"Good morning Mr Maxfield," She fumbled with her fingers nervously.
"Well, good morning to you, Miss Kennedy. How was your night?" He asked and she forced a smile.
"It was fine,"
"You sure don't look fine. Didn't sleep well?"
"I didn't sleep at all," he raised a brow at her. "But I'm sure you shouldn't bother yourself about it, I'm used to it."
"Not at all. I am concerned about all of my employees because I am a kind man. So, tell me Miss Kennedy, what bothers you so much?" He asked.
"Well, my mom is very ill and I spent all night looking after her," Thea said.
"That's very nice of you, you must have been through a lot in one night. You sure you don't need some time before you begin?"
"No, no, no, I can take care of myself." He nodded in agreement.
"Hope you know your duties as a secretary, Thea, but if you need any help understanding what you must do, ask Fiona over there. She's been here for quite a while or you can come to me if you like." He told her and she chuckled nervously.
Definitely Fiona, she thought.
"Thank you sir,"
"Now I need to know what I have for the day, send in the schedule quickly Miss Kennedy." He ordered in a cold voice before walking away.
"Bi-polar," she muttered to herself before sighing.
"Hey, Thea is it?" Fiona, a Blondie, asked and Thea nodded. "You need any help?"
"Yes, thank you."
---
"What do you mean? Freya wasn't with anybody," Ashton said to his personal agent.
"I'm not so sure of that sir," Ashton halted and turned to stare at Samuel.
"I would understand very much if you explained it better, Samuel." Ashton said to him.
Samuel looked around to avoid listening ears, then leaned to tell him. "I found out she was having a relationship with the manager of E.U Enterprise. Her friend, Susanne, told me yesterday."
Ashton frowned. "And who is the manager of this company?"
Samuel hesitated, regaining his composure before muttering a name Ashton had heard not too long ago. He shook hands with that man over a contract.
"Set up another meeting with him. Tell him there's something crucial that needs to be discussed."
---
Ashton closed the door to his home and the lights automatically turned on. He sighed in exhaustion before locking eyes with Claire, who was standing above the stairs.
"Is it true?" He nodded after sometime before continuing his journey up the stairs.
"I'm leaving for Australia tomorrow morning. You may join me if you wish," he said before turning down the corner.
Ashton put down his suitcase. Reaching for his tie, he pulled and unknotted it. Gently he reached for his buttons and unhooking them, he peeled the material away from his body.
He froze when he heard his phone ring. He turned to stare at the phone in curiosity before reaching for it.
"Yes?"
"I've done what you asked. The company seemed to be suffering from a lot of losses and the owner didn't hesitate to sell it to me,"
"Let me guess, he couldn't refuse such an offer?" Ashton said.
"It seems so, sir."
Ashton smirked. "Good. I had better prepare for my journey tomorrow then. It's been a long time away from home." He hung up.
Ashton's grip on the phone tightened a bit. Who could it be that didn't hesitate before killing someone from the Ryder's family? His hands slipped into his pockets as he walked to the window to stare into the night.
He didn't think going to Australia would be this soon. He wasn't ready yet.
He didn't think he would ever be ready.
---
"Mother," Jane mustered a weak smile. "Why are you doing this to me Mom? I told you to always take your medication. Why?"
"I haven't gotten them in a while," Thea's eyes widened.
Why hadn't she noticed?
"W-why didn't you get it? Don't you have enough money to get them, mother? And why didn't you tell me? I would have gotten them for you mom."
"I know and that's why I could't tell you," Jane said to her. "They finished 2 weeks ago, I could manage."
"Manage?! Just look at the state you are in and you are telling me that you could manage? It's cancer, aren't you afraid of leaving me?" Thea stood up in anger and began walking to the door, but before she could reach the door, she halted and turned back wanting to say something.
Jane interrupted. "I am."
"I know what you did for me, Thea." Tears slipped from her eyes. "You risked your happiness for me and I heard you cry over and over again. I didn't want to give you any more reason to worry." Thea looked away to wipe the tears that managed to escape her eyes before meeting her mother's stare once again.
Thea replied, "Ever since father left us, you have been my responsibility and I don't care what length I have to go to make you okay again. I did what I did because it was what I felt was the right thing at that time, so I beg you-" she paused, joining her hands together, pleading with her. "I need you to always take it mom, you're all that I have now and I can't let you go. Promise me?"
Thea breathed, tremulously. "Promise me mother!"
"I want to promise you but I can't. You have to get back with Ashton. Only then will I assure you that I'll be okay."
Thea scoffed. "You-" Her hands dropped in defeat. "You should be worried about your health but you're only concerned about someone that doesn't even exist in my life anymore mom?!"
'Unbelievable' Thea muttered to herself.
"I would have promised you mom, but everything Ash and I had is all gone now. I betrayed him-"
"But you didn't. You know you didn't."
"I made him believe that I did, mom, because it's how it's supposed to be. Ashton doesn't deserve someone like me and I, him. What we had was just a spark of the moment. He won't even remember me anymore." Thea sniffed, composing herself once more before saying. "I'll go get you something to eat Mom, I'll be back in a minute." Thea told her.
Without looking back, she walked past the door, shutting it behind her with a soft click. Jane could still notice her lingering behind the closed door for sometime.
Thea's heels clicked simultaneously and it was the only sound that echoed as she drifted off in thoughts.
"But where are we going?" Their giggles echoed in the empty street as they ran under the rain.
"Let me show you," He pulled her to himself as he planted himself on the wall of a building nearby, kissing her.
"Ash," she moaned, "we are going to catch a cold." She told him. His lips found hers once fervently and she responded with the same energy.
"I love you," A smile found his face once more.
"I knew you couldn't keep it in for too long, then."
"Hey! You are supposed to say it back."
He pressed his lips to hers once more. "You know I love you too," he said to her. "I'm yours, Thea, and you are mine."
"I'm yours Ash," "Hmph!" Her body collided with someone momentarily and she missed her balance. Her breath hitched as she found herself falling to the floor. A pair of hands were able to grab her in time.
"Can't you-"
"I apologise Miss," her eyes locked with hazel ones immediately and she stilled.
She recollected herself immediately and spoke. "I'm sorry too, I didn't see where I was going, I had a lot on my mind. Please forgive me." He only nodded. Releasing her, he went on his way.
Thea's eyes went around searching for someone and when she didn't see anyone, she turned to continue walking.
She hadn't seen Samuel in a long while and today, he acted as if he didn't know her. If Samuel was around, that means Ashton is too right?
She shook her head at the thought, reminding herself that she swore not to think of him any more. She swore not to make her life harder than it already was. She increased her pace immediately, walking out of the building.
Samuel's steps slowly came to a halt. He turned to watch Thea walk through the door. He combed his hair in frustration. Thea was once a friend to him and it took him a lot of courage to walk away from her. But he swore loyalty to one person only,
Ashton!
---Freya dialed a number and placed the phone to her ears. Her fingers were tapping nervously against her purse. She had a thing with patience. She never liked to be kept waiting and he knew better than to keep her waiting.It was unconscious that her eyes found another who had been trying to get her attention for a while she had been there. He waved again before signaling for her to come outside. "About time," she muttered. She stood and walked away from her table and stepped out of the restaurant as he requested. Her eyes searched for the man that grabbed her attention a while ago. He no longer stood in his former position as if he didn't want to be seen. She found him leaning on the wall of the building close by. The young man smiled at her and she let out a sigh of relief.---"Sir, I've got the report from Mr Frederick," Samuel said as they walked hastily into the company."Good let me take a look," Ashton told him, and received the file from Samuel. Never pausing, he flipped
(3:45am)Andrew sat with his friends, wallowing in his own thoughts. He checked his watch for the nth time that night. He came here to have a little relaxation, but it seemed coming here made things far worse.He swallowed the remaining contents of his cup again."Hey Drew," Andrew raised his glass up slightly, signaling that he was listening."You seem distraught, something wrong?" Scott asked. The girl on his lap played with the Hem of his jacket."I'm fine," Andrew replied.Scott scoffed. "Of course you are.""That's what he always says," answered another, and they laughed. "Is damsel giving you issues?""I'm not sure that's the problem, Paxton, I think he's just stressed out," Mason said."Of course he's stressed, stressed and thinking too much. Work couldn't have caused this, right Drew?"Andrew just stood up, grabbing his jacket from the table, he slightly staggered, finding his way out of the door still.Mason sighed. "I'll go ensure he gets home." He told his friends, then wen
"Hey, wait up!" The girl kept on going, increasing her pace instead. "Hey Thea, stop ignoring me, okay?" "Thea!" He gripped her arm and she was quick to recoil from his touch. His grip was strong, strong enough to keep her from leaving."What do you want? I've told you countless times, I don't have feelings for you, Ash.""Really," he moved closer to her, matching her stare. "You don't have feelings for me?" He asked with a smug look.She scoffed. "Why would you think that in the first place? I'm not like the other girls that swoon over you so easily, Ash-ton. And might I remind you, I'll never make that mistake. Now let go of me!"Something snapped in him and she could feel his jaw tighten. He pulled her closer, very close, so that their noses were almost touching and she gulped nervously. "No," he simply said. "You say you feel nothing for me yet your heart wants to jump out of your chest anytime you see me," She furrowed her brows in confusion. How'd he know? Oh my goodness, Jen
(flashback)"Will Ashton not be playing the game?" A girl asked and her friend shook her head in reply. "I think I see him on the bench, Cecilia.""Coach Peter must be very angry with him to make him sit aside for the Finals." Cecilia said to her friend, Agnes. "But they are going to lose, it's 24-27 already and the time is almost over," Agnes said."Well, the coach will have the principal's reprimanding to worry about losing the game," another brown-headed girl intervenes. "Not only that, basketball is Ashton's passion, losing a game when he is teamed would kill him!" Cecilia said to them and Agnes sighed in defeat. "I can already tell the fate of our school if they do not let Ashton in any minute," Agnes said. They both groaned as their rival school rejoiced as another point was scored. "I think I'm going home, I can't watch this anymore!" Cecilia said. "Wait, Ceecy, I think they are letting him in." Cecilia looked at where Ashton was formally seated, only to see him being exc
"Miss Kennedy, in my office now!" Ashton ordered through the telephone and Thea practically ran to her boss's office. "Yes, Mr Ryder, you sent for me?" She said immediately. She stood before him. He raised his head from the paper he was holding in his hands. "What says the time, Miss Kennedy?" He asked. "I'm afraid I don't have a watch with me sir," she said. Relaxing back on his chair at her words, he said, "How is it possible that my own private secretary doesn't even have a watch to call her own." "Well, I had one before but it stopped working a long time ago and I didn't have the time to get it done," she told me. "Not that I care about your watch replacement, Miss Kennedy, but you always need to give me my coffee. I usually send Miss Weston, but she has a lot of work at hand. Besides, it's your responsibility, isn't it?" "Yes sir, I'll go get your coffee," she said without hesitation. Her eyes lingered on him longer than intended. He raised a brow at her in curiosity. I
"Hello Ashton?" The person at the other end called out in surprise. He didn't expect Ashton to call at all."Jace, you still up for that drink?" Ashton asked, combing his hair with his fingers."Sure, sure, does Aquarium sound nice to you? It's the new club they opened last month," Jace indicated.Ashton said, "Any place that sounds nice to you, I'll comply.""Okay, 9pm?" Jace told him."9pm." Ashton replied in agreement.---"When will you come to see me then?" Mrs. Ryder asked as she walked around her room with her glass of juice in her hands."I have a lot of work to do Mom, I can't come anytime soon." Ashton said to her."These days everyone is too busy to have a five-minute chat with me. I remember when you were less busy and more of a pest. Now look at you, you're a grown man now."He chuckled. "I'm never a grown man with you and you know that.""So you do know," she smiled. He could even feel her smile."I do," he said, nodding. "And father?" He cleared his throat."I haven't s
The morning came really quick unlike the others. Everyone involved in the wedding, anticipated the union. It was dawn but Thea was up already, very excited about what the day held for her. Today was her wedding day. She sighed with a smile as she remembered why she was getting married and who she was getting married to. One of the most eligible bachelor, Ashton Ryder. She couldn't wait. She stared at her wedding dress for the nth time. She even slept dreaming about how the wedding dress will look on her today. When she woke in the middle of the night, Ashton was up too, texting her and telling her that he couldn't wait. She unconsciously played with her necklace, smiling at the thought of Ashton being hers today. "Thea?" Her mother called from behind the door. "I'm awake mother," she said, standing from the chair she was sitting.Her mother sighed. God, she didn't sent that she was nervous. "Very good, hurry up, we mustn't be late.""I'm almost ready, I'll be out in a minute!" T
"I said, I didn't kill her!" Samson roared one more time."Mr Maxfield, you do know that denying it will get you no where. Why don't you say the truth, confess to it and your punishment might be less." The Blondie in charge told Samson as Samson panted in heavy breaths."Do you perhaps have anxiety problem? Maybe you did things you can't remember?""I don't know what you are talking about," Samson simply said looking away from him."Did you get yourself treated? Who treated you?""I said I don't know what you are talking about!" Samson yelled stomping his hand on the table angrily. He held his head, suddenly feeling light headed and groaned softly seconds later. He quickly reached for the glass of water on the table there and drank half of it."As I thought," the officer tsked. "This is the second day and you've refused to say anything. You do not want to stay here forever, do you?" Officer Peter asked."I'm saying anything because I don't know anything!" Samson said to him."You call