NEW ASHANTI MICHAELS
I felt better after the talk with Hunter. He seemed to have triggered my determination because, right now, I know I want to live for myself. I have to put myself first from time to time.
“Oh, are you free tonight?” Hunter asked me.
I gave him a look. “Why?” I asked, pretending to be intrigued.
He chuckled and shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you want to grab dinner together,” he replied.
I smiled at him. Perhaps, if there is someone I have been most grateful of in my life—aside from Mom and Genevieve—it is Hunter Looney.
It was true that I hated him to the bones. Oh yeah, I even wanted to kill him or choke him to death or whatnot. And that’s the reason why I can’t believe that he has this inner alter ego that makes me feel safe whenever I hear his advices.
He has this somewhat invisible force that makes me feel like all the sadness and struggles I am going through are all part of growing up. They’re all part of maturity.
And yes. How could I even forget that he was one of the few people who were there for me whenever I need him?
He was my knight—my knight who will always protect me because I am his damsel in distress. But, of course, I won’t tell him that because the cocky Hunter would come out.
I laughed. “Okay. All on you,” I told him as I stood up to check on the new clothes that arrived today.
He scoffed. “Hey! You are the big time fashion designer here, not me!” he complained as he followed me towards the clothes.
I stuck my tongue at him.
He just smirked. And I laughed. Perhaps, for the past three months, he was always there for me. And I guess, I have known many about him in that span of time—his favorite, his dislikes, his mannerisms, his expressions, everything.
How could I not when he was basically there for me every day? Except when he has schedules of course.
I was smiling as I stared at this tuxedo. It’s the tuxedo that I have designed for Hunter.
I have been designing for Infinite since the fashion show. I have designed their wardrobe for their One Great Step world tour, which was a success, by the way.
However, this tuxedo I am staring at is different. Perhaps, I could say that this one is made by me. Purely me. From the design to the sewing to the ironing.
Maybe I am that thankful to him that I even did this for him.
“Hey, what are you smiling at?” I didn’t even notice him standing next to me already. I mean, when did he get here?
I narrowed my eyes on him.
He returned that look. “What? Why are you looking at me like I asked something illegal?” he asked me innocently.
I chuckled. “Uh…nothing,” I replied. “Just thinking of the time,” I told him.
Hunter looked at his watch. “Shit! I’m late for the practice!” He cursed as he hurried to get his bag at the couch of the office.
I laughed at his cutesy fidgety movements. He was rushing off and it amuses me.
Hunter looked at me as he slung his training bag. “I’ll text you later, okay? Bye!” Then he rushed off.
I chuckled at myself. I have never imagined that I would be this close to Hunter. Actually, I have never imagined myself talking to him for more than fifteen minutes.
But here he is now. Here we are now.
Acting like we are best friends.
Talking to each other almost 24/7.
He checks up on me. I check up on him.
This relationship. Genevieve was even jealous because I spend more time with Hunter than with her. But what can I do? Hunter is always there. And perhaps, he has Chester. And Chester is a friend of Kristoff. And I am not fond of Kristoff. So yeah. I’ll just stay with Hunter and InfiniteX.
Kristoff. This is the first time that I have thought of him within the week. I have not been thinking about him often these days. Yes. Neither him nor Bianca because I believe in Peter Pan.
Think of happy thoughts and you will fly.
I just don’t have time to think of him or of anyone else right now. I am moving on and I am doing this for myself.
Every day of those three months made me realize that Hunter is a hundred percent on point with the words he told me that night.
And it really helped me a lot because I have never felt this relaxed, stress-free and comfortable. Perhaps, now, I am not thinking much of what will happen. I just let it be. And deal with it when it comes to me.
Yes. This made me realize that we should not make problems when there’s no problem.
We should not fix what is not broken.
I breathed in and walked out to look through my staffs. I even had more time for them right now because I am not thinking of things that are non-existent.
“Is there are problem?” Min asked me as soon as she saw me approaching them.
I chuckled and shook my head. “No. Nothing. I just want to check up on you,” I told them.
“Ashanti! You are getting cheesier and cheesier every day!” David yelled from his area, making everyone in the room laugh out loud.
I chuckled at him. “Oh, no, David! You better learn from me so that you can try it on your girlfriend,” I replied, making everyone laugh louder.
Oh. What can I say?
The office just seemed brighter and… livelier. I am thankful for that.
“Want to grab lunch?” Min asked me. She was with the other staffs.
I smiled. “Oh. You can go. Hunter bought some a while ago,” I replied as a no.
Min gave me a look. A meaningful look. “Hunter Looney, huh?” she asked.
I chuckled. “You’re barking at the wrong tree, Min!” I told her.
She laughed. “Oh really?” She raised her brow, still wearing that smile.
I nodded. “Really,” I replied.
Min chuckled. “Okay. I won’t tease you anymore.” She finally said. I scoffed. “But three months have passed and you should know that you have the right to be in another relationship again.” She smiled. “Three month rule.” She whispered as she bid goodbye with other staffs.
I followed her with a look.
Just what is that anyway?
I faced everyone who was still working. “You can have your lunch, guys!” I told them and everyone replied me a loud, “Yes, CEO!”
I chuckled as I walked to my office again because I had some papers left for me to read over when my phone rang.
It was Dad.
I narrowed my eyes on the phone. Why is he calling me now? Did something happen?
Honestly speaking, I have not communicated with any of my family members, except for mom, in the past months. So, this call is definitely a shock for me.
It took about seven rings before I actually picked up. “Hello?” I answered softly.
“Ashanti, are you free tonight? Want to grab dinner with us?” I almost laughed at his question. He was the one who pushed me away and now he is asking me if I am free to have dinner with them tonight?
Yeah, Dad. You’re not in the best luck tonight.
“Uh… Sorry. I have plans tonight,” I replied. “Just enjoy. Bye.” Then I hung up.
Of course why would I stay on the phone too long? He asked if I am free and I am not and I replied to his question and ended it right away.
There’s no need to beat around the bush.
I sighed as I stared at my phone. I sure miss my family. I miss them every single day. But thinking of all the things that happened, I can’t really make myself come back that easily. And maybe if I came back, it wouldn’t be like before.
Because I changed. I am stronger now. I am the new Ashanti Michaels.