2: THE RISKY DEBT.

NICOLE'S POV

I was found guilty and sentenced to prison.

Elliot never showed up at the court room, my fate ended up in the hands of a public defender, Mr Reeves.

He tried his best to defend me but I couldn't defend myself against all the evidence that pointed towards me.

They were real and undeniable, I felt stupid every time I tried to defend myself. Because I couldn't provide a good explanation to counter all the accusations and evidence.

I had no idea how all these had been going on in my company for three years, right after I became the CEO.

Mr Reeves was outsmarted and I couldn't blame him.

It was over, I was completely done and no one was coming to save me.

************

The cell was small with gray walls and a thin mattress. A toilet that didn't flush properly. A window the size of a shoebox that let in just enough light to remind me that the world was still spinning without me.

I sat on the edge of the mattress, my back straight, my hands folded in my lap. I refused to look weak even in prison.

The other women in the cell block stared at me with disgust. They knew who I was. But I refused to talk to any of them for two days since I got here.

"You better drop the attitude if you want to survive here." One laughed. "You're one of us now, princess."

I closed my eyes and ignored her.

The only thing in my mind was how I disappointed my father.

He went against all his executives to make me the heir to the company.

“You have proven to be a smart and intelligent leader, Nicole. I wouldn't be any prouder even if you were a man. I trust you to continue the Marchetti legacy.” He whispered to me in his death bed.

Tears fell from my eyes as I thought of how big of a disappointment I became in just three years.

I had failed him and destroyed everything he worked hard for.

I had trusted and loved the wrong man.

I supported Elliot through his career and believed we would stand by each other. But the moment I became a liability to Elliot, he abandoned me.

***************

On the third day, a guard appeared at my cell.

"Marchetti. You're free to go."

I looked up.

"What?"

"Someone posted bail. You're released."

I stood slowly, my legs unsteady, my mind reeling.

Who? Did Elliot bail me out?

A desperate hope flickered in my chest. Maybe there was an explanation for all this.

I walked out of the prison into the afternoon sunlight, and a man in a black suit approached me.

"Miss Marchetti. Are you okay?” He asked.

I furrowed my brows. “Did you bail me out?”

He smiled and shook his head. “Mr Ashford did. He's waiting for you in his office.”

I froze.

Adrian Ashford.

Why would he help me?

****************

The Ashford Holdings building towered above me like a monument to everything I had lost.

I walked through the lobby with my head high, my spine straight, my expression cold. I refused to look weak and give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me break.

The receptionist looked at me strangely, when I told her that I had an appointment with Adrian Ashford.

People murmured behind me as I waited for her to make the confirmation.

“You can go in. 20th floor.” She forced a smile.

The moment I stepped into the elevator, my hands started shaking.

Why did he bail me out?

What does he want?

The elevator doors opened onto the executive floor, and I stepped out into a hallway that smelled like expensive cologne and fresh flowers.

“Well, well, well.” A voice crawled behind me. “Isn't it the most famous thief and whore in the city?”

I turned to the direction of the voice. It was ex-friend Celeste.

The one I fired from my company two years ago. I had terminated her employment for embezzlement because she took advantage of her personal relationship with me to steal from the company.

She begged me to give her another chance but I had to follow the rules and she hated me for it.

But I did her one last favour as a friend by not blacklisting her, that's why she could get a job at Ashford.

And now she was standing in front of me, wearing a designer suit, and a proud smirk on her face.

"Celeste." I said with a steady voice.

"Miss Marchetti." She said my name like it was a joke. "Or should I say, Convicted criminal Marchetti?" She laughed.

I remained calm. “I don't have time for this. I'm here to see Mr. Ashford."

"Oh, I'm sure you are." She laughed. "I heard you're quite good at seeing men.”

My jaw tightened.

"Let me guess," she continued, stepping closer. "You're here to seduce Mr. Ashford too? Hoping he'll save you like you hoped Elliot Vane would? How shameless can you be, Nicole? If I were you, I wouldn't be able to show my face in daylight.”

"That's enough.” The voice came from behind me.

We both turned to the side.

Adrian Ashford stood in the doorway of his office. Tall, broad-shouldered and his dark hair was slicked back, his jaw was sharp, his eyes were shooting daggers.

He wore a black suit that fit him like it had been made for him, because it probably had.

He stepped closer with his eyes fixed on Celeste. "What did you say to her?"

Celeste's smirk vanished. "Mr. Ashford, I was just…"

"You were just what?" His jaw tightened. "Harassing my guest?"

"No sir, I didn't know she was your guest.” Fear was written all over her face.

"Miss Marchetti is here at my invitation." His voice was ice. "You were hired to do a job. Not to insult the people I choose to see."

Celeste paled. “I'm very sorry sir, I promise it won't happen again.”

“I don't need your apology.” Adrian's commanding tone made my body shivered. "Apologize to Miss Marchetti. Now."

Celeste turned to me, her face twisted with humiliation. "I'm sorry," she muttered.

"Louder," Adrian said.

"I'm sorry, Miss Marchetti." Celeste bowed her head in shame.

Adrian looked at her. "Collect your things and get out of my building.”

Celeste gasped. “What?”

“You heard me right. You're fired.” Adrian's tone was firm.

"Mr. Ashford, please…"

"You have two hours to leave." He didn't raise his voice. “Unless you want to get blacklisted and never be able to find a job in this city.

Celeste fled immediately with muffled sobs.

I stood there, watching the scene in confusion.

Adrian turned to me. "Follow me."

He walked into his office and I followed him.

“Why did you bail me out?” I asked immediately as the office door closed behind me.

He didn't offer me a seat.

He walked to his desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms, his eyes fixed on me.

“Being a spoiled and ungrateful brat is such a good look on you. My bad, I should've left you there for a month to fix it for you.”

I chuckled and rolled my eyes.

"Please, Mr Ashford. I know you didn't save me, you just transferred me from one cell to another. I'm not going to get on my knees and thank you for putting a leash on me."

He didn't even blink. Just looked at me like I was something annoying on his shoe.

"I bailed you out of prison. I gave you a chance to breathe free air instead of rotting in a holding cell. And yet here you are demanding answers from me like I'm the one who owes you.”

"You don't help people for free," I said, not backing away an inch. "Don't insult me with that savior act."

"Our companies have been rivals for years. You don't make moves unless there's profit in it. So stop pretending this was charity."

I narrowed my eyes on me. "You want something from me. So what is it?”

He tilted his head and smiled. “You're a smart woman. I'll give you that. But still not smart enough to survive in this world.”

He stood up from his chair and walked towards me, his cold piercing eyes fixed on me like a predator who spotted his prey.

"You're right," he said. "I don't do anything for free. But look at you, Nicole. You're a nobody with a ruined reputation. You have nothing to your name anymore, and no one to save you except me.”

I felt my back hit the wall as he stepped closer.

"What exactly do you think you can offer me?" His voice dropped lower.

His eyes trailed down my face. My neck. My chest.

I felt my blood boil.

"You think you can take advantage of me because I have nothing.” My voice was shaking with rage. "You think I'm desperate enough to give my body to you.”

“I didn't say that.” He smirked and fixed a strand of my hair. “But it would be worth the investment to hear that sharp mouth moan my name.”

My hand moved on its own and slapped him.

"Take your filthy hands off me, you shameless old pervert." I spat.

The sound echoed through the office like a gunshot.

He didn't flinch. He just looked at me with those cold, calculating eyes.

I laughed bitterly. "How predictable. A man of your age, with so little dignity left, that you have to prey on weak and younger women.”

He stepped back with an amused expression.

I lifted my chin to meet his eyes. “I am Nicole Marchetti. I am not some cheap whore you can buy. I will pay you back every cent you used to bail me out.”

He stared at me and then smiled. “This is why I admire you. You're feisty and challenging, I love a good challenge.”

I held his gaze with my body trembling with rage.

He shrugged and turned away. “Alright. Since you want to do it that way. You have one week.”

I blinked. "What?"

"One week to pay me back." He turned back to look at me. "If you can't, I'll send you back to prison. It's that simple."

I stuttered. "That's too short. I can't…”

“I don't care.” He walked back to his desk.

I stood there, my chest heaving, my hands clenched into fists.

He looked up at me. “Why are you still standing there? You can leave. Come back when you have my money.”

****************

The night came with a heavy rainfall. I had no cash on me, no one was willing to let me stay for one night.

Everyone avoided me like a disease.

I barely had close friends or relations, because I was too business minded and focused on proving everyone who looked down on me wrong.

I thought I was going to have Elliot forever but that was a sick delusion. I was nobody now. He doesn't need me anymore.

He's better off with the Ashford heiress.

I chuckled bitterly as I kept walking under the heavy downpour.

My body was shivering and my legs were weak.

I kept moving until my head spun, the world tilted around me and my legs finally gave out. I hit the ground with a loud thud.

“Nicole!” I heard the deep voice from afar before darkness drew me in.