Chapter 2 MAGNETIC PULL

The next day, Ashley began to work at STANFORD Company.

Anton indeed put her by his side as his assistant though he has already one, ignoring the questionable look given by his employees.

Ashley didn't mind it either wherever he want her to be as long as she was able to carry on that promise. She was willing to sacrifice a year of her life for that no matter how hard for her.

The days she spent with him became tough and rough.

There's no single hour that he was calm while facing her. His voice always echoed in every wall of his office causing a stir on the outside but that wasn't enough to make her chicken out. 

He frequently scolds, humiliates, and even embarrasses her in front of everyone but she didn't flinch nor budge. Nothing matters to her as long as she was able to pay off what she owed him.

Her life in the office became a hot topic of gossip causing her name to get tarnished and she was tagged as a "shameless bitch" for sticking around her boss. A few urged her to resign but she just ignored them and continued to work. 

Anton didn't bother to cover his anger towards her and he kept on going, living day by day forming different schemes to make himself mad at her. He becomes more and more aggressive and irrational toward her.

No one dared to go against him even if the other employees noticed his awful behavior toward her. He was their boss after all and they feared him the most so they keep their mouth shut and keep their eyes blind.

A couple of months later, Ashley received a call from her former colleague, Castiel, telling her that the old man summoned her to MONROE's Bar.

After having a rough day, she went directly to meet them.

The sight of the two bulky men, waving at her in anticipation made her chuckle.

One of them put on an enthusiastic smile while speaking.

"Hey, Ash. I'm glad you dropped by."

She grinned and said, "Of course. I was so busy in the office these days and I need to chill a bit. I'm going in." 

"Big Boss is waiting for you in his office." The other one said.

She waved her hand and nodded. "I'll see you guys later."

She went directly to the old man's office after knocking three times in a row.

"Mr. Monroe," She greeted him first and he gestured for the empty seat across him.

Upon settling down, the old man didn't bother beating around the bush. 

Pushing a tab, he said, "Take a look at it and tell me if you recognize the person in that picture."

With one quick stare, her eyes darkened.

"Marie Veron is alive? I saw it with my own eyes, she fall from the building and she's dead!" She muttered in disbelief.

"Veron's family hides the fact that she has a twin living abroad. But lately, Castiel discovered that she was back and she was looking into her sister's death. That's why I called you here..." The old man explained briefly.

Ashley took his words as a hint and without further ado, she nodded. "Okay. I'll make sure to clear everything."

The old man hand over his laptop and Ashley began working on her task.

It didn't take long before she had everything ironed. The evidence that connects them to Marie Veron's death was erased completely leaving it look like just an ordinary accident. 

"It's done, Mr. Monroe. She wouldn't be able to retrieve anything even if she hired an IT specialist." She curtly said.

"You're always been the best and I felt bad for letting you go. Are you really not coming back?" His voice sounds sad and Ashley felt the same.

The years she spent working under him couldn't compare to the weeks she worked under Anton Stanford. It was quite the opposite but she had made her decision. She was determined to face his hurdles until the deal ends and by that time come, she swore to never see him again. 

She shook her head. "I can't for now, Sir. I hope you understand my decision."

"Alright. I won't pressure you on that matter anymore." The old man sighed in defeat as he went. "You've become part of this family, and you're welcome to drop by whenever you want to."

Ashley always knows that. The old man might look hostile and unapproachable on the outside but he is a warm-hearted person who always treasures his employees and she was one of the living proof to that.

She nodded with a heavy heart. "I will, Sir. You can call me anytime if you need my help. I will always spare time for you."

The old man chuckled. "I know. That's also the reason why I called you here."

"Was it Miss Zenith's wedding?"

He gave out a nod. "She would love it when she saw you at her wedding."

"Of course, I will be there." She agreed without hesitation.

"We'll see each other in the airstrip then..."

Ashley then left and while walking in the hallway, she bumped into Castiel who seemed bewildered while studying her entire appearance.

"What's wrong with you? Were you being mistreated?"

She laughed, hiding the fact that he saw right through her. "What are you talking about?"

"You can't lie to me." Castiel said, "We've been working together for years and I know you more than anyone else. Are you perhaps in trouble these days?"

"And you know me well that I can handle it. I never say "NO" once I said "YES"." She replied.

"Fine." Castiel sighed. "I know you're tenacious ever since. Let's go! I'll buy you a drink!"

She put on a smile that didn't reach her eyes and agreed. "I won't refuse that!"

******

Anton rubbed his temples soothingly. 

He knows that he was angry for nothing. He didn't actually find faults in her work since she started joining his company. She is smart and he was surprised by her capabilities yet he couldn't praise her because of the sole reason.

Pamela's presence in his life was like a beautiful dream. His loneliness and sorrow when he lost his sister were immense yet she was there to comfort him until he learned to accept the truth. She was the only person that knows his past and despite knowing it, she still swear to be with him. She loved him, no doubt that's why he couldn't understand the reason why she chose to die for that woman. 

Since he crossed paths with her, he began to feel odd but he hide it perfectly. He couldn't explain though but he was certain that she has this rare magnetic pull towards him. It was different from how he felt towards Pamela and he became curious about it therefore he once tried to meet her using his deceased sister as an excuse because he knows that she won't refuse but in the end, she ditched him.

Their next encounter made him realize something about his past and she said words that triggered his emotions. Moreover, at that time, he feels the urge to come closer to her seeing her in such an alluring state. Once again, he felt curious. If not for her abrupt escape, he would have lost it and he might've cheated on Pamela.

He carefully thought about it and concluded that she might be the one to answer the questions that kept on bugging him since the day of her appearance.

Even now that she was working under him, the magnetic pull has gotten stronger but he masked it with his anger. He really went curious as she was the only woman that made him feel this way. Regardless of what she wears, that odd sensation was getting hard to control and it keeps on surging that's why he was fast to cut it off by dismissing her away from his sight.

"I need to figure this out!" He said as he stood up from his seat and drove to MONROE's Bar to find her because he was certain that she might be drinking again after having a bad day with him.

He was always right!

Upon stepping into the massive crowd, he saw her sitting on a bar stool, talking to a familiar guy. The sight of them surprisingly irritates him therefore he stepped forward to approach them as he thought.

'I'm going to revise that goddamn paper soon and add the phrase, "NO DRINKING WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!".'