Hayley braced herself to face the stranger when the doorbell rang. She had never seen the guy before, although he was all her family discussed. Their housekeeper, Mrs. Morris, whom she lovingly called Elsa, welcomed him inside while Hayley disappeared into the kitchen to hide from him. He sounded like those arrogant, self-centered billionaires who looked down upon everyone below their status.
“Hayley, your mom’s calling you. What are you doing here?” whispered Elsa, coming into the kitchen to find her fidgeting around.
“Can you give me something to do, Elsa? I don’t want to interact with him.”
“Escaping isn’t a solution, my dear. You have to face him. You’re a smart, educated, young woman. No one can force you to do anything you don’t want to.” Hayley sighed, knowing that she was right. She might as well face the man and show her disinterest in him.
“You’re right, Elsa. I won’t hide.”
“That’s the spirit. I’ll send Becky with you to serve the drinks.” Becky helped Elsa around the house and immediately served cool refreshing drinks in expensive chutes and followed her out of the kitchen. Hayley put on a fake smile as she approached everyone in the living room. She could feel the appreciative glances from her parents, but her eyes were on the tall, suit-clad man interacting with them. To her horror, he looked at least ten years older than her! How could she ever marry the man? Were her parents out of their minds?
“There she is. We were just discussing you. Come here, Hayley,” gushed her mom, holding out her arm towards her. Hayley smiled at her mom and went towards her while Becky served them drinks.
“Jason, meet my only daughter, Hayley,” she said, wrapping her arm around Hayley. Jason stood up to shake hands with her, but Hayley didn’t miss the momentary hesitation on his face.
“Hello, Hayley. I heard a lot about you from your dad. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” He grasped her hand in a cool shake for a split second before releasing it. Hayley found his movements too clinical and forced and wondered why he agreed to marry her in the first place!
“Likewise, Jason.” He nodded and sat down to sip his drink, watching her awkwardly.
“I heard you work at your dad’s office after college?” he asked, frowning a little with displeasure.
“Yes. It’s better to utilize my time in something productive.” Jason shook his head, not agreeing with her viewpoint.
“I don’t think so. The first year of college is the time to strengthen your foundation, to study hard and the second year is to gain in-depth knowledge in your field of study. The third is to apply your knowledge in a practical field under a wonderful mentor while the fourth is to test your abilities in a professional setup.”
“I totally agree with you, Jason. The distance tires her so much that she hardly studies at all these days,” said her mom. Hayley wanted to escape being the center of attention, but there was no way she could. Why the hell were they discussing her with him? It seemed as if he was her legal guardian already!
“You didn’t tell me about this before,” said her dad, looking clueless at the conversation going on.
“It’s alright, dad. I can manage both,” said Hayley to divert the topic. Granny sat quietly, listening to the ongoing discussion.
“Neither did I want her to work at eighteen. She’s hardly at home these days.”
“That’s what I was trying to explain. How much time do you dedicate to your studies, Hayley?” asked Jason. It made her lose her temper, but she calmed herself down. She glanced at her dad, who didn’t seem to mind Jason’s authoritative tone in his presence. As if she was already married to him! What was wrong with her family? She wanted a life partner, not a guardian!
“Enough to see me sail through with flying colors. Thanks for your concern.” Her mom glared at her for her sassy retort.
“I think Hayley is a responsible and hardworking girl. We should let her do what makes her happy,” said her uncle Robert, who seemed to be the only sane person in the family. She smiled at her uncle for always supporting her in everything she did. He was ten years younger than her dad and more approachable that her parents.
“Yes, that’s the reason I agreed when she wanted to train under me,” said her dad.
“That’s really remarkable! Maybe she’s really talented,” said Jason, but somehow Hayley felt that he wasn’t quite satisfied with the way they supported her instead of his theories. “I just didn’t want her to be so stressed with work at such a young age. She already looks a little tired.”
“I’m fine, really,” she protested when Elsa came over to summon them to dinner.
They sat down to dinner, but Hayley was extremely uncomfortable sitting opposite Jason, who frowned every time he looked at her. It was difficult to understand what was going on in his mind.
“So what are you studying?” he asked her when her dad stopped conversing with him.
“I’m majoring in Hospitality Management from Carter College of Management.” Jason smirked as if not liking her choice of college.
“Why Carter when you can afford Cornell University? It’s the best around here.”
“I prefer Carter because it’s within driving distance,” she argued, not wanting to give in.
“I wanted her to get into Cornell. The campus is good and near your wineries, isn’t it?” asked her mom. With Jason’s wineries in the Finger Lakes area, it was obvious why he wanted her to study at Cornell University.
“Yes, half an hour’s drive away, actually. Ithaca is a beautiful place, Hayley. I think you’ll like the campus. I can get you enrolled there,” offered Jason. Hayley panicked and looked at her uncle helplessly for support.
“I’m fine where I am. Please, dad, I don’t want to change my college. All my friends are here,” she protested.
“Jason is just looking out for you. After all, you two will get married in a couple of years,” said her granny. Hayley opened her mouth to protest when Jason intervened.
“I just wanted to get to know you better, Hayley. It isn’t possible for me to come down here all the time to meet you.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Jason. I’ll talk to her,” said her mom. Hayley wanted to disappear from the table. She had never seen such a manipulative man in her entire life. She didn’t want to get to know him better. Why would she change her college because of him? She would never marry him! If they forced her, she would run away from home. All her appetite disappeared, and she sat toying with her food with a grim expression on her face, refusing to look at him. She was done being nice to him.
“Jason, how long are you here in the city?” asked Uncle Robert to divert his attention from her.
“I’m here till tomorrow, uncle Robert. I’m not sure when I can come down again.” Hayley wanted to tell him outright that he needn’t come down to see her again.
“That’s depressing. Maybe Hayley could visit your estate during her term break,” said her mom, looking quite pleased with her suggestion.
“No, I don’t have any leave from the office,” she protested. She wasn’t interested in wasting her term break visiting Jason. She would rather go live with Ashton in his little cottage.
“Rubbish dear! I’m sure Chris will spare you for a few days,” said granny.
“Yes, of course, if she wants to go,” confirmed her dad.
“Fine, I’ll send a car to fetch you. Just inform me of the dates,” said Jason before she could protest.
“We could all go, Chris. Can’t we?” asked her mom eagerly, while Hayley groaned inwardly. Weren’t they overdoing it?
“Sure. Let’s see, Caroline!” said her dad. They sat discussing the attractions near his wineries. With Niagara falls nearby, her mom and granny were keen to visit him soon. They made plans all throughout dinner and even afterwards. It was late when Jason left and Hayley rushed up to her room, thankful that the torture ended. It was the worst evening of her life! She couldn’t tolerate the man for a few hours. How could she ever stay with him?
As she lay on her bed, her phone buzzed with an incoming message. Checking it, she smiled at seeing that it was from Ashton.
Enjoying? Are you engaged to him already?Ashton.
A smile escaped her lips on reading his message. He was definitely jealous, yet he wouldn’t admit it aloud.
Are you jealous Mr. Manager?Hayley.
She waited for his reply, but there was none. What was up with him now? Unable to wait, she messaged him again.
Are you sleeping?Hayley.
How can I sleep on an empty stomach?- Ashton.
A gasp escaped her lips, realizing that he hadn’t eaten his dinner yet.
Who’s stopping you from having your dinner?Hayley.
You areAshton.
How?Hayley.
By making me miss youAshton.
Hayley’s heart skipped a beat at his admission. So he felt something for her!