Chapter 13

Ashley

To even make it clear to you, you cannot fire me because I set the rule. My first mission will be to destroy that ego of yours" He seethe through gritted teeth.

For some unknown reason, I was speechless. It was as if my lips had been sealed. No words were able to get themselves out of my mouth. He ran his thumb over my face stopping on the cheek area. "Be a good girl. Will you?" And just like someone who isn't in her right state of mind, I couldn't say a word. I watched him leave the room and I still wasn't able to take my eyes off the door. What just happened?

**

I woke up to the bright morning sunlight which were almost blind to my eyes. Since it is weekend, I decided to wear a loose clother. Sweatpants and crop top and tied my hair in a bun before descending down.

My foot came to a halt finding Neil eating breakfast with my mom. It was as if he felt my presence. He turned around and our eyes met. He flashed me a smile yet I didn't flash back. Mom follow his gaze stopping them on me. "You're up. Come sit" she ushered.

"Morning mom. How's Dad?"

"Morning dear. Your Dad is recupurating well. Very soon he'll be all better. Tell me how are you feeling?" My eyes almost widened at her sudden question.

"How did you-"

"Neil told me everything. You should go to the hospital for checkup. Staying with sickness isn't good. Thankfully Neil was there to your aid" So he told my mom even though I told him not to. Great! He surely knows how to do things his way.

"I will" Came my reply.

"I asked Daisy to prepare a hot porridge for you. It'll help"

Curiously I leaned over the table. "Did I hear correctly? Porridge or pasta?"

Her face squint into a smile. "Yes you heard me right. You should thank Neil. He was the one who suggested it that porridge are good for the sick" my mouth hung low together with my eyes going to my mom back to Neil who pretend as if he doesn't know what we were talking about.

Just when I was about to deny what I heard wasn't true, a bowl of hot porridge was placed in front of me. My eyes grew big. "Enjoy. And by the way, I'll be stepping out for a friend gathering. Be sure to be checking up on your dad. I know you don't have any work to do. And Neil?" she turned to Neil who was wiping off his mouth.

"Take care of my family"

Neil nodded in return. "Thanks for the meal Mrs. Helen"

"My pleasure. See you later then" with that she walked away.

"Why did-"

"Because that's the right thing to do" he cut me off.

"How did you know what I wanted to say?" I asked taking a spoonful to my mouth.

"It was obvious all over your face. And..." he trailed off.  I didn't try to ask him. If he want to he can say it and if he don't so be it. He showed me his true colors already last night.

"I'm sorry about last night. I've gone too far. My anger took over me" I kept quite and continue eating my porridge. This is the first time mom agreed on changing the meal menu. But I'm still glad she changed it because of me.

"Did you hear what I said?" Neil's words revamped to my ears.

"Yes"

"So...." he trailed off again resting his elbow and faced me. "Am I forgiven?" he uttered.

"About what?"

"What I said last night. You know the word I used. I don't mean to, it was out of anger"

"Anger right? Then what about the mission?" Curiosity peeked me into asking the question.

"That one was kind of true but I won't force you to change your personality to the way I wanted it to. But for the mission, I won't leave until I make sure you're out of danger" His words held sincerity in them and for some reason I felt something sting in my heart.

"Am I in danger now?" I asked.

"You might not believe it but your life is in danger. Your father is trying his best to find out who attacked it. They might come for him. So you have to keep yourself safe. At least for your parents. Losing you will be a hard threat to them. I don't know if it was just my imagination. Nonetheless, his words were serious. His eyes grew small as he utter the words out. There's something about him that is bothering me. It's a surprise that he hasn't talked about himself or his parents for once.

"So for yourself and your parents, be safe" for some reason unknown to me, I found myself agreeing to him.

"Okay I will" I let out.

A smile made it way to his lips. "Are we good now?"

"Um.. Yeah"

"No fights or argument. Friends?" It's not bad to test something new. At least its better than us fighting constantly.

"Okay. Friends"

"Eat up. Let me check up on your father. I have to discuss something with him"

"Sure" I stared at his disappearing figure. He looked so funny and carefree inside yet, there's something about him that I couldn't figure out. Sometimes I feel like he's only forcing out a smile to hide something away. And I'm willing to find out who Neil is really is.

It's been two days since the porridge incident. My father has gotten better than before. The nurse in charge of him said he'll be able to start going out by next week. Some part of me like the fact that my dad will back on his feet and start going to the office once again which mean I'll be able to have some free time for myself.

I glanced at my watch for the nth time tapping my foot continuously on the marble floor. We were supposed to have a conference meeting with the Chinese investors regarding our importation to their country. Mr.Dawkins already said he'll inform me, yet I didn't hear from him. It will be my first time mingling with foreign people. Getting nervous is natural at the moment.

My eyes snapped to the door that was being opened came in Mr. Dawkins, his expression serious. "How is it going Mr. Dawkins?" I asked straight to the point.

"I'm sorry Miss. Ashley, I received a call from the director. He said they won't be coming today. We should push the meeting forward to next week" He uttered calmly.

Relief and at the same time disappointment washed over me. Who knows it might give me some time to mentally prepare myself more for the meeting. "Thank you Mr. Dawkins. I'll be looking forward to their arrival"

"Sure" he turned to leave when I remembered what I wanted to discuss with Neil. "Mr. Dawkins, call Neil on your way out"

The door was shot behind him and within five second the door was pushed open followed by the presence of Neil.

"You call for me Miss. Ashley?"

"Yes have a seat please"

Since the day we cleared things up, we were on good terms. Though Neil is still lousy as usual but at least I don't get angry at him like before. Walking up to him, I squatted on the other side of the couch.

"I want us to discuss about my father's attack. Up till now I didn't hear any information and the media are quite. Is there something you and my dad are hiding from me?" I've thought about it. There might be something they knew that I don't. Whenever I asked my Dad about the attack he always say the police are investigating.

Neil went quite for a while before he decided to speak up. "We're not hiding anything from you. What we failed to understand is why and who attacked him. We're still trying our best to figure it out. We only have one clue, we got to track one of the men Ip address yet it only shows an unrecognized place"

"What the hell Is this?" The situation is complicated. Who would attack him and why? If it is because of his wealth, he would've been attacked long ago. Then why now?

"We still have to be careful. Not getting any more attack doesn't mean the situation is normal. The person might be looking for a chance to strike again"

"Do you think the person might be someone closed to my dad? I mean being a successful business man comes with its own risk. The person might hate the success of my father and then he tried to attack. It sounded like a warning" Neil stares in thinking.

"You have a point but we still cannot jump to conclusions. The-"

"Miss. Ashley.... I'm sorry for interrupting" Evelyn bend over her head.

"Go on" I urge her. Her eyes travelled to Neil. And for a moment I saw a smile curve up her face. My eyes went to Neil and he was looking elsewhere.

"Here is the proposal for the meeting for next week. Mr. Dawkins said I should pass it on to you" Neil rose up to a standing position.

"I will be right outside" he said.

"Okay"

I took the file from her outstretched hands. "What's my next schedule?" I inquired skimming through the file.

"Um... You have a meeting with the maintenance department regarding the faulty machines" It's only been five days she began her work as my assistant. She made a lot of mistakes but I took that as a way of learning.

"Alright you may leave" I puff out a sigh. Half work done.

**

We were on our way back home when Neil suggested I take a walk for some time before we leave for home. And here we are strolling around a not some noisy park. There are few people, each minding their own business. Neil kept glancing around the surrounding.

"You know someone might find your action suspicious. No one will attack me in daytime"

"You cannot predict what will happen. Life teaches us a lot of things" I walked to the stone seat decorated few miles away from me. Neil also took his seat beside. I lift up my head to the sky. The sunlight illuminating to my eyes. "Life is a reusable word"

"What does like got us in an unexpected time?" I added.

"That is life for you. Life has no expectations"

Breaking my eyes away from staring at the sky, I turned to him. "What was life like to you?" I asked. I don't know if I would be able to know something about him by asking that question. But its not bad to try.

"Bright at first but later unfaithful" And he said nothing more again.

When I see he isn't going to speak up, I began again. "For me life is like a book. Each chapter has it own lesson to teach. Do you want to hear one of my hidden secret?" His brow raised in answer. I don't know if talking about it with him is the right thing to do. However, I feel like I needed someone to talk to with. Someone who could understand me.

"I used to be jealous of my sister" I waited to see a reaction from him yet, he only nodded.

"Nikky was the favorite daughter, the popular in school and the beauty with brains. While I'm just the second daughter. A shield to her. Sometimes I get angry whenever my parents are giving her attention and not me. I'll lock myself in the room and the funny thing is that no one will care to come and check up on me."

"When I received the news about her sudden accident, some part of me was delighted at the fact that she won't be the favourite, the popular and the beauty with brains anymore. And I later on realized that I was only selfish and only thought about myself. It wasn't her fault. That was what's meant to happen"  I ended letting out a sigh. For some reason, I felt lighthearted letting out what's been bothering me inside.