Amazed at himself, Ashton drove off towards his studio apartment. How did he end up agreeing to go on a date with Hayley when he swore to stay away from her? No, he should get a grip on his mind. He couldn’t cave in to a momentary attraction. Annoyed, he parked his car and ran up the stairs to get the steam off his mind.
“Ashton, hey! What’s up with you? Where are you coming from?” asked Madison, leaning against her door as if waiting for him.
“Hey! When did you return?” asked Ashton, unlocking his door. Upset at his own behavior, he wasn’t in the best frame of mind to tolerate anyone at the moment.
“Just! So you didn’t answer my question! You weren’t at work a few minutes ago.” Ashton hated this interrogation! What was up with Madison? Why couldn’t she mind her own business?
“How did you know that?” Ashton frowned, noticing her discomfort. Sometimes he doubted her claim of just being friends with him. Friends don’t bloody stalk one another!
“I dropped in to see you on my way home. I thought of hitching a ride in your sexy BMW.” Her nervous chuckle made him suspicious, but he wasn’t in the mood to argue with her.
“I was with a friend!” He strode into his apartment and shut the door without a word more. He didn’t need to explain himself to her. However, just as he expected, his doorbell buzzed after a few minutes. He knew who it was! Madison Parker, who hated cooking! He seriously needed to move out of this place because of her!
Opening the door, he walked into his kitchen to make dinner while Madison followed him. “What are you making? I’m so hungry!”
“Pork mince tacos. It’s something you can make too.”
“I hate tacos! Why can’t you make meatballs and pasta instead?” she whined, watching him expertly make the stuffing.
“I’m not in the mood tonight. Why don’t you find yourself a chef to marry?” Madison grimaced and walked away.
“Thanks for the free advice. I’d rather eat your head than marry a chef. Anyway, I think I’ll order tonight.” She walked away towards the door and Ashton smiled at his success. He knew she hated tacos and would leave at the sight of the taco shells. He didn’t have any idea how she managed to order food regularly. With a job at a retail center, one couldn’t splurge the way she did.
Shrugging, he sat down to concentrate on his food instead. He had more pressing issues to consider! The first was to look for a well-paying job in a hotel. He needed to pay Gambino as fast as he could! Scrolling through his phone, he checked the job vacancies he could apply to. His college offered him an internship opportunity when he graduated, but the pay was meagre and he had to decline.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call from Alexander, and his face eased into a smile as he accepted his best friend’s call.
“I’m leaving for Athens tonight, bro. It will take me two weeks to wrap up the work there. Check up with mom and dad in my absence.” Alexander was training under Desmond Rotterdam, his dad’s best friend, to take over as CEO of Rotterdams, the famous global restaurant chain. As such, he had an extremely busy schedule, yet he never forgot to update him about his upcoming work trips.
“Sure. I’ll update you.”
“So, what were you up to? Are you with Hayley?”
“No, I dropped her home. I was looking for a job, actually.” There was no point in hiding anything from Alexander. He would know when he resigned from VE Global Finance and joined some hotel job.
“I told you before. You left such a good internship opportunity!” scolded Alexander.
“The pay wasn’t much, dude! I need money to survive!” protested Ashton.
“In a year it would have hiked. I’m sure dad would have supported you for a year!” Ashton sighed, unable to explain his situation to his best friend.
“Never mind! There’s still an excellent opportunity on Long Island if you’re willing,” said Alexander, making him sit upright.
“What opportunity?”
“Rotterdams franchisee, Silver Spring Resorts on Long Island, is looking for an Assistant Administrative Manager. Will you be interested? I can talk to uncle Desmond to recommend you,” said Alexander.
“Sure, if the pay is good,” said Ashton. Although he hated taking favors, his life was at stake now. He had to pay off the debt.
“The pay is six times what you’re earning right now. The job comes with accommodation. So you can release your apartment, dude. You’ll save up on rent!”
“Done! I want the job!” said Ashton, his decision made. This job had all the benefits he needed right now.
“It’s yours, bro. I’ll surely get you in.” After Alexander disconnected the call, Ashton whistled as he rinsed the dishes. Soon he’d be on Long Island, in a new surrounding, with new acquaintances. He felt quite excited at the prospect. However, as he hit the bed, a new idea occurred to him and he looked up the place.
His eyes almost popped out on seeing that Silver Spring Resorts was right next to Barclay Grand Suites! Wasn’t that Hayley’s dad, Christopher Barclay’s flagship hotel and head office? His heart skipped a beat as realization dawned on him. Hayley worked at her dad’s office after college! The phone slipped out of his fingers while he lay still thinking of Hayley!
He knew it was a sin, yet he couldn’t help craving her. He closed his eyes, yet he couldn’t drive images of her gyrating to the music out of his mind. Her sinfully seductive curves attracted him to her like a magnet.
“Get a grip over yourself, Ashton!” he chided himself. Going over to the refrigerator, he picked up a can of beer to cool himself down.
The next morning, he found a message from Alexander instructing him to go over to Silver Spring Resorts at 11 o’clock in the morning for an interview. Was this a good idea? Was he jumping into the crater of a dormant volcano that could come to life any minute? Would he be able to stay away from Hayley after seeing her every day?
It was 10:45 in the morning when he stepped out of his car and glanced at the five-star luxurious hotel next to Silver Spring Resorts. Was Hayley working there? It was Saturday and she would surely be there. Blinking the thoughts away, he strode towards the reception desk. He had a job interview to handle and couldn’t allow himself to get distracted.
For the next twenty minutes, he was busy with the interview, impressing the directors with his wit and capabilities. He succeeded, and they appointed him immediately. Ashton was on cloud nine and returned home in a better frame of mind. He needed to pack and release the apartment before joining work the next day! The pay was good, just as Alexander had informed him. He felt hopeful that he could pay off the debt soon. Relieved, he called Alexander to thank him.
“Thanks, bro. I got the job. Sunday is my day off and I’ll spend the day with uncle Daniel and aunt Jodie.”
“Congratulations! I’m at the office now. I’ll call you when I return.”
After disconnecting the call, Ashton called his landlord and released the apartment.
It was almost 3 o’clock, and he needed to pack. Just as he had dumped a few clothes into a suitcase, the doorbell rang. He rolled his eyes, knowing who it could be on a Saturday afternoon. Madison Parker! Who else? She might have returned from duty and would demand lunch. As if it was his responsibility to provide her with meals.
The doorbell pealed, and he lost his patience and went to open the door. Madison came rushing in and glanced at the kitchen. “Did you eat lunch already?” Ashton nodded with an eye roll and went back to his room to pack. “Without me?” she whined, following him to his room.
“Yes, so? Make a sandwich for yourself. What’s the big deal?” Madison’s eyes popped out at seeing him pack.
“Where are you going?” she asked in a state of panic. Ashton looked up, surprised at her reaction.
“I’m moving out of here.” Shocked, Madison sat down at the edge of his bed.
“Moving out? Where?” she mumbled incoherently, her eyes dazed as if she would collapse any minute.
“Hey! What’s wrong? I’m just moving out of this building, not the city! I’ve found work on Long Island and they’re providing me accommodation.”
“Will you leave me, Ashton? I don’t have anyone except you,” she whispered while big fat tears fell from her eyes. Ashton froze at the sight of tears. He shifted uncomfortably, unable to decide what to do with Madison and her tears.
“Hey, chill, Madison! You can come down and see me anytime. I’m not leaving the country or the planet!” he said, stressing the last part. Madison wiped her tears and stood up angrily.
“Where are you joining?” she demanded bitterly.
“Silver Spring Resorts. Why?” Ashton didn’t like her stance. Definitely, something was going on in her mind. He was a free-spirited guy! He hated being tied down.
“You’ll see!” she stormed out of his apartment without a word.