Tessa then walked up to me and asked me to sing with her.
I was no idiot; it was clearly a business maneuver on Derek’s part to use alcohol and pretty ladies as a social lubricant to loosen Ashton up in order to help their subsequent business discussion.
I did not like singing, and Tessa’s incessant pestering was starting to get under my skin.
I finally stood up and said, “It’s late, we should head back to Nora and Armond.”
Tessa was momentarily taken aback, but quickly replaced her expression with a smiling face. “There’s no rush. Let’s have more fun here before we go!”
She then poured me a glass of wine before she continued to persuade me to stay, “Scarlett, since we are now officially friends, we should drink for it!”
This woman is just too calculative to be a good candidate for either a friend or a colleague.
But since the wine glass was already pushed into my hand, it would be rather rude for me to decline.
Before the glass touched my lips, a hand flashed before my eyes and took over the glass.
When I turned around, Ashton had already downed the glass of wine for me.
Before I snapped out of my bewilderment, Tessa said alluringly, “Mr. Fuller, are you trying to be a hero to the damsel in distress?”
The woman then looked like she tried but failed to mimic a seductive laugh. The result of which was somewhat disturbing, because, rather than a Cinderella, she now resembled a smiling Cruella.
“Mr. Fuller, I have known Scarlett a long time, but I have no idea she knows someone as charming as you. It’s such a pleasure meeting you today. Let’s keep in touch and maybe we can hang out sometime. Cheers to a new friendship!” It was the classic playbook for “How to get that guy”.
Ashton looked at me with his eyes darkened a little. I wasn’t sure what was in his mind when he took over a drink from Tessa and clinked glass with her. “Since you’re Scarlett’s friend, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for looking after Scarlett.”
Tessa was suddenly star-struck, for this seemed to be the first time Ashton had addressed her directly. “Ah, don’t mention it. Scarlett and I had been through life and death together, we’re friends for life now.”
Upon hearing this, Ashton was a little startled when he shifted his gaze at me quizzically. “Life and death?”
Biting my lips, I wished Tessa would just shut her big mouth.
Tessa, on the other hand, felt encouraged that Ashton seemed to be interested in what she said and happily continued, “That’s right! We were brought to Venria not long ago and had been through hell, almost losing our lives. We barely managed to escape unscathed from Venria and came back to the country in one piece. So, that’s how Scarlett and I have become friends.”
Ashton’s eyes grew increasingly inexplicable by the second. He darted a glance at Joseph who had just walked into the room.
While I still wondered what that was about, Joseph sat down next to Tessa and they started chatting away. Before long, they had exchanged phone numbers and added each other on WhatsApp.
That’s weird, I thought Joseph hates to social?
Ashton wrapped his arm around me, without caring so much about those around us. “Did you hide that from me because you didn’t want me to worry?” he asked in a lowered voice.
Pursing my lips, I replied flatly, “No.”
His voice had assumed a resolute tone when he spoke smilingly in my ear next moment, “I don’t know the meaning of freedom, so I will not let you go. Since you refuse to walk toward me, I’ll walk toward you.”
The man’s profession had caused a sudden warm stream to flash across my heart. To conceal my emotions, I lowered my gaze and gulped down another drink.
“If you wish to torture me, you may continue so,” I said while attempting to sound calm and collected.
His arm tightened around me. “Do you have to be like this?” his voice was croaky.
I pursed my lips and downed a few more drinks.
In the meantime, Tessa had attempted a few times to strike up a conversation with Ashton, but each time, her attempt was blocked by Joseph.
Finally, feeling fed up, she stood up and looked at me. “Scarlett, I think it’s time to go back. Nora might be looking for us now.”
I nodded, wishing she had said that a long while ago.
Before I could stand up though, Ashton’s arm pressed against my shoulder as he turned to Joseph and ordered, “Send Ms. Dixon back.”
An annoyance crept up Tessa’s face as she spoke, “Mr. Fuller, Scarlett, and I came together. I think it only makes sense that she leaves with me.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ll send her back later.”
“I don’t think that’s very appropriate, Mr. Fuller. Scarlett is a married woman, I’m sure her husband will be worried if she’s back late. Please don’t make this difficult for me.”
Tessa’s rapid revelation of my private life had successfully attracted the gazes of a few people who had paid no attention to me. Everyone was now holding their breaths to see how things were going to pan out.
Ashton smiled playfully as his vision fell on me. “That’s good. Keep it up”
What the…
Seeing that Ashton was unfazed by her presumably new information, Tessa turned to me and smiled knowingly. “So, Mr. Fuller. Does this mean you’re already aware that Scarlett is married?”
“Hmm.” The man nodded. “Ms. Dixon, please get going.”
Upon hearing the ambiguous reply from Ashton, a menacing smile spread across Tessa’s face.
