80. A Man from Her Past (1)

As promised, before five o'clock Mrs. Go was knocking on Ashley's door again.

They said they were giving her time to rest. But before that she had been buried with a pile of big problems first.

So how could she rest?

Even just lying down and closing her eyes was impossible. Her head ached from the effects of the journey as well as being overwhelmed by the sentences written in the document. Meanwhile, her body continued to move restlessly with a sense of anxiety that she could not describe the excruciating sensation.

After trying to lie down for almost half an hour and failing, Ashley got up and sat down again. Her eyes stared at the front cover of the folder and drifted into a blank reverie.

Her head did feel full. But something inside didn't take shape at all. Everything was abstract and hard to decipher.

Yet, she was not considering anything. Because there was nothing for her to consider. Everything her parents proposed was an order and a threat, not an offer. There was no way for her to choose to refuse or retreat. The only thing she could do was agree to it.

And also, this was no longer about the shares that were rightfully hers as part of the Song family. But something much bigger to save her biological mother. To keep that woman from death.

Because, how could she be the cause of her mother's death just because she refused to marry someone? She would surely condemn herself to a lifetime of misery if she did that.

Ashley knew she would eventually have to sign the document. But she still hadn't done it. The special ballpoint and her personal stamp still lay on the table untouched.

Perhaps, she just didn't want to rush through her parents' wishes.

Or perhaps, she was deliberately buying time to wait for a miracle of some kind that could save her from the trap her parents had set for her.

She continued to sit there for several hours. Only when she could no longer bear the fatigue and exhaustion, she forced her body to move to the bathroom and immerse herself in the cold water for as long as possible—enough to shed all the weight hanging on her shoulders. 

She even lingered to pick out her clothes and apply some light make-up. Even though she knew they would still remove it to reproach her. And her clothes wouldn't be used either because her mother always organized all the clothes she wore—like years ago when she lived in that house.

She did it just to pass the time, to occupy her mind with something else. The makeup she carefully applied, meanwhile, was meant to make her look less miserable.

When Mrs. Go came in, Ashley was already prepared and was sitting on the balcony of her room. Looking at the back garden that looked very different from the last time she was there. Perhaps, her mother had changed the landscape design a dozen times after that. Perhaps, the garden even wanted to be demolished, as her mother had told her back then—on the day of her grandfather's death.

“Miss, are you ready?”

Ashley let out her breath. Ready or not, she still had to go, right?

“Yes,” her voice sounded weak. She replied as she got up and went inside her room.

“Can I have the documents now?” Mrs. Go tried to speak carefully and in a tone of voice that didn't make the girl who had been in her care for the past twenty five years feel even more upset.

Ashley spontaneously turned her head towards her study table. The documents, ballpoint, and her personal stamps were still there. Mrs. Go also immediately followed her line of sight.

“Can I sign it later?”

Mrs. Go cast a doubtful look.

"I know I have to agree to it. But I just don't want to do it now. They gave me no reason to refuse, Mrs. Go,“ her expression became flat, tired, and cold, ”Just like they've been doing to me all this time."

Mrs. Go was stunned. She felt like she could swallow the bitterness that Ashley was experiencing.

"Yes. I will convey it to Madame Song as best I can."

Ashley smiled, “Thank you.”

At the salon, she was greeted by Mrs. Ji—the owner of the luxurious salon that her big family had become accustomed to.

"Look at you, Ms. Song. It's been a few years and you've grown into a girl many times more beautiful," the woman spoke as she ushered her into a special VVIP room. Her face was always smiling with the same cheerful squeaky tone that she remembered. A businesswoman who knew how to serve her top clients with a sprinkling of hospitality and sweet words. "Not that I'm saying you weren't beautiful before. Oh, no, no. To me, you are the late Chairman Song's most beautiful and kindest granddaughter. My favourite."

Then her laughter erupted elegantly.

"But this is a secret between us. Don't tell your cousins. They'll get more sassy with me if they know how I truly feel."

Ashley smiled widely, "Of course, Mrs. Ji. I'm not close with them anyway."

Mrs. Ji nodded with relief. She then directed Ashley to sit on one of the makeup chairs and started cleaning her face.

"My senior assistants, I have long entrusted them to handle your family, even without my supervision. But it feels like this time I want to do your makeup with my own hands. You're finally going to get married and live forever in this country. Consider this your welcoming gift, okay?"

Ashley glanced at Mrs. Ji who was standing next to her through the mirror in front of them.

“Even you knew that I was getting married,” She flashed a faint grin. Somehow her surprise right now seemed insignificant. "I only found out this afternoon. Right after I landed and got home."

Mrs. Ji was surprised by the information that had just entered her ears. She automatically glanced at Mrs. Go who was sitting expressionlessly on the sofa behind them. Then without thinking, she said again, "Then, I'll let you choose the type of makeup you want, Miss. Anything at all. Even the strangest one, I'll grant it."

Ashley giggled, while Mrs. Go gasped and instantly looked wary.

"Can you cover my tired face? I didn't get a chance to rest today. I can't disappoint my mom after all."

“Ah—” Mrs. Ji exhaled in disappointment. "If that's your wish, fine. I'll transform you into a princess tonight. I'm sure your future husband will be mesmerized and dream of you."

Ashley just smiled in response. She honestly didn't care. Whatever impression the man would get, it wouldn't change the fact that they would still end up getting married.

Unless, the man himself rejected this marriage.

That was the idea that had crossed Ashley's mind earlier this afternoon. That made her read all the articles of the agreement over and over again, to make sure there was a loophole that could make her escape from her parents' ruthless scenario.

×××

Ashley wore a pale pink velvet dress above the knee with a blazer that was two shades darker.

Mrs. Go escorted her to the entrance to help confirm the reservation made in her young lady's name. Ashley was then escorted inside by one of the staff to a table by the window.

She saw a man already seated there. And when she was standing just a step away, he looked up. Upon noticing her presence, he stood up while flashing her a smile.

Ashley, already satiated by the many surprises she had swallowed today, became even more confused by what she was facing.

Memories of the past that she had long ago discarded now reappeared vividly before her eyes. Bringing flashes of a story that was unfinished—because it had not yet begun.

“Hi,” he greeted her in a soft, polite voice.

Ashley didn't realize she hadn't blinked because she was too absorbed in her shock. At the same time, she was too distrustful of her own vision. But her eyes were fine, and what she saw was no illusion.

That's right, he was that person.

Josh.

Joshua Lim.