ASHLEY

The paintbrush slips from my hand, hitting the floor and splattering paint across the polished floor.

I jerk my head around to face her. My mum and my dad are standing a few metres away from me, staring and smiling.

I know that expression all too well. It is the same 'smiling with just the mouth and not the eyes' expression they had given me a dozen times before. They are guilty of something... again.

I clear my throat, the sound louder than intended. "What are you talking about? You... you guys are travelling again, aren't you?"

It was the only time they would tell me to spend a long time at Caleb's mansion.

They glance at each other, my mother pouting, before turning back to me. They could have communicated a whole lot just with that one look.

"To Rome, honey," my mum responds, her voice soft, almost apologetic.

I raked a hand through my hair, the curls falling messily over my shoulders. "How long this time?"

My mum keeps quiet, sighing slightly. My dad then looks at me, his gaze softening. "Just three months, dear."

Great!

Each time they came home, it was never more than two months before they went on another flight and ship me off to Caleb's. And I was never to ride alongside them, all because of business protocol.

We had never even had a family vacation as much as their couple vacations. It was just once, and I could barely recall it because it happened when I was still below 12 years.

Except this time... this time I am old enough to stay home on my own.

"I can just stay home until you guys return," I say, confident that it was a finalised deal.

"No! You can't," my mum quickly retorts, the words coming out before she can think about it or consider it.

Her gaze is more serious now.

I furrow my brows, rising from the small wooden stool I had always used for support when painting.

"Why? I'm twenty-one."

"Yes," Dad says, his shoulders tightening. "But you're probably gonna burn down the house again. Last time was luck and we didn't even travel; it was a one day stay away from home."

A faint smile dragged on his lips as his gaze was fixed on me. He was remembering five months ago when I'd tried to prepare some chicken casserole for dinner.

He had called it a chemical experiment that had failed.

Mum nudges his arm with her elbow, then faces me, her smile a little wider than before. "Just think of it as a summer vacation, honey," she cajoled. "Three months of fun in another country. Wouldn't it be great?"

I pause, staring at both of them. My mouth flattens. I can't even look at their smile without feeling the sting of disappointment.

"I can't try to change your minds again, can I?"

My mum smoothens my curly hair, then blows a kiss in the air to me. "You'll love Spain, honey."

They turn and leave the room, muttering some words I can't understand.

I slump back on the stool, sighing audibly. If I was staying at Caleb's family mansion here, it would be okay, but no. It had to be in Spain-a country I was an alien in.

I knew he was going for holiday in Spain and that was why I had agreed to go to a club with him before he left. But now, we will be together for the long ride.

And just like that, I can't avoid him again. Or maybe I still can.

~~~~

I sit on my bed, reading a book while I wait for my parents to return from work.

"I've finally seen you, Ash," a familiar voice says calmly. I raise my head to see Caleb leaning against my doorframe, his hands folded below his chest.

He looks too happy; his brown wavy hair hanging messily near his eyes. It's like he is just returning from a party-and definitely not a normal party.

"Caleb... how did you get in?" I ask, furrowing my brows. For some reason, I'm not as excited to see him here.

"I'm your parents favourite. I simply asked for a spare key to the house today and they gave it to me."

I sighed silently. Wow. Just wow.

I turn my gaze back to the book resting on my thighs. "Why are you here this late?"

Caleb moves away from the doorframe and steps into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

"Your parents called me about thirty minutes ago because your phone was off," he responds. They wanted me to let you know that they'll be home late today."

I had turned off my phone earlier today because of Caleb's constant calls.

I look up at him again, my face stiff. He is looking intently at me, a small, faint smile appearing on his face.

I roll my eyes, flipping through the pages of the book. "Thank you for the information. You can go."

But like a stubborn fly, Caleb doesn't leave. Instead he walks to my bedside and sits beside me.

"Come on, Ash," he says, his voice dropping to that low enticing sound that makes me want to pull him in for a kiss whenever he's near me. "What exactly did I do wrong? You've been avoiding me for weeks."

I do not respond to him. My gaze is still fixed on the page of the book I'm reading.

Caleb grasps the book from my hand, closes it and keeps it on the floor beside him. My gaze immediately darts to him, and I'm ready to tell at him for doing such a childish act but I stop myself.

His annoyingly handsome victim face holds me in place.

"I'm not avoiding you. I have an art project to submit by the end of summer, remember? I also don't like last minute tasks."

"But we still have three months until then."

I try to stand up, needing to put some space between us, despite the fact that I am desperate to get closer to his warm body. But Caleb pulls my hand hard, causing me to fall against his chest.

His brown eyes are fixed on me, his smile disappearing. I feel my cheeks begin to heat up and my heart pound.

"Are you upset with me?" He asks, pulling stands of my curly hair behind my ear. "Or are you just upset that I didn't protect you when Mirabel was talking about you being a virgin?"

That question throws me off guard. But then again, I shake my head slowly, wanting to know what he'll say next.

"I don't know."

"I can't let a small misunderstanding drift us apart, Ash. If it's because you feel ashamed to be called a virgin, I am here to help you out. Always.

My breath hitch. Help me out. What does he mean by that? Can it be what I've always imagined for three years?

"What are you saying?"

"Don't you want to experience your first sex? I'll help you."

"Help...me out?" I repeat, my voice suddenly low. "You... and me? Really?"

ASHLEY

I swallow hard, my cheeks flushing red. My hands are resting on Caleb's warm chest muscle.

"Yes. Definitely you and I," he says, his smile sheepish. "If you want, it can happen now. I can quickly call up Josh for you while I have my share of fun with Mirabel.

My face quickly stiffens and the burning sensation I feel on my cheeks becomes cold. My heart squeezes a little as I remain frozen, staring at Caleb.

"Josh?"

He nods.

"Yea. Josh Rim. I know you have a crush on him since you always gaze at him during his soccer practice."

Josh? I only ever looked at him because he knew about my crush on Caleb and always threatened to tell him if I didn't do his hard tasks.

I pull my hands away from Caleb's body so fast I nearly trip over on my own feet. I sigh, walking over to the door and opening it ajar.

"Get out," I say, my voice a low whisper. "Now, Caleb."

Caleb blinks, those dark, enticing eyes widening in genuine confusion. I hate him. I hate how much of a goofball he is.

He stands up slowly and approaches me. "Whoa, Ash. What's wrong again? I thought you'd be happy. I'm giving you a chance to experience how good it is with the hottest guy in college."

That does it.

I drag his hand and shove him out of my bedroom, my expression blunt.

"Just leave, Caleb. Find someone else... probably Mirabel to follow you to Spain. Just leave me alone."

I slam the door shut, the sound echoing in the quiet space. I lock the door quickly before he can find his way in again.

"Ash, please don't do this," he pleads, knocking gently by continuously on my door. "Come with me to Spain, please."

"Leave, Caleb."

His voice softens, almost desperate. "I can't pick Mirabel over you. I also don't know Spain much, Ashely. I need you to be with me there, please. It won't be lively without you there."

I stand by the door, listening to his every desperate word. He doesn't notice me, no matter how much I try. Yet... I give in to his needs all the time.

I swallow the lump in my throat, ready to tell him a firm 'no.' Ready to tell him that he can't need me when he isn't ready to understand my feelings.

"Please, Ash. I need you there with me. Only you. Please."

Gosh!

Those words. Words that can destroy a dozen years of resistance I learnt.

I hate how his words can still make me cave. I hate how he still has a large part of my heart and mind.

And just like that, I cave.

I don't know if he's sincere with his words, but I still give in like a desperate puppy. Because I'm a hopeless romantic and a coward.

Because I can't deny that I love him. I always love him.

I exhale silently. "I'll come with you," I say. "But this is the last time I will come to you just because you need me to pass time." As I say it, I know it's a lie.

"Sure. See you in three weeks."

I can feel his childish excitement from outside the door.

"Yea. Just leave now."

I hear his footsteps barrelling down the stairs, then everywhere suddenly goes quiet.

I ruffle my curly hair. I am really going with him. Three weeks in Spain might just be the thing that brings us together finally.

~~~~

{Three weeks Later}

I look out the window of the sleek black Sedan taking us to our destination.

I keep my gaze fixed on the Retiro Park and the beautiful Crystal palace of Madrid, trying to ignore the obvious tapping of Caleb's thumbs against his phone screen.

He has talked to me only once since our flight landed in Spain. He is immersed in his own world, a small smile playing on his lips every time his phone buzzes with a new notification.

I am starting to hate myself for coming. But I'm the only one that can stay by his side whenever he's dealing with his family's complex moods. And I know that's why he needs me to come with him.

The car slows, turning into a long driveway lined with long trees. At the end of the path sits the mansion-an estate that looks like a home of presidents.

It is my first time here and it's definitely not disappointing.

As the car halts,Caleb finally shoves his phone into his pants pocket. He looks at me, his eyes bright with that lopsided grin that always manages to make me forget I'm ever upset with him.

"Come on, Ash," he says, getting down from the car.

He walks over to my side, opens the car door and takes me by the hand, leading me out of the car. His warm hand slides against mine gently, his grip gentle and firm.

My heart does a risky somersault as I glance down at our hands pressing against each other. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe this holiday might really bring us together.

I let him lead me towards the large glass door as the driver carries our luggages, following behind.

We step onto the grand foyer. The floors are cool coloured marble. We walk further, heading for the spacious living room.

But as we reach the living room, Caleb suddenly jerks his hand away from mine.

It is so abrupt that I almost stumble. He freezes in place, his body rigid. My eyes follow his gaze to the center of the room.

Standing by a cream armchair, grinning from ear to ear is an elegant girl. She is wearing a silk body hug mini dress, her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders.

"Caleb," she says, her voice smooth, carrying a faint accent I recognize as belonging to the Spanish tongue. "I heard you will be coming today, so I waited here for hours."

Caleb's face turns a ghostly shade of pale, before he finally blinks and moves an inch away from his position.

He turns to me, still dazed. "Ash, go upstairs and choose any room for yourself. I'll be there soon."

I remain there, but with the tension and intense gazing between the both of them, I eventually head upstairs.

The hallway is deeply silent, lined with glass doors equally on the left and right. My footsteps are muffled as I walk past the rooms, my eyes darting towards each one.

There are up to seven rooms on this floor. I don't stop until I reach the second to last room on the left. I push the door open, step inside and shut the door behind me.

I finally let out a breath I felt I have been holding since I entered the living room. My mind instantly drifts to the unknown girl that chose to appear from wherever at a time like this.

The way Caleb had retreated and went rigid tells me everything. They definitely have a past together.

And so help me, if it's an intimate past, I'll book the next flight to Australia and start a new life there where Caleb wouldn't be able to find me.

Wanting to distract myself from his tragic Spanish romance, I start surveying the walls in the room. Rather than a feminine like space or nothing at all, I find the walls covered in basketball posters.

I walk closer, my eyes landing on a poster of LeBron James mid-dunk, Stephen Curry scoring a three pointer without looking at the net, and a picture of Bulls Team players.

It feels intensely personal. Someone... stays in this room. But before I can come to realize....

"How did you get in here?"

The voice, thick, carrying a soft charming tone echoes in the room.

I whip my head around, my eyes instantly landing on a guy.

He looks like a charming but rogue version of Caleb. His shoulders are broader, his jawline sharp.

And so help me God, I can faint from his grey piercing eyes fixed intensely on me and his wet muscular naked body-except a towel wrapped from his waist down.

"I'm with Caleb," I say, my voice firm, yet, my heart nearly pounding out of my chest. "You are?"

"Jeremías Cruz," he states firmly. "His stepbrother. And the one who actually likes his privacy."