Soulbond

Chapter 8

Ashton turned to glance at me as I stopped in my tracks.

My expressions said it all because the next moment his hands enclosed around mine in a comforting manner. Those tough gray eyes met mine again, only this time they held reassurance. His actions clearly stated that he knew what scared me.

He mouthed an "it's safe" to which I responded with a nod as I eased up a little.

"How's it going, Leo?" He then turned his attention towards the man with the gun who I presumed was Leo. 

"Things have been going rough," Leo replied.

His face held good features along with a serious expression in contrast to his slicked-back jet black hair. He was clothed in business attire. Overall, Leo appeared to be a fine gentleman with the exception of the gun in his hand. 

"You must be Celine." I was brought out of thoughts by another manly voice, which did not belong to Ashton.

Passing him a smile I slightly nod my head in reply.

"Let's discuss further in my office." Leo focused his attention back to Ashton. 

Just then his gaze went to Ashton's hand which held mine firmly. My cheeks turned a light shade of pink upon realizing that I was so comfortable holding his hand to not even realize how inappropriate it could've looked to Leo. 

"She'll be escorted to Jude, I've asked her to keep Celine company," Leo assured Ashton as he let go of my hand.

"Yeah, I can always count on Jude for that." Ashton let a laugh slip making me wonder who could be Jude? 

Soon I was taken to a room on the first level of the bungalow by a maid, which I assumed belonged to Jude. 

Upon entering the room, my eye skimmed over the decent furniture and stopped at the woman who was apparently busy on a call. She was wearing a casual dress with her strawberry blonde hair tied in a high ponytail, making her features stand out.

Noticing my arrival, she winded up her call then turned to me with a gorgeous smile. 

"You're the one with Ashton right?" She had a very welcoming personality and it could be seen already.

"I am Judith, Leo's fiancée. You can call me Jude." Wow, they both must look amazing together. The thought made me trail back to the times when Mike and I used to get complimented as a couple and look at how we ended up.

"I'm Celine." I smiled at her.

"It's been so long since I last saw Ashton with a girl." She let out a laugh. "God! You must be special." Her words made me ponder over my importance in my former best friend's life, making me realize things had changed now along with my importance.

"Oh no, we're just good friends." 

"You must be a new one then." She supposed.

"I know him since high school. We are close friends ever since." Hearing my words a confused expression crossed her face.

"Weird, it's been more than 3 years since we know Ashton and he never once mentioned a friend in town." Oh, that summed it up. Who knows? Maybe he had forgotten all about me until I got kidnapped and called him. Three years were enough to completely cut a person out of your life, especially those who rejected and ignored you. 

"Anyways, would you mind joining me for coffee? I've to go over some of my designs." She said gesturing me to follow her over to a table placed in front of the bed, which had some sketches of dresses splayed out on it along with some tools used for sketching. "Would you mind helping me out with them?" Jude said taking a seat as I took the one in front of her.

"I am afraid, you can do it better being a designer," I said awkwardly.

"Nope, not a designer yet. There's still some time left till I launch my own brand," she said arranging the sketches in order. "Just tell me which one is good and which one isn't." 

We spent the next hour approving and disapproving her sketches and gossiping in between. Most of the sketches were flawless but Jude still made a thousand edits in them. She told me about her brand that she was planning to launch soon, and how Leo had been a supporting partner in that matter. On the other hand, I told her about the ongoing tragedies in my life to which she showed great sympathy to me. The time went by quickly and soon Ashton and I had to leave. 

"Meet me soon, we've lots left to gossip about," Jude said hugging me.

"Yeah, it was amazing to be in your company," I said hugging her back.

 We made our way downstairs to the main door where the two men awaited us. My eyes went over to Ashton who was busy talking to Leo. My thoughts went back to Jude's words...

Weird, it's been more than 3 years since we know Ashton and he never once mentioned a friend in town.

He must have visited the town before, as Jude and Leo resided here. But the fact, that he barely tried to contact me let alone visit me, made my heartache. 

"I assume you ladies had a good time?" Leo asked Jude as he wrapped a hand around her waist, bringing her to his side. 

She hummed in response before kissing him. 

"Keep me updated, I'll check in again tomorrow," Ashton said to Leo. 

Soon we were on our way home after we bid our farewell to the couple. The car ride was quiet as I chose to ignore Ashton. He occasionally glanced at me to make sure I was alright but quickly realized the matter when he asked,

"Ignoring me won't help you get rid of me." My head snapped in his direction.

"I am not," I muttered denying the obvious.

I, then focused my attention on the road only to figure out that it did not lead home.

"This is not the way home," I said upon realizing and narrowing my eyes at Ashton.

"I know." 

"Where are you taking me?" I asked plainly, desperately wanting to go home and let out a sob.

His eyes made their way to mine, softening a little. 

"It's a surprise, Eli." He said before focusing back at the road and once again leaving me curious.