Chapter 30

Ashley

"Listen to me Ava-"

"No you listen to me. And the name is Ashley. Mr. Micheal isn't here for you to pretend" I was trying my best to keep calm but by just looking at his face is making it harder. I can't believe he'd do such thing.

He closer his eyes for some second before snapping them open on me. "Look Ashley, I know you're upset but at least listen to me" For a moment, my foot stood still on their ground.  He even have the audacity to say I'm upset. Can't he tell just by looking at me face.

"I don't think you used the right word here. I'm upset huh!? Then tell me what else should I be. Happy?" An annoyed chuckle escaped me. What does he think of me?

"Why won't I be angry when the person I trusted or much to say I thought I trusted is hiding something from me. Huh" I stopped to take a deep breath before continuing again.

"You know what? Let's drop the discussion"

I turned to leave when he held my arm stopping me. I was trying my best not to hyperventilate and he's probably pushing my buttons.

"Let go" I let out in a not so clear voice.

"Let me explain" Came his reply.

"You have nothing to explain"

A moment of silence fell on us before he spun me around the way I will be facing him. And his next words made me loss the small patience I've been holding. "Why are you so stubborn!" He exclaimed his voice slightly rising.

With my anger full on display, I found my palms connecting themselves with his face. My voice turning haggard with each breath I take.

"Talking about stubbornness; this is just the beginning. Just wait and see how far I'll go with my stubbornness.  I want you to know this, I will uncover each and every secret you and my father are hiding from me you just wait and see"

His hold on my arms lossen which gives me the chance to leave. However, I found myself stopping on my track and also turning around. I know I will regret what I'm about to say but If I don't say it, my mind won't be at ease.

"Whatever's been going on between us in the past or now, I want you to forget them. The relationship between us will only be boss and employee" Without waiting for what he had to say, I turned around and left.  Pulling open the entrance door, I was met with Kristine who was also trying to open the door. I didn't say anything also walk past her. I don't want I break down in front of them most especially, Neil. I don't think I will like the idea of me showing him my weak side.

"Ashley wait-"

"Let her be Kristine" Neil's voice revamped to my eardrums. I knew it. He won't go after me. That's what he's good at. Being prideful.

Without knowing where to go, I kept walking for how long I don't know. I just needed to get away from him. Far away from everything. My foot came to an abrupt stop with my mouth hung open. The sight before me was beyond captivating. If I'm to say, then I would say it's one of the beautiful surrounding I've ever come across. Not to talk of the beguiling pond.

I found my legs moving on it's own accord towards the pond. I squatted across the few stones scattered on the ground. Silence followed. It was the kind of silence that makes you calm and forgot about your worries. And it worked on me. For a moment, I forgot about all my worries. Be it Neil or my father.

Reaching for the stones, I threw it into the pond. "This is for you Neil. Go to hell!" I exclaimed in a high pitch voice. I reached for another one and threw it again. "I hate you! You're nothing but a local, clueless guy!"  I kept throwing and cussing until I could no longer feel my voice.

The corner of my lips curved up when a thought graced through my head. Why didn't I think of this idea before? I'm stubborn right? Then I would show him how far I'd go with my stubbornness. I'm going to show them what I'm capable of. I'd show them I'm not a weak woman. I'm Ashley Richard and Ashley is no nonsense woman. Rising up to a standing position, I adjust my rumpled skirt before embarking on my way.

Neil thought he'd fool me and use sweet words on me, then he's mistaken. I clearly heard him speaking to my father about buying some time to keep from going back home. I know they're hiding something from me. Both him and my father.  I don't get why Raphael or whoever he claimed to be, is after me. There must be something. And I would find out everything even if I have to get myself in danger.

With that thought, another smile broke out of my mouth. Stepping my foot on the stone like stairs, I suck in a deep breath before forming my hand into a fist and connect with the brown wooden door. "Who's that?" Came her voice.

"It's Ava" I answered.

"Ava? She repeated. I heard the sound of key before the door creaked open. Her face coming in view. "Oh it's you Ava"

I let out a smile."Yes Mrs. Grace. Sorry for waking you up in this late night"

"It's okay. I'm not asleep yet. I'm working on some few things first"

Good. I didn't know want a chuckle escaped me. This is just perfect. I know coming here isn't a bad choice. She stare at me with a questionable gaze. I knew she'd ask question. I came prepared. "Can I spend the night at your place?" Her eyes grew big at my statement.

I'm not done yet Mrs. Grace. Reaching for her hands, I held them in mine putting up an innocent face.

"Actually we had a huge argument with Lucas and just looking at his face ignite anger in me talkess of sleeping in the same room with him. I know you're the only one who will help me that's why I'm here. I know you won't say no" The woman was left speechless at my words.

"Come in" She ushered pulling open the door for me. With a smile at the corner of my lips, I followed her inside. The inside was quite spacious with only few things. Two couch, center table. A dining table for two people by the side of the room. My eyes went to the large photo frame hung on the wall. I immediately recognise Mrs. Grace with a man whom I suppose is her said husband.

"That is me and my husband" She commenced beside me. I nodded in answer before proceeding to take my seat. "You look lovely together" I finally answer and I immediately regret it because the woman didn't spare me with her endless story of herself and her husband.

"I see" was the only answer I could think of forcing out a smile. She passed me a cup of hot tea and I didn't waste time in gulping it down. I've not eaten since the pancake I ate with Kristine in the afternoon. It's okay for my stomach to make some noise.

"I won't ask any questions. I know it's okay for husband and wife to get into an argument once in a while. I don't know who's fault it is but I know he'd come around. I can see the sincerity in his eyes" For the first time since I met the woman, she talked seriously. And for some reason, some small part of me believed her words.

Placing the empty mug gently on the center table, I offered out a smile. "Thank you Mrs. Grace for listening to me and also comforting me"

"Come on. It's okay. You can stay for as long as you want to. I pray the differences will be sorted out soon"

Like I care. I'm yet to start my stubbornness. Be it Neil or Raphael, no one can stop me from doing what I deemed fit. Since I have Mrs. Grace's support, that would be enough.

"Mrs. Grace, I have a proposal for you" I commenced. The woman's attention was now focused on me as her brows creased in question. "Proposal?" She repeated.

"Yeah. Trust me it'll boost your business"

The woman looked confused than ever at my words.  I know she how to tackle her. I will just have to make sure she'd listen to my command. "You see...."

**

"Good morning Mrs. Grace" I ushered flipping the pancake to the other side. The bags under her eyes were visible to. Too bad for. However, it's still not in vain considering how we spent the night planning. And also her talkativeness didn't allow us to sleep on time.

"Morning Ava. How was your night?"

"It was fine. Actually it was splendid. I slept so well" I ushered letting out a smile.

Nodding her head, she made her way inside the kitchen. "I can see. What are you making this early morning?"

My brows creased in confusion. What is the woman saying? Can't she see. Or did she not know what is pancake? Or maybe because I'm making chocolate pancakes.

"I'm making chocolate pancake. We didn't get to fill our stomach yesterday as we're engrossed in our planning. So I'm using this chance to make a delicious strawberry glazed pancake for both of us before we leave for work" I ended with a chuckle. Mrs. Grace laughter erupt through the kitchen in return. I think I'll have to put up with the woman for a few days.

"You're right. We need to get our energy intact so that everything will go smooth and according to our plan"

"Exactly" scopinng the last batter in the nonstick pan, I untie the oversized apron. "We'd eat to our stomach satisfactions then we would embark on our way. We can't afford to loss customers today. Most especially, the announcement we're going to make" The woman nodded in return.

You just wait and see Neil. You'll regret messing with Ashley Richard.

**

I kept glancing at the entrance door for any sign of Neil. Is he worried about me not coming home throughout the night? Did he look for me? Did he know I slept over at Mrs. Grace house? Many thought kept ringing in my head with no answer to them.

When I heard the sound of the door opening, my eyes immediately snapped towards it finding a young looking man smiling to me. Letting out a small hiss, I grabbed my small notebook and pen before proceeding to his table. "Good day Sir, what would you like?"

"Fried shrimp with a cold beer please"

"Okay sir" scribbling down his order, I strolled to the kitchen. "One plate of Fried shrimp Mrs. Grace" I said to the woman who was consciously doing her magic in the kitchen. The woman might look weak in the outside but she's always strong in the kitchen.

Within five minutes, I got his order ready. I know the two lover birds are there making out leaving me all to the work.

"Enjoy" I said placing the plate in front of him.

"Thank you. By the way, are you new here. I've not been seeing you here"

"Yeah. I started working not long ago"

He nodded in answer. "I'm Daniel" He extends his hand. My hand traveled to his outstretched hands back to his face. If to say, then I would say he's not that bad. He got the looks. Not bad. The door was suddenly pushed open and came in the man my thought has been occupied with ever since. The bags under his eyes was the first thing that catches my eye. Did he also stayed up all night thinking about me. Did he miss me like I do?

Pull yourself together Ashley. Remember you have nothing to do with him. Turning to the guy in front of me who's hands were still intact infront of him, I offered out a smile, shaking his outstretched hands.

"I'm Ava. Nice meeting you"