Marcellus Request.

As they chatted about Larisa, Ashley suddenly looked up at Alex with a questioning expression.

"Alex, can I ask you something?" she said, her voice curious.

"Sure, what is it?" Alex replied, his eyes meeting hers.

"I was just wondering," Ashley began, "were you asking about Larisa just out of curiosity, or did Marcellus ask you to ask me?"

Alex's smile faltered slightly at her question, and he hesitated before answering. "Actually, Marcellus did ask me to ask you," he admitted, his voice trailing off.

As Alex admitted that Marcellus had asked him to inquire about Larisa, Ashley's expression softened. She let out a small laugh and shook her head.

"I knew it," she said, a playful glint in her eye. "Marcellus can be so nosy sometimes."

As Ashley teased Alex about Marcellus's nosiness, he felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He knew that Marcellus still harbored feelings for Larisa, even after their four-year divorce. But he couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards Ashley, and he wanted