A Way To My Dream

Chapter 25: I absolutely love everything about you

"I absolutely love everything about you."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm so sorry." Ashley hugged her tighter. No wonder she left. Leona clutched his shirt as if holding her dear life. Her sobs and boohoos were hurting him.

'You are the dumdbest person for shouting at her! Idiot!'

Ashley mentally kicked himself

"I'm sorry..." He caressed her back, in circular motion, to ease her emotion.

"I-I..." He heard her tried to utter word, but one did not came out her mouth.

"It's okay. I understand now. I understand that you needed time. Take your time." He shushed her gently. The sun has finally set on. And Ashley finally find his home.

"No... you don't." She uttered. "You don't understand me." She claimed. Her sobs have subsided. She backed away from him enable to see his face.

"No one can ever undertstand how I feel!" Ashley frowns at how defensive she sounds.

"What are you saying? I didn't say anything about it. I know I can never understand what you might had felt. I said, I understand you needed time." He couldn't stop himself. He knew she's going through the hard time. But, she doesn't need to seem like pushing him away.

Leona glared at him. "Okay. I'm sorry, I was wrong. Just don't try to push me away." Ashley hugged her again. She looks scary when she glares at him like that. She tried pushing him. She's muttering incoherent words on his chest.

"I know I could never understand how you might had felt. But, I'm really trying hard to understand you. Let's set our negative feelings aside for now. I'm going to comfort you all night. I'm going to hold you to at least elevate your pain. Okay."

Leona stop struggling and calm down. "Why are you still holding me? Aren't you disgusted?" Her voice was vulnerable, so fragile. She's not the confident Leona he knew. But she can be unconfident before him. He'll never get tired of saying how wonderful of a lady she is.

She was trying to build her wall from him. She thinks after telling her what happened to her he'll run away without glancing back. She was trying to push him away so he couldn't push her eventually, when he's already tired of her. She couldn't get through another painful encounter again-- not with him. But before she could even start with a brick, he's already taken all the bricks away to stop her, by his warmth.

"Disgusted of what? All I can see is a strong girl trying to overcome her pain. A dreamer who was trying hard to reach her dreams. A young girl who, despite everything, still continue to live. I'm so proud of you. Thank you for not killing yourself. How could I ever feel disgusted when all I can feel for you is love?" He whispered to her ears. How could she ask him that? Never for once he felt disgusted of her encounter. If anything, he's enrage of her abuser.

"W-why are you so good to me? I'm sorry...I didn't know..."

Leona weeps again. He's too good to be true.

"Stop saying sorry. Never apologise for being a powerful and kind woman. You have nothing to be sorry for. I absolutely love everything about you."

Ashley took her hand and lead them to the corner of the gazebo. He sat and leaned against the post.

"What are you doing?" He shook his head and smiled. He motioned her to take a sit on between his legs. Leona was hesitant at first so he grabbed her hand and pulled her.

"You're still stubborn." He muttered. "What?" She glares at him.

Leona's heart pounded againts her heart. Her cheeks warmed. She and Ashley were in an intimate position. Her mother would be hysterical and go crazy if she knew, let alone her father and brothers.