Chapter 16
Ashley.
A yelp left my lips followed by a ponding in my head. I held on to the headboard for support. My eyes traveled to the clock plastered on the wall. 7:15. I can still rest for a bit.
7:15!
I'm almost late for work. Grabbing my towel and other necessary things, I rushed to the bathroom. It took me forty five minutes to finish up and descend down. Just in time Dad was also coming out of his study room.
"Morning Dad " I ushered pecking him. "I see that you're all better " I added.
"Morning dear and yes, the doctor said I can get back to work. That way I'll be exercising the legs" He explained
"I'm happy to see you back again. The company misses you"
"I know they are. And I miss working you"
"Good Morning Mr. Richard" Neil chirped walking towards us. Last night even skimmed through my mind. If there's one thing I want at the moment will be the ground to swallow me. I couldn't bear the embarrassment. To make it less awkward, I spoke up. "Um.. Dad, I will be in the car" with that I alighted away without turning back.
The moment I got in the car, I realised out a deep breath. Why is it that I tend to embarrass myself in front of him? First it was me crying and then the bar.
"Urgh"
"Are you okay Ashley" Dad voice revamped to my ear.
"Yeah. Sure"
Neil got in the other side before igniting the engine, he spared me a glance. A look I know so well. No words were spoken between us only my dad talking on the phone every now and then.
"Can I speak with you for a moment" Neil said after we arrived at the company. Dad went straight to the meeting hall while I stayed behind to hear what Neil had to say. Some other part of me was a bit uneasy. I know it has to be about last night.
"About-"
I was quick to stop him. "I know what I did last night was embarrassing. I wasn't supposed to drink too much, yet, I did and puke on your body. I'm sorry" I waited for him to speak up but only a smile was plastered on his face.
I knew it!
He'll only laugh it off.
I hate to admit it but I despise embarrassing myself and one way or the other, I found myself doing so.
"Um.. Aren't you going to say anything?" I raised a question again.
He fold his arms across his chest and adjust his standing position. I glanced at my side where two of the company staffs were passing by. I bite my bottom lip. "Let's talk later. The meeting is about to start and people are giving us weird stares"
"Okay" the smile that was plastered across his face didn't lossen. Ushering me with his hands, I make my way toward the door. I inhale a sharp breath before pushing the door open.
**
The meeting ended in a good note. The staff were unmistakenly happy with his comeback. He announced that I will still be working as the president but some work would be lessened for me. At least it'll be better than before. I walk him to his office. The award he won were on display to eye.
"Dad I have something to discuss with you" I commenced taking my seat on the two sitter couch. His office is more chilled than mine. I should have chosen his office instead of the one I'm in currently.
"Sure go on" his gaze was on the paperwork he began working on.
"I will leaving for Ithaca for a few days"
"Okay-"
"What? Why?"
"I have a project to work on. I will be staying for three days only" He avert his eyes from the paper and set them on mine.
"I won't stop you from going or doing your job but you need to be careful. I know Neil will be there to keep an eye on you but I will still assign some few men to be on guard" He explained.
That's it.
"I wasn't going to bring it up, but Dad, are you hiding something from me? I mean I don't understand why you're being so cautious about my outing. And about the attack, you haven't inform me about anything. How will my mind be rest assured not knowing the reason my dad is being cautious about my life" I voiced out.
He went silent for a moment and stares into space. "I know you're curios about everything. For the hiding, I won't deny it because it's indeed true. There's something I've been hiding from you but that will be a discussion for another day. I have to make sure my findings are true first. Put your trust in me."
I knew it! He's indeed hiding something from me.
I heaved out a sigh. "Okay then. I won't push you into telling me. I know one day eventually you'll tell me. So I will leave you to rest" Rising up to a standing position, I offered out a smile before walking my way out.
At least what my instinct was telling me is true. I just hope it'll not be something I won't be expecting. I hope after my return, everything will be back to normal. On my way back to my office, I spotted Evelyn making her way towards me.
"Good day Mam" she greeted.
"Good day Evelyn" Neil wasn't in front of my door as we glided towards it. "Mr. Adams called earlier"
"From now on forward his calls to my office" Pulling the door open, I advance to my desk. Clearing out the few scattered papers laid on top of it.
"Yes Mam. One more thing. The maintainance department are still having an issue with the machines. I think you have to check on them again" I raked my hands through my hair. The maintenance department are surely the tough ones in the company.
"Alright. I will check up on them. Is that all?" I inquired.
"Yes that will be all. Excuse me"
I let out an exasperated breath. Reaching for my personal phone, I dailed Neil's number. For the first time I'm calling him.
**
"What took you so long?" was the first thing I attacked him with the moment he set his foot in my office. As usual, he made himself comfortable on my couch, one leg crossed on the other.
"I was taking care of something important" Came his reply. I stare at him for a nano second before making my way towards him. "Something important or busy taking care of my father's work?" I said sarcastically. I now know they are planning something. They only decided not to tell me. And I'd push Neil into telling me a clue.
"I don't know what you are talking about" he offered back.
"Oh really. Don't tell me you don't know what is going on? Is there something..." I trailed off shifting my hands closer to him on purpose. He flinched in return. Snatching his hands away, he gave some space between us.
"Seducing will not work out of me. I think you've forgotten about our rules: I don't like women and you don't like men" I almost roll my eyes at his remark.
He's bringing up the rule to get away with it. I don't even know when I said I don't like men. I only remembered saying I don't trust men. But he said it himself that he doesn't like women when I'm seeing him flirting with a lot of women. From highschool girls to young ladies.
"Whatever. That rule has to be reconsidered. I only said I don't trust women not I don't like men. Alex is a man which I once fell-" My words came to an abrupt stop realising what I'm uttering.
Neil's attention was on me and then he folded his arms together. "Why do I feel like this Alex guy has a strong effect on you? I see that you've been talking about him a lot this days"
I passed him a glare. "You must be joking with me right now? Me? Still thinking about him? Nah that's not true"
"Really? Then why are you keen on attending his wedding?" he asked again now adjusting his seating position.
"Only because he thinks I'm still hanging on the past or much to say, he thinks I haven't gotten over him"
"Isn't that true. You-" the look I passed him made him halt his statement.
"I don't know why everyone thinks I still have feelings for him when that's not the case. I admit when we broke up it was hard for me because he's someone I see myself with but later on I realized some things are not meant to be. And I've moved on. So I'm happy for him. Wait... Why am I telling you this?"
A chuckle escaped his lips. "I know right. Maybe because you want to prove that you indeed don't have anything to do with him" he explained.
"Do you belive me now?"
His eyes were calculating for a while then a smile graced through his lips. "Why shouldn't I believe my boss?" I smiled back. At least he believed me. Not that lousy Kristine. Let me get a hold of her. If she brings up his topic, the whole neighborhood will know about us that day.
"Have you informed your father?" He asked all of a. Sudden.
"Yeah I did and he decided to arrange some men. Don't you think it's too much. I mean it's not like I would be attacked there" I voiced out.
I know he's doing it for my safety but it's not like I would be in danger there. Besides, we still have no clue about the attacker. It might be an accident.
Neil's next statement snapped me out of my thought. "You might think you're safe for now but we don't know what will happen later, tomorrow or next. You have to believe that someone is indeed out there trying to attack your family"
"How am I to believe when you two refused to tell me anything. If my life is In danger like you said, then I have to know who and why the person wants me dead. Don't you think so?" I exclaimed raising my hands in a pissed off manner.
Silence was the only thing that prevailed. I thought Neil will at least tell me something. Like a clue or any other plan yet, he didn't only form his lips in a thin line. "Okay I won't push you or my father into telling me anymore. But I will make one thing clear, as far as I'm clueless to this then I would do whatever I deemed fit. I will do things my way" I didn't wait for what he had to say, I grabbed my phone and alighted away.
The whole thing is annoying me. If they won't tell me anything then I know exactly what to do. Unlocking my phone, I sent Kristine a text message to meet me at home early morning for our departure. Going for a mini holiday will at least take my mind off things. I will be freed from the exauhsting work. At least for a while.
"Good day Mam" A familiar voice greeted. It was the young security guy.
"Good day to you too. You are...." I trailed off.
"James Mam" I nodded my head in reply. "You're working hard James. Keep up the good work" he smiled in return. I was about to walk past him when a thought graced through my head. I remembered the first time I saw him, he has that weird accent. But weirdly, he spoke normal. I wonder from which part of the city he's from
I contemplated on whether to ask him or not. After much thought I decided to. "James can I ask you something?" I began.
"Yes Mam"
"Are you from here?"
His eyes grew small for a while before a smile graced through his face. "Yes Mam. I stay in downtown with my parents"
"Okay"
"Is everything alright Mam?" he asked.
I let out a smile too. "No. Everything is alright. Keep up the good work" with that being said, I continued on my journey outside. I caught a glimpse of Neil making his way towards him and I passed him a glare.
