Ch-6 : Next Morning

Ashley's POV

The 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 hovering my body, carefully exploring every inch of my skin with his hands and his lips as I clung to him for dear life, screaming his name in agony and pleasure…

I take a long, steadying breath, my chest tight with a mixture of emotions as I sit up on the bed, with my eyes squeezed shut and my head resting against my hand. 

I haven't been able to get rid of Ethan's face from my memories yet, when his voice rings in my ears, cutting and sharp.

"Ah, good. You're up, I was wondering whether I will have to ask the maids to escort you out."

I am startled to see that he is still in the room, and my eyes land on his tall figure. He is standing in front of a mirror with his back to me, and seems to be occupied with adjusting his belt. 

But at this moment, he looks up, and our eyes briefly meet through the mirror. I don't say anything, not sure how to respond to him. 

Without waiting for me to say anything, he continues;

"Oh! I didn't see or touch that last night. Do you think it's too late to cover it up now?" 

I can tell that his words are laced with a sneer, and his gaze vaguely falls on the discarded pack of condoms in the dustbin, as if to announce what had happened between us in the darkness of the night before… 

My cheeks flush crimson with embarrassment, and I find myself completely unable to meet the piercing gaze of the Greek God-like man standing on the other side of the room. 

I feel exposed and vulnerable under his scrutiny… even more than I did last night. In spite of his indifference, I remember his gaze and his touch felt so tender, unlike the harsh and judgmental attitude just now. Or was it the effect of the drugs that I had taken? 

In any case, what is done is done. Even though my cheeks feel like they are burning with shame, I know that I have nothing to hide.

I have already decided to accept his demand of maintaining this physical relationship in the future, too… so what is the point of covering up anything now?

It's not like I can undo anything about last night; and those who will find out, may find out now or later, for all I care. 

But I can't live my life in shame, especially when it is a decision I have accepted willingly. Ignoring his jabs, I raise my gaze and force myself to be calm as I speak;

"Late or not, I don't think there is any need for that. And about what you promised me–"

"Come to the president's office of Johnson Group in the afternoon to get the contract for the terms of our cooperation." 

Ethan cuts me off, his tone icy and devoid of any warmth or empathy. He shrugs into his suit jacket and adjusts his tie with practiced movements, his expression remaining cold and impassive.

"Okay," I reply with a sense of resignation. I know that I have little choice but to follow through with his demands. 

"If you sign the contract, you can't terminate it at will, nor can you leave my side before the stipulated period is over." 

Ethan reminds me with a stern warning. "And in turn, what I promised you will be done, naturally."

With those final words hanging in the air, Ethan turns on his heel and walks out of the room with long strides, leaving me alone with my thoughts. 

I watch his swiftly retreating figure, the weight of his words settling over me like a heavy cloak. Of course, I am not completely at peace with this arrangement. 

A contractual agreement… I can feel my knees balking at the thought. Signing a contract with Ethan means surrendering myself to his will, and letting go of any control over my own life… at least until the contract period is over. 

However, hanging on the other side of the scale is the fate of my father's legacy… For a moment, I can't help but wonder if I have accidentally requested a favor from a Demon from Hell. 

No, maybe the demon would be able to find some empathy in his heart! 

This thought almost makes me laugh, as I remember my best friend's words from yesterday… "You can't go to Ethan Johnson! He is the reincarnation of the Devil himself!"

Either way, there is no turning back now. After all, I have made a deal with the Devil, and now I must pay the price, no matter how steep it may be.

With a heavy sigh, I shove aside my doubts and insecurities, and push myself to my feet. I can't stop a hiss from escaping my lips at the sting of pain; and I take a long, steadying breath before dragging myself across the room.

I find my steps pausing briefly as I cross in front of the mirror. The skin around my neck feels raw, bearing the telltale signs of his fervent kisses and possessive touch.

There are angry red marks all over my torso, and I absentmindedly trace my fingers lightly over the tender skin, wincing as I encounter the raw, tender flesh beneath. 

But at the same time, I feel a tingle crawl up my spine, remembering the way his touch had made me feel so intoxicated… With a resigned sigh, I turn away from my reflection and made my way into the bathroom.

The rush of hot water gives me some much needed respite, and I allow the water to cascade over my skin, washing away the remnants of the night and soothing the ache that lingers in my bones.

I don't know how much time has passed before I find the strength to step out of the shower. While I dry myself with a towel, my gaze falls on the clothes that I had worn yesterday, lying discarded in a heap on the floor. 

I hesitate for a moment before putting my top and skirt back on, my movements slow and deliberate. Next, my eyes land on my purse and the watch that I had left on the table yesterday, before running off to meet Tiffany.

Good. I still have two hours until I have to see Ethan at the Johnson Group. With a sigh, I step out into the lobby of the hotel. 

The tear of my lower body throbs with every movement, and each step sends pain shooting through my body.

But no matter how much discomfort I have to endure... I have established a physical relationship with Ethan Johnson. And although this alliance is a result of my necessity and desperation, at least he will help me recapture the Waverly Group.

My father's life's work won't go into the hands of his greedy subordinates… the company will be saved now, even if it requires sacrificing my own body in the process.

For the sake of the company, I have made a choice– a difficult and painful choice, but one that I believe is necessary to secure the company's future.

*****