<b>Chapter </b><b>118 </b>
Since Briar had already agreed to go to the movies with Ashton that evening, she didn’t hesitate at all when he invited her to dinner.
Because of her special status in Qathana, Briar always kept her style low–key and loose. Her mostmon outfit was <b>a </b>id <b>shirt </b><b>with </b>jeans.
That evening, Briar still showed up in front of Ashton in her usual shirt and jeans.
But this time, she swapped the id shirt for a white one and changed her ponytail hair tie.
For the first time ever, she wore a pair of diamond earrings.
The change wasn’t dramatic, but it was enough to draw attention.
Ashton immediately noticed the change in Briar tonight.
His eyes lit up ever so slightly, and he smiled as he opened the car door for her. “You look beautiful today, Briar.”
Briar looked up at Ashton, unflustered. “Thank you. You too.”
Ashton had ditched his usual formal suit today, and even those gold–rimmed sses he wore to look all schrly were gone.
Instead, he was dressed in a set of custom–tailored casual wear that still screamed understated luxury.
He had long legs, a tall build, and an effortlessly aloof, aristocratic vibe.
If Ashton simply nced their way, every girl in the area would be falling head over heels for him.
Ashton was clearly pleased with Briar’spliment. He shed her an absolutely dazzling grin.
Brandon, acting as the driver tonight, had already decided he was just going to be the background.
No matter how shamelessly flirty Ashton got, he was determined to keep his cool.
But honestly, that ridiculously charming smile of Ashton’s almost made him break character.
Luckily, their little exchange ofpliments only happened that once. Once they got in the car, everything went back to normal.
The Wade Group was one of the investors in the movie “The Emperor’s Edict.”
Naturally, the premiere was held at one of their own theaters–thergest cinema in Shoneport, Bright Cinema.
With all the intense promotion beforehand and the huge fanbase of movie star Stephen, Bright Cinema was already swarming with people
during the day.
Fortunately, the theater’s security team was on point, so there was no traffic congestion on the nearby streets.
The people who had been waiting around never expected to see Ashton’s personal car.
As soon as it came into view, the crowd started buzzing with excitement.
The entertainment reporters immediately turned their cameras on the car, snapping photos from every angle.
However, none of them would ever dare to actually run out and block it.
This road only led to Bright Cinema, so Ashton’s car showing up at this time could only mean that he was there as a special guest for the
movie premiere.
People thought, ‘The production team for “The Emperor’s Command” really went all out this time.
‘They even managed to get Ashton to show up.‘
Sitting in the car, Briar nced at the crowd packed so tight outside. “There are so many people here. Are they all here for Stephen<b>?</b>”
Ashton looked out the window, totally unfazed.
He said, “Pretty much. But they won’t get in the way of our dinner. They’ve already cleared out the restaurant for us ahead of time.”
Briar raised an eyebrow. “You actually had the restaurant cleared out with this many people and so much attention outside<b>?</b><b>” </b>
‘Sure enough, when it’s your own restaurant, you really can run things however you like,’ Briar thought to herself.
Ashton just shrugged. The ce they were headed to was always high–end and reservation–only anyway.
The fans outside were all there for their idol. They wouldn’t bother with a meal.
As for the entertainment reporters, there was no way they’d show up. They’d rather camp out at the cinema entrance all day just to get the first scoop.
So the only people Ashton needed to clear out were the rich folks who just came by for dinner with nothing better to do.
When they arrived at the restaurant, it was empty except for the staff.
Ashton led Briar to a table by the window in the main hall. “The view here is great. You can enjoy the scenery while you eat.”
Briar didn’t mind. She figured it didn’t really matter where they sat.
Brandon picked a table way off in a quiet corner and sat down, blending right into the background.
The restaurant staff was all professionally trained. Seeing Ashton showed up, no one dared to ck off.
They served the dishes properly and then quietly retreated.
“We’ve got an hour. That’s plenty of time,” Ashton said as he served Briar a chicken drumstick.
Briar nodded. “Okay. Ashton, you should eat too. You don’t have to fuss over me.”
Ever since she’d discovered Ashton’s “dad vibes” yesterday, every time he pampered her now, it just made her feel like a kid being fussed over by her father.
She couldn’t help but think, ‘This is just way too embarrassing.‘
Ashton said, “Alright, after we finish eating, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Briar shot him a suspicious look, thinking, ‘What could he possibly have to say that he can’t just tell me now? Why wait until we’re done eating?‘
But Ashton had already lowered his head and started eating. Briar waited for a bit, but since he didn’t bring it up again<b>, </b><b>she </b>decided not to push him.
Still preupied with the suspense Ashton had just left her in, Briar couldn’t really focus on her food.
‘<b>Seriously</b>, so annoying. How can this guy keep me in suspense like this<b>?</b>‘ she thought
Finally, once they were both done eating, Briar couldn’t hold back any longer. “Ashton, what did you want to tell <b>me</b><b>? </b>Come <b>on </b><b>spill </b>
But Ashton didn’t say a word. Instead, Brandon quickly got up and left the restaurant.
Briar blinked, a little speechless. ‘What just happened?‘ she wondered.
Eventually, the huge restaurant was empty except for the two of them.
For a moment, Briar thought she actually caught a trace of nervousness on Ashton’s face.
Maybe realizing his reaction was a bit much, Ashton cleared his throat, met Briar’s eyes, and gave a lowugh.
When he spoke again, he was right back to that unhurried, boss–like aura, like he had everything perfectly under control.
“Briar, there’s something I want to ask you about,” Ashton said.
Briar nodded. “Sure, what is it?”
There was still a table between them, but Ashton clearly thought it was in the way.
He stood up, walked around it, and came right up to Briar.
Leaning down just a little, he asked, “Briar, do you have a boyfriend?”
Briar’s eyes widened slightly.
She instinctively sat up straighter from where she’d been lounging in her chair. “Where did thate from?”
Ashton’s voice was low, maic, and just a little bit teasing. “Tell me, Briar. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No…” she answered.
Ashton smiled. “What a coincidence. I don’t have one either.”
Briar was at a loss for words.
‘Coincidence? What are you even getting at? Are you just trying to tell me you’re straight or something?‘ she thought.
Under Briar’s stunned, slightly evasive gaze, Ashton asked again, “So, do you have a girlfriend?”
Briar felt like she was starting to get where he was going with this.
She bit the inside of her cheek, her expression a mix of emotions as she looked up at him. “No. What about you<b>?</b>”
Ashton’s smile reached his eyes. “What a coincidence. I don’t have a girlfriend either.”
Not giving Briar a chance to say anything else/Ashton leaned in even closer, narrowing the space between them until the air practically
crackled.
Before Briar could even think about dodging, Ashton was already a step ahead.
He braced one hand on the back of her chair, boxing her in between himself and the table. There was no escape for her.
“I want to be your boyfriend. Will you give me a shot, Briar?” Ashton said.