Save Myself from Desperation

It took Bryce almost a minute to recover from his shock. His eyes were fixed intently on Ashley, his face filled with disbelief. “Ashley, you can’t be serious? You're Ash? Stop kidding around!”

Ashley raised her eyebrow and found his reaction somewhat amusing. “Why would | joke about this?” Still in a daze, Bryce glanced at Laura and then back at Ashley.

Finally, he pinched the flesh on his arm.

‘Damn, it hurt!’ He thought.

That wasn't an illusion!

No wonder the style of these three songs seemed like Ash’s..

No wonder Ashley could write two songs in just 15 minutes.

No wonder, during that reality show, when Ashley played “The Land,” it was identical to Ash’s performance. All of it made sense now.

It turned out that Ashley was Ash!

Both excited and restless, Bryce began to pace around Ashley in circles.

Ashley felt dizzy as Bryce spun her around. “Are you okay?” She asked.

Laura grabbed Bryce firmly. “Calm down!”

Finally, Bryce stopped. Trembling, he reached out to touch Ashley’s arm.

Ashley instinctively pulled away. “What are you doing?”

“I'm just touching the legend, Ash!” Bryce exclaimed.

Ashley was speechless.

The legend?

She was still young!

Bryce was overwhelmed with excitement. “Ashley, do you know what Ash means to musicians? She’s like a legend! Let me touch your arm, just for a second!”

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Ashley remained silent.

Laura suddenly reached out and touched her as she stood there, lost for words.

Ashley looked puzzled.

“| just wanted to touch you too,” Laura explained.

Ashley didn’t know what to say.

By now, Bryce had processed the shocking news. Smirking, he said, “Ashley, you're really something for a minor celebrity. Oh my, | just asked Ash to write songs for me... It was totally worth it!”

Used to their banter, Ashley didn’t hold back. She raised her eyebrow and replied playfully, “Glad you know it.” Suddenly, Bryce leaned in. “Besides composing, how about you do the arrangement for me too?”

Ashley smiled with her eyes squinted, “Sure, just dance a pole dance for me, and I'll arrange it for free.” Bryce remained silent upon hearing this.

It looked like she couldn't get over pole dancing.

Ashley was too obsessed with it!

As they were talking, Ashley’s phone rang.

The caller ID showed it was Valentin.

Surprised for a moment, Ashley walked aside to answer the call, “Hello?”

Aman’s deep, magnetic voice came through the receiver, tinged with at slight electric buzz that tingled the ears. “Still busy? When are you coming back?”

Ashley replied, “Almost done, finishing up soon.”

Valentin offered, “I'll come pick you up.”

Ashley declined. “No need, don’t trouble yourself to make the trip.” Hearing this, the man chuckled, “How is it a trouble to pick up my own wife?”

10:26

Ashley’s ears heated up, speechless.

He insisted, “It's late. I’d better come get you.”

Glancing at the night outside the window, Ashley realized it was indeed late and instinctively advised, “Then be careful driving at night.”

The man laughed pleasantly. “Ashley, you finally care about me.”

Ashley was puzzled and at a loss for words.

She quickly ended the call without responding.

“Who's caring about him, that jerk!’ She thought

After hanging up, Ashley chatted with Bryce and Laura for a bit.

H

As things were almost wrapped up, Bryce still had some final tasks, while Ashley and Laura left the building together. Exiting the company’s main entrance, she saw Valentin’s car parked a few

steps away.

Ashley and Laura said goodbye, and Ashley walked over to get into the

car.

Laura had thought that a friend of Ashley’s was picking her up, but her gaze froze upon seeing the car’s license plate. That license plate...

In all of Kilos City, only one person would use it.

The person picking up Ashley was...Valentin?

Laura’s shock was no less than when she first discovered that Ashley was.

indeed Ash.

In just one evening, Ashley had twice overturned her understanding of things.

But then she thought about it. Ashley had been signed by Joseph to join. the company, so her status was extraordinary. Now, late at night, Valentin would drive to pick her up. He was probably the most noble driver in the world.

It seemed that Ashley's relationship with Valentin was quite unusual!

10:26

On the other side, once Ashley got into the car, the man naturally leaned over and carefully fastened her seatbelt for her. Once Ashley was seated, she didn’t have to lift a finger. She was taken care of very attentively.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

After fastening the seatbelt, the man looked up at her, his eyes with warmth. “You are working so late today. Are you hungry?” Ashley did feel a bit hungry after Valentin mentioned it.

She glared at him playfully, deliberately being difficult. “It’s all your fault for making me feel hungry.”

Valentin found her pouty and adorable demeanor irresistible. Ruffling her hair, he said, “Yes, it’s all my fault. Let's go get something to eat, Ms. Ramos.”

Ashley turned her head to dodge his hand. “Stop messing up my hair.”

He raised an eyebrow playfully and tousled her hair again.

Ashley slapped his hand away. “Why are you so annoying? Just like when you were a kid.”

The man chuckled softly, mimicking her. “Why are you so cute? Just like when you were little.”

Ashley was speechless.

In that instant, her face flushed red.

Embarrassed, Ashley lifted her right foot and kicked at his shin.

Valentin glanced nonchalantly at the spot she kicked, not angry or even somewhat pleased. “You kick much lighter than when you were little.”

Ashley remained silent.

The day of the album release arrived in a blink.

The release was scheduled for ten in the morning.

It was just past eight, and curious netizens were already gathering to watch. Bryce and Matthew, both famous stars with tens of millions of followers,

10:26

were releasing songs on the same day, making it hard not to compare their sales. The excitement was palpable.

Bryce and Matthew’s fans were eagerly rubbing their hands together, ready to buy their idol’s new songs as soon as they were released, with no one willing to be left behind.

At nine o'clock, Matthew posted a teaser on his Twitter.

[Every two years, | release an album, and today is the day for another one. This album contains a total of ten songs, and for one of them, I’ve invited a friend to help with the composition. | believe everyone will love. it! Looking forward to 10 o’clock!]

The fans excitedly screamed, their money ready for Matthew’s new song. Online onlookers caught on to some important information.

[Wow, could Matthew have invited Ash? Matthew is Ash’s only student, so when he releases an album, Ash will definitely help, right?]

[Remember Matthew's last album? He had Ash compose for it, which directly clinched the title of that year’s top-selling album, even breaking records! Ash’s composition skills are genuinely impressive!]

[I don’t mean to jinx Bryce, but Matthew’s album will have higher sales if comparing the two!]

[Speaking of which, who is the mysterious composer Bryce hired?]

[It's probably just an average composer. It would’ve been revealed earlier to attract more attention if it was a big shot.] Finally, amid the discussions and anticipation of netizens, ten o'clock arrived.

The music platform simultaneously released new songs by Matthew and Bryce.

Everyone was speculating that Matthew's mysterious composer was Ash. They had no choice but to check out Matthew’s new song first. After all, Ash's reputation was too prominent and highly attractive to everyone.