How Not To Fall In Love

Chapter 22: Same Old Love

I'm holding her iPhone and opened the camera. She leaned sideward of the table and looked at the front camera. We smiled. I pressed the shutter and we made more funny faces. Just like old times. I missed her but not in a way that I want to be with her. I returned her phone. Her clear blue eyes glitter as she smiles at me. I want to know who caused that to her. Her red hair turned into a blonde that is cut short to her shoulders. And she slimmed down a bit the last time a saw her. When was the last I saw her? "It's almost 5 years ago Ash." She speaks and shook her head, giggling in front of me. 

"Was it?" I kid and she rolled her eyes. 

"So how you've been?" I asked her. We're in Starbucks sipping a good taste of coffee between us. "I'm great. As always." We laughed. "I'm taking over mom's seat as the chief executive officer. William kept on asking me to invest a portion of mom's income to his company. Silly kid, he never learned to work his butt off things. But I would invest anyway." "You're a bad sister and you're not helping him." I grinned. She shrugs. 

"Maybe. But he'll still learn a lot on his way to success." She said. "How about you? Are we gonna be competing soon?" She teased, smiling and took a sip of her drink. I looked away from her gaze and watch the cars pass by the window. "No we're not going to compete, Trish." I said. She must have sensed the tension in my voice as she held my hand and I looked at her. She didn't change still, though physically she did. She's always kind and understanding. I retold the story about the deal I made with Garvin and how it all went wrong when Lily was involved. Oh, I did not miss talking to her about Lily. She seemed cheerful as I was describing her and said that she wants to meet her sometime soon when she get back. She's like a best friend to me. Except that we used to be friends – no – we are still friends. It's just a bit messy when our families are involved. "Here I am thinking you changed a lot after five long years but you're still the same Ashton I know." She chuckled. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" "Maybe both." She sighed. 

"Seriously Ash, why wouldn't you just obey Garvin's order and move on from the messy life you've put yourself into?" I did not respond. I honestly have taught about that too since last week. But I can't simply let go of my dreams. "Look at you. You could have been living well in a nice house, driving the latest Lamborghini or Ferrari, earning bucks while swimming in Maldives' beaches. Life would have been easier for you." I sighed deeply.

"It would have been. But it's not easy for me to give up something I love." I said dryly. She grinned and crossed her arm over her chest. "I see. Cause it was easy for you to give me up." I sat dumbfounded with what she said. I opened my mouth to say something, to explain but no words left my mouth. "It – it wasn't like that." I said abruptly. Trish let out a laugh and then stared back at me smiling. "I know Ash. I truly know." I exhaled a bit louder than I thought. I hadn't noticed I held my breath with that. 

"Well good luck with your life. Just inform me ahead of time if we're going to be competitors." She took a last sip of her coffee. "You sound so certain, but that wouldn't be necessary. Take care of yourself." She giggled. "I hired bodyguards to do that for me." She stood up. 

"Bye, Ashton." 

"Good bye, Trish."

I went back to Lily's apartment and found her packed bag outside the door of her room. Is she leaving tomorrow? She must be sleeping by now. I told her not to wait me up. I checked the time and was almost 10 o' clock in the evening. I felt the tiredness kicked me in. I placed the groceries on the counter and bolted myself on the next room.

~

The next morning I scan in the room and everything is still. It is only 7 in the morning. I noticed the spot where Lily's bags were last night is empty. I went to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water. I saw a yellow post-it note stuck on the fridge's door.

On a trip. Be back tomorrow. Take care of my apartment. L

She didn't say anything about leaving yesterday. I decided to send her a text instead.

Me: Where are you going?

Lily: Somewhere off to town.

Me: Oh. You didn't say you will leave last night.

Lily didn't reply. I went back to my room and changed my boxers to my jersey shorts and put on my white shirt and slipped in my running shoes. I took my phone on the kitchen counter and checked if she replied.

Lily: I placed a note on the fridge just so you know.

Me: Yeah I found it.

Lily: Good. Now stop acting daddy for Pete's sake.

I can tell she's pissed. And I didn't bother to reply. I'm worried what would happen to her without me knowing where she'd go. It must be part of her work or something. I sighed feeling the emptiness in the room. I hate the feeling of being left. Or was it me giving people the reason to leave? I went for a run after thirty minutes or so. After that I had a good shower. I planned for this day to be productive. I felt bad for just staying in a lady's apartment and being fed without doing anything in return. I could see how Lily worked hard and I have been a burdensome for her, not only that, I put so much trouble to her for my own troubles. I want to repay her for all the goodness she's done. But first, I need to do things according to plan.