Back at Rudge's estate,the family and family friends were busy preparing the lunch after getting off church. Others were at the backyard making beef barbecue. Maria was done with setting the table, she then headed to the kitchen to fetch drinks from the fridge. Dorothy was also in the kitchen cutting the fruits and blending others to make juice.
"How thoughtful of you." Maria state as she opened the fridge and took out a jug with cold water.
"Fruits are good for our health." Dorothy said.
Maria smiled then took a glass and poured the water in it.
"I like your outfit better than the one you had in church." Dorothy complimented.
Maria placed the glass in the sink, smiling. She was dressed in a short black flare dress,sky blue long sleeve shirt under the dress, high heeled black boots that reached to her thighs and her blonde hair was nicely combed falling on her shoulders.
Dorothy filled the tray with freshly cut fruits,she was about to put them aside.
"No let me help you with this." Maria offered then took the tray.
"Thank you so much Maria, I'll then blend this ones." Dorothy state as she headed for the blender.
Maria headed for the dinning room with the tray and placed it on the table.
Dorothy was happy the way they were getting along as a family,even though Maria was not her daughter. She just smiled to herself then pressed the button as her other hand was on the lid of the blender.
Meanwhile at the backyard,the boys needed more tongs for turning the meat, so they told Ace to fetch them one or two. He headed into the house through the back door and spotted Maria in the dining.
"Hey." He greeted.
"Hey."
"Um, we need more tongs in the backyard,for the barbeque." Ace explained. " Would you get me some _ please??" He added.
Maria just nodded and headed to the kitchen.
She came back with two of them and gave them to him,then all of a sudden he asked.
"Is she coming?"
" Yeah she'll be here in a few." Maria state then picked her phone to check on the time,then put it back on the table.
"I just gotta ask..."
He then walked around the table and approached her across the other side and stood close to her.
"Are you even sure you're gay_ "
He moved to her left ear. " I mean,you used to like it when i_ made love to you."
Maria slightly pushed him away frowning.
"But now I don't, and I'm one hundo, that I'm a lesbian,and besides you're dating my cousin _ just stop having stupid thoughts!" Maria told him.
"But what if I tell you, I want you back?" He asked with a smirk.
Maria scoffed then walked to him with her arm crossed over her chest and she stared into those blue irises. She was looking up at him since he was fucking tall.
" Oh poor Ace, here's what you don't know about me _ I'm not a toy that you can pick up and throw anytime you feel like it and also you're with my cousin don't you think you will be hurting her_ oh, you don't care!" She state.
" And that's because you just wanna use her for your own body pleasures. Here is the thing Ace I'll never come to you _ oh and for your information Ashley is even more of a man than you." Maria state without breaking eye contact with him.
Ace's smirk faded from the last statement [ Ashley is even more of a man than you]
"So excuse me, I have to make sure the table is set and the boys need you at the backyard," Maria told him then took her phone.
Ace walked towards the door then stopped and turned.
" This conversation is not over yet Maria." He state.
"Whatever." She said still looking at her screen.
***
Ashley got off her bike after parking it at the parking lot. She hanged her helmet on one of the side mirrors,then walked towards the entrance while tying her black hair in a ponytail. She noticed the paparazzi at the doors of the huge hotel,taking photos and asking questions and also being blocked by some bodyguards, while talking to some of the celebs.
[ Thank God I am not a celeb!] She thought to herself. Ashley easily passed through the noisy paparazzi and entered the hotel. She then searched for Anderson with her eyes.
Then he saw a very handsome man, with clear glasses on and rosy thin lips. His black hair almost having a blue sheen to it, just like a raven's feather, was combed backwards and some fell before his right eye. He was dressed in short sleeved white designer shirt showing off his inked arm. He also had nevy blue trousers and black designer shoes and his diamond wrist watch around the wrist of his right arm.
[ Finally found him!] She thought to herself and smiled. Anderson saw her and smiled to.
He placed his phone in his pocket and continued to stand beside the table.
Ashley hurriedly walked to him and hugged him, her hands around his waist and her head on his neckline.
Anderson was flabbergasted by this greeting,his hands were on the side hesitating to hug her back until she said;
"I am happy to see that you're okay Mr. Whitecross." She said meaning every word.
Then that's when he hugged her back. Meanwhile, outside the paparazzi saw them through the clear glass window and they started taking photos.
Some bragged that this is their chance to publish in on the first page of the magazine.