Weddings, Kisses and Tears (Lesbian)

MARRY ME 8: "Conflicts"

Ashley's POV

"Hello, miss, I am actually searching for books about a particular subject but I have a hard time navigating through the myriads of titles displayed on the shelves. Is it fine if I ask for your assistance?"

I paused from what I was doing upon hearing that unforgettable and familiar voice. I slowly turned my head and looked up at the gorgeous woman who had tormented me since the first time we met. She  was wearing an immaculately-pressed plain white long sleeved shirt and cream slacks and, on her feet were expensive brown leather flat shoes. "What the hell do you think are you doing here?" I asked in a low yet shocked voice.

Gabby merely flashed me with a charming white smile and squat down so we can be at level to each other. "Hey, how are you, Ashley?"

"Why are you here?"

"I am fine, thank you," she smirked in reply and gazed at me as if I was someone that she revered. "Anyway, I am here solely for the purpose as to why bookstores are useful to customers – to buy books."

My heart took a nervous dive and I could feel a tingling kind of heat climbed from the core of my chest to my cheeks. I looked away, refusing to look at her breathtaking face, and resumed arranging the books at the lower section of the science fiction shelf. "I am sorry for my reaction a while ago... What kind of book are you looking for?"

"Well, I'll tell you if you answer my question earlier." She said teasingly.

I drew out a sharp infuriated breath and scowled at her. God! Why did she have to smell so good that I wanted to bury myself and inhale the ethereal fragrance wafting from her skin? She was messing up with my senses! "Are you aware that I am actually working right now?"

"Yes," she smiled in an answer.

"I have no time for distractions." I told her wearily. I looked away again so as not to be tempted by her stunningly beautiful face. "Now, tell me what kind of book are you looking for so I can finish what I ought to do and you get what you want."

She lazily perused my lips before boring her stare back to my eyes. She smiled at me and, just like before, I felt breathless. What was she doing to me? How did she manage to have such power over me?

Gabby stood and silently offered her hand.

"What do you think are you doing?"

"Can you get up? I don't think it will be easy for you to assist me if you are in that position." She stated aloofly; her eyes turned from warm to winter cold.

I suddenly felt the tension rise in me at the quicksilver change of her moods and immediately got up without taking her hand. I faked cough while trying to reinforce some bravery in me. "So what are you looking for, Gabby?" I asked in a much gentler voice.

"Gabby?" She asked, throwing me with a wry smirk. She observed me for a moment, contemplating. But I could not read her thoughts as her expression was utterly blank.

She was the oddest person that I had ever met. Just a while ago, she was beaming and exuding with warmness and, now, she could easily pass as a cold human ice sculpture.

"I am sorry, ma'am," I mumbled guiltily while I lowered my head in embarrassment. Just right now, I suddenly felt aware of how unsuitable we actually were – she was rich and I had nothing. As much as I did not want to be, I could not help myself but be intimidated by her.

"No, don't be sorry and please continue to call me Gabby." She stated with an insouciant shrug. "I actually love the sound of it especially if it passes from your lips."

My entire face flamed up at what seemed to be a double meaning. I silently swallowed the heavy lump in my throat. "Ah... So what ex—exactly are you looking for?"