Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

I shook my head. He was really good at coming up with excuses, ones that people would believe. "I am-"

"Ash Cassius Coleman," my mom interrupted his introduction. "You don't need to introduce yourself."

Ash smiled awkwardly before scratching the back of his neck. His mouth opened and closed as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the courage.

"I know you don't know me, but I used to work for your family," my mom said firmly, shocking me. "Honestly, I don't ever want to see any of you again, but here you are."

I know that my mom didn't like Ash in the first place, but I wasn't expecting her to be this rude. She wasn't like this with Mason, so why was she so harsh with Ash now? More questions filled my mind, making everything even weirder.

"You handled my case, helped with my daughter's incident, and even paid our hospital bills," my mom continued, making me shocked, and Ash, too.

He was probably shocked that she knew, but I was surprised because I didn't know Ash had already paid for the bills.

"I don't want my daughter to owe anything to your family, so I'll pay it back however I can," my mom said in a cold, harsh tone. "Your family is worthless, and so are men like you. Stay away from my daughter." "Mom-"

"Shut up, Sapphire. You're not a part of the conversation," she said, glaring at me.

I saw a hint of pain in Ash's eyes. He wasn't used to being treated this way, but even so, he didn't argue with my mom. He didn't show any anger-no clenched jaw or fists.

At that moment, I felt guilty. Had I misjudged him?

"Ash-"

"I'll be going now." Ash bowed before smiling. "I'm hoping for your fast recovery."

Those were his last words, and then the soft sound of the door closing echoed in the room.

"Jade," my mom called authoritatively as I stared at the door.

"Mom, you were really rude. He was just being nice," I couldn't help telling her.

Seeing Ash in pain broke my heart, and I didn't even know why.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I moved to open the door, but my mom called me again.

"Come back here!" she shouted, her fist clenched.

But for the first time in my life, I didn't follow her. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'll be back soon."

I left the hospital room, looking for the man who had just confused my heart and mind.

Now was the time for me to save Ash from sadness, just as he had saved me so many times before.

In front of the hospital, I found Ash sitting on a bench while smoking his cigarette. He was staring into space, sighing from time to time.

He didn't even notice me standing right next to him. I shook my head.

"Ash," I called, but it seemed like he didn't hear me.

Instead, Ash exhaled the smoke, and I coughed because of it. That made Ash notice me, his eyes widening in terror as he tossed the cigarette on the ground. "What are you doing here?" he asked me in a low tone, avoiding eye contact.

It seems like he was embarrassed that I caught him smoking.

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"I don't know," I answered as I sat down next to him.

"Maybe you missed me," he teased with a wink before returning to staring into the void.

I sighed. I don't know if it was adrenaline, but something inside me told me I should comfort him for whatever reason.

"Maybe I should've let you sit here alone," I told him, rolling my eyes as I focused my attention elsewhere.

People were busy. Some were rushing to catch a bus, others seemed to be on dates, holding hands, and some were just walking around, seemingly aimless.

From our vantage point, it was easy to see everyone's struggles. Some frowned while talking on the phone, others walked in a daze.

No matter how beautiful the world looked, everyone had their own battles to fight. It's all about how well you hide it.

Just like Ash.

A few seconds later, I broke the silence. "I wanted to apologize for what my mother said earlier."

"You don't need to apologize," he said, glancing at me. "Everything she said was true."

I sighed, staring up at the sky. I didn't know why I suddenly cared about him, but I knew whatever my mom said, he didn't deserve to hear it. She should've treated him better.

He hadn't done anything wrong to us to deserve such harsh words.

If it was because of Ash's father, he shouldn't be punished for his father's mistakes.

"Ash..."

"Sapphire, I appreciate what you're doing, but... I need to be alone," he muttered.

"It doesn't feel like it," I answered as I held his chin, stopping him from turning away. "This isn't the Ash I know."

He wasn't the type to be easily discouraged by harsh words. I've said worse things to him, which was much worse than my mother's statements.

"Why are you so affected by those remarks?"

That's what I was really curious about.

"Because it's your mom," he replied, and my eyes widened. My grip on his chin loosened, but he quickly took my hand. "I want her to like me, too. After all, I meant what I said. I want to make sure she's okay." Something I realized is... Like everyone else, he had his own problems. He felt pain and sadness too. No amount of money could shield you from the hurtful things people say.

"It's okay. We're not born to make everyone like us, anyway," I told him.

I hadn't realized I was lightly stroking his hand as I said that. Aside from my mom, this was the first time I cared for someone.

"Stop. You're making me fall harder for you," he said before letting go of my hand.

I chuckled. His ears were turning red, and I found it cute. I couldn't believe there would come a time when I'd think he was a nice guy.

"You're telling me you're not a good girl, but you are," he said in a low tone.

"And you're not a bad guy either."

I didn't say that just to compliment him back, but because it's the truth. He hides his kindness behind his mischievousness-something I wasn't able to see before because of my anger. But now... I can see his true colors.

He was about to reply, but I quickly stood up when Ash pulled me to run outside the hospital... And I didn't know why I followed him.

I also feel something strange within my stomach. This... is the butterflies that people who are in love talk about.

And I never thought I'd feel that in this unexpected moment, with the most unexpected person by my side.