In Love, Never Say Never

I was just about to call Ashton for updates when the phone rang. It was Emery on the line.

“How did it go? Have you decided how you are going to thank me?” She was never someone who beat around the bush.

I have not the faintest idea what she meant until I glanced at the small crowd of paparazzi still waiting outside. “You are the one who got rid of paparazzi?”

“Oh my! Don’t you read the news? Such major news and you are still oblivious?” she exclaimed.

Indeed. I went back to the sofa and turned on my tablet. Professor Marrying Up! The Moore Heiress Engaged To A College Professor! That was headlines all over the town.

“You are behind that news?” It was an extremely demeaning headline. Hunter may not have come from a rich and influential family, but he worked his way up and became a professor at a renowned college. His personal accomplishments and capabilities were widely recognized.

“Hunter was the one who told me to do so,” Emery revealed. “You know I hated the idea of being under public scrutiny, so we have never planned to go public with our wedding plans. However, your scandal with Marcus was obviously orchestrated. Not only were juicy details leaked, but the spotlight was also shone on the incident that happened four years ago. It would have been easy to deal with if those were blatant lies. Unfortunately, most of the information exposed was somewhat true. Both the Moore family and Ashton wanted to protect you from this unwanted attention. We could not think of a better way to divert the public’s attention other than releasing news of my wedding.”

That made sense. K City had just a few paparazzi and they had been hounding the same few big shots and celebrities. They likely ran out of gossip subjects.

Emery was in her thirties but her family never pressured her to wed.

However, in the public’s eye, she was the “It girl” who had it all—looks, wealth, capability. The city was awash in speculation that she would marry into another influential family. After all, it was common for moneyed families to use marriage as a means to strengthen the clan.

wedding was out, it became the talk of the town. No wonder the paparazzi left me

news went out, it meant they would not be able

to take it in her strides. “All we need to do is to make public

meetup with Marcus was unplanned. I did not expect someone to be stalking and prying into our

big deal. It will blow over.” She went on to remind me, “but don’t forget our dinner date. You have to make time for

I will not miss that,” I cheerfully

Night fell.

was fast asleep and did not notice when Ashton got home. I woke up to the sound of running water

lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, still groggy from sleep. Ashton came into the bedroom, wrapped in

the bedside light and turned around to find him looking at me. He was wet, fresh out of the

you?” His handsome face

had always been a light

hair was dripping wet though. I sat up, took the towel from him, and started drying his

outside?” I asked. Although most of them had shifted their

his lap, his chest

He sounded tired and rested his

“No! That is ticklish!”