You, Me, And My Baby

"How was your day?" a familiar voice whispers to her ear, like a warm smile form on her sweet pink lips. "Miles! Weren't we supposed to meet later? What are you doing here so early?" Ashley's eyes lit up as soon as she turns to face Miles, who is holding a bouquet of red roses. "What can I say? I miss my Fiancée so much that I want to see her early?" Miles answered with a teasing smile on his lips. All the crews that have heard their convo are all squealing as blush spread on their cheeks. Ever since their engagement has been announced, the two have been more open about their relationship. Miles has always escorted Ashley to and fro from her work and her house. Miles has also been supporting Ashley's work as a magazine model and brand model of her mother's own fashion studio. "My! Miss Ashley is extremely lucky to have a sweet Fiancé like you!" Stella, Ashley's makeup artist commented as the others agree. Miles let out a chuckle as he walked toward where Ashley is currently being prepared for the next shoot. He wraps his arm around her shoulder before placing a kiss on her hair. "We are both fortunate to have met one another, aren't we? My sweet Ash," Miles answer as he stares at Ash before smiling gently, all the female crew squeal in delight from seeing his attractive smile. A blush crept up on Ash's cheeks as she nods her head agreeing with Miles' answer, a shy smile forming on her lips. "My gosh! What kind of scene I walk into! Miles! Please allow them to finish shooting first before flirting with my best friend!" Yuki's strident voice startles them as Ashley and Miles just chuckle at her. "Hello to you too Yuki! Well, since she's here, I'm going to wait outside. Don't miss me too much, okay?" Miles answers with a chuckle as he places a kiss on Ashley's cheeks. "Oh Gosh! Stop being cheesy!" Yuki grumbled as she rolled her eyes playfully, as a smile formed on her lips. Ashley chuckles lightly as she observed the banter between her best friend and Fiancée. Just how did she get this lucky to have a blissful life like this? Well, why don't we rewind the time from the beginning? . . . "F-fiancé?! How could-- How could you decide something like this without consulting me?!" Ashley exclaims as tears are forming in the corner of her eyes while she clenches her hand in anger. How could her parents give her away so easily like this when she already has someone she wants to marry? What would Sean say if he finds out about her situation? Just imagining how this will affect her lover is making her heart squeeze painfully inside her chest. "Ashley, mind your tone. We are still your parents, and I am not starting to like your attitude young lady," her father's deep voice answered as he stares at her with a stern look in his eyes. "But father--!" her pleading got cut off when a hand slaps her cheeks. "That is enough! I have enough of your whining! Is this what you learn from hanging out with that boy?! Didn't I tell you not to see him again?!" her mother's loud voice rang in her ears as she slowly touches her stinging cheek. A tear falls from her eyes as she hesitantly looks up to see the cold black eyes of her mother. "I love him! I won't marry anyone but him!" Another slap she receives the moment she utters those words. This time she lost her balance and fell onto the cold marble floor of their living room. "You...! How dare you talk back to your mother like that! From now on, you will no longer see that boy! I will transfer your back to your grandmother! Let us see if you can still act foolishly once you return to that place!" her father yells as he points his finger at her. Ashley's world feels like crushing down the moment she heard what he has said. Her grandmother, her father's mother... she is a person that can ignite a deep fear in one's heart. An overly strict person who administered physical punishment if you ever commit the slightest mistake. Despite the anger in her heart, she gulps down her pride and kneels in front of them to beg. "Please! I beg of you! Don't send me back!" she pleaded as she clings to his father's leg but he merely gave her a cold glare. "My decision is final. Your flight will be two days from now. I will give you a day to break everything with that guy and after that... I will make sure you will no longer see him. But if you decide to run away... I will turn his life into something worse." A shiver run down her spine the moment he heard the threatening tone of her father as her hand let go of his leg. She fully knows his words aren't anything but empty. After all, she has experienced the repercussion of disobeying him back when she was just a child. And the life that her friend has experienced because of her... still haunts her to this very day. -- Ashley's POV My hands won't stop trembling along with my racing heart. The more steps I took toward my destination, the more I want to back out and lock myself inside my room. I... don't want to see his heartbreak like this. I have made a promise to him... that no matter what I won't be the same as her mother who has abandoned him. Yet here I am... wearing a straight face while preparing to abandon him. The man I love... Sean. I ask him to meet me at our favorite spot... the field behind the old art museum. It was a spot covered with lofty trees, a secluded spot where we can clearly observe the stars in the night sky. *Bathump! Bathump!* The moment I look up, I can clearly see his silhouette standing in the middle of the field while looking up at the sky. Sean... How can I do this? When I can see how happy you are right now... I-- "Ash!" I flinch in surprise the moment I heard him call my name. The way, his brown locks dance in the wind, his brown eyes show such adoration for me... Sean. I love you... I will always love you. Ah... How much I want to say these words right now. But I can't, I can feel their eyes watching my every move. I have to... I have to do this. I almost crumble right there and then... but I know I have to steady myself. If I tell him the truth right now... he will suffer. I know he would, after all, I know how cruel my father can be. "Sean..." I greeted him as he hopped toward me. I can see his smile turn into a frown from the way I called his name. "I am glad you manage to find a way to escape them-- Is something wrong?" He cut off his words the moment he observes the frown on my face. The only time we can see each other outside of our school was during the time I sneak out of our house. Yuki is the one that has been helping me to meet with Sean in secret. She is the only one who knows how much we love each other. But... she can no longer help me with my current situation. After all... both Yuki and I are in the same boat. Both of us came from prestigious families, and that is why... both of us will be married to the sons of prestigious families. And Sean... did not come from a family who can be recognized by my parents. Despite how rich his family may be, their standing is still low compared to us. The family that I came from, is a family that holds a high position in the social circle and has long been one of the well-known families. With how high the family's reputation is, they can't easily accept someone like him. He is a rebel at school and possesses the image of one can say a bad boy kind. His reputation is more of... causing trouble than anything else. That is why... he was never accepted by my parents. How can I do this...? I took a deep breath as I try to relax. I have to do this fast before I succumb to my feelings. "This... this will be the last time we will see each other," I uttered which made him halt his steps. I can see the confusion on his face as I stare at his eyes. "Let's break up," It took me a lot of my strength just to utter those words and I can already feel myself shaking. "Wh-what? What do you mean?" he mutters in confusion, but I turn my back against him. I need to go... or else he will see through my facade. "Hey! Wait! Ash!! What do you mean by that? How--...what did I do wrong??" He grabs my arm as he tries to force me to turn to him. "Let go of me, Sean," I barely utter as I try to wriggle away from his grasp. "What are you saying, Ash?! Are you giving up our love like this?!" He screams as he tightens his grip on me. "Yes... I am tired of everything. I am tired of constantly sneaking out and avoiding my parent's gaze. I have grown tired of our... l-love. So please let go of me." Of course, everything is a lie. I know he can see through my words since he knows me the best. He knows how much of a terrible liar I am. I try taking deep breaths to prevent myself from panicking, and when I look up, I can see my bodyguards making their way toward us. My father doesn't believe in me to separate things from Sean and send bodyguards with me. I ask them to give us some space while we are talking but... I supposed seeing Sean grabbing a hold of me is what made them take action. "H-hey! Let go of me! Ash!" Sean yells in surprise as they grasp him away from me. I close my shaking hands, trying not to push them away from him. I direct my attention back to Sean, as my eyes met his. I felt my heartbreak as soon as I can see the confusion in his eyes. "I-I'm sorry..." I whisper as I turn my back once again, as I push myself to run from that place. "Ash!! Ash!!!" his screams continue to echo in the silent garden that we made. A garden, a place, that we made for us... now is a desolate place that tears us apart.