The crowd which gathered around was perplexed, but I could anticipate Ashton’s next move.
He held on to Rachel, but his gaze was on me, cold and with disappointment.
“Ms. Fuller…” Rachel looked at him in bewilderment. The woeful look in her eyes could melt most hearts.
“This is yours, so wear it,” Ashton indulgently insisted in his deep, mellow voice. He put the bracelet on Rachel’s wrist, held on to her hand, and spoke tenderly, “This is a gift for you, so it’s yours. You don’t have to remove it if you don’t wish to.”
Rachel was caught off-guard by Ashton’s loving behavior. Her anger dissipated immediately, and she blushed girlishly. She was overjoyed.
“Ashton Fuller, you…” Nora was speechless with anger.
Armond, who had been quietly setting up the grill, walked over and pulled her away. “Don’t you want to watch the stars tonight? If you delay any further and it starts to rain, then all you get to watch will be cloud and lightning.” He took the knife from her and handed it to me. “Solve your own problem,” he solemnly uttered.
Me? What?
I looked around and felt everyone seemed to think I instigated Nora to create this scene. I wanted to defend myself, but on second thought, I kept my peace. I will only come across as being guilty if I try to defend myself.
I looked at Ashton blankly. Rachel arrogantly gave me the eye, showing off her bracelet triumphantly.
I pursed my lips, kept quiet, and went back to cut the remaining vegetables.
Everyone also resumed what they were doing. with the earlier incident weighing on their mind.
Laurel finished washing her vegetables and brought them to me. “Scarlett, did you not told us you are married? How did you get into this entanglement with Mr. Fuller?” she whispered.
She stole a glance at Armond and Nora. “Also, I always thought Armond was interested in you. When did he become so close to Nora? What has happened?” she probed.
Her curiosity amused me. “You bombarded me with so many questions. Which am I supposed to answer first?” I jested.
She thought about it and decided, “First, tell me, what is your relationship with Ashton Fuller?”
“Yes! Yes! I noticed the way he gazed at you was different. Don’t tell me you were once lovers!” Tabitha poked her head over for gossips.
Indeed, women can never resist juicy gossips.
“Lover, my foot. She is his legitimate wife. That man has been bewitched!” Nora joined us, still fuming with anger.
“What? You are Ashton Fuller’s wife?” the two girls exclaimed, wide-eyed.
“Ex-wife. We are divorced.” I stopped whatever I was doing and corrected them. I was worried more misunderstandings will arise if I don’t.
“B*llsh*t. You initiated the divorce, but Ashton has not agreed to it yet,” Nora countered.
“So, how are you related now? And what is with Ms. Zimmer?” Tabitha grimaced.
“That’s right, the three of you have such complex relationships. How awkward for an ex-wife to meet up with the current girlfriend. At first, I thought they were a couple, so sharing a tent seems normal. Scarlett, you must be so ill at ease with them spending the night together,” Laurel added.
“Not to worry, I am not bothered. It is actually quite nice to see them together,” I replied, unconcerned.
“My gosh! You drove away such a catch! Are you out of your mind, Scarlett?”
“I agree!”
Tabitha and Laurel chipped in animatedly, and they seemed astounded.
“You would be the ones out of your mind if you decide to continue with this gossip. It may start to rain and this beautiful starry night will turn into a cold rainy night instead,” I interrupted them.
“Don’t worry, I checked the weather forecast. No rain expected,” Nora declared confidently.
“Well, you never know. These are ready. Start grilling them.” I thrust the cut potatoes and vegetables into her hands and hurried her on.
Tabitha was called away by her fiancé. Laurel stooped next to me and continued her tattle. “I heard Ashton’s company is based in K City, so you came from K City too, right?. You have always said you lived in A City, so I thought you were from there. I’m curious, did you two break up because of Rachel?”
“Very often, a couple breaks up due to personal differences, not because of a third party.” I shook my head and continued skewering the cut potatoes.
