Chapter 148: Tides of Firsts-1
Chem
Damien’s gaze sharpened with quiet amusement as he watched Ashcroft stride away. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he murmured, “He’s done.” He lifted his glass, taking a slow sip of water.
Maya blinked, curious. “What do you mean… he’s done?”
Dahlia’s lips curved into a knowing smile, her tone casual but edged with insight. “It seems Nicholas has finally met his match.”
Ashcroft’s footsteps echoed down the marble corridor, his mind still tangled in the chaos Harper
had left behind. He’d told them he was heading to the washroom-but his feet had other plans-
and before he knew it, he was standing in front of the resort’s souvenir shop.
He exhaled, jaw tight. Perfect. Of all places.
Harper’s voice replayed in his head, bright and bubbly through the phone-“Don’t forget my
souvenirs, okay? Love you!”-and something in his chest twisted.
Love you? he thought dryly. What if she was saying that to me? The idea made him snort under his
breath. Heck no. Love you? Too damn cheesy. The thought alone gave him goosebumps. He shook
it off, muttering under his breath.
That woman. She didn’t even bother asking about him. Not one question. Not after what happened
last night-the heat, the silence, the way her breath caught when he leaned too close in that cave.
He could still feel the warmth of her skin, still hear her soft voice whispering his name like she
wasn’t supposed to. And then-just like that-she switched. Back to that sunshine-filled, bubbly
self, like none of it ever happened.
His jaw flexed, a muscle ticking. Magnets and teddy bears. That’s what gets her excited. Not… me.
Never me.
He scoffed, turned as if to leave-then stopped. Before he could even think, his feet carried him. forward and through the door.
The shop’s air-conditioning hit him, sharp and cool. A young staff member behind the counter brightened immediately. “Good morning, sir! Welcome! Looking for something in particular?”
Ashcroft slid his hands into his pockets, his tone flat but steady. “Yeah. Give me one of each magnet you’ve got.”
The staff blinked. “All of them, sir?”
He nodded once. “Every damn one.”
OO 15
OGO
|||
O
Chapter 148 Tides of Firsts-1
Claim
“Um… sir,” she hesitated, glancing toward the backroom, “it’s just that-we only have what’s on
display right now. The rest of the stock isn’t here yet. Deliveries are scheduled for tonight since the
resort isn’t fully open yet.”
Before he could respond, movement outside caught his attention. The floor manager happened to
pass by, noticed him inside, and immediately stepped in with a polite bow.
“Mr. Ashcroft, sir-good morning.”
Ashcroft’s gaze shifted toward him, cool and steady. “Your staff says your delivery hasn’t come in
yet.”
The manager straightened quickly, his polite smile tightening. “Ah, yes, sir. The first batch was only for staging-the full inventory isn’t scheduled to arrive until tonight.”
Ashcroft gave a slow, measured nod. “That’s fine. I want to buy all the magnets you currently have on display. You can restock once the next shipment comes in, yes?”
The manager hesitated, his fingers brushing the back of his neck. “Ahh… well-uhm-yes, of course, sir! Of course.” He turned to the sales associate, voice brisk. “Go ahead and pack everything Mr.
Ashcroft requested. Quickly now.”
As the staff started pulling the magnets from the racks, his gaze fell on a purple teddy bear sitting on the top shelf-soft, ridiculous, bright as her personality.
“I want that too,” he said, pointing toward it.
The manager hesitated. “Umm… sir, that one’s actually not for-”
Ashcroft’s stare shifted to him-cold, sharp, unblinking.
The manager swallowed hard, sweat beading at his temple. “-f-for sale, but of course, yes! We’ll have it packed right away.” Then he quickly turned to the nearest staff, voice an octave higher than
usual. “Take that one down too and wrap it up. Quickly!”
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.