A Love Trap

Andrew walked towards Ashley with the antiseptic and some bandages. He told Ashley to raise her hand which she immediately
obeyed.
Andrew rolled some cotton and dampened it with alcohol. He then dabbed it on Ashley's wounds gently.
"Hiss." Ashley let out a sound of distress as her wound bubbled. The pain surged from her hand as the alcohol disinfected it.
Ashley shivered as she tried to tolerate the agony.
Andrew was stunned by Ashley's painful reaction. He frowned and stared at Ashley's hand. He felt sorry about the pain she felt.
"Hang in there. It will be over soon." Andrew lowered his head and whispered to Ashley's ear. It was out of character for him to
say such words but he really wanted Ashley to calm down.
The awkwardness in his voice must be because of the fact that he had never said such warm words to anyone.
Ashley was surprised by Andrew's heartfelt attempt to comfort her. Her eyes widened because she never expected Andrew to
use such tender gestures.
Ashley stared at Andrew as he wiped her wounds. She noticed that his ears reddened and his hands slightly shook as he tended
Ashley's wounds.
Ashley was dazed when she realized how Andrew cared for her. She felt conflicted about her emotions as she looked at
Andrew's face. Ashley saw the pain in Andrew's face. She was the one who had a wound but Andrew looked to be more in
agony as he stared at Ashley's hand.
She felt relieved when she saw how Andrew watched out for her safety. Andrew had already sterilized her wounds so he
grabbed an ointment from the medical kit.
Andrew spread the white medical cream around Ashley's wound. The coolness from the cream lessened her pain and made her
more comfortable.
Andrew reached for the bandage to wrap Ashley's wounds. However, when Ashley saw what he was about to do, she stopped
him and said,"I don't think a bandage would be necessary. The wound cannot be covered by it."
Ashley thought that her hand was ugly enough without a bandage. It would look even worse and inconvenient if he put a
bandage on her hand.

Andrew was frozen because he didn't know how to put a bandage to the wound. He then decided to follow Ashley's request and
return the bandage to the medical box.
"Andrew, tell me, will my hand be scarred?" Ashley inquired with a sorry face. She frowned as she stared at the back of her hand
which was inflamed. She then raised her head and looked at Andrew. Her eyes were filled with misery and pain.
Ashley felt really terrible about the wound in the back of her hand. She feared that it would be hard for it to heal especially in
summer. Girls always cared about their physical appearances. Ashley was no exception. She was scared that the wound might
leave a horrible scar in the back of her hand.
Andrew saw the sorrow in Ashley's eyes. He realized the anxiety that Ashley had. He felt sorry and looked away from her. His
voice was soft and gentle when he assured her. "Don't worry. It won't leave a scar."
Andrew was determined to make sure a scar wouldn't be left.
He would provide the best doctor along with the best medicine just for her. He would dedicate all of his assets just to ensure that
no scar would be left on Ashley's delicate hand.
"But what if there is a scar?" Ashley worried. She looked at her slender, delicate fingers. It would be a great disappointment for a
pretty hand like hers to be scarred. Even her beauty would be negatively affected.
Andrew also became worried. His eyes fixated on Ashley and her hand. He then looked into Ashley's eyes and said dearly,"I will
still treat you the same, even if there is a scar."
Andrew's warm words made Ashley stand up in shock and amazement. Ashley was overwhelmed by Andrew's sudden
confession.
Ashley's face blushed with shyness. Her cheeks became rosy red.
She then sat down again in her chair and shifted her gaze towards the four dishes and soup on their table. She was amazed at
how the food looked so delicious. Ashley raised her head and looked at Andrew with eyes filled with joy and excitement.
'It is near impossible to find a man who can cook delicious meals and more importantly, earn a lot of money. It's hard to believe
that someone like Andrew would be with me right now.
Destiny sure is unfair. Andrew is very lucky to be born with not only a handsome face and decent status but also great skills in
the kitchen.

'Hmm.' Ashley still couldn't believe that a perfect man like Andrew would be together with her. A smile escaped her lips as she
felt incredibly pleased about their relationship.
Andrew noticed that Ashley was no longer gloomy. His face became lively when he saw Ashley's smile. "The food is getting cold.
You should eat something," he chuckled.
"Okay," answered Ashley. She was delighted with how the food looked delectable. She picked up a dish and put it into Andrew's
bowl. "We should eat together!" said Ashley with a wide smile.
She took a bite of the dish and partnered it with rice. The flavor melted in her mouth. She mumbled,"Andrew, this is very
delicious!"
Andrew couldn't help but smile when Ashley praised him. He looked at her with romantic excitement. His hands reached out to
her head, rubbed it sweetly and said with a warm voice,"Eat as much as you can."
Ashley nodded her head as she took another bite. Andrew made this delicious meal just for her. She would definitely finish it
delightfully.
Ashley was very delighted with the food that she was able to finish three bowls of rice. They were able to eat all of the food that
Andrew cooked.
A lazy burp came out of Ashley's mouth when she finished. She rubbed her stomach with both hands and muttered drowsily,"I'm
so full."
Ashley suddenly realized that Andrew was with her all this time. She covered her mouth and straightened herself as she blushed
due to embarrassment. 'Oh no, will he think that I'm an improper lady because I ate too much? He must think that I'm a glutton!'
Ashley thought in panic.
Ashley gave a fake cough and tried to defend her recent actions to Andrew. "I don't usually eat this much. It is just that you
troubled yourself to cook this amazing meal and it would be a waste not to finish it,"
Andrew smirked upon Ashley's excuses. He said sweetly,"Yeah, I understand. By the way, even if you are a foodie, I can afford
all the food you want."
'This guy is such a sweet talker. He compliments a woman so naturally. Am I really the first girl he has ever had a relationship
with?'

thought Ashley. She stared at Andrew with questions in her mind.
"What's wrong?" Andrew noticed Ashley's confused look so he asked her.
Ashley stared at Andrew's eyes and said,"Can I ask you a question?"
Andrew nodded so that Ashley could proceed with her query.
"Am I really the first girl you've ever had?"
"Yes, you are. What's the matter?" Andrew answered Ashley but he was confused about why she asked such a question.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just curious." Ashley replied as she waved her hand to dismiss Andrew's worries.
After a short rest, Ashley said,"I'll clear this up first." She stood up from her seat and tried to get some dirty plates. She wanted to
clean up the table since Andrew cooked the meal.
However, Andrew immediately grabbed the plates and instructed Ashley to sit back down.
Ashley looked at Andrew with confused eyes and asked,"What's wrong?"
"Your hand is still hurt. I'll clear up the table while you take some rest."
Andrew replied with care in his tone. Ashley had almost forgotten about the wound in the back of her hand. It was only after
Andrew reminded her that she realized that her hand was hurt.
Andrew grabbed the dirty dishes and put them away in the kitchen sink. He cleaned the table while Ashley rested in the couch.
Ashley's mind wandered as she stared at Andrew's figure in the kitchen. She suddenly felt that the relationship between the two
of them could work out.
However, Andrew was at the kitchen with a frown on his face. He felt disgusted at the dirty task that awaited him.
Andrew had never imagined that he would do something like this. He would usually just grab his pen, sign a document and then
earn millions of bills every minute. This menial task was way below his social status.
Andrew paused for a while and calmed down. He then reached for a plate and tried to wash it in the sink.

Ashley sat comfortably on the sofa. Her attention from the television was suddenly shifted to the kitchen as a loud "bang" echoed
in her ears. Her surprise made her quiver and fearful of what might have happened to Andrew.
'I hope he's alright.' Ashley prayed in her mind.
Ashley immediately turned the television off and rushed towards the kitchen. She then saw Andrew beside the sink. He stood
there silently as Ashley noticed the shattered pieces of a broken dish around Andrew's feet.
"Andrew, what ..." Ashley was about to ask Andrew what had happened but she held her voice instead.