Chapter 55

Epilogue

One month later.

I opened my eyes to the sun illuminating through the room making me to shut my eyes once again blocking the light from my eyes. I snuggle more closer to a rock hard chest sleeping peacefully beside me. A small smile broke out of my mouth hearing his small snores. He sleeps like a baby. How surprising that just by looking at his face, my heart flutters. It vibrate within it's ribcage. “Like what you see?” I almost flinch at his sudden voice.

Snapping his alluring eyes open, he set them on mine and just like that, my heart picked up its pace once again. I love how my heart react to him. I love how I'm myself when I'm with him. And most of all, I love that I love him. “Yeah I like what I see” I admitted resting my head on his chest and turned my face towards him.

His brows creased in question. I bet he didn't expect me to be this carefree but I couldn't care less about it. I won't beat around the bush anymore. “Do you have anything to say?” I asked trailing his face with my fingers. From his eyebrows, down to his nose then to his lips. I stared at them for a good minutes before leaning in to peck on it.

“What was that?” Neil ushered his brows raising. A little smile curved up my lips as I leaned in again. “Your morning kiss. Aren't you the one who always snatch away my kiss. Now it's my turn to” I ushered pecking him again. In a matter of seconds, he spun me around the way my back was resting on the bed while his body was faced towards me. “Trying to be naughty right?” I said straight to his face.

“You and I both know how naughty I can be. So I would advice you to take it easy with me. I might-” I didn't allow him to finish up his sentence when I pushed him off my body and got out of the bed.

“Keep your naughtiness to yourself and your weird thought. I'm already half late for work and father is going to kill me for not being present at the office during his important day”

The past three weeks had been quite tough for me and my family. After Neil’s father incident and Neil’s recovery, we came back home not after promising Mrs Grace that we'd visit her sometime when everything is back to normal for us. To be honest, living at the village is one of my most cheerful and happy time. I have a lot of memory to keep with me. From the people to the kindness within them. What Mr Michael did to us, is something I would never be able to repay with money. Because he saved my life.

He gave us shelter at the time we are in need and most of all he saved Kristine and Neil’s life. I can't thank him enough. My father promise to help him move back to New York and work in a big hospital. Because the man deserved it. And for Mrs Grace, she can be interrogative at time. Yet, the time I spent with her is priceless. She's like a mother figure to me and I will never forget all the kindness I received at the village. Even when the word about my father got out, surprisingly, they didn't judge him rather, they gave him the strength to rise up which is something he's doing for the past weeks.

It didn't come easy at first. Losing some of his investors, some staffs resigned from work. Some negativity from the tabloid. But news doesn't last forever. He did his utmost best to see his company achieve success once again. And for Raphael’s sister, we got in touched with her and gave her the support she needs. She came to know how Raphael treated his sister. Without care or any form of help. She's now living with Neil.

As for me, I'm almost. Not yet, back to my normal life. My photography firm is still on the way to rise and my father thinks it's high time I take over the company permanently even though I don't like the idea of that but to support my father, I have to do it. And I know I will be able to bring the company to success once again. And for Kristine, she travelled to Scotland for her cousin’s wedding. I missed her troubles and her teases.

“What are you busy thinking about that is making you stare at my abs” I almost rolled my eyes at his remark. Neil and I have been apart from each other for some days due to our busy lives. Me busy working my ass off at the company while Neil was busy with his own. Helping his aunt Zoe unpacking since she's now back to New York and I get to meet Neil 8 year old sister, Ava. It reminded me of my fake name back at the village. I know our relationship is unstable at the moment but our love is still engraved within our hearts. Regardless of the distance.

“You see, I said it. You're staring at my muscle” Came his voice once again snapping me out of my reverie. I burst out with laughter also rolling my eyes on the accord.

“Who’s staring at your muscles? I don't see any muscle there. Mind you like I said, I'm getting late” I roamed my eyes through Neil’s room stopping at the big wall clocked plastered on the white wall. After finishing from office, I branched at Neil’s Aunt house and found Neil there. At first I was reluctant when she offered me to stay the night. However, when Neil’s unending flirts, I found myself agreeing and here we ended up.

His eyes were fixated on me as he showed his muscles well. Truth be told, I did stare at them but I ain't letting know that. I spare him a brief glance before turning around towards the bathroom. However, I barely took two steps when my body was being pulled back to a rock hard ones. “I’m not done talking to you yet” he whispered sending a familiar shiver down my spine. My body knows how to react to his touches. And I cannot deny the fact that I'm enjoying it.

“I’m getting late Neil. Do you want Dad to skin me alive for coming at an important day like today” His head was rested on my right shoulder while his arms were circled around my stomach. “Nothing of such will happen. Besides, he knows that husband and wife should spend enough time” that made me turn around instantly facing him.

“If I'm not mistaken, we're not married”

“But we will” he ushered back resting his arms around my waist area.

“Say who? I haven't given my consent yet” A small chuckle resonate out of his mouth which got my eyebrows raised. “What’s funny?” I asked.

“If I'm not mistaken, the ring on your finger is enough prove and it happened just last night. Isn't it too early for you to forget” I rolled my eyes smacking him lightly on the chest. He was quick in holding my hand, placing them below his heart.

“Can you feel it?” he whispered out staring directly into my eyes. I stare back. “Can you feel my beating heart?” He added.

“Yes. I do” I answered truthfully.

“You’re the reason why its beating so fast. You're the reason why I cannot control myself whenever I'm together with you. You're the reason why I won't think twice to do something. You're the reason for my happiness Ashley. I've never fallen in love before. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened in my life. You're my first love, my woman and my happiness. I love you Ashley. With all my heart” I didn't realize I was in tears until he rub his thumb on my chin letting them linger.

“You’ve said all that I want to. What did I do to deserve someone like you? Your proposal wasn't as sweet as this. You made me short of words. I love you too Neil. With all my heart” I let out slowly and before I could process what was happening, he crashed his lips on mine” And yet we fell into another world of ours.

~*~*~

I hissed for the nth time as I made my way up to my father's office. It was all Neil’s fault. He made me so emotional that I completely forgot about the meeting I'm supposed to have with my Dad. Even when we came out for breakfast, he kept on with his flirt forgetting about Aunt Zoe that was sitting across us. He has no shame. As soon as the elevator opens, I was met with Mr Dawkins and my secretary Evelyn. Those two have been working hard. I thought they would leave the company after all the issues. But they stick by us. Especially Mr Dawkins, he's someone who has been working for my dad for a long time.

“Good morning Miss Ashley” Mr Dawkins greeted in his usual cheerful tone. But for some reason, I feel like there's something beneath looking at the expression on both of their faces. “Morning Mr Dawkins. My father must be throwing a cuss at me right?”

The only answer he could give is a clearing of voice while Evelyn was looking everywhere else but me. I knew it. “I think I need to go before I add up to my already problems”

I set foot to move when Mr Dawkins beat me to it. “He’s at the meeting room. We’re heading there”

“Great! Let's move”

Getting to the meeting room was fast for us. But to my surprise, the room was filled with unfamiliar face of the reporters and that of the investor that we’re going to sign off a deal with. I slowly made my way inside making sure I won't get noticed but that didn't happen when my father announces my new position at the company and all camera turns to me.

Putting up a smile, I made my way towards stage waving my hand on the accord. “My daughter Ashley would be the new CEO of the company” Dad declared. I felt nervousness crept inside me. Standing in front of the public is something you need to be so open minded to. It's not like I'm new to it but standing in front of them after all the incident, it got me crept with nervousness.

“Just be yourself” Dad whispered to my ear which kind of gave me strength. Taking the microphone from his hands, I took in a deep breath.

“Good morning everyone. My name is Ashley Richard. Thank you all for putting your trust in me. I will make you I work hard and bring the company to success more than before. Thank you” I ended with a bow. The whole room rises with claps.

The meeting ended successfully. I could see the happiness on my fathers face when everything went smoothly. The company is something my father cherish so much and I can relate to that when the company almost went bankrupt, he was beyond worried. I'm glad things are back to normal. We made our way back to his office with Mr Dawkins and Evelyn tailing behind us. We were close to his office door when he stopped walking then turned to me. “You did a great job. I'm proud of you”

“Thank you Dad” I answered back letting out a smile.

“You should tell Neil to see me later. I want to have a talk with both of you” and with that he pulled his door open, entered and closed it behind him. I didn't know why but my heart escalate a bit. What is he going to talk to us about? I was left staring at the office door mouth agape.

~*~*~*

Night came and I was feeling restless about what my Dad want to talk about. We were seated at the dinning eating quietly. One look at us you'll know we are both not comfortable. However, my parents are consciously enjoying their food completely minding their business. The flirting Neil always throw at me was no more. Dad rose up from his seat after he's done eating. “Neil meet me at my study room” Came his voice which was strong and serious. Without wasting time, he alighted away and Neil followed his heed.

I was now left with my mom. As if she noticed my nervousness, she places her hand on mine from the table. “You know, everything is going to go smooth. I can see your worried. Your father isn't going to eat him up” I almost burst out laughing but held it In not to talk of my worried. I managed to nod in return. My mom was supposed to leave for my grandparents house after today's meeting and now that everything is settled, I know she’ll start packing.

Five minutes, ten minutes and fifteen minutes passed by without Neil’s presence. I wonder what they're talking about. I got tired from glancing at the study room every now and then.  I was about to open to mouth to talk when I heard the sound of the door opening which made me snapped my eyes towards the study room. In view was Neil and my Father walking side by side towards the living area. Neil spared me a glance. The smirk on his face was dimmed visible.

“Let’s go” Mom ushered.

We trekked to the living room. Mom squatted beside Dad while I sat across then with some spaces between me and Neil. Silence resonate within us. I glanced at Neil finding him looking at me already with the smirk still plastered across his face. I rolled my eyes before turning my focus back on my father who was clearing his voice.

“So Ashley, your mother and I have discussed about this before. We thought about it a lot, that is why I gather you both here to have a serious discussion with you. I can see the love you have for each other. It's not denying that you are both willing to go to any extent for one another. However, this is a serious topic, and it's regarding my daughter's life. I don't want a situation whereby I will regret it later. That is why I want you both present here”

“Yes. We want an honest answer ” Mom chirped in.

“Neil, are you willing to take care of my daughter with upmost care, happiness and love?” Dad asked.

“Yes Sir. Trust me on this. I will make sure no harm comes to your daughter ” Neil answer glancing at my side. I didn't help the smile that made it way to my mouth.

“I hope you two will love each other, trust each other and most of all have faith in whatever comes your way” He ushered again.

“We promise” We both said at the same time.

“Does it count as an approval?” I asked.

“Is that supposed to be a question?” Dad answered with a question.

“Thank you so much Dad. I love you all”

Later than night, we went on a strolled down the street hand in hand. Our hearts filled with happiness and love. We gazed at the stars curled up in each other's arms. Feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat. Which is sufficient for us. Just the two of us.