A Love Trap

Ashley nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're probably right."

The girls hung out until it was time to get off work. Ashley meanwhile didn't seem to want to leave.

Ellie looked at her, seemingly puzzled. "Why hasn't he come to pick you up?"

'Isn't he normally punctual? He's always here at five o'clock sharp. It doesn't matter if there's a rainstorm or a hurricane—he has never been late. Not even a minute late.

Even if he needed to work overtime, he would have asked somebody to come and pick her up.

What's going on?

Did he forget?'

Ashley turned, wanting nothing more than to leave. She really wasn't in the mood to talk about it.

This didn't go unnoticed by Ellie's sharp eyes. She squinted then raised her voice, "Ashley, stop!"

'Ahhh, ' Ashley thought to herself. 'Why do we need to talk about it now? I'm not ready to talk about it just yet.'

She slowly swiveled and put on a fake smile. "What is it, Ellie? Nina and Cheryl have already left. Let's get our things and leave too."

Ellie ignored what she said and asked her instead, "What's happening? Isn't Andrew coming to pick you up? Did you two have a fight?"

Ashley pressed her lips together and said, "Why would we fight?"

"Then what's the matter?" Ellie wouldn't let it go.

"Just forget about it," said Ashley, her face turning ugly.

Ellie approached her so she could hug her. Then in a soft voice, she asked, "What happened? You used to tell me everything. We never keep anything from each other. Why won't you tell me now?"

She was almost sure that they did have a fight. But they didn't look like the type of couple who would fight.

As Ashley let herself be enveloped in Ellie's arms, she felt her sadness surge inside her. She murmured, "Ellie, let's go home first. We can talk there, okay?"

go home first.

I'll sleep over

she put her head on Ellie's shoulder.

said Ellie, stroking

just listened to her and gave her whatever

a true friend.

friends

forgotten about Francis and had already taken him off her mind. Ashley was way more important than

cake shop and left together

the bus back. We can buy some groceries in the supermarket and cook our dinner at home. What

anything you want,"

the best, Ellie," she said

You're my best

were walking on the street, a red Ferrari that was hard to miss suddenly pulled up in front of

car. He looked sexy and attractive as he stepped out.

couldn't even see that she was with

was

a sweet smile and said, "Ellie,

at the distracted Ashley and cleared her throat. "I'm going to sleep over

was in disbelief.

so that she was in between them. She

voice was familiar as soon as he heard it. He turned his head only to see Ashley.

came to pick Ellie up," he said nonchalantly.

frowned and said, "Didn't I

afraid that Francis might hurt Ellie. Ellie had never held a boy's hand while Francis was a playboy at heart. He had

up hurt if she gave him a chance.

protect Ellie

already been together. They had already slept together

out, she would give Francis

behind Ellie and looked

kind of

and how to deal with him.