Ashley's POV
I find myself standing outside the grand hotel, my heart pounding with fear and anticipation.
Although I have declared to Mr. Clifton that I would do anything and everything to secure my place, just the thought of seeking assistance from Ethan is enough to make me stumble in my step.
After all, Ethan Johnson is known for his undefeatable power and fearsome reputation… and right now, my throat is completely parched by the idea of facing him and requesting his help.
I don't know why I even agreed to come here, why would someone like Ethan help me out? After what he has managed to achieve at a young age by taking over the Johnson Group and ruthlessly crushing his competitors, Ethan has established himself as a formidable figure in the business world. And he isn't really fond of giving out favors… at least that's what I have heard.
I feel more and more uneasy with each passing minute, and Tiffany's warning echoes in my mind;
"Dad, what are you saying, she can't go to Ethan Johnson! He is the reincarnation of the devil himself, Ashley, don't listen to my father. I don't know what has gotten into him, but this is not a good idea.
From what I have heard, Ethan is very cunning, and he never does anything which doesn't benefit him. Ashley, you might end up losing whatever you have in your hands right now. Don't worry, we will think of some other route and save the company on our own."
But even though I trust Tiffany with my life, I can't put my faith in these words. Because frankly, I can see no other option, no alternative path to reclaiming what is rightfully mine.
And this is why, I try to remember what Mr. Clifton said in response to his daughter's panicked warnings.
"I am aware that Ethan Johnson is not a philanthropist, but according to my experience, only a miracle can save the Waverly Corporation now. And everyone knows that there is only one man today, who can conjure this miracle…"
These words do the trick, giving me the boost of confidence I need and I approach the receptionist desk, ignoring the doubts gnawing at my conscience.
"Excuse me," I begin, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach.
"Can you tell me which room Mr. Ethan Johnson is staying in?"The receptionist glances up, her expression neutral as she regards me with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
But she quickly withdraws her gaze, types in the name I have given and replies shortly, her tone betraying no hint of recognition.
"Mr. Johnson is in the platinum suite. Are you one of his guests?"Although she hasn't said anything directly, I don't know why I feel a pang of discomfort at the implication, and I push aside the unwelcome thoughts.
"No!"
My tone is clipped as I give a curt reply;"I just need to speak with him on urgent business."With the receptionist's directions in mind, I make my way to the exclusive platinum wing of the hotel. But as I approach the platinum suite, my mind starts to race with a thousand doubts and uncertainties.
My temporary boost of confidence runs out at the most critical moment, and I feel my hesitation return as soon as my hand hovers uncertainly over the brass knuckle on the door.
Is this the right decision? Should I even be here, uninvited and unannounced? Assuming that Ethan even answers my knock, what will I say to him? Will he even agree to see me in the first place?
In the end, I made my choice. Instead of knocking on the door, I step back from the threshold of Ethan's suite.
My plan is to wait, biding my time until the right moment presents itself. In the meantime, I will get the chance to collect my thoughts and come up with a convincing pitch.
Whether Ethan agrees to see me or not, I will not waste my time and energy worrying about it. I just know that I can't rest until I have exhausted every avenue, every possibility, in this quest to save my dad's company.
And so, I settle down on the plush carpet as if I have been appointed to guard Ethan's door. No matter the odds, I have to succeed… I have to show everyone whose daughter I am!
But while I am sifting through my thoughts, filtering the best arguments to prove why he should help me, I feel my senses slowly succumbing to the numbness…
_____Startled awake by a sudden sound, my eyes flutter open to find a tall guy standing before me, a single frown as the only flaw on his otherwise perfect face.
For a few seconds, he looks at me with a quizzical expression, as if trying to place me. Meanwhile, I myself am busy figuring out where I am, looking at my surroundings through the auburn hair scattered all over my face.
"So, you managed to find me?" he scoffs, although his voice is tinged with surprise.
"What do you–"All of a sudden, his words trail off as he hesitates, and assuming that he is indeed Ethan Johnson, I grab this opportunity to make the pitch I have been formulating.
I scramble to my feet, tucking my hair behind my ears and trying to remember what all I had thought. But my heart is pounding with nervousness and all the words I can remember stumble out of my mouth;
"Mr. Johnson, I need your help. That's why I came here to ask for your help with my father's company…"
Ethan's expression remained impassive as he listened to my pleas, his features betraying no hint of emotion. For a long moment, he said nothing, making me even more panicked inside.
But he finally broke his silence, his voice cold and detached;
"Okay, after hearing everything, I have understood your concerns, Miss…"
"Ashley… Ashley Waverly!"
"Right, Miss Waverly. But as you know, nothing in this world comes free of cost. What would I gain in return for helping you?"
A dark smirk danced on his face, while I quickly replied;
"I am ready to do anything you ask me… I am ready to pay any price–"
"Anything? Any price! Huh! I see, you are making very bold claims Miss Waverly. Are you even sure–"
"I am completely sure about what I am saying."
"Okay, then, I won't drag this conversation on for much longer. I'll only help you if you become my companion for the night," he states bluntly.
I recoil involuntarily at this demand, my eyes widening in disbelief. Have I heard it correctly?!
The sheer audacity of his condition leaves me speechless for a moment, sending my mind reeling with indignation and outrage.
How could he dare to suggest such a thing?
"I won't agree to that," I declare firmly, my voice trembling with suppressed anger.
"What kind of a bargain is this? There must be another way to secure your help."But Ethan remains unmoved, his demeanor icy and unyielding, even as a sarcastic chuckle leaves his mouth.
"You changed so fast, Miss Waverly! I think those directors are speaking the truth, you are not fit for business. At one point, you are making great claims and the very next moment, you are denying them… business is not a place for people who can't stick to their words."
"But that doesn't–"
He cuts me off sharply;"Just to be clear, if you need my help, this is the only compromise I'm willing to offer. Take it or leave it."I feel my frustration rising. There has to be some way to save my father's company, without compromising my integrity!
But Ethan doesn't seem to be interested in anything I have to say, his expression impassive as if he is delivering his final ultimatum.
"I have somewhere to be," he says coldly. "And I haven't taken any vow to help out anyone and everyone. So if you are done–"
Despite feeling dejected and defeated, I also know that is the only chance I'm going to get. I can't let him go without even hearing out my offer first.
So, I gather my thoughts and steel myself against the disappointment of Ethan's refusal, somehow and speak;
"Mr. Johnson, why don't we sit and talk? I promise, I won't take up too much of your time."
____
Ashley's POVAs a last resort, I request Ethan to sit and talk somewhere, hoping that he will agree to sit face to face in some cafeteria of the hotel. And there, I might be able to persuade him to reconsider his stance.But instead of agreeing to or rejecting my question right away, he just looks at me with an unreadable expression. Finally, with a subtle nod, he gestures towards his hotel room;"Very well, let's talk. But I'm leaving a very important meeting for this, Miss Waverly, so you better make it worth my time."I feel like my ears have lost all credibility today, forcing me to question the accuracy of what I am hearing, again and again.Is he really asking me to go to his room, instead of a public place?!Shocked and uncomfortable as I may be, I also know that I can't say no at this point. And the impatient manner in which he has lifted his eyebrow while glancing at his watch is telling me I don't have much time to decide. With a deep sigh, I walk into his room; but to my
Ethan's POVI don't know what it is, but there is something in the back of my mind that's trying to alert me about something ominous… along with my heartbeats, but I ignore everything– until it finally happened.I step out of the shower, the steam following me outside as I loosely drape a robe over myself. The ends of my hair are dripping with water, and I glance at myself in the mirror before stepping out, expecting that girl… Ashley Waverly to be there, ready to sacrifice herself in return for my help. Without my permission, my mind flashes back to the image of her sleeping soundly outside my door, as if she wasn't crouched in the lobby of a five star hotel but sprawling on her own personal bedroom! Her auburn hair was scattered all over the place and when our eyes met, for a fleeting moment, I actually thought…I thought she was back, and those eyes made me stop in my place, along with my heart. Emily, she was back? What was she doing here, was something wrong?But just before I
Ashley's POVIn the hotel lobby, I pace anxiously, trying to soothe the nerves gnawing at my insides. My heart is heavy with worry and anxiety, I want to make it quick, before my time runs out… Ding!The elevator doors chime open and relief washes over me, but it is rather short-lived. Tiffany rushes out, her eyes mirroring my own turmoil as she approaches, clutching a brown packet with the medication I'd requested. I knew she would do it, regardless of whether or not she agrees: Tiffany is nothing if not reliable. But instead of handing the packet over, she rushes to my side, speaking in an urgent whisper;"Ashley, please… do you even know what kind of mess you are stepping into? You are not in a state to make such serious decisions, you just lost your parents in a tragic accident just a week ago, and you've received a major shock today, just take some time to think about it."I brush off her concerns, masking my uncertainty with false bravado."Nothing is going to change even the
Ashley's POVThe bright morning light filters through the curtains, teasing my eyes and forcing me to wake up with a slight annoyance. But as soon as I try to open my eyes, I feel a heavy weight pressing down on my eyelids, along with a dull ache deep within my core.With a groan, I try to shift in bed, only to be met with a sharp jolt of pain that shoots through my lower body, paralyzing me for some seconds. My entire body feels heavy and sore, and I wince as I try to sit up; each movement that I make is met with resistance, and each breath is a struggle…. The discomfort is completely overwhelming, but it is not just my body that feels bruised and battered – it's my dignity too. Glimpses of last night start to appear in front of my eyes; at first, it's just some fleeting and disconnected images… and then, all the scattered memories come flooding into my mind at once. The deal I had made with Ethan… the pills I had taken to numb my senses… my clumsy efforts at seduction, him hover
Ashley's POV: I hurriedly make my way through the parking lot, while the thought is consistently ringing in my mind: I don't have a moment to spare. In fact, I have just enough time to drop by my apartment for a fresh change of clothes, before I have to be present at the headquarters of the Johnson Group. Going through my drawer, I grab the first shirt and pants I can find and quickly get dressed.Fifteen minutes later, I step out of my apartment, dressed in a blue striped shirt and brown pleated wide-leg pants, carrying an iced coffee in hand as my only breakfast for the day. I lock my door behind myself, and check once for all my belongings– keys, wallet, phone–I haven't even made it through my list when my phone starts to ring, as if right on cue. Fishing it out of my purse, I feel slightly anxious to see that it was Tiffany calling. No doubt, she wants to interrogate me on the spot… but I'll handle it.Reassuring myself, I answer the call and greet Tiffany in a pleasant tone
Ashley's POVWithin moments of her call, two burly guards step in behind me, as if they had materialized from thin air. Despite myself, I can feel a tingle of fear crawl up my spine and I begin to negotiate once again. "Just try to understand–"The girl clicks her tongue out of irritation, then smirks like she has just figured out a brilliant plan."If you really do have an appointment, then why don't you call the office, and I'll believe you. Look how simple it is… go on, do it."I can feel my cheeks heating up with embarrassment. "I… I don't have the number–"I haven't even gotten the chance to complete my sentence, when she chuckles loudly and points a finger towards me, dragging it from top to bottom. "What! What did you say? You don't have a number to call! Then please tell me, how the hell did you make an appointment in the first place if you don't even know what number to call?"I wince involuntarily; cursing myself for not asking Ethan for his number beforehand. Since the m
Ethan's POV I walk briskly through the lobby, my mind occupied with the day's pressing matters. In waiting for that girl to show up, I have inevitably delayed my next meeting, but I can still make it in time if we move quickly. However, we have just passed the reception when I hear my name being yelled out."This slumdog princess has the guts to say that she actually met President Johnson yesterday! Are you plain delusional, or do you think you are some angel descended from heaven?" Although the conversation is taking place outside, I can still catch some snippets. "There is one thing I know for sure, that if President Johnson doesn't pay attention to the dozens of well-dressed, high-society women working in this office, then he would surely not pay attention to someone like you!"The way she is screaming, and the sheer arrogance in this voice irritate me instantly. Well, this person better hope that they aren't one of my employees, because this isn't the kind of behavior I tolera
Ashley's POVI was completely shocked by Ethan’s words. I am not sure if it is my own heartbeat, or something ominous that causes my legs to start shaking, making me feel out of breath when my mind replays his words. He wants me to make myself presentable before entering the room? What... what does that mean? Is he hinting at something? Is he not satisfied with the way things went last night? Or is this supposed to be some kind of test?Before I can think about it any longer, Ethan coughs impatiently, which jolts me into action. Right now, I have already made him wait because of the drama at the reception desk. At this point, I shouldn't do anything to risk his displeasure at all… or I might lose everything.So I don't waste any time and come to a stop in front of the wash basins, clutching the marble counter for some support. I make eye contact with my reflection, only to find a pair of terrified eyes staring back at me… on the verge of crying. But I can't fall weak now. I splash