A Love Trap

When Ashley and Andrew sat on the sofa, Andrew immediately noticed that Ashley was being stiff. He pinched her hand and asked, "Are you nervous?"

Ashley glared at Andrew and replied, "Yes. This is the first time I'm meeting your grandfather. How could I not be nervous?"

Andrew seemed to be in a more relaxed mood than Ashley.

Andrew comforted Ashley, "Don't worry. They're all very nice."

Soon after, Bertha walked out of the kitchen holding two cups of coffee. She placed them in front of Andrew and Ashley.

"Mr. Andrew and Mrs. Ashley, here's your coffee."

Andrew took the cup of coffee and had a sip.

Ashley seldom drank coffee. As she drank the coffee, she thought it was too bitter and didn't like it.

She noticed how easily Andrew was drinking his coffee and thought if she should be more like that.

'Well, I bet he drinks a lot of coffee that he doesn't mind that it's bitter anymore, ' Ashley thought inwardly.

Bertha, who was standing aside, noticed that Ashley wasn't drinking her coffee. She commented, "Ashley, you don't like the coffee?"

Ashley quickly waved her hands and said, "No, no. I just don't want to drink it right now."

Bertha lightly said, "Mr. Andrew likes his coffee really bitter. Mrs. Ashley, wait here. I prepared a glass of lemonade for you. It's lovely to drink in this weather."

Before Ashley could refuse, Bertha had already run into the kitchen. Not a minute had passed when she came out holding a glass of lemonade. She promptly handed it to Ashley.

The tall, crystal glass contained clear, yellow lemonade with a single lemon inside. It looked extremely enticing to drink.

Ashley picked up the glass and took a sip. It was cool as it had some ice in it and the blend of both sweet and sour was refreshing.

Ashley said softly, "Thank you, Bertha."

Bertha waved her hands. "You're welcome, Mrs. Ashley. I'm glad you like it."

flushed upon

at Andrew upon hearing how Bertha referred to her.

go unnoticed by Bertha—she smiled

had come back. He announced, "Mr. Andrew, Mr.

about sixty or seventy years old. His hair was gray but he didn't look weak. He was wearing a Tang

hand

at Ashley, gently squeezed her hand and said,

Chant

though Chant's hair was graying, his eyes were sharp as ever. When he looked over at Ashley and Andrew,

clothes first," Chant said to Andrew in the indifferent tone that he

eyes off Chant. Now she knew why Andrew was the way he

she didn't expect

held his gaze in surprise for a

nodded to Bertha and then went

who was next

so strict. It's as if he doesn't

like me?' Ashley thought to

said, "What made you

even smile when he first

more she talked, the more

doesn't like me.

do?'

was frowning. He said easily, "Don't worry. Grandfather

had been closely watching Ashley. She saw Ashley and Andrew whispering to one another and

will

for her to go over to him.

things as they both

while, Chant finally came back downstairs.

now wearing a dark gray Tang suit. He was almost

who was on the sofa. She grabbed Andrew's hand in fear.

as he watched this whole