Chapter Two - Ashton Reacts

Hayley helplessly looked at their eager faces and felt close to tears. She had so many unfulfilled dreams to chase! How could she get married now, at eighteen, to a complete stranger? He might be loaded and successful, but these weren’t benchmarks to make her wish to marry him. She wanted to marry someone she loved! All her life, she dreamed of marrying Ashton! It was true he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, but then she never confessed to him. How could she give up loving him without even trying to find her happiness with him?

“No, please. I don’t want to marry at eighteen! I have so many unfulfilled dreams, dad. What’s the hurry?” she demanded bitterly. 

“Your life won’t end after you marry, Hayley. You can fulfill all your dreams afterwards. Jason is a very nice man and you’ll be happy with him,” said her dad. 

“Why would I need him to be happy? I am already happy. Please don’t rush this, dad. I can’t marry a stranger out of the blue. I need to fall in love first to marry,” she reasoned. 

“What if the person you fall in love with turns out to be an imposter who’s just after your inheritance, your business? You can’t trust anyone blindly, Hayley.” 

“Yes, such imposters are waiting all around you to take advantage of you, my dear. You wouldn’t know a thing. They’ll rob you of everything by the time you realize their true colors. At least Jason isn’t that, and you’ll be safe with him. You’ll grow to love him after marriage,” said her granny. 

“Yes, meet him once. Get to know him. There’s no rush!” said her mom. Hayley looked at their determined faces and gave up arguing. It was of no use. They had already decided her fate. There was only one way out of this. She had to play along and cancel at the last minute. 

“Fine. I’ll meet him, but I’m not agreeing to marry him yet,” she said, before heading towards her room. 

The next day, Alexander and Ashton met in the morning at the gym. “Are you escorting Hayley to her prom night?” asked Alexander. 

“I’m not sure. I have some important work today.” Thankfully, Alexander didn’t ask questions about the work he had. After receiving a call from Gambino’s right-hand man, Romano, Ashton was apprehensive about the reason he summoned him today. He had almost paid off 2 million in the last four years, balancing his job and studies. Now that he had completed his studies, he could earn more and pay off the rest of the debt. Only if he could convince Gambino. 

With a feeling of dread gripping his heart, he mounted his motorcycle and sped off towards Brooklyn. Today he wouldn’t buckle down. He would definitely find out something about his dad! He reached the mansion, but frowned at the large number of vehicles parked outside. What was going on? He parked his motorcycle and went up to the heavily guarded mansion gates. 

“Yes, whom do you wish to meet?” asked a security guard he hadn’t seen before. 

“I’m Big Steve’s son, Ashton Pierce. Romano asked me to see him right away!” The guard immediately looked alert.

“Go away, son. Your life is in grave danger.” He warned in a whisper, looking around him cautiously. 

“Why?” whispered back Ashton, eager to know what was going on. 

“I can’t tell you more. Go, save your life.” He pushed Ashton away before the others noticed him. Confused, Ashton mounted his motorcycle and sped away. His mind was in a state of turmoil. Why was his life in grave danger? He was paying off the debt! Did it have something to do with his dad? Did it mean that he was alive? 

He went home, freshened up, and left for work. Thankfully, he didn’t meet his friend, Madison Parker, who lived in the apartment below his. It was strange that for the last five days, Madison had disappeared somewhere. She claimed to be an orphan with no family to go to. Then where was she now? He didn’t give it much thought and concentrated on his work at the office. With his studies completed, he now needed to look for a job that would enhance his career in hotel management. He didn’t want to continue here any longer. He had to earn more and pay off the debt as soon as possible. 

The whole day, he hadn’t been able to get the scene at the Gambino mansion out of his head. Thankfully, Romano didn’t call him again and he could get out of the office early. As he drove home, Hayley’s beautiful face flashed across his mind, beckoning him to meet her, to dance with her. 

“I’m not good enough for you, Hayley!” He sighed, but something drove him forward to go against his good reasoning. He went home, showered, and changed into the tuxedo Daniel Van Every had gifted him for his graduation day party. His body and his heart didn’t cooperate with his mind and he drove forward towards Hayley’s palatial mansion. He didn’t want to be late in case she left with someone else! The thought alone made the blood boil in his veins. No, he couldn’t allow anyone else to accompany her. 

Ashton cruised to a stop at the side of her mansion, looking up at the balcony of her room that looked onto the streets. He saw her standing there, her silhouette clad in a deep lavender gown, clearly visible under the dim streetlights. He rolled down the car window and gazed at her. Hayley’s face brightened up at the sight of him, and she ran inside, making Ashton smile at her adorable ways. He drove ahead towards the gates to pick her up, knowing that there was no point going inside. Her dad wouldn’t like him at all! This was just the first and last time he would go out with Hayley. She was way above his league, and it was better not to encourage her. She would soon outgrow her teenage crush on him and forget him! 

The gates slid open and Hayley emerged, with a smile on her face that brought out the dimples distinctly. With her hair hanging loose around her bare shoulders, and her hazel eyes sparkling like precious stones, Ashton was totally lost in her beauty. She looked more mature than her eighteen years, her body ripe and curvier encased in the body-hugging soft crepe gown. It took Ashton’s breath away, and he just got down to open the door for her. 

“Thanks for coming. I was about to drop my plans of going,” she whispered breathlessly as he stood close to her, holding the car door open. 

“Wouldn’t you have gone if I hadn’t accompanied you?” 

“Obviously no. Where would I get a date at such short notice?” she rolled her eyes at his dumb question. Did he expect her to admit her undying love and dedication for him? 

“Right!” She noted the displeased look on his face as he steered his BMW towards her school. 

“New car?” she asked, noticing that the car didn’t look more than a few months old. As far as she remembered, Ashton always preferred riding his motorcycle. 

“Yes. Uncle Daniel gifted me on my last birthday!” said Ashton proudly. “Do you like it?” 

“Yes, it’s nice,” said Hayley, running her fingers along the smooth natural leather upholstered seat she was sitting on. For a fleeting second, Ashton wished she would touch him the same way she touched his car! He was jealous of his precious car for the first time! 

“So, how have you been? I hope you haven’t missed me much?” asked Ashton, blinking his crazy thoughts away. 

“I’ve been too busy to miss you. I’m sure you’ve missed me more.” 

“I have. After all, no one bugs me more than you do,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement at her jaw-dropped look. 

“Stop the car right away if I bug you so much. I’ll call the guy my parents want me to marry. I’m sure he’ll feel privileged to accompany me,” muttered Hayley angrily. Ashton instantly steered his car away from the roads and parked at the side. Shocked by her angry admission, he turned to glare at her furiously. 

“Who is the guy? Someone I know?” he demanded, agitated and ready for war. If he could, he would have killed the man with his bare hands. 

“Jason Lowells, owner of the renowned Lowells Wine Estates.” Ashton grunted with fury and started the car, driving in silence towards her school auditorium. His mind was in a state of turmoil. He didn’t know why he felt so upset to hear about her wedding plans. Of course, she would marry some rich billionaire like herself. What did he expect? He parked his car and saw Alexander outside the venue, pacing like a madman.

“What are you doing here, bro? Alyssa has already gone inside,” said Ashton. 

“Yes, I just met her. I’ll be on my way.” 

“I’ll see you later,” said Ashton, grabbing Hayley’s hand in a death grip and pulling her inside. 

“Ashton, you’re hurting me,” she said. What was wrong with him? He led her aside from prying eyes and pulled her right into his arms, his tattooed arm going around her waist like a steel band, clamping her flush against his hard chest. 

“You had no right to make a fool of me! Why didn’t you ask Mr. Richie Rich out instead?” he seethed, his eyes flashing with fire, searching hers.