A Love Trap

Andrew blinked, and turned his attention back to the seat belt, helping Ashley buckle up nonetheless. After that, he slumped back into his seat.

Ashley heaved a breath of relief.

Andrew fastened his own seat belt. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked intently at Ashley. "Are you okay?" he asked deliberately, noticing that her cheeks were completely flushed pink.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied faintly, her voice slightly quivering.

"But why are you blushing so much?" Andrew pressed.

Ashley was speechless. 'What's going on? I thought he was an aloof, bossy, difficult man of a few words, ' she thought, baffled.

"It's not a big deal," Ashley said with a nervous laugh. "Perhaps it's just the heat. I think it's better to let some air in," she added as she rolled down the window.

Andrew started the car and drove away. With a pensive look, Ashley stared out the car window, allowing the cool breeze to gently caress her rosy cheeks. Soon enough, the blush on her face faded slowly.

She could imagine how worried Ellie was right now since she didn't go home last night.

Besides, she didn't know how to explain to Ellie for her sleeping over without telling her.

She didn't think it was a good idea to tell the truth to her best friend. If she told her that she had been set up by Lena, got tipsy and slept over at a man's house, her bestie might never let her leave the house alone.

But she felt lucky that she had met a gentleman like Andrew. She couldn't imagine the consequences if she had met someone with bad intentions the previous night.

Ashley didn't remember what had happened to her after she ran into Andrew last night. She had no idea that he had seen her naked since he had helped her change her clothes.

Perhaps Ashley wouldn't think so highly of Andrew if she found out what he had done to her.

Although Andrew was driving, he stole Ashley glances every now and then.

Noticing that Ashley was looking a bit troubled, he assumed that it was because of his sister's rude behavior towards her earlier that day.

He pressed his lips and looked at her at the corner of his eyes. "Are... Are you still angry?" Andrew asked hesitantly.

you say?" Ashley asked, turning

so focused on how she would explain to Ellie that she wasn't

about I ask her to make an apology to you in person?" Andrew offered

You'll ask her to apologize to me? Fine! I'd like to hear her apology," Ashley replied with

sister. Although Susie

was easy to jump to assumptions, especially with the scene earlier that morning.

Susie had made disrespectful remark to her

her reply, he pulled his phone out of

make a call, Ashley immediately snatched his phone from him. "What are you doing?" she asked.

her to say sorry to you face-to-face," Andrew replied frankly. He wasn't annoyed by Ashley's sudden action; instead,

for words. 'It was just a joke. Why would he take it seriously?'

affection had started to swell inside her.

did take her by great surprise that Andrew would take her joke seriously.

do anything to please her even if he had to risk his relationship with

Ashley for the first time, he was convinced that she was the right person for him. It only took this woman to make him feel complete. He couldn't bear to see her cry,

angry. I was just joking around," Ashley said shaking her hands defensively. She

and turned his attention back on the

the silence drew on, Ashley turned to Andrew. With a sullen face, he

lower lip, lost in thought. 'Did he get angry?

have joked about it. But I didn't mean to upset

"Mr. Lu?

mad at me? I was just joking. I'm not angry. After all, she is your sister. Besides, she said those harsh words because she misunderstood our relationship. I'm

on his mind. 'Did he really get upset

he said in an emotionless voice.

Ashley responded, with a bewildered look at him.

said without sparing her a

was rendered speechless. 'Did he want me to call him by his first name?' she wondered.

called out his name hesitantly.

Andrew responded

Ashley asked gingerly as she