Gingerly, Hayley sat down on the couch while Jason was on the one opposite her. “I hope you know I wish to marry you?”
Hayley looked him in the eyes and nodded. “Yes, but why?”
This was the opportunity she had been looking for to show her disinterest in him. It was a do-or-die situation for her and she would surely speak her mind.
“I need a respectable virgin wife to give me an heir to my business empire. The women I have come across do not conform to my standards. I want someone far above, someone of aristocratic lineage such as yourself. I know your parents personally and I trust them when they boast about your high principles. But there is something I wish to warn you about.” His ancient principles infuriated her, but she took a deep breath and faced him courageously.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Lowells, but my thoughts on marriage differ from yours. If I ever marry, it will be for love.”
“You have little say in this, Hayley. Your family has accepted me. You’re still very young, so your thoughts are delusional. I’m sure you’ll soon realize that there’s nothing called love! Money, and power are all that matters.” His words made her angry, and she glared at him in defiance.
“My family’s acceptance doesn’t mean a thing here, Mr. Lowells. I get to decide who I wish to marry. If I’m so young, why are you marrying me? I’m sure you’ll find someone of your age! I need a loving life partner, not a guardian.” She got up angrily, but Jason caught her wrist to stop her.
“I won’t accept this back talk, Hayley. Sit down. I’m not done with you. Now listen very carefully,” he hissed, clenching his jaws angrily. He pulled her down to make her sit, but she yanked her wrist out of his hold.
“You can fool your parents, but I know who you’ve been with. I have my men tailing you around. You can’t fool me. I don’t trust any woman, so I had to be sure about the woman I plan to marry,” he gritted out while Hayley’s eyes widened with horror. Did he know she had gone to see Ashton?
“You had me stalked? This is so demeaning, Mr. Lowells. Now I’m even more determined about my decision to never marry you.” Jason laughed at her childishness, but sobered up in a split second and glared at her.
“You are so naive. Do you think I’ll let you go so easily? The man you’re losing your sleep over is connected to the mafia. Are you aware of that?” Hayley’s jaws dropped with shock and she gaped at him helplessly. Were they discussing the same guy? How could Ashton be connected to the mafia? Surely there was some mistake!
“Who are you talking about?” she asked, looking perplexed, but Jason laughed. It was a shrewd, calculated and taunting laugh, meant only to mock her.
“Oh, hasn’t Ashton Pierce ever told you his true identity?” he asked while Hayley paled considerably.
“Ashton isn’t involved in anything. He’s been working his ass off since the age of eighteen. Why don’t you get your facts right, Mr. Lowells?” she said with disgust.
“Don’t be so confident about the man you’re crushing after. He’s involved with the most wanted mafia don, Salvatore Gambino. He will never acknowledge your feelings, let alone marry you. Stop wasting your life after him. He will use you and throw you away like trash,” gritted out Jason.
“How can you be so sure of it?” she whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
“The day I decided to marry you, I’ve had my men stalk you for an entire month.” Realizing his true colors, Hayley glared at the man. How could he portray a dual personality so effortlessly? The image he projected in front of her family differed from what he actually was. No wonder he couldn’t find a single woman to marry. There was nothing good about him. He was an evil man!
“How could you? Do my parents know about your underhanded ways?” she demanded angrily.
“Not yet, but if you don’t agree to marry me, I’ll inform them about your involvement with Ashton Pierce. And that’s not all. I’ll destroy the man so that he’ll rot in some dungeon for the rest of his life! Mark my words, Hayley. You have a year to decide. I’m already twenty-nine and I refuse to wait more than a year.” He stood up and, putting on a fake, charming smile, walked out of her room as if he just had a love talk with her! Hayley boiled with fury, but remained in her room till he left.
His threat, his words, echoed in her head in a continuous loop. Her thoughts went to her first kiss! Was Jason correct? Was Ashton involved with the mafia? Maybe that was the reason he never got involved in relationships. Was that why he apologized for the kiss? She had to know the answers to her questions, but how? Ashton was the only one who could answer her, but how would she ask him?
Hayley had just freshened up when her mom peered into her room. “Are you busy, dear? I wanted to talk to you,” she said, coming inside. Hayley groaned inwardly, knowing what she wanted to discuss.
“If it’s about Jason, can we talk tomorrow, mom? I’m exhausted.”
Her mom sat down on the bed, paying no heed to her protest. “It is about you, Hails. How long will this continue? Every day, you come home late and don’t have the energy to study. Your studies will get affected this term. Your dad wants you to drop working at the office.” Hayley looked at her in panic. How would she meet Ashton if she didn’t go to work?
“No, mom. I can manage. I’ll come home early from tomorrow onwards.” Her mom didn’t look happy with her decision. It seemed as if she had something else on her mind.
“Fine, but if you don’t clear your assessments this term, your dad will admit you to Cornell University. It’s our final decision.” Her mom left, and Hayley dragged herself to her study desk. She would have to give more time to her studies from now on. However, after ten minutes, she fell asleep over her books, the exhaustion taking a toll on her.
The next morning, she faced everyone at the breakfast table. The atmosphere was solemn, and Hayley had a feeling something was cooking behind her back. What were they up to? After some time, her mom cleared her throat and turned towards her.
“What did Jason say to you last night?” she asked, while everyone waited for her reply. Hayley hesitated, not knowing what to tell them. It was obvious that they didn’t know what a manipulative as*hole he really was.
“Nothing much! He said why he wanted to marry me!” she said with a sigh.
“Has he confessed his feelings for you? I’m so happy to see this finally happening,” said her mom excitedly.
“Feelings? No mom, he doesn’t feel a thing for me. He’s eleven years older and we can’t connect in any way! He’s more like a guardian than a life partner!” she said with disgust. Her family looked shocked at her outburst.
“Age is just a number, dear. Maybe he hasn’t confessed his feelings yet, but I’m sure he loves you a lot. That’s the reason he’s so keen to marry you,” gushed her granny.
“No granny. He wants to marry me because he wants an heir to run his business empire. He has chosen me because he wants a woman of aristocratic lineage to bear him a child. My feelings, my age, my wishes and my aspirations don’t matter to him at all. He isn’t what he portrays. For the entire month, he had set his men after me to stalk me, to find out more about me. I feel like I’m a criminal! I can’t marry such a man ever in my life!” she cried, getting up and rushing out of the door. She didn’t want to discuss the hateful man and watch her family sing his praises.
After spending all morning at college, she went to her dad’s office. Her dad seemed to ignore her existence, and she knew he was disappointed in her. Not in the mood for a confrontation, Hayley quietly completed her work. Her mind, however, was on Ashton. Would he wait for her? Strangely, after the kiss last night, there had been no messages from him. Was he repenting it so much?
Her dad left early, and she was glad to be able to sneak into Silver Spring Resorts to meet Ashton. Meeting him after work had become an addiction she couldn’t do without. She walked up the driveway towards Ashton’s cottage with her heart thumping wildly in her chest. A loud woof greeted her from the porch and she smiled happily at seeing Buzz jumping with excitement at the sight of her. She crouched down and scratched the little pup’s ears. He went crazy, wagging his little tail.
“You’re such a friendly little one, aren’t you, Buzz boy?” she cooed, and Buzz went crazier with happiness. He really was a bundle of energy!
“Where’s your hot uncle? Is he inside?” she whispered to the little pup.
“Did you mean me?” Ashton asked in a husky drawl and Hayley gasped, looking up. The door was slightly ajar, and he had been watching her all along!