Work Text:
In the offices of Illuminate Cosmetics, Ashley Tisdale is sitting on her desk whilst sporadically glancing at her laptop that has an open empty document window. She bites her lower lip as a million things were running in her head—or at least, that’s what it felt like.
She slowly took a deep breath and shifted her gaze to the window. Their office floor had the perfect view of the city. Which was a good thing considering that being stuck in an office all day can sometimes take its toll. She looked down on her hands that’s been fiddling with a pen since she sat down and stared at that empty document.
It’s been months that something has been bothering her and for some reason recently, she’s had the courage to finally go through it. Maybe.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. A smile crept on her face as she saw who it was. “Hi” she said with a hushed but enthusiastic tone. “Hello beautiful, how’s your day going?” The voice on the other end said and Ashley couldn’t help but giggle. She responded “It’s not bad. How’s yours?”
“Could be better” the voice replied to which she chuckled. “I can do that for you” she teased as she bit her lower lip. The person on the other end laughed and said “Yeah I know you can” with their voice low.
Ashley was trying to suppress the huge grin that wanted to form on her face. Her stomach were filled with butterflies feeling like she was a high school girl talking to a boy she really likes. She brushed the hair out of her eyes and was about to respond before someone knocked on the door frame to get her attention. “Got a second?” a blonde haired girl said as she pointed over her shoulder indicating that she wanted to show Ashley something.
“Hold on a minute” she whispered to the person on the phone. She put the phone away from her mouth, covered the mouth piece, then turned her attention to the person in front of her “What is it, sam?” she asked. “I just need to show you something real quick” Samantha said.
Ashley nodded and got up to follow her. “You still there, Ash?” Ashley moved the mouth piece near to her mouth and replied “I’m here”. As her legs were instinctively following where ever Samantha was leading her, Ashley’s full attention was on the person on the phone. “Have you had your lunch break yet?” the person asked. “Not yet” she replied. A huge grin formed on her face to which Samantha noticed and raised an eye brow at. “Do you have any lunch plans?” said Ashley as she continued the conversation. And right on cue as the voice on the other end responded with “I do”, Ashley and Samantha stopped in place. They were at the reception area which was filled with a lot of people who stopped short in place as well, they were visibly murmuring something to one another. Their hushed voices were heard here and there in different corners.
Ashley’s eyes widened as she saw Lucas who was a mere few feet away from her. He flashed her a smile that made Ashely’s stomach do somersaults. Lucas put his phone down and walked towards her. His eyes glistened as he looked at Ashley lovingly. He held up a bag of what looked and smelled like take out then said “I grabbed us lunch.” Ashley pocketed her phone and gladly responded “Thank you” while giving Lucas an exclusive smile that no one, who were present in the reception area, has ever seen on her face before.
Every eye in the room were on Lucas and Ashley including Samantha’s. She decided to break the stares and whispers in the room by clearing her throat. “Hi there” she said. Ashley quickly remembered where and who she was with and composed herself. “Oh uhm, Luc, this is Samantha” she introduced the two. Lucas extended his hand to Samantha and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lucas.” he said.
Samantha giggled a bit and replied “Likewise”. She gave Ashley a knowing glance that made the short haired blonde blush. “I forgot to check but would it be alright if I steal Ashley for an hour?” He asked Samantha. Before she could respond however, a voice from behind Lucas joined the trio’s conversation. “Samantha doesn’t have that jurisdiction even if the answer was no.” The person whose voice interrupted the moment finally came face to face with Lucas and held out their hand to him saying “Hi, I’m Hilary.” to which Lucas politely accepted.
Ashley quickly interjected before anyone else could by saying “Yes!”. She put a hand on Hilary’s arm as a gesture to introduce her to Lucas, she continued with “Hilary’s one of the top managers.” She smiled at Hilary and gave her a knowing look that she immediately caught. Hilary’s brain was fast to come up with an appropriate way to respond which was “And as such, you are allowed to borrow Ashley for an hour or so.” Then Lucas said “Great” then grinned at Ashley.
Ashley felt her cheeks turn red, so as to avoid anyone from noticing, she grabbed his arm and led him to an empty conference room while saying “We can stay here. Let me just settle a few things with Samantha. Be back in 5 minutes, okay?” She smiled and squeezed his hand then closed the conference room door.
She let out a breathe as she walked towards Samantha and Hilary. “What is it that you needed from me, Sam?” she asked. “Well, I was just going to ask who the cutie was that asked for you” Samantha replied then Hilary added “You never bring your boy toys to the office!” she whispered. Ashley glared at them and dragged both girls to a corner where no one could hear them. “He is not a boy toy!” she said and crossed her arms. The two gasped and started laughing that made Ashley roll her eyes.
“Is that why you’ve been spacing out all week?” Samantha asked and gasped again “Your head was filled with Lucas?” she giggled. Hilary’s expression turned to a shock at Samantha’s revelation and said “Is he really that good?” obviously making a scandalous remark that made Samantha giggle louder. Ashley gave her a stern glare as Samantha covered her mouth. “Not that it’s any of your business…” Ashley started “…but yes.” she finished with a sly grin. Samantha and Hilary shrieked then Ashley rolled her eyes once more.
Her friends weren’t strangers to her sex life considering that they’ve witnessed her going home with guys that she easily tamed. An impressive feat to them that made Ashley their go-to person whenever it comes to coital advice and from time to time, love advice. They were reluctant at first, though in the end Ashley’s enlightenment when it came to relationship boundaries were spot on. If it weren’t for her, Samantha would’ve moved to a different country for a man that never considered her feelings.
But for the first time, Ashley met someone that didn’t just fulfill her physical needs. As surprised as she is herself, Ashley met someone who she (unexpectedly) wanted to emotionally bond with. It made her do things she’s never done before such as telling him how her day went, trying new things (Macchiato isn’t her style but she just couldn’t say no to his ridiculously sexy pout) despite only doing so with close friends/family, and most of all—-made her share one of her deep desires.
“I don’t think you’ll ever be ready. So you just have to do it scared.” She recalled Lucas’ voice in her head.
Ashley turned back to where Lucas was who started setting up their food on the table then sighed. As Samantha and Hilary’s giggles quieted down, Ashley looked at them earnestly and whispered “Just please be normal while he’s here.” With furrowed brows they nodded at her request. Ashley thanked them and went back to the conference room where Lucas sat down and was looking on his phone.
When he heard the door crack open, Lucas stood up and pulled a chair for Ashley to sit. “You’re not in trouble, are you?” he joked. Ashley shook her head no and sat next to him. “Not at all” she smiled reassuringly. As they went through their lunch, Ashley introduced to Lucas who the people she worked with are since he’s already met Samantha and Hilary. She also explained exactly what they do in the company and Lucas was listening attentively. Then along the way as their conversation was driving nicely, Ashley crossed her legs and her foot touched Lucas’s leg with an occasional rub which he would respond with a smile.
Fortunately for them, the conference room had its curtains down so no one would be able to sneak a peek at their intimate lunch date. People in the Illuminate Cosmetics office couldn’t resist passing by attempting to see and or hear whatever was going on in the room. For most of them, Ashley remained a private life with the exception of her closest friends. However, it didn’t stop rumors going around at times about assumptions of her life.
Which is why when the receptionists saw an unfamiliar blond in a blue button up polo walking towards her and said “I’m here for Ashley Tisdale”, her expression turned confused. According to her records, there were no appointments set for Ashley. “I’m sorry, I don’t see any client meetings for her today.” The receptionist said as she continued to go through her computer to double check that she hasn’t missed anything. “Can I please get your name?” She asked as she turned to face him. As Lucas took off his sunglasses, the receptionist couldn’t help but almost drown in his ocean blue eyes. She was snapped back into reality when he said “Oh I’m not a client. I’m a friend.” He smiled and continued with “Just hoping to visit her during lunch break.” He grinned.
Samantha was passing by when she heard their conversation then stayed long enough to recognize what was going on before she walked briskly to Ashley’s office.
“Oh this is going to be interesting”. Samantha thought as she neared her friend’s office.
Back to the present, where Lucas and Ashley had just finished their lunch. “Thanks for stopping by, Luc.” Ashley said as she smiled at him. Lucas winked at her and replied “Thank you” He emphasized which made Ashley blush. They both stood up and started walking towards the door but before Ashley could open it, Lucas said “I think you should go for it.” She turned to face him with her eye brows furrowed and asked “What do you mean?”
Although she already knew what he meant. Ashley simply wanted to encourage and hear more of his opinion on the matter that she recently told him. Something about Lucas made her feel safe and secure that she didn’t hesitate to vent out to him.
Lucas looked down as he blushed, seemingly looking shy not wanting to pry in her personal business. Ashley repressed the huge grin on her face by biting down on her lip and reassured him by continuing with “It’s alright. I want to hear what you think.” She took hold of his hand with her thumb rubbing on top of it. Lucas let out a small chuckle as he looked up to face her and put a hand over her hand that was on top of his other one.
He looked her in the eye, trying to find the right words to form his thoughts. His eyes were filled with an earnest fondness that made Ashley’s cheeks turn red as the butterflies in her stomach went on a frenzy. Lucas was already aware of how much he feels for Ashley. It was unbelievable even for him to feel like this for a girl he only met not too long ago. He didn’t want to fuck it up by going too fast or too slow. She was the only one that ever made him feel this way.
And it scared the shit out of him.
In this moment however, Ashley motioned for him to go on and he did so cautiously. “Based on everything that you told me—-you’re happy with what you’re doing now but you don’t exactly love it.” His eyes fell on their hands, it was his turn to rub his thumb on her hand as a way to express that whatever he’s about to say next comes with an utmost respect and love. “I think you should do what you want to do. The one that you have passion for.”
Lucas looked up to face her again and resumed “It’s still going to be exhausting and challenging but at least its something that you want to go through.” he finished. Ashley was taken aback. She knew that he was right. She had thought about all those things that he said. All it took was for someone to say the actual words to her to face and finally letting the realization hit her.
As Lucas stood, waiting for her reaction, he opened his mouth to say something else but was stopped when Ashley suddenly wrapped her arms around him. Her face buried in his chest. She inhaled his scent with her eyes closed. Relishing his warmth. It took a good 3 seconds before Lucas processed what was happening then wrapped his arms around her as well. He smiled into her hair. He loved the feeling of holding onto her like this. He didn’t want it to end.
“Thank you” he heard her say. With her arms still wrapped around him, she looked up and smiled. They looked at each other for 5 seconds before laughter erupted from the both of them. Lucas pressed his lips on her forehead and rested his head on it so their faces were inches apart. Ashley stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his lips. It was a ‘barely there’ type of kiss, almost like a lip brush, but it was plenty to express how much she felt in that moment.
Meanwhile outside the conference room, Samantha and Hilary kept their eyes on the door. Anticipating how Ashley’s lunch date is going. “Did she mention anything to you at all?” Samantha asked while still keeping an eye on the door. “I wish.” Hilary replied with her arms crossed on her chest also watching the door like a hawk. They were gathered at Samantha’s desk since it was closer to where Ashley and Lucas were. “Last I heard she went to a party” Austin, one of Ashley’s closest friends, piped up. His eye brows knitted together attempting to recall something. “I think it was a week ago? But I don’t know” he sighed as he leaned back on a chair.
“That was Zac’s birthday. Wasn’t it?” Hilary turned to Samantha. She looked up to the ceiling also recalling the last thing she knew of Ashley’s whereabouts. “I think so”. Just then, Lucas and Ashley came out of the room with smiles on their faces. They made small talk while walking towards the elevators. The trio who have been anxiously watching the door for almost two hours, inconspicuously followed them.
“Who is she?” Hilary said while Austin and Samantha hid behind her. Then they gasped, though not too loud but it was enough for others to hear who were walking past them. Their eyes widened as Ashley and Lucas were now walking hand in hand. Even when they arrived at the elevators, hands still entwined. “Who is she?” Hilary repeated as the two people behind her nodded their heads also in disbelief of what they’re seeing.
Once the elevator doors rung open, Lucas leaned down next to Ashley’s ear as he visibly whispered something that made her giggle. She hit his arm playfully as he went inside the elevator and the two waved each other good bye. A goofy grin was plastered on Ashley’s face as she walked back to her office in which case Hilary, Samantha, and Austin took their chance to briskly catch up to her.
As they got closer, Ashley quickly put a finger up indicating that they stop where they are. “Not a word” she said sternly and continued walking. Her three friends looked at each other for a moment then continued to stalk her anyway while bombarding her with questions.
It’s going to be a long day. Ashley thought to herself as she rolled her eyes at her friends.
Later that night, when Ashley got home. She sat at her kitchen island with her laptop open. It’s been 20 minutes of her trying to come up with the first sentence of what she wants to write and yet none of it sounded right. Westworld was playing on the tv—her favorite thing to watch at the moment, because for some reason she liked to have her favorite shows and movies play in the background while she works. She shifted her focus on the show but eventually sighed and buried her face in her hands.
Ashley stood up to grab herself some wine and as she did so, her phone buzzed notifying that she received a text. She laughed as she read Lucas’ text then quickly typed a response. She put the phone back down on the table then took a sip of the wine. She closed her eyes in satisfaction as the liquid ran down her throat.
Her mind was in a middle of a debate. She bit her lip as her inner debacle resumed but soon made up her mind. She picked up her phone and started walking to her balcony while scrolling to find the name of the contact that she badly wanted to call since she stepped foot in her apartment that night. Ashley hit the call button and waited for the person to pick up.
The air was quite cool tonight as it hit her skin. The city noise sort of drowning the voices in her head that she sometimes couldn’t shut them up. But she knew that once the person on the other end picks up, those voices would be gone in an instant. He was one of the few that had that effect on her.
After 5 rings, he finally answered. Ashley smiled so wide it sort of hurt her face.
“Hi dad”
“Honey, I’m so glad you called!”