Chapter Eight

We reached the hospital in 15 mins and rushed to the front desk. The people around us looked at us like we were some crazy shits.

"Excuse me, Can I help you?" The receptionist said in a rather flirty tone and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"I'm Jake Miller, I got a call saying my father was admitted in this hospital. His name is Kevin Miller." He said out of breath.

"I'm sorry sir but there is no one named Kevin Miller admitted here. You must have come to the wrong hospital." We both looked at each other confused.

"Did you get the hospital wrong or something?" I nudged him.

"No, this is the hospital. I'm gonna call my dad," he looked puzzled and took out his phone, as we walked out of the hospital.

"Hey dad, Where are you?" I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation. But I heard him let out a breath. I'm guessing things were good with his dad and it must have been a weird prank call considering his dad was quite famous and they were bound to have business enemies.

"My dad is at home and he sounded fine but who would call me and tell something so horrible?" he looked lost and I felt bad watching him in this state. I immediately hugged him and I felt his arms wrap around my waist in an instant.

"Probably some fucked up kids playing prank call. Don't let it mess up with your head." I spoke against his chest. He kissed my forehead and I felt him relax and melt into me. It was the best feeling in the world. God, I'm sounding mushy but I didn't mind being mushy with him.

"Let's go home. I remember that I promised you dinner," We both walked towards the car. On the way back home, I was so tired that I didn't realize dozing off. I woke up to the voice of Jake calling me. I was so deep in sleep that I didn't realize we had reached my place. He opened the door for me and I stepped out of the car, walking like a zombie, rubbing my eyes.

"Do you want me to carry you?" he smirked and I decided to play with him. Not gonna happen mister.

"I'm tired actually, and I have class tomorrow so I should go to bed, and it's late. I'll see you tomorrow?" His face fell immediately and I couldn't hold back my laughter. He looked like someone took away his candy. He was so fucking cute.

"You little minx," he laughed and lifted me, placing me on top of his shoulder as if I weighed nothing and walked inside my house.

"Put me down Jake, you are gonna drop me," I laughed so much that my stomach started to hurt.

"Not until you apologize," he carried me upstairs and I got a nice view of his ass as he climbed. Sexy.

"Why should I apologize?" I jerked when he threw me on the bed.

"For fooling me," he rolled his eyes.

"I don't know what you are talking about." I giggled and he immediately looked at me with a mischievous look in his eyes and I tried to escape him knowing what was about to come. He started to tickle my sides and I laughed uncontrollably.

"OH MY GOD, JAKE PLEASE!" I cried out loud at his sweet torture.

"People might get the wrong idea, hearing you scream woman." He laughed at my misery.

"Okay I apologize," I said out of breathe.

"Say it." He held my hands above my head.

"I'm sorry for fooling you." I rolled my eyes at his silliness which I loved. Liked. Woah where did that come from?

"Much better," he was intensely staring at me and I was lost in his gaze. He buried his face in my neck and said something which wasn't clear. It was something like "What do to me" I giggled at his muffled voice and rolled him over so that I was sitting on top of him.

"Mmmmm, sexy view." I gave him a quick peck on the lips and got down immediately.

"You promised me dinner Jake, I'm starving" I whined. He groaned and got out of the bed.

"Way to ruin the moment," I heard him mumble as we walked down the stairs.

Dinner was delicious, Jake made spaghetti with meatballs which was my favorite dish. Man, he knows how to make a woman happy. After dinner, we hung out for a while on my couch, and then he left around midnight. He said he wanted to see his dad given the prank call and all which was totally understandable. I went to sleep with the thoughts of Jake and how fast things moved between us. What if he wants to just have fun with me? What if he finds me boring? My head was filled with all kinds of negative thoughts. I was probably thinking too much and just when I was about to doze off my phone pinged and it was Jake.

'Miss you already!'

Those three words threw away all my negative thoughts and I was smiling like a crazy person.

'Miss you too.' I texted him back and I immediately got a call from him.

"Hey, you." I used the same tone he had used earlier.

"So you miss me huh?" He said in a teasing voice.

"A Lil bit. Also, you don't think we are going fast right? I know we kissed and all. It's probably too soon. I'm sorry if you feel like I'm rushing." I started rambling.

"You are kidding, right? Ashley, you have no idea what you do to me." I went silent hearing his voice. It was so sexy.

"Ash, I'm glad we did what we did earlier, you have no reason to be embarrassed about it. If you hadn't initiated it, I probably would have because you have no idea how much I crave you. If you feel we are moving fast, I completely understand and we can slow down." He explained, making me pout. I didn't want to slow down.

"Ummm.....its just that....I.....I didn't want you to think that I'm only into the physical stuff. Not that I'm not. I love sex but not too much. Oh, God!" I was making a complete fool of myself. He rumbled with laughter.

"I love sex too....preferably with you," He said in a husky voice.

"Stop it," I replied shyly.

"Stop thinking too much about me and get some sleep," I could imagine him smirking.

"You wish, Good Night," I smiled.

"Sweet dreams," I heard the click sound.

The next morning I woke up with a smile on my face thinking about a specific brown-eyed handsome hunk. I got up and jumped into the shower. After a nice hot bath, I was searching for a nice outfit and couldn't find anything. I mentally made a note that I had to go shopping. Finally, I settled on a plain beige top and a black skirt that stopped mid-thigh. I completed my look with a bit of mascara and lipstick, letting my hair in loose waves. I was ready to go. I remembered that I no longer had a ride to college as Emma moved out. I should also buy a cheap second-hand car and it was a good thing I had a job. As I was eating my cereal, I got a call from Jake.

"Good Morning, Jake." I chirped.

"Good Morning to you too. What's with the energy?" he chuckled.

"Shouldn't I be happy to talk to you?" I was playing with my spoon, taking a few bites in between.

"Of course babe. Meet me outside after you are ready "

"Wait...what??" The spoon was hanging from my mouth.

"Shouldn't I give you a ride to college?" he mimicked me. Oh my god! I cut the call immediately and grabbed my stuff before heading out.

"How did you know I needed a ride?" I asked him as I approached the passenger seat.

"Do you think I didn't notice that there is no car in your place? You look gorgeous by the way." He winked

"Well I'm gonna get one soon," I said confidently as my mind was still on what he said. I didn't even have a car and here I am hanging out with a guy with fancy cars. I started to feel insecure.

"I'm driving you anywhere you need from now, okay?" he looked at me for an answer.

"I still need a car, you can't be available all the time, Jake," I replied. I knew he would be busy and he can't be driving me around. I need to be independent.

"Okay but I'm coming with you when you go buy a car." I shook my head, smiling at his response. He was such a kid sometimes.

"Of course." I pulled his cheeks without my knowledge and I pulled back immediately.

"Don't stop, you are so cute." He took my hand and kissed it. I blushed and looked out of the window.

Soon we reached college and said our goodbyes. As I was about to walk past him to go to my classes, he pulled me by my waist and captured my lips. Woah! I was taken by surprise, a pleasant one. I kissed him back losing my self in those gorgeous brown eyes. I forgot we were in college and people were around us. All I could focus on was his lips on mine. I could hear some whistling sound behind, from his friends. I didn't turn and released myself from him. I was scared to meet them. What if they think I'm not good for Jake? What if they think I'm with him for his money? I started to have all these negative thoughts again. I said a quick goodbye not waiting for his reply and ran to my classes like a fool. I embarrassed myself in front of him. I groaned and sat down in my seat.

The rest of the day went by fine. I told Chad about everything and he didn't seem that happy about it and it was weird. I brushed it aside thinking I was reminding him of Tracy, talking about dates and all.

"Do you know anything about his friends?" I asked him as we sat down in the cafeteria.

"As far as I know, they are probably rich too. Their dads are like business partners or something." He said, adjusting his specs.

"Oh god, Chad, I'm never gonna fit in. I will look like a trash bag in front of his friends and he has invited me to an art show this Saturday. I don't even have a dress. I am gonna ruin this," I whined.

"Enough Ash. Have you seen you? You are so hot, period. He should be lucky to have you and trust me if I had seen you before Tracy I would have dated you. Stop with these negative thoughts and be calm. We can go shopping later for a dress if you want." He looked at me and gave me a smile.

"Okay. Thank you, Chad." I sighed and got up to hug him. He hugged me a little longer than expected and we pulled apart. I brushed it as it was probably nothing.

"Ummm...I'll see you tomorrow." He replied and left in a hurry.

"Well, that was weird." I scrunched my eyebrows. I texted Jake letting him know that my classes were over and I'm taking a bus to work. I didn't get a reply and started to leave. The rest of the day was pretty hectic with work at the cafe that I didn't have time to look at my phone. I decided to call Grace through the landline and inform her that I was closing and switched off the lights, just when I was about to close, someone entered.

"Uhhh... We are about to close." I replied to the dark figure. The person didn't seem to move. I sighed and turned to switch on the lights but I was held from behind and my mouth was covered with the person's hand. I realized who it was and relaxed. I tried to take his hands off my mouth and turn around but the person wouldn't move. I started to panic. This wasn't Jake. I smelled a familiar yet terrifying cologne. No no no It can't be. Not here, Not again.

He removed his hand from my mouth and slammed me against the wall and choked me. "You thought you could get away with everything, is it? A new place, new boyfriend. Remember this, you bitch, you are mine and only mine." Tears filled up my eyes and I couldn't breathe. I wanted to die at that moment. I was disgusted with his hands on me.

"I can do more than a prank call to keep that boyfriend of yours away from you. I hope you know what I am capable of," he hissed against my ears and let go of my neck. He ran his eyes all over me, licking his lips.

"I'm watching you. Keep that in mind." He stated and left the shop. I sank on the floor, tears flowing down my cheek.