Chapter 4
The Searched Is Over
Ashley and Lucas were taking a walk near their place when they passed upon a magazine stand. Out of curiosity Ashley scanned some magazines when some article caught her attention. It was about Zac's movie and his London goings-on. She got the magazine and immediately paid for it
"Ash, you got what you want?" Luke asked
"Yeah, I'm just curious." She pointed to him the article. Luke smirked at her
"So, whatever is written in there you think you are prepared for it?" He warned her then she just nodded
Ashley hurriedly slumped on the couch when she got home staring at the magazine beside her, her heart races if it was a snake it would have strike her. She's having second thought about reading the story. She can't deny that she misses him terribly
"Zac!"She sigh "How can I move on with my life when I'm so miserable inside? I can't deny it anymore no matter how hard I tried to forget you by entertaining Alberto into my life. You are still the one that my heart wants!" Ashley thought to herself hopelessly
She slowly started to flip through the magazine until she came to the story about Zac and his new movie. Ashley could only groan whenever her eyes focused on the photos with Zac and Claudia that looks like they are flirting.
"So he already moved on, he even looked so happy with her! He got what he wanted in his career and a beautiful girlfriend….. Good luck Zac, I hope that you are happy wherever you are!" Ashley uttered out loud as she closed the magazine not bothering to finish the story feeling her chest tightened suffocating her.
Ashley gasped for air as she desperately searched for her phone trying to call Lucas. She felt so exhausted not from her work but from all this emotional turmoil she's undergoing. She slumped on the couch and lost consciousness.
Alberto was alternately knocking on her door and pressing the buzzer but he was wondering what's taking her so long to open this time. He went downstairs and knocked on Lucas apartment door. On the third knock Lucas unlock the door grinning when he saw him.
"Hey man! What are you doing here does Ashley know you're in the area?" Lucas inquired
"That's why I'm here Luke!" He stared at Lucas panic etched on his face "I was knocking on her door for like ten minutes. Is she home? We are supposed to go out!"
"Of course, she's home." He assured Alberto "Ok, we'll go and check on her I'll just get the spare key."
They both arrived in front of her apartment door and immediately started knocking calling her name. Still no one's answering until the neighbor one by one started to get curious about the persistent noise peeked on their doors
"Maybe, she's not home young men!" An older lady informed the two
"I think you better use the key we are starting to attract attention here!" Alberto whispered to Lucas conscious that they are being scrutinized
"Yeah I better be, before they call 911 and report us for misdemeanor!" He said inserting the key on the key hole. Lucas cautiously opens the door as he and Alberto stepped inside.
They both gasped when they saw Ashley unconscious on the couch face down. Lucas immediately feels for a pulse while softly calling her name.
"Ashley, Ashley, come on Ash! What's happening to you?" He found a very faint one but no response from Ashley
"Should I call 911 or we'll bring her to the hospital ourselves? My car is waiting outside!" Alberto fearfully inquired
"I guess it is safe to call 911 she might need medical assistance on the way to the hospital." Lucas said while trying to fix Ashley into a more comfortable position
Ashley was rushed to the hospital aboard an ambulance still unconscious. Lucas rode with Alberto to the hospital driving as fast as the New York speed limit allows the car to run.
"What's happening to her? Does she have any sickness that caused her to lose consciousness?" Alberto randomly asked as he tries his best to tail the ambulance carrying Ashley
"Ashley is healthy as a horse we've known each other for nearly five years now. She was never sick no matter how stressful and tiring our work was." Lucas uttered looking at Alberto sympathetically
"I guess I'd better call her parents to inform them about what just happened!" Lucas speed dialed Lisa's phone number. After their conversation Lucas immediately speed dialed Vanessa
She was almost screaming on the phone which made Lucas winced. "You better stay with her no matter what happens! I'll go to her parents myself. I will try to talk to my handler if we can make my trip to New York two days earlier." Vanessa miserably uttered
Ashley was thoroughly examined the minute she arrived at the hospital while Lucas and Alberto patiently stayed at the waiting area. She was already in her hospital bed attach to an intravenous drip and an oxygen tube when Alberto and Lucas came into the room. She opened her eyes for a few seconds then drifted back to sleep.
"How is she doing?" Lucas inquired on the nurse
"She is sedated to make her rest and relax." She informed them "How are you related to her? The doctor might need to talk to any family member if the diagnosis is completed!"
"I am her closest friend here in New York and I already called her parents. They'll be arriving soon!" Lucas stated
Meanwhile in London, Zac had just finished filming a scene still feeling anxious since this morning when suddenly his heart pounded. A production assistant handed him the phone as he was walking towards the rest of the cast
"Hello... Vanessa, hey good to hear……whaaaat?" Zac yelled anxiety written all over his face not minding that people are staring at him. "When…… how is she?? I saw their pictures on a magazine, I can't believe it…… she looked so happy in them!" Zac randomly uttered
He went to his trailer and slumped on the couch with his head buried on his hands. 'What am I supposed to do? It's close to four months now that we haven't had any communication, well maybe except for Vanessa and Lucas updates."
Zac asked for a few days off from filming in which he was granted. He immediately jetted off to New York on the first flight available and went directly to the hospital.
He was walking on the hallway leading to Ashley's room when Vanessa and Lucas saw him. "Thank goodness, you're here. You've lost weight and you looked horrible!" Vanessa said as they group hug
"How is she?? I'm so miserable, guy's….. I thought I can make it without her!" Zac said without any second thought
"She's awake but the doctors advised her to rest. Lisa and Mike are with her right now. ……and Zac, so is Alberto." Lucas stated but Zac never heard the rest as Vanessa led him to the door
"Come, Zac we'll usher you inside. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you!" She declared cheerfully
Vanessa knocked on the door and Ms. Lisa came to open it. She gasped when she saw Zac trailing behind Vanessa but she graciously led them in
"Come in, come in!" She softly said. Zac hesitated at first when he saw Ashley with eyes closed lying on the bed with I.V drip and oxygen tube attached to her.
Ms. Lisa saw that Zac was hesitant to enter the room until Vanessa pulled him in. Ashley's eyes fluttered when she heard voices. She smiled upon recognizing Vanessa walking towards her but she frowned when she identified Zac.
"Hi Ash I have a surprise for you!" Ashley motioned Zac beside her but he hung back uncertain of what to say as tears welled up in his eyes. Ashley meekly smiled at him
"Hi Zac what are you doing here?" She softly spoke, Zac slowly reached for her hand and gently squeezed it, and they looked in each others eyes. No word was spoken for like eternity, but their touch was enough to trigger every electrical current in both their bodies as the world revolved around them from gray to full color. Ashley slowly sat on the bed still holding on to Zac's hand they embraced.
Everybody in the room quit talking as their attention was focused entirely on Zac and Ashley. As the drama unfolded in front of them, Mike and Lisa knew that Zac is the only one who can help Ashley pull through this. Vanessa and Lucas realized that both will be miserable without each other.
The pent-up emotion was totally released from their heart as both were crying now, Ashley's had her head on Zac's chest crying and sniffling. Zac was the first to react lifting her chin as he leaned and kissed her on the lips
"Ash…. I'm sorry!! I was living for a dream and loving it for a moment…… I thought I can take the world but without you by my side…. I'm empty and my life is meaningless." Zac softly said wiping away the tears from her eyes with his thumb
"Zac, I'm sorry too... I chose the wrong way and I got lost. I thought I would be happy wherever I am right now but just like you it was pointless!" Ashley miserably uttered removing the oxygen tube from her nose
"Ash, I already come to my senses and I realized that one of us is in the wrong place at the wrong time. So if you ever love me you must make a choice this time." Zac pleadingly said
"Ok, Zac ……… I realized how much I need you in my life more than anything else." Ashley expressed smiling at Zac
"The search has come full circle, our destinies are one, the search is now over, and I want you in my life forever, Ash!" Zac ecstatically said grinning hugging Vanessa tightly
Lisa and Vanessa were both wiping away tears smiling at Zac and Ashley who were still locked in a tight hug. When the two pulled apart Zac realized that there was somebody else in the room aside from Ashley's parents, Vanessa and Lucas. After they pulled apart Zac went on to Lucas and Vanessa walked towards Ashley
"Ash, not bad, Alberto's a cute guy and rich too!" Vanessa teased Ashley grinning "Yeah Ness, I like him…As a friend nothing more!" She smirked.
Lucas introduced Zac to Alberto as Ashley s boyfriend. Alberto being a gentle man extended his hand and congratulated Zac
"Congratulations man, you are a very lucky guy! No one can ever make Ashley happy more than you do. Please take good care of her!"
"Yeah, I will man don't worry! I'm not gonna let go of her again!" Zac declared gazing at Ashley who is now smiling
"Now, that's the real Ashley Tisdale smile, that's my girl!" Lucas proudly said grinning
"Mr. Tisdale and Ms. Lisa, I'm honored to have met you!" Alberto nodded at Ashley's parents as they acknowledge him in return
Alberto then walk towards Ashley "I'm sure you're gonna get better. Good luck Ashley, I wish you the best!" Alberto kissed her on both cheeks
"Thanks for being a gentle man and good luck to you too!" Ashley joyfully said. Alberto left the room with a defeated look on his eyes
Ashley was made to stay in the hospital for another day. Zac stayed with her the entire time as they tried to catch up on the lost time they were apart.
"I can't believe that you're really here! I thought I was still dreaming because I only see you in them. Sometimes I even thought of calling you but I don't have the guts to do so. Specially seeing you so happy with someone else I thought, you moved on!" Ashley softly said smiling at Zac
"I felt the same way too when I read about you and Alberto on a magazine. I was uncertain about what to expect when I arrive here but when I saw you everything changed!" He leaned and they kissed passionately
"But how did you get here, you're supposed to be filming a movie in London?" Ashley anxiously asked after they pulled apart
"I begged for a week off from work after Vanessa called. I don't know if it was premonition that I had dreamt about you the night before. I felt so anxious the whole day even before the call. I can't explain it!" Zac seriously stated
"You know what? I love you and I missed you terribly!" She softly said lovingly gazing at him
"Yeah, I'm so glad I came because if not then I would have kicked my own ass for being stupid. It's all worth it; I got you back in my life. I love you very much, Ashley more than you'll ever know!" Ashley pulled him closer and they kissed fervently
"Hhrrrmm! Are we interrupting something here?" Vanessa loudly stated as she and Lucas entered the room
"Yeah, actually Ness you are!" Zac replied mischievously grinning Ashley swatted him in the arm red faced
"No, Ness we were just talking…… you know catching up!" Ashley said embarrassed and the three laughed
Ashley was discharged from the hospital the following day. She was advised by the doctor to rest for a week before she can return to work. Lucas informed the director about the doctors advise which they gladly granted.
"Ok, Ash now that you're home maybe I could come back after I check myself in a nearby hotel!" Zac said unloading Ashley's luggage
"Who told you to do that?" Ashley grumbled "Just because my place is not as comfortable as the hotel suite!"
"Hey, hey calm down, you just came out from the hospital you're going to have a heart attack!" Zac jokingly stated embracing her "Ok, I know how much you missed me so I'll gladly stay here with you!" He grinned at her
"Zachary David Alexander Efron, you are sooo conceited!" Ashley screamed at him red faced as a tomato
Mike and Lisa chuckled amused at their daughter's childishness. Her parents had decided to stay in a nearby hotel for the meantime that Zac is in town
Zac and Ashley were having a quiet dinner when Zac's phone rang. He checked on the caller ID but did not take the call
"Aren't you going to answer that it might be important?" Ashley stared at him puzzled
Zac just shrugged his shoulder "Let it ring!" Then he saw the inquiring look on Ashley's eyes "Ok…That's Claudia on the phone, maybe she's wondering why I haven't reported on the set yet!" He said a hint of anger in his voice
"Oh… I see!! So you're still with her! I thought you love me!!" Ashley flared up and ran to her room
Zac ran after her and caught her midway between the couch and the bed. Ashley was struggling to free herself from his grip but Zac was too strong for her they fell down on the bed pinning her down. He felt that she wasn't fighting anymore, she was crying.
"Ash, baby listen please….." He turned on his side but never letting go "she was never my girlfriend nor did I make any attempt to go out with her. Yes, there are a lot of beautiful women around but they are not my type and I never slept with anybody else ever since you left me. I love you Ashley!" Zac miserably said
Zac gently wiped away her tears, they gazed in each others eyes revealing their inner most thought to each other. He softly kissed her on the lips Ashley pulled him closer and passionately kissed back
No words were spoken as they let loose all the pent-up emotions they harbored for nearly four months. Zac and Ashley became one as their bodies made contact. The passion that they once had now rages like a roaring thunder as the intensity of their sexual desires reached its peak. They breathe a long sigh totally exhausted but in high spirits.
