew enter alone. Johnny waited for his

few minutes, Andrew exited Harkim Restaurant with several boxes in his hand. Johnny immediately realized that Andrew wanted to

was constantly being surprised by Andrew's actions. He knew that this started when Ashley appeared

to intensify as her