Ashton's Lie

chapter six

The sound of clicking utensils were the only sound in the thick silence that covered my dining room.

My father kept his focus on Ashton the whole time while Ashton continued eating his meat like he didn't notice my father murdering him with his eyes.

My mother glances at my father every five seconds in case he reaches over the table and chokes Ashton.

Liam sat still mostly, only moving to eat when nobody was watching him. Nobody being me. He's afraid of my father. I don't blame him, everyone is, so am I. My father was a feared businessman who wants my siblings and I to take up after him.

Teddy stares at Ashton as if he's a Greek God or a role model when he's the opposite. I try my best to be a role model to Teddy but it's hard since I act like a damn delinquent child all the time.

My mother clears her throat. "So, dessert anyone?"

Ashton wipes his mouth. "I'd love whatever you're offering Mrs. Ramirez."

I kept my mouth shut to keep from saying something rude at his odd behavior. I glance at him through the corner of my eyes and I know he knows I'm looking at him.

He probably thinks I'm checking him out, when really, I'm just trying to figure out what he's up to.

What if this whole thing was a lie? A sick game of his to ease his way into my home and go through my parent's confidential files and report back to his parents? What if he's using me to destroy my family's legacy because his parents put him up to this?

I would kill him and make it look like an accident.

My parents and I may not be close, but they were my family and I wouldn't let the town's bad boy ruin it for us. Besides, I don't know what it's like to be poor and I don't even want to think about bankruptcy.

My mother snaps her fingers at me, making me shake my head of my thoughts. Wrong choice because it made me a bit dizzy. I get up as my mother and I go get dessert.

"Your boyfriend seems nice," my mom perks up. She grabs creme brûlée from the oven and hands it to me.

"Yeah," I tuck my hair behind my ear. "Are you okay with us dating?" I ask her.

"Of course," she says. "It's just your father and his beliefs."

I want to believe she's okay with this, but I have a feeling she's not.

I nod. "Yeah, dad is overprotective. I wanted you to see the real Ashton," I lie.

My mom nods. "I hope you two will last, my love." She walks out the kitchen with me following me behind as we set the desserts in the middle of the table.

I glance at my dad to see him still staring at Ashton with a heated glare. I grab Ashton's hand in mine and tangle our fingers together and smile at him.

Ashton doesn't pull back or look at me but plays along and covers my hand with his own.

"So, Ashton," my father starts. "What do you see in my daughter? What makes you think you're worthy enough?"

Ashton sits up straighter and clears his throat. "Sir, your daughter is perfect to me. She has the hair as beautiful as the night, the laugh as lovely as the harp, her smile makes my days brighter, the way she looks at me stops my heart as I'm holding your daughter's hand right now, I feel as if I'm in love. I've never felt this way before and if you'd let me, I'd spoil and treasure your daughter with all the adoration, love, and affection in the world. Because your daughter is my life, nothing comes before her."

Oh

My

Fucking

God.

Don't cry, I scold myself. I promise myself I won't cry.

The entire room is speechless as we take in Ashton's words. More like fucking love ballad. He says it with confidence and pride I didn't know he had. I thought he'd be embarrassed to be with me since I'm pretty known as the party girl with the nerdy best friend.

Ashton looks at me with a small smile and a wink. I blush and bite my lip and look away from his gaze. He's a really good actor. No wonder people are begging for him. He really is a charmer and womanizer.

My father doesn't show his emotions, he hides them very well, I can't even tell what he's thinking ninety percent of the time. I hold in my breath for what he's about to say next.

My father rises, making everyone look up to him like God. He buttons his blazer and holds his hand out to Ashton. Ashton stands up and shakes it firmly.

"Welcome to the family, son." My father says.

I gape at him. What the fuck?

Son?

I look to Liam for help but he's hopeless as he stares at my father in shock. I slowly stand up and excuse myself and Ashton. I link my arm with Ashton and drag him to the kitchen.

"Wanted to spend some time alone with me, I see," he teases.

I grab a water bottle and stand across from him on the kitchen island. I don't say anything as I look at him and he looks back innocently like he didn't just declare his love for me like a madman.

"Were all those things true?" I ask, half curious and half afraid of the answer.

He shrugs. "You think I came up with that last minute?" he asks. "Your father was murdering me with his eyes."

I knew Ashton saw my dad glaring at him. "Well, it's nice to know you've been paying attention to my dark hair, lovely laugh, and beautiful smile that brightens your day." I tease. "And here I thought you'd have to steal lines from Michelle Obama's speech."

I pat his head and walk to the front door with him following closely behind. I open the door for him and motion with my arm that he could leave.

"Do you think we fooled your parents?" he asks.

"Of course, my parents love you." I say, not really knowing the answer. "Do I have to meet your's?"

"Yes," he replies.

I nod. "Gotcha, oh! And uh, how long will this fake relationship last?"

He shrugs and scratches the back of his head. "Six months? A year?"

I nod slowly. That seems like a long time. I should've thought this through. Instead of saying something rude, I say, "Fine with me, see you soon, love."

He chuckles. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

I push him out and close the door half way. "Goodnight, bad boy."