Chapter 11
As the knocking started, Cheryl checked through the peephole. “Yep, it’s Ashley. That scheming woman actually tracked us
down here.
“Yasmine, maybe you should hide?” Cheryl suggested.
Yasmine nodded and ducked into the room.
Once the door closed, Cheryl tousled her hair and stood on tiptoe to cup Hayden’s face. Her red lips met his in a fierce kiss. She shed her jacket, leaving her shirt half–unbuttoned, and swung the door open under Hayden’s shocked gaze.
“What?” Cheryl leaned lazily against the doorframe, her brows furrowed in irritation at the disturbance.
Hayden knew her well after all these years. He draped an arm over her shoulders, hiding his face against her neck. “Babe, did you order takeout?” he mumbled against her skin.
Ashley blinked. Their messy appearance totally screamed they’d been making out. Remembering the camera flash, she frowned, “Did you just take photos?”
“Yep, Cheryl replied cheerfully.
Hayden pinched her waist, warning her to tone it down.
Cheryl gave him a reassuring look, and then narrowed her eyes and demanded, “How do you know I take… private photos with my boyfriend during those moments?” She snapped, “Have you been spying on us with a telescope? I’m calling the police.”
Even Hayden, who knew the truth, was shocked by her sudden shift into a screaming madwoman. She could put any drama queen to shame.
Ashley stepped back and rolled her eyes. “Who are you? Spy on you? As if!”
Cheryl lunged forward and swung at Ashley’s face.
Ashley dodged instinctively, but Cheryl’s long nails still scratched her cheek. “Ow!” she gasped, tears welling up from the sharp pain.
Cheryl grabbed Ashley’s hair. “Stop the nonsense. Where are the photos? Give me those pictures you took.” Her other hand kept pinching Ashley’s waist. “Or I won’t let you off today.”
Ashley screamed and backed away. When she was cornered, she finally pushed Cheryl away. “You crazy hag! Just you wait.” Then she rushed into the fire escape and ran off.
Cheryl chased Ashley down two floors, yelling, “I’m the crazy one? Watch your step, or I’ll show you what real madness looks like.
This wasn’t just empty anger. Unihorizon Group handled all road projects in Beliston. If Cheryl wanted, she could have the road outside Ashley’s house dug up, forcing her to walk through the mud every day.
After swearing a few more times, Cheryl stormed back upstairs, clutching her shirt. Yasmine and Hayden were waiting by the door, clapping when she arrived. “Cheryl, you’re amazing!”
Cheryl suddenly realized Hayden had seen her whole outburst. Her face turned red as she hurried over to grab his arm, whispering, “Hayden, I only did this for Yasmine. This isn’t how I usually act.”
Yasmine couldn’t help laughing.
Ashley rushed downstairs to her car, covering her burning cheeks. She angrily punched the steering wheel. She’d never been treated so badly before.
Suddenly, she froze and looked thoughtfully toward Yasmine’s window. She found the guy with Cheryl seemed familiar.
0
