More Than A Favor

Chapter 73

“Yes.”

C Gets

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I was about to respond when Ashton leaned in and whispered, “I can’t help it. I can’t stop myself from wanting to be close to you, to care for you, and… to tease you.”

It made sense. If love were something we could control, no one in this world would ever fall victim to it.

I didn’t know what to say, but before I could reply, Ashton released me. “Drink plenty of water when you get inside. If you need anything, just call me.”

Pointing at my bag, he added, “Your room key. Let me open the door for you.”

“It’s okay,” I said, snapping back to reality as I stepped away from him. “I can open it myself.”

I hurriedly fumbled for my room key, swiped it, and slipped inside. Leaning against the door, I stayed there for a while, trying to clear my thoughts.

By the time Maya returned, I was already lying in bed. She moved carefully, probably trying not to disturb me.

I kept my eyes shut, unwilling to talk, but I heard her mutter softly, “She’s sleeping so soundly. Looks like I’m not needed here.”

Hearing this, I clenched my fingers lightly. It seemed Ashton had asked Maya to check on me.

Ashton… How did I end up getting involved with this man?

I didn’t know. Gradually, I drifted into sleep, only to find myself dreaming again. The dream was chaotic–a jumble of images of my parents and the scene of their car accident.

Even though I hadn’t witnessed the accident firsthand, I had once secretly looked through the police case files and seen the photographs.

Those images were burned into my memory, haunting me for years.

When I first moved in with the Mercers, I had frequent nightmares about it, but over time, they had faded. Yet that night, the dream returned.

When I woke up, it was still dark outside. I checked my phone–it was five in the morning.

Lately, I’d been waking up at this hour no matter how late I went to bed. Despite drinking the night before, my head felt clear.

I noticed a few missed calls and messages on my phone, which I hadn’t heard because it was on

silent.

Nora had called twice, and so had Tessa. I didn’t know why Tessa was calling, but I had an uneasy feeling. It was likely related to Logan–or maybe even Miles.

After thinking it over, I decided to reply to Nora first. Since it was too early to call, I opened WhatsApp and saw several messages from her:

“Why aren’t you answering your calls? Are you okay?” – “Did Mr. Drake kidnap you?” – “Answer your phone or reply to my messages. Otherwise, I’m calling the police.” – “You went to Mr. Webb’s bar to drink. Did something happen there?”

Mr. Webb’s place when she couldn’t find me. Otherwise, she’d probably

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banging on my

emoji and a quick reply: “I’m fine. Just needed a

sooner had I sent the message than my phone rang. It was Nora calling. She was likely on the

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wanting to wake Maya, I stepped out onto the balcony to take the call. As I did, I spotted

laughed. “Elaine, I think you should give Ashton a chance. Why not just give it

night. I’m not interested,” I replied firmly.

like you’ve been scarred by love and

took a shower. When I finished, my phone

a moment before answering.

was clearly just an excuse–she must have had something else she wanted to

loved your tacos, but I really can’t make it back right now. The amusement park project is under

politely but promised, “I’ll visit

making you rush like this? It’s not like the world’s ending. I’ll have a word

fault, Tessa. The deadline was set long ago,” I explained. Logan had always kept work and personal matters separate.

hung up, though she sounded

really was busy, and even if I weren’t, I couldn’t just drop by the Mercers‘ estate

from your life. First my parents,

now

breakfast with Maya, Ashton was nowhere

Drake say he’d come to the amusement park with us? Why’d he leave early?” Maya

I didn’t respond.

shoulder. “Elaine, Mr. Drake really cares about you. He even asked me to check on you last night because you’d been

“No!”

were drinking?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

saw me,” I

knowing look, as

nothing going on between us,” I said flatly, cutting off her unspoken question.

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there were, it’d be fine. I admire Mr. Drake’s looks, but it’s

levelheaded

ending the conversation. We quickly finished breakfast and headed to the

arrived, Ashton was already working.

Why didn’t you come with us?” Maya asked

way,” Ashton replied, making

noon, as Maya was about to order takeout, a luxury car

Tessa’s. She must have had something urgent to discuss, coming all the way here in