OUR EXCHANGE PROGRAM

It's My Ring

A real girl isn't perfect and a perfect girl isn't real
:Harry Styles

Natalia's pov

I wake up and am surprised to find my face on the crook of his neck. My braids are shamelessly sprawled all over his face and chest.My palms are on his chest and I can feel his beating heart. Remind me again why I don't wake up like this every morning?

I take this time to carefully study his face. He has a birthmark slightly above his eyebrow. It's barely noticeable and one could easily mistake it for a scar. His facial features are really outlined and it's no doubt that he's handsome.

I carefully remove his hands that are loosely strapped around my waist, so as not to wake him. I can no longer feel the fever and my cough is gone thanks to that soup.

I walk out of the bed, tying my braids in a neat bun. I take one look at his sleeping form, and I can't deny, he looks peaceful. Not the arrogant student I know or the cocky boss. He's just... himself. The Ashton Matthews.

I walk to the kitchen and make Chapatis* This is an African modified pancake. I've really missed home and it's food. I take out the flour, margarine, sugar, eggs and baking powder. After all the kneading, rolling and toasting, forty minutes later, they are ready.

I make two cups of coffee and set the table. It's funny how he's the one whose supposed to make me breakfast as I was the one who was sick but tables here are turning.

Just as I finish setting the table, he comes down.

"Good morning Matthews."
Silence.
He just comes and sets himself on the table. Rude!

Geez! This man is so bipolar.

"What's this?"

"Ooh they are called Chapatis. To you, just know they are modified pancakes."

He takes out one and just as I think he is about to eat it, he puts it back.

"I don't want them. Shove them in the bin."

What? After all the effort and energy I spent in them? I look at him and just shake my head.

"I don't even know why I bothered." I walk back to his room and take a shower. I put on my clothes as the are dried now.

I'm never going to ever speak with that jerk ever again. I don't even know why I'm still here. I take my bag and walk towards the door.

He's still in the dining table but now he's standing and shuffling his hair frustatedly. I spare him a glare before walking out but not before hearing him call my name.

I'm already late as it is and I need to go to school. I open the door angrily and just as I'm about to step out, I spot James and a much older man leaning against a car.

They start walking towards me and I start panicking. Memories of yesterday flash back and I'm sweating.
Just then Matthews steps out.

"Baby doll, I'm so..." before he even completes his statement, he sees the two men. His expression changes from guilt to what again...

I can't really decipher.

"What are the two of you doing here?"

"Good morning to you too Ashton."

I glance at him and I can see his trying to calm himself.

The men walk closer and due to reflex I cling onto Matthews' arm like my life depends on it, because right now, it technically depends on him.

"Looks like your doll is scared like a little puppy."

"Leave her out of this if you don't want to see my worst side. If you know what I mean"

The men look quite taken aback, before they cover it up. Matthews grabs my arm and pulls me to his side. I can't help but reach to my ring finger and tap on it anxiously.

I see the man's gaze turn from Matthews to my hand... No, to my, ... ring?

"Hold your horses old man. Don't go there."I warn him. He can't take our family ring from me.

Matthews looks confused as he looks between The man and me.

" What do you want Thomas. "
He obviously ignores Matthews.

" Where did you get that ring from? "

" None of your business. "
He suddenly grabs my finger and takes it out. He looks underneath it and I hear him curse under his breath and he looks at me suspiciously suspicious.

Before I know it, Matthews lets go off my arm and pounces on the Thomas guy.He gives him  several punches and Thomas tries to struggle underneath him.

"Don't you ever touch my girl, again, do you hear me?" in between his speech he sends  a punch to his face.

Did he just call me..
His girl?
Did he just...
Don't go there now Talia. Concentrate here.

By now, Thomas is bleeding and I think Matthews just dislocated his nose. James is just standing still, not bothered by what is happening.

With the rate Matthews is going, he's going to kill Thomas.

"Matthews stop it, you are going to kill him." He stops a punch midway before looking at me. He harshly takes the ring from him and stands up. Thomas is still unconscious and he looks quite dead to me.

"James, take this piece of trash outside my vicinity before I put him in a place of no return."

He grabs my arm and takes me back to his house. He looks at my ring interestingly before he hands it over to me and starts walking towards the kitchen.

"What was that all about?"yes, I followed him there.

" I should be asking you that. From where did you even get that ring from and why is it a matter of interest to  Thomas. I mean, no offense, but it doesn't even look that costly. "

" My mom told me everyone in our family has it.It's unique and only members of our family have it. She has one and so did my dad before he... he died. "

" Your dad.. "

" yes, he's dead, died before I was born. "

" No, you said, he had one, like the one you have? "

" He did have one. "
He grabs one of my Chapatis and starts to eat it. His mouth is still full when he mumbles,

" I'll just change, then I'll drop you off to school. Just give me a second.

He rushes to his room and changes into a simple wear, but he still looks dashing.

I get into his car before he roars the powerful engine and drives us to school.

But I still wonder.

What is the deal that he has with  Thomas and James?

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