Chapter 6

Michael's POV

“Jayden,I have to go now,” I tried to sound as neutral as I could. “I have an early business meeting tomorrow. Thanks for having me over again.”

Jayden looked up and nodded, “I understand, I know you have a lot to catch up on, but try to have some rest as soon as you get home.”

I simply nodded, forcing a smile. “Don't worry, Jayden, I will definitely have some rest.” As I was leaving, I looked at Ashley briefly. She looked down, refusing to make eye contact with me.

As I closed the door behind me, relief washed over me . That was close. The last thing I wanted right now is for Jayden to find out about what happened between me and his daughter.

 I got into my car and drove off.  What I need now is to have a good sleep and regain my strength. But I can't, I have a lot on my mind. I need to clear my head. Maybe going to the club and having some drinks will help.

Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the club, A place where people went to forget their worries. I entered and was greeted by the loudest music,  gentle murmur of conversation, the clink of glasses and men hitting on women. 

As I ordered for a drink, I leaned against the bar, observing the people. But then, as my drink was placed before me, my eyes found someone. A flash of familiar hair.  ‘No way, it couldn't be’ I muttered to myself.

Ashley?

 My mind must be playing tricks on me. But there she was, talking to someone. I did not wish to make it obvious that I was staring at her, yet I felt the need to observe from a distance.

I took a sip of my drink, watching as Ashley smiled widely. Turns out she was with her best friend Austin. I recalled the kid to be her friend from childhood. He was smiling at her, but there was something in the way Ashley felt disturbed that made me feel uneasy. I don't know what It is but I feel like I need to stick around and observe her.

Then this guy wandered over to their table. My instincts kicked in. The guy wasn't the troublemaker type or anything, but there was something. The way he stood, the fact that he stood a little too close to Ashley, the way his eyes lingered too long on her, l didn't like it.

Ashley wriggled in her seat, but the guy wouldn't let it go. She looked over at Austin, 

As if begging him for help, but the guy wasn't giving her space. Then before I knew it Austin rushed and stood between Ashley and the stranger, trying to protect her.

My blood ran cold. Something wasn't right. I wasn't about to sit back and let some unknown man make her uncomfortable, Not tonight or any other night.

I set my drink down immediately and made my way over to them. As I got there, She looked up, her eyes wide, a flicker of surprise and relief crossing her face.

“Ashley, are you okay?” My tone was rough, demanding. I don't know if I was angry at the stranger or at myself for not realizing sooner that she might be in trouble.

The stranger paused. His eyes flicked back and forth between me and Ashley, he hesitated a bit before he backed up slowly. I wasn't waiting for him to  reply, I just needed him to leave .

“What the hell is going on here?” My voice was strained, authority seeping into my words. I wasn't really asking, I was ordering him to speak. The man glanced nervously at me and Ashley again, he muttered something under his breath, then he turned and left.

I turned to Ashley, my face still tense. “Ashley, are you okay?”

She nodded, but her face was rid of expression. “I'm fine. Thanks.” she whispered quickly, but I could see she was shaken.

I looked at Austin, who stood up but hadn't intervened, his eyes still wide from what had occurred. “You all right, man?” I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly.

Austin nodded. His gaze was on Ashley. "Thanks for stepping in, Sir."

I didn't immediately respond. My gaze was still on Ashley. She was nervously looking down at her drink. I could tell she wasn't all right. But I didn't want to press her. Not yet.

“Are you sure you're okay?" I asked again with a low voice.

“Yea I'm fine,” she said once more, but I could still hear the tremble in her voice.

I'm not convinced that she's ok, not for a second, but I will let it slide.

“Come Let me buy you a drink,” l said, my voice gentle. “I know you don't want me around you right now, but please, just one drink.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but she couldn't. She thought about it for a while, and then she just nodded.

I smiled, That's a good start. As I signal at the bartender for a drink, I could not get rid of the feeling that something was wrong with her. This was not just about some random stranger. This was bigger than that. And as much as I wanted to pretend that everything was fine, I knew it was not. 

“Ashley Please talk to me, I know there's something bothering you. Is not just about the stranger, is it? I asked, pressing her for answers.

She sighed, ruffling her hair back with one hand.

“Uncle Micheal, I will be fine. I just need time. What I went through is not something one could easily forget, but I'm trying.”

Her words shattered my heart. It was me, I was the reason for all her troubles and it pains me to be the cause of her problem. There was a time that I was the reason behind her smile. she will run around the house and call my name with a smile on her face. Memories I would love to recreate once again  but have caused her pain, one she can't easily forget.

“Ashley I'm so sorry, I know I hurt you, and I regret my actions. Please forgive me. It was never my intention to treat you like that.” 

“Uncle Micheal, I don't hate you, but you are not my favourite person right now. I can't promise to be the same Ashley that I was, but Time will do its magic. I just need time to heal.”

I'm quite relieved to hear her say that, because it will kill me if she hates me. Have never felt this weak and vulnerable since divorce from my ex-wife, Kate. It brings me joy to know there's still hope in mending broken trust.

“That's fine by me. I will give you as much time as you need. But please don't shut me out, I just want to be there for you.”

She just nodded while looking down on her drink. She's grown so much.I can't believe my little girl has grown to be a woman now, a very beautiful one at that.

“I can't believe you are this big now, a full-grown adult. You were just ten the last time I saw you, and now you have your own company? Words can't really express how proud I am of you, Ash.”

She smiled, and she really smiled. Something I haven't seen in days, and I made it happen in just a few minutes. That's progress.

“You know I can't remain ten forever, right? You were gone for so long. I guess I was too young to understand what happened then and why you had to leave, but dad always told me you had your reasons. He wouldn't tell me more than that.” 

“He is right, but that's a story for another day. I need to get you home now, young lady, It's late. Your father will be worried.

 We got up to leave, but before that, i turned my attention to Austin “I will take Ashley home now. Will you be fine to go home yourself? It's quite late, you know.  I can drop you off first if u don't mind.”

“Thanks but I'm fine on my own, Sir. I only had one drink. Take care, Ashley. we will chat later?

Ashley nodded with a smile on her face.

As I was about to lead Ashley out of the club, my phone buzzed with a message. I glanced at the screen, and I froze immediately. It was a message from someone I haven't heard from in 15 years, someone i thought I would never hear from again,

My ex-wife, Kate.