The Assistant || Ashton Irwin

0.9

A month and a half later the Internet, social media and gossip magazines were still publishing, posting and ranting and raving about the engagement. A squared publicity was sky rocketing and there was still the wedding to come.

My Twitter feed was always full of pictures, vines and gifs, all of my reaction to the engagement, Ashton's nervous face waiting on my answer and finally our embrace after the ring was on my finger.

Everyday I felt the weight of the small diamond ring weighing down my hand. The realisation of how important this stunt was hit me once my face was splashed across every magazine and newspaper tabloid and I could no longer escape my reflection.

Normal life or what has become normal life continued as it had always done. I stayed home finding things to do while Ashton got up, went to work and didn't come home until the early hours of the morning. The smell of alcohol lingered in his clothes he left for the wash. I had a fair idea of what he was doing, and any 'fiancée' would be livid. The only worry I had was that'd he'd be caught and our plan would be discovered.

I was sprawled out on the couch, hoodie, sweats and fluffy socks kept me cosy as I flicked through the channels for something to watch. I was startled when the front door burst open and Ashton's voice echoed through the halls. I stood up, confusion shown across my features.

"Ali, this is Louise Fortune, she's our wedding planner" Ashton said introducing me to a brunette women. She looked to be in her late 30's, early 40's, her hair swept up into a bun, her clothing and features stated professional.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Louise. If I'd have known you'd be this early I would have cleaned up a bit" I said shaking her hand.

"Don't be silly, I want you to be comfortable" she smiled warmly. I returned her smile before turning to Ashton.

"Babe will you pop the kettle on if I just freshen up a bit?" I asked batting my eyelids knowing it'd annoy him.

"Of course darling, Louise coffee?" He asked and she nodded.

"And I'll have-"

"Tea, one sugar. I know babe" he said laughing ushering me up the stairs.

That was odd. He's never made me tea so how would he know that? I pondered this question as I slipped into a pair of jeans and threw my hair up into a messy bun. I skipped down the stairs just as Ashton put down the cups. I took my seat beside him across from Louise and his hand found mine instantly.

"Firstly congratulations on the engagement, and that ring is stunning" Louise smiled.

"Nothing but the best for my girl" Ashton smiled kissing my temple. I bit my lip blushing. I mentally slapped myself. This was fake, he didn't mean that.

"What I like to hear" Louise joked making us laugh.

"So there's a lot to do with planning a wedding, there's venues, flowers, dresses, guest lists and all the tiny details. My job is to help with all of this, so we all throw ideas around and come up with a solution" she explained.

"That seems reasonable, as long as you keep her from turning into bridezilla" Ashton laughed.

"Be more likely groom-zilla" I said with an eye roll and a laugh.

"Oh you'll regret that later" he laughed ruffling my hair.

"Ash!" I whined, my hair was messy enough without him to help.

Louise laughed at our antics, our loved up couple bravado still going strong.

"Ok so first thing we need to decide on is the date, everything else can be worked out around that. Any preferences?" Louise asked. I looked to Ashton who just shrugged and my eyes trailed back to my lap.

"Ali? Any ideas?" Louise asked.

"The 12th of December has always been special to me, that's my nana's birthday" I said shyly.

"Oh how lovely, will she be able to make it to the wedding?" Louise asked.

"No, she passed away 3 years ago" I said sadly.

"Oh I'm so sorry" Louise said he eyes widening.

"It's ok" I said with a small smile.

"I think that's when we should get married, December 12th" Ashton said. This made me look at him.

"Well it's a whole 5 months away, there's plenty of time for everything and it's special to you so why not?" Ashton said looking at me and then turned his attention back to Louise.

I sat dumbfounded at what he just said. He was being ... Nice. This was weird.

After an hour an a half a few decisions had been made, date, Ashton's groomsmen, a few of my bridesmaids. We had thrown a few ideas out of what we'd like for the wedding and Louise was getting back to us. We had some homework to do before Louise came back to visit in three days time.

I waved goodbye from the door to Louise and locked up as she drove away. Ashton had stayed rooted in his spot on the couch. I stood at the back of the couch and waited for him to say something.

"We'd better start with this guest lift" he mumbled. I nodded and took a seat.

"So how many of your family are coming?" He asked.

"Oh I'll just need one for Megan" I said quietly. He looked at me before he burst out laughing. It sounded harsh against my ears.

"Seriously? Do none of your family talk to you? Did you piss them all of too?" He laughed. I hung my head. I hoped we'd avoid this.

"No, I've no one, they're dead" I said, voice low but he heard me.

He laughter cut off and his eyes widened in panic.

"Oh shit Ali I'm-"

"Save it, you don't mean it. I'll be in my room, finish you're guest list" I snapped storming upstairs. It took everything I had to not burst into tear then and there but I held them in. I slammed my door closed and walked to the window as the tears trickled down my face. I looked to my bedside table when a photograph of my parents and myself on my 16th birthday sat.

I heard a knock on my door and as I turned Ashton stuck his head in.

"Ali I'm so sorry I didn't know" he said.

"Save it Ashton, it's not like you care anyways" I sniffled.

"No I want to apologise" he said.

"I don't want to hear it, you don't think Ashton,at all, you never think about anyone but yourself, if you thought for one minute you'd have notice how I never bring up my parents or any family. You'd catch on to that fact. But no, no one exists but you in your world so do me a favour and don't speak to me unless you really have to" I said, my voice low and steady but I really wanted to yell and scream at him. I turned away from him and looked out the window.

From my mirror I could see him. He looked to his feet a look of hurt crossed his face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He turned on his heel and slammed my door shut. It was then I slid down my wall and my sobs that I held in took over my body.