Hailstorm

Prologue

I remember that one winter morning, Ashlyn was in town doing her Christmas shopping. I remember staring at her beautiful brown eyes that she always thought were plain and boring. I remember the wind blowing her soft, black hair that turns brown in the sunlight. I remember her soft, rose lips and her cute light freckles on her nose.

She was beautiful. She is beautiful.

"Carter! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed when she bumped into me giving me a warm hug. I always liked hugging her. The smell of her sweet shampoo and light perfume never fails to intoxicate me.

"Christmas shopping," I said shyly.

"I'm doing my Christmas shopping too," she said cheerfully. "Let's shop together!"

I looked at the heavy bags that she was carrying. I offered to carry them but she said she was okay, I was persistent. I knew they were heavy and she looked tired but still beautiful, of course. I ended up carrying half of her bags, she said it was fair. I wasn't carrying much, I was only carrying a small bag containing a bracelet and a box of my fiancée, Cassie's favourite perfume.

"You haven't done much shopping," she said with a small laugh. It sounded so good, I could listen to it forever.

"I don't really need to buy presents for anyone," I explained. I didn't have many friends anyway and I'm a guy.

"What are you getting your mum and little Shelby?" she asked. I always loved it when she called my little sister, little Shelby. She's adorable when she plays with her.

"I'm getting my mum a new pair of oven gloves and a doll for Shelby," I said which made her laugh. I always feel proud when I do that.

"What are you getting Cassie?" she asked.

I never really liked talking about Cassie in front of her, it hurts me that she knows I'm already engaged. I wish I met her before Cassie, I don't want to marry Cassie. I want to marry Ashlyn.

"I've already got her a bracelet and her favourite perfume," I said. "I'm planning on buying plane tickets to Paris for her too."

"Ah, she's one lucky girl," she said with a wide smile. "I've always wanted to go to the city of love!"

"Hey," I said softly. "What would you like for Christmas?"

She backed away and brought both of her hands near my face, shaking them, "You don't have to get me anything," she said. "I don't want to obligate myself to buy you something."

I frowned.

She elbowed me softly, "I was kidding," she said giggling softly - I hate gigglers but when she giggled, it's different, it sounded amazing. "I already have something for you anyway."

I was horrified that I haven't bought her anything yet but I was happy that she thought of me.

"Really?" I smiled. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise, silly," she said. "Hey, what do you think Cassie would like?"

I frowned again not wanting to talk about Cassie, "Anything. Pearl earrings?" I suggested.

"Perfect," she said grinning. "You really know her, huh?"

"Yeah, she's my fiancée."

She looked at me with a hint of sadness in her eyes before looking down, "You guys are perfect for each other," she said quietly.

Those words hurt more than anything. I didn't want her to think that Cassie and I are perfect for each other. I want her to think that we are perfect for each other - Ashlyn and Carter.

 

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This will be my first "Adult Fiction" romance. :) I still need to know if I should carry on... I kinda like my concept. I was going to write another Teen Fic but I thought "hey! I want to try something different!" :)