Ashton could not believe what he just heard from Cara. “I’m not lying to you, love, it’s not like that. I can explain.” Cara gently placed her finger on Ashton’s lips.
“You don’t have to do any of that. Just listen to me.” She ordered Ashton. He nodded and she continued. “I love you, Ashton. I love you so much that it pains me that you are someone who I can’t trust. The possibility of you conniving with the traitor is very real given the fact that you actually took me for a ride, making me believe that you love me too.”
Cara and Ashton both began to tear up silently. “You know what the most messed up thing about this is?” Cara paused. “I am sadder about the fact that the love between us is untrue, and I hate it so much that I am stuck with you for life.” Her voice cracked as she wiped her tears. “I’m stuck with the man I love who can’t even love me back for the rest of my life.” She was not able to hold back anymore.
Cara sat up and hugged her knees as she cried some more. Ashton sat up as well and tried to comfort Cara. He is ready to tell Cara the truth. It will easily turn everything back around. “I will find a way to remove the connection between us. The moment you can get out of my life the better.”
Ashton held back. He swallowed hard, thinking about his next move. “She will throw me out the moment she finds out I’ve been keeping up with this act. I can’t lose Cara.” He shook his head as he was thinking of the possibility of not being able to be near the love of his life ever again.
Cara looked in Ashton’s direction and kissed him. “Listen to me every word that I say, Ashton.”
He agreed and waited for Cara’s instructions. “You will forget every intimate moment that we had. You will forget that I ever said I loved you. You will be back to being the arrogant boss you once were to me.” She pushed Ashton away from her and continued. “Now , go back to your room and you will wake up tomorrow and you will never again pretend that you love me. You are free now.” She said in a low voice and turned her back to Ashton.
Ashton picked up his clothes and went back to his room without a word. He wanted to envelop Cara in his arms and show her that what they shared was true, but his current situation was better than nothing at all.
“Knock, knock” Ashton knocked on Cara’s door. “Hey, the sun is up and I don’t want to waste my time here waiting for you. We have a lot to do.” Ashton banged on Cara’s door like he didn’t know Cara had barely slept last night.
Cara’s heavy eyes opened slowly as the tears from last night made them really puffy. “Ugh, I hate myself right now. I am supposed to look happy and confident in front of him, but how?” She lowered her shoulder as she looked at herself in the mirror. “The arrogant CEO is back and I can’t look like this.” she mumbled as she rushed to get dressed.
She chose black high waist pants and a white short-sleeved top with a turtleneck collar. She used a massive designer pair of sunglasses to hide her swollen eyes. She went out of her room and saw Ashton looking frustrated at having to wait for her so long.  
“What’s with the long face, Crafter?” Cara wanted to sound cold to Ashton.
He moved closer to Cara, cornering her against the wall. “Spill it. What have you done to me?” He was straightforward to Cara; Ashton was pushing the truth out of her.
“What the hell, Ashton?” She responded and pushed Ashton away from her. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t have anything on my itinerary!” He raised his voice and moved closer to Cara again.
“What do I have anything to do with your inefficiency?” Cara fired back at Ashton.
“I’m lost. I don’t have anything to do on my schedule. Also, I feel weird right now.” He said with a worried tone in his voice. Ashton moved away from Cara and picked up his phone. “Hello, Barry? What is my schedule for today?”
“Sir, are you alright? Yesterday you called me and told me to move your schedules because you want to spend some time alone with Mrs.” He answered Ashton feeling confused about his question.”Do you want your schedules moved again?” Barry wanted clarification from Ashton.
“Ah, really? No, it’s okay. I think I need a break.” Ashton replied and ended the call. He sat on his bed and placed his hand on his chin. “It really is weird,” he said, and looked at Cara.
“What is it?” Cara’s curiosity kicked in.
Ashton looked at Cara from head to toe. “Well, Barry’s idea is not that bad looking at you right now.” He smirked at Cara. “Where do you want to go today?” He asked Cara.
Cara was caught off guard; she did not plan this ahead. “We are waiting for Theo’s update, so anywhere is fine.” Cara said, thinking if she needs to reset Ashton again.
“Okay.” Ashton stood up and grabbed Cara’s hand as they walked towards the door.
Cara pulled her hand away from Ashton. “What are you doing?” She looked at him with dread in her eyes.
Ashton held his hand towards his body and looked surprised. “I don’t know, it just felt natural for me. I’m sorry.” Ashton apologized sincerely.
“Never mind.” Cara responded again with a cold tone. “Let’s go.” She said and tucked her hands in her pockets.
Ashton drove the car himself. Cara was clueless as to where they were going, but she did not want to argue with Ashton. She wants to assess how much memory Ashton has lost.
“Let’s go get some lunch.” Ashton said briefly. Cara nodded in agreement and kept silent all throughout their journey. She focused her sight outside of the car to avoid meeting Ashton’s eyes.
Ashton took her to a hilltop restaurant. The alfresco dining is one of the best in the city. Ashton rarely visited this place as they have female employees here and he avoided women completely until that day he met Cara.
Cara looked around and could not help herself but admire the simple yet elegant aesthetic of the place. The staff are also attentive to them and she immediately noticed women getting giddy seeing her husband. If it was yesterday, she would have raised her eyebrows to Ashton already, but seeing him smile back at every woman there felt like stabs to her heart.
“I did not know you were such a ladies’ man.” Cara tried to downplay her hurt feelings. She crossed her legs as she grabbed the menu book to read it. She did not even look back in Ashton’s direction.
Ashton laughed at Cara’s comment. “Well, I did not realize you were such an attentive woman.” He winked at her and moved forward. “Don’t worry, you are the only woman for me, for the rest of my life, that is.” He said without even giving it a thought.
Cara squinted her eyes; Ashton was being sweet to her again. She needs to be sure that Ashton’s memories of their relationship are erased. “Oh, please, Ashton. Drop the act.” Cara hoped for a smart reply from Ashton like he used to.
Ashton pouted his lips. “Sorry.” He remained silent for the remainder of the meal. It made them both feel awkward, not knowing what topic to open up. Ashton took a deep sigh and stood up. He badly wanted to light a cigarette while he looked out at the nice view.
Suddenly, Cara stood beside him. Ashton placed the stick in his pocket. He looked at her and felt like it was apt to give her a hint. “Have you ever felt like you have a huge void inside of you?” He asked the confused Cara.
“Huh? Why do you ask?” Cara asked Ashton back.
Ashton blew out his cheeks and answered. “Nothing, never mind.” He answered arrogantly like before.
“Kiss me.” Cara ordered Ashton.