Chapter 68
Ashleyâs heart fluttered as if a dandelion had been gently plucked, sending down its soft, fuzzy seeds.
She wanted to say something but momentarily at a loss for words.
Valentin took the earrings from the box, his voice low and magnetic. âLet me put them on for you?â.
Ashley glanced at him and leaned in.
The manâs fingers delicately held the beautiful earrings, gently placing them on her
After he was done, he lightly tickled her soft, fair earlobe and looked at her affectionately. âThey suit you very well.â
Ashley felt a sudden warmth in her earlobes, spreading to her cheeks, and she touched her earlobe awkwardly. âSince youâre better now, Iâll be leaving.â
Just as she stood up, Valentin caught her wrist.
He frowned, looking frail and in pain. âItâs started to hurt again.â
Ashley blinked in disbelief. âWerenât you just fine a moment ago?â
Valentin took her hand and placed it on his abdomen. âIt hurts again. Rub it for me, please.â
Ashley was speechless.
However, she didnât listen to him this time.
Ashley poured a fresh cup of hot water for him. Seeing Valentin feigning weakness, an impulse struck her, and she said, âHere you go, little fella.â
Valentin was perplexed.
He stared intently at her for a while. Suddenly, he smirked. But it wasnât fully a smile nor a frown, and he put the cup on the table.
Ashley was about to ask why he wasnât drinking.
In an instant, her world spun as she found herself pinned down on the bed by Valentin.
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Ashleyâs heart tightened, and she widened her eyes in surprise. âWhat are you doing?â
The man was hovering over her, close enough to k*ss her with just a slight dip of his head.
His eyes narrowed, a dangerous and flirtatious gleam within. âWhat did you just say? Say it again.â
Ashley felt somewhat guilty, but she decided to play innocent.
She wanted to push him away and got up.
However, the two of them were too close. Ashley inadvertently brushed her l*ps against his cheek as she raised her head.
Valentin paused for a second, then chuckled. His chest vibrated, his laugh husky and sensual, incredibly alluring.
Ashleyâs face flushed instantly.
Annoyed and embarrassed, she pushed him away. âDeal with your discomfort yourself! Iâm leaving!â
She said and tried to run out, her legs feeling weak.
But after just a few steps, Ashley heard his teasing, chuckling voice from behind. âTaking advantage then running away? Whatâs all this about?â
Ashley glared at him and snapped. âShut up!â
That day, Ashley received a call from Laura, asking her to come to the
company.
Ashley pushed the door open at Royal Entertainment in Lauraâs office. and saw Bryce was also there.
Bryce sat on the sofa in the reception area, his forehead characteristically streaked with a strand of silver hair. Dressed stylishly, his fingers adorned with several decorative rings, he lounged with one leg casually crossed over the other.
Spotting Ashley entering, Bryce looked at her, his smile ambiguous. âIâve followed you on Twitter.â
Ashley was confused upon hearing this.
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With a tongue click, Bryce retorted, âWhatâs with that face, Ashley? There are so many people I donât follow despite their wishes! Taking the initiative to follow a minor celebrity like you is already breaking my norm!â
Ashley chuckled, âYou can take back your norm. I donât need it.â
Frustrated. Bryce removed a ring from his finger and threw it at her.
Laura was at a loss for words.
Was this a kindergarten fight or what?
Feeling helpless, Laura gave himself a facepalm and waved to Ashley. âAshley, take a seat. Check your Twitter and follow back Bryce first.â
Ashley-sat down and took out her phone, only to find that the hashtag. âBryce Follows Ashleyâ had climbed to the top of Twitterâs trending list.
The comments were quite varied.
[Wow, Bryce is following a female artist for the first time!]
[Maybe itâs because they were both on a variety show recently, and Ashley even helped Bryce calm a runaway horse.]
[I canât stop laughing when I remember Bryce sitting in Ashleyâs lap!]
The discussion online was bustling.
It was evident that Bryce was incredibly popular.
Ashley found Bryceâs Twitter account and followed him back.
Upon seeing her follow back, Bryce snorted, âAt least you know whatâs good for you.â
Ashley glanced at him leisurely. âSorry, I did so by mistake. Iâll unfollow you right now.â
Bryce glared at her. âDonât you dare!â
Being unfollowed after being followed would be a blow to his pride!
Laura, once again feeling a headache coming on, held her forehead in despair and said helplessly, âYou two, stop fighting. Ashley, I called you here today for two things.
âFirst, Iâve got you a cameo in a TV show. Itâs a role that involves dancing
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and playing the harp, which suits you perfectly. Itâs not a big part. You can finish shooting in a day, tomorrow at the set.ââ
Ashley nodded. âOkay.â
Laura continued, âThe second thing is more important. You compose music, right?â
Ashley replied, âYes.â
Laura smiled, âBryce is releasing his personal EP next month, a
mini-album with three songs. I want you to compose one for him. The collaboration between you both can significantly boost your popularity.â
Ashley said, âNo need.â
Bryce échoed, âDonât want to.â
Both of them spoke in unison.
Initially lounging in the coach with one of his legs crossing the others, Bryce became visibly irritated upon hearing Ashleyâs refusal. He cast an annoyed glance at her before turning to Laura. âLaura, you heard her. She doesnât want to do it.â
Laura asked, âWhat about you?â
With his handsome features, Bryce smirked confidently. âMy EP will definitely be a hit. I donât mind helping someone out. But whatâs the use if Iâm willing and she isnât?â
Ashley raised her eyebrows wryly. âYou just said you didnât want to.â
Bryce looked at her, his smile somewhat mischievous. âIâve changed my mind. I want to now. I want to collaborate with you. What can you do about it?â
Ashley was speechless.
With a sigh of resignation, Laura felt that Bryce was willing from the start. He was just too proud to admit it.
After handling Bryce, Laura gestured for him to be quiet and turned to Ashley. âWhat about you, Ashley? This is a great opportunityâ
Ashley was about to speak when her phone chimed twice, indicating two
new messages.
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It was Matthew who sent it to Ashâs account.
[Ash, my new album is releasing next month, and thereâs still one song. left unfinished. Would you be willing to compose it for me?]
[Ash, itâs been a long time since we last worked together. Iâm looking forward to collaborating with you again.] Matthew said, following hist message with a cheeky meme.
Ashley read the message indifferently.
However, she was still frustrated by the overly sweet expression in the
meme.