Upon the mention of this, Amaia looked frustrated. "Not much progress."
She was usually a carefree and outgoing girl but when it came to the person she liked, she grew shy
and timid.
When she was able to get Johnny's number and WeChat, they would only chat occasionally.
Sometimes they didn't even know what they were talking about.
With the way things were going, their relationship was bound to come to an end soon.
"Ah!" Ashley blinked in puzzlement, "What's going on?"
Amaia said, "The point is, I'm not telling him anything!"
Ashley already knew what it was like to be in Amaia's position. 'Yeah, I know that feeling. Loving
someone and not being able to say it? That hurts.
Thank god I'm not there anymore. I've been there and I'm never going back.'
Ashley rubbed her shoulder to show her sympathy. "That's okay, Amaia. You'll get over this soon.
Do you need help? I can help you tell him."
She thought it was a really good idea that she started to get excited. She hadn't done this before and it
seemed so much fun to do it. She was thrilled.
"Ah!"
Amaia blurted out. "No, no, no! Well, thanks for offering, Ashley, but I don't think that's a good idea.
What if he doesn't like me? That would be so embarrassing!"
Amaia wasn't really like this. She couldn't understand why she was suddenly acting so sheepish and
shy which was quite uncharacteristic of her.
Ashley could tell how much she liked Johnny.
Still, Ashley couldn't understand why someone would like someone like Johnny.
They didn't look like a good match.
They barely saw each other as Johnny was always with Andrew and Amaia was always working.
How could Amaia suddenly like him?
She asked Amaia as soon as she thought of it.
Amaia seemed embarrassed by the question. She leaned over to Ashley and whispered, "Ashley, I may
have told you but please don't tell anyone else."
"Sure. I won't tell anyone," Ashley said, nodding.
"It started when Johnny was here for a meeting with Miss Mo. I was there too and that's when it all
started..."
'Wow, it was that simple, ' Ashley thought to herself.
"So it was love at first sight?" Ashley prompted, sounding surprised.
"Yeah...Ashley, you can't tell anybody about this," Amaia repeated. 'I haven't even told Miss Mo about
it.'
Ashley met Amaia's eyes as she spoke, "Amaia, I have an idea. If you do this, you might get him to like
you back."
"What is it?" Amaia asked, her eyes gleaming.
Ashley paused for a short while before continuing. "So first, you have to talk to him everyday. Just to
show you care about him. Then make sure you bump into him often. You can give him soup or
something to eat. Slowly but surely, you'll be part of his life. What do you think?"
"Sounds good but I can't cook. How's that?"
Amaia never had to cook her entire life. It wasn't like she could suddenly start learning now.
"It's okay. I can cook. I'll teach you," said Ashley.
"That's very nice of you, Ashley. You have to help me though. Help me find out what Johnny's favorite
food is. If everything turns out well, we might be family in the future! Ha-ha! It's going to be so much
fun!"
Ashley didn't know what to say to this. 'Oh, sorry, Amaia. That's not going to happen.'
However, Amaia looked so happy so Ashley just smiled and shrugged. 'I shouldn't tell her for now.'
For now, she had to focus on her new mission. She had to find out what Johnny's favorite food was.
'Oh my god. It wasn't too long ago that I was badgering him for answers too.
I hope he doesn't misunderstand me and think I'm crazy or something.
Meh, I don't care. I need to do this for Amaia.'
When they had finished talking, they made their way back to their department. As Amaia had predicted,
everyone was looking at Ashley.
They were practically ogling over her.
Ashley kept her eyes on anywhere else but her colleagues. She remained silent all throughout.
Amaia, who was beside her, was smiling.
Soon, they started to approach Ashley, "Ashley, you're back?
Here, have the latest perfume from Chanel. Do you like it?"
The woman was suddenly shoved aside by another woman.
"Ashley, I heard that perfume doesn't smell good and everyone's wearing it. Look at this one. This is
the latest edition. This is much better than that other one."
Ashley was at a loss for words.
Her desk soon was surrounded by more and more people.
Even Amaia was displaced from her chair.
Amaia didn't know what to say or do either. 'All right, all right. I know I don't have competition with
Johnny but how else do you think I'm standing all of this?'
Ashley calmly asked, "What-what are you all doing?"
They all couldn't say a word. They paused before continuing, "It's nothing, Ashley. It's just that we've
been working together for a while. These are just small gifts. Just accept it and don't worry about it."
Ashley frowned and said, "But I have nothing to give to you in return."
They must've been all thinking, 'Nothing to give us in return? What about your cousin? He's Mr. Lu's
assistant! That's to say, he is the second most powerful person in this group! I bet he gets paid a lot!
And you say you have nothing to give us in return?'
"Don't worry. You don't have to give us anything in return."
"That's right. These are just small tokens of appreciation."
After another pause, they started to ask about Johnny at the same time.
Ashley didn't know what to say. 'Miss Mo, where are you? I don't know what they'd do if you don't come
back right this minute.'
Miss Mo definitely wouldn't let them do any of these things. The only way they had the freedom to do
these in the first place was because Miss Mo wasn't around.
"Ashley, I can't believe Johnny's your cousin! He's so amazing and handsome!"
"Yeah, Ashley, I admire Johnny too. He's the CEO's right hand. He must be very powerful!"
"Ashley, you're so lucky to have a cousin like Johnny!"
"..."
They were flooding Ashley with comments and questions about Johnny.
Ashley's expression turned cold.
"He's a distant cousin of mine. We don't talk much and we aren't very close," she said plainly.
"How could you not be close? He was so protective of you today. You're definitely on good terms at
least!"
Ashley furrowed her brows.
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