Arriving at one of the biggest resorts in the country which is owned by the Gu Dynasty, Ashley’s car came to a stop and she got down carefully with a smile on her face. She grabbed her son’s hand to help him out of the car.
“Thank you Mommy” he giggled with glistening eyes.The five-year-old boy was so cute and lovable and as much as Ashley tried so hard to look past the familiar set of jade eyes and pointy nose that reminded her of his father, reality wouldn’t stop slapping her back with it. His memories have tormented her for years but the love she has for her son outgrew the pain. Except that, she would be forced to face it now after how many years.“This way Ma’am”A voice interrupts her thought and she nods subconsciously.Walking hand in hand with Kristian, they arrived at the large dining room where her mother and two stepbrothers awaited them.“Grandma” Kristian voiced out happily and removed his hand from her mother’s.it’s an involuntary kind of reaction whenever she’s around her new family, they make her feel safe and happy.She was so busy smiling at the sight of her mother showering Kristian with kisses and gifts.“Are you okay princess?” James’s sarcastic voice sounded from the side and she knew to get ready for her stepbrother’s teasing.“Come on brother, don’t tease me today” She implores jokingly finding her seat across the table.“Why would I tease? That’s what Collins calls you now and he requests for a date can you believe that? He invested in my business because of this woman right here!” James added.“I see” George, the second stepbrother cut in with a chuckle.“As the princess you are, be generous and help your big brother out,” James said with a dramatic movement of his hands and a bow throwing everyone into an unintentional train of laughter.“Seriously? Kristian is here you know?” Ashley warned with gritted teeth.“A date sounds good Mommy, you should try considering that again” Kristian added nonchalantly as he continued examining his gifts.Madam Gu’s gaze was on her grandson all through but Ashley could see through her. With the faint wrinkle on her forehead and the constant heavy sighs even when everyone was laughing, she knew she was worried about something.“Do you know why I called a sudden meeting today?” Madam Gu started.The two brothers exchanged confusing glances with Ashley.“I just got a weird feeling… just like that night you came back home with her,” James said.“Uhm Kristian, do you want to explore the kitchen for a while? It has always been your wish, right? You can go with Mister Ben “ George proposed.“Yay. Thank you Uncle” Kristian helped himself off the chair and took his phone along.“Don’t eat anything heavy okay? just fruit and veggies” Ashley informed him as he strode off to the door.“An offer came from the blue house and it was a direct order from the President’s wife” The old lady informed.“Wow congratulations Ashley, why stressing hard about this good news?”“It’s not here in the country but that place… Skylight at ‘Dee_McCall’” Ashley explained her plight.“That rings a bell. is that not your ex-husband’s company?” James questioned with a disgusted look.“This is bad. And this is the first time we’ll get an offer from the blue house. The road to being on the highest chain of business” George added with a sigh.“I’m not worried about that George,” The old lady said, her full lashes raised to cast a troubled look at Ashley and continued;“I made her work so hard to reach this position so I could protect her. I don’t want her to return to that terrible environment full of nothing but the stench of betrayal and pain. But sadly the blue house made it clear that they need no representatives but the competent Ashley Gu herself” she added.Ashley gasped in annoyance “ I understand that old witch! she wants me out of her sight for a while. We didn’t have a good experience at the last banquet.” I reported.“The faster she settles with the truth, the better. Such an oldie” James added dramatically.“I can’t thank you all enough, you’ve been trying so hard to protect me and Kristian. You showed us love and gave me everything I missed out on but I need you to trust me this time. I’m a new version and I’ve learned that it’s never advisable to run away from one’s fear, it should be faced and dealt with.” Ashley informed them, hoping they would support her on this instead of making the family name suffer damage because of her.“But Ashley, you’ll be working with him. it’s not like you’re just visiting the country on the low. Oh, what a tricky fate” Madam Gu sighed.“Since it has come to this, I guess it’s time to give everyone what they deserve” George cute in, straightening his suit and leaning closer to the table.“You’re our little princess and we’ll give you all the support you deserve” He assured.“Do you want us to go with you?” James asked, his brows raised passionately and he’s not one to back out once he’s made up his mind.The offer sounds good but Ashley didn’t want to be selfish enough to accept. She was only lucky to have two stepbrothers who welcomed her with love and supported her always. They have their different companies which are successful and they could fight her if they wanted her position but instead, they helped her study hard and take over the family business. They’ve never shown anything dispassionate about them nor any negative energy. They love her and she does too.To ease the tension hanging around, Ashley smiled and ushered the waitress to open the wine on the table.“I know how much you love money James and as for you, big brother, I can’t snatch you away from Nikki. she’ll never forgive me” she said.And with that, Ashley raised her glass with a well-molded smile “To a new journey ahead” She announced and they chanted after her with the clink of their glasses.“They are smiling again and it puts me at ease that everything is under control, it shouldn’t be that bad over there too. To put trash exactly where it belongs. In the trash can,” She said in her mind.******New City******Ashley stepped off the plane with Kristian by her side, the familiar sights and sounds of her homeland enveloped her but the horrible stench of the painful memories still lingered, tugging at her heart. The weight of those years away felt heavy, despite the constant practice she’s made in preparation for this moment. Mr.Fred arrived in a car which has their luggage but instead of unlocking the car door, he stepped out with a guilty look.“What’s going on?” Ashley questioned.“I just received a call that someone from the company is already on her way to receive you” He reported.“How did they know I would be arriving today and not tomorrow?” She asked.“I have no idea ma’am, but she’s almost here”“That’s not professional enough. Our agreement is tomorrow and I don’t plan to do anything other than business talks with anyone so let them know I came with my assistant and I have a driver” Ashley insisted.“Uh… ma’am I…”“Seriously? Do you want to book another flight back?”“No please forgive me Miss but the person coming is said to be important to Mr.McCall, our partner, the owner of the company.”Ashley removed her sunglasses and ushered Kristian away from the harsh weather.“Mr.McCall’s wife, Rachel….”“All the more reason I shouldn’t wait to be received. Save the name for later” She cut him off immediately.She needs no one to tell her that her ex-husband’s wife is no one other than her stepsister.“I fear what I might do out of anger if I should face her now… and they got married after doing that to me…”“Mommy, can we go now?” Kristian sounds irritated and tired.“Mommy is sorry, let’s go for an ice cream first okay?”“Hmm” He replied cheerfully and Ashley took the car key from her assistant.“Stay here to receive her on my behalf, that’s good manner enough from Ashley Gu” She flips her hair and walks away proudly.AT A SHOPPING MALL“So refreshing” Kristian lets out gaily as he finishes a portion of an ice cream.“Are you that happy?” Ashley asked in surprise, she gently patted his head and urged him to remain seated with the plan of getting him another cup. The walk to the ice cream store seemed longer than usual as she sighted her ex-husband’s favorite coffee. She remembered the visit here after work and how he knew her preferences all the time.She didn’t know how she got to the Ice cream store but she could see the lady before her smiling at her.Lost in deep thought…“How May I help you ma’am?”She finally heard the female attendant voice of concern and her lips curved into a forced smile to compose herself.On getting back to Kristian’s table, she noticed his gaze was focused on something else. Unknowingly, her eyes followed and landed at the table next to theirs. He's busy staring at a family of three playing sweet home in public. It’s not the first time he would be distracted by a comp
When the realization set in for Ashley, she could finally see the figure a few feet away from her. Her ex-husband had met their five-year-old son accidentally. Her legs faltered as she looked on from the corner.She bit her lips, her heart beating softly but with tension following every unintentional movement of the handsome man until he reached for Kristian’s shoulder with both hands.Ashley’s eyes immediately turned bloody, it looked as if her ex-husband had been cruel enough to decide to intimidate her most cherished son. With a clenched fist, she increased her pace defensively only to be frozen by a bright smile on Kristian’s face.“I have an important meeting to attend to. Let him go, he’s just a kid” Rhett McCall said just that before leaving with long strides, so fast that Ashley knew she wouldn’t catch up.“Mommy!” Kristian called as she rushed into her embrace.Ashley welcomed him into a tight hug, her creased brows showed how worried and scared she was.“Are you okay? did th
Collective gasps filled the room and it seemed as if the world had come to a halt for Rachel, her embarrassment seeping through her skin to the bones.“How dare you Ashley?!” she yelled, hand raised to rain down and slap on Ashley but then a man came to stop her.“Miss, are you okay?” Mr.Fred, the assistant asked with concern still holding Rachel’s wrist.“Let go of her hand right this instant!” Another man’s voice echoed from the entrance and everyone turned to take a look.Rachel’s eyes brightened with joy as she sighted her Fiancé looking royal as ever and this man had taken her side in public for the first time and against Ashley at that.Immediately, Rachel pretended to be weak and cried out in pain “You’re hurting my wrist mister” Mr.Fred let go of her hand at once “Apologies Madam”Rhett McCall has just arrived at the party after his late-night meeting when he saw the unusual number of people gathered around. He had thought that other business gurus might have identified the e
The news of Kristian’s arrival has made Ashley lose her composure. She fears that he might cause trouble with the wrong people this time around and with the fact that Rachel was moving crazy tonight, she could not risk having her meet her son, her rare gem.“Are you sure that hotel is the best? Their security is wack! How did they lose track of a five-year-old boy??” Ashley questioned uneasily.“I’m sorry Miss, I specifically asked them to put a call through at the sight of the young master Kristian” The assistant explained convincingly.Still, in a haze, he bit his lips and scratched his forehead nervously then brought out his phone from the pocket to keep trying Kristian’s number again.“How did he even find his way to this party? Alone!” She sighed, with a hand on her waist and her eyes scanning the entire room. Her body moved slowly as she looked into the crowd but could not see a small structure that could give out her son but instead, her face met with that of Rachel who appeare
Still trapped with Rachel, Ashley heaved a frustrated sigh as she turned around fully to face Rachel. She had been holding herself back with every of her willpower but the witch known as her stepsister is one adamant individual.“What are you doing right now cause I’m confused. Are you here professionally or here to get back to me about that unintentional trip earlier?” Ashley asked with calculating eyes.Rachel’s lips turned with a smirk but the redness on her face was evident that it pained to be reminded of the drama that caused her change of clothes.“That was a mistake, so I’ll accept your apology but I don’t think we can work with the scene I saw earlier Miss Ashley… Gu?” Rachel said glaring.“Oh! Your Fiancé and I already sorted that out tho” Ashley said in provocation.Immediately, Rachel’s eyes grew bigger in utmost surprise and she clenched her fist in anger.“Who told you he’s my Fiancé? He’s my husband okay? we are getting married soon.” She groaned.“I’m sorry but there’s
Back at the Hotel ~As soon as they arrived at the hotel, Kristian rushed to the restroom clenching his stomach.Ashley watched in despair as her son made his way to the restroom with discomfort in his eyes.She dropped her purse and walked to the bathroom door, pacing up and down in her expensive flamboyant dress.“Are you okay in there baby? do you need Mommy?” she called out worriedly.“No Mommy. I’m okay” Kristian’s muffled voice sounded from the inside.Ashley didn’t stop pacing “What did he eat so late in the night like this?”Mr.Fred, after arranging all the necessary things in the room, came to announce his departure.“Oh right” Ashley exhaled tiredly and waved her hand dismissively “You’ve worked hard, Goodnight”“Please do not worry ma’am, he’s going to be fine,” he said convincingly.“Yes surely,” she replied.Meanwhile inside the restroom is Kristian standing in front of the mirror, talking to himself.“It’s strange that I look so much like the kind man. We have the same ey
Rachel tightened her grip on the cell phone pressing further against her ear as she hit her head lightly on the wheel.“This is getting frustrating!” she raged.“You need to calm down and talk to me Rachel, why are you sounding so angry? Is it because I spent beyond my daily limit today? Then you should have asked Rhett for a black card for me” Her mother, Mrs.Roland expressed calmly in contrast to her daughter’s dilemma.“Mom!” she yelled “I’m talking about a woman who’s buzzing around my man like a fly and you’re worried about money?”“A woman? Why are you scared then? No one in this city will dare snatch your Fiancé don’t you know that?” Her mother said.“Mom it’s Ashley! That street Orphaned rat is back to steal Rhett from me! They even danced together at the party.“What? The same Ashley who disappeared five years ago? how did she survive that? And even still, why would a nobody like her attend your kind of party?”“I don’t know who she had to kill to steal that disguise and I do
Mr.McCall arrived at the company with Rachel and as they proceeded to the elevator, Optimist, McCall’s assistant received a message on his phone and he smiled lightly before returning the phone to his pocket.“Seems we are still on track with Madame Gu. Her assistant just sent a confirmation email to accept our offer” he reported.“Really?” he questioned with a straight look as he waited for a few seconds for the elevator door to open. Rachel who seems to be curious decided to raise a question.“Are you talking about the deal?” she asked.The elevator door spread open and Rhett stepped in without hesitation and with no reply to Rachel. “Pardon my curiosity but if it’s about this investment project then I believe I should know every detail about it” she quipped.McCall raised his head slightly as a form of communication to his assistant who acknowledged his comprehension with a nod and a “Yes boss”With his left hand in his pocket, he maintained an elegant posture behind the two other