The next morning at the breakfast table, Hayley had a tough time explaining herself to her parents.
“Where were you last night, young lady? You left early but reached home two hours after I did,” scolded her dad.
“I was with Sienna, dad. Why?” She couldn’t meet their gaze and concentrated on the food instead.
“On weekdays, you should return home early and study, Hayley. You get ample time to enjoy during the weekend.”
“That’s exactly what I’ve been telling you, Hails. When was the last time I saw you studying?” scolded her mom.
“I study in the night, mom.” Her parents didn’t pay any heed to her excuses and looked disappointed with her.
“I wouldn’t mind if you don’t look into the business now. I just want you to focus on your studies. Your friends are doing the same, aren’t they?” Hayley hung her head with guilt, unable to face her parents. It was true her friends were all busy with their studies and hardly had time to meet her. Alyssa was leaving for California while Eva and Sienna were busy at their Nursing School. Skylar was planning to go to her brother’s house in Cleveland, OH.
“I’ll study hard from today, dad.”
“Good, that you have realized. You don’t need to accompany me to the office today.”
Thankfully, the topic ended there, and Hayley heaved a sigh of relief. She went up to her room to study, but even after an hour, she made no progress. Her focus was more on her upcoming date with Ashton than on anything else. Giving up, she sorted through her wardrobe to choose a suitable outfit but didn’t like any. What would she wear? She desperately needed a new dress!
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Alyssa, who wanted to meet them all before she left. Hayley immediately agreed to meet them and was ready in five minutes. Maybe she would buy a dress too on her way back. With her mom and granny away, she escaped to meet the girls.
At Silver Spring Resorts
Ashton looked worriedly at Harry, the young man who ran errands at the reception. “Who has come over to meet me? Has she given her name?” The hassled young man shook his head and looked uncomfortable.
“No, sir. She just asked me to call you as soon as I could. She said it was urgent.”
Ashton frowned, wondering what had cropped up that Hayley couldn’t wait till evening. She could have called him too. Did her dad find out? Did he fix her wedding to Lowells? Or was it what he had been dreading for a long time? Did Jason report him to her dad?
“Let’s go.” He wasted no time and rushed out to the reception with Harry. If it wasn’t important, Hayley would never rush here to see him leaving her work. A feeling of dread clutched at his heart. He had been so happy with Hayley for the last few days. Will that be snatched away from him now?
“There she is, sir. I had asked her to wait for you in the lobby,” said Harry, pointing at the woman seated with her back towards him. Ashton froze at the sight of her! What was Madison doing here? He was about to make an excuse and go back when, as if sensing his presence, she turned around and saw him. Ashton noted the angry scowl on her face. Now, what the f*ck did he do?
“Hello, Ashton. Remember me?” she asked bitterly, getting up to face him. Harry cleared his throat and excused himself, escaping as quickly as possible from the scene.
“Hello, Madison. How are you? Come over to my office.” He felt uncomfortable at seeing the curious looks of the employees and guests. He had a reputation here, after all!
“No, I won’t go anywhere with you. How could you block me out of your life? You didn’t even answer calls! I’ve come over twice, but you’re never at home. What’s going on, Ashton?” she yelled, starting a tantrum.
Ashton grabbed her arm and led her out of the lobby towards the backside near his cottage. “Where the f*ck are you taking me?” she said, putting up a resistance, but she was no match against his strength.
“I’m the f*cking manager here. I won’t tolerate your shit in front of my men, Madison. Yes, I have been avoiding you. I have been busy. So? I’m not answerable to you,” he gritted out, already annoyed by her presence. If he had known she had come over for a confrontation, he would never have met her.
“Yes, of course. Now you have a young bit*h to f*ck! No wonder you don’t have time for friends anymore,” she accused, her face full of anger and jealousy. Ashton gaped at her. The intensity of her hatred blew his mind off. What was wrong with Madison? Why was she behaving so weirdly? How did she know he was interested in Hayley? Did she stalk him? A mad fury coursed through his veins at her accusations. How dare she insult Hayley?
“That’s my personal life, Madison. You have no right to decide who I date or don’t. You could have messaged me if it was that important, instead of stalking me.” Ashton tried to keep his fury at bay. The faster he dealt with the mad woman, the better it would be for his mental health and reputation.
“You forced me to stalk you. I wanted to see why you were ignoring me and I was right. I gave no one so much importance as you in this world, Ashton. How could you forget me so easily? You know what? You’re just as selfish as the others. But don’t think you can keep ignoring me. I’ll get back to you for this. I’ll punish the bit*h for separating us.”
“I don’t think we can be friends in that case, Madison. If you harm my girl in any way, you’ll have me as your worst enemy alive. I won’t spare you.” Madison glared at him with fierce hatred before storming away, leaving him fuming after her. Was she obsessed? Her threat echoed in his mind. Would she really harm Hayley?
He slowly walked towards his office, but his mind was already in overdrive, thinking of Madison’s threat. Did Madison know Hayley’s whereabouts? He couldn’t concentrate much on his work afterwards as Hayley’s beautiful face crept flashing across his mind. Was she alright?
Unable to stay away, he called her. She accepted his call instantly.
“Hi, Ashton! How did you know I was missing you?” she chirped into the phone. Ashton smiled, all his worries disappearing at the sound of her beautiful voice.
“Maybe ‘coz I was missing you too. So where are you? I can hear a lot of noise in the background. Aren’t you at your office?”
“No, dad didn’t want me to go to work today. It’s my day off. I’m at Brookfield Place with the girls. Alyssa is treating us before she leaves.”
“Message me after you reach home.”
“Why? Aren’t you taking this dating business rather seriously?” Ashton grunted with impatience, unable to explain the importance of it over the phone.
“No, I’m not. Just inform me after you reach home, Hayley.”
“Fine, dad.” Ashton groaned and disconnected the call.
After an hour, he received her message that she had reached home safely. Ashton smiled with relief and wrapped up his work as fast as he could. He made arrangements for the date and then sauntered over to his cottage to get ready. By the time he left the resort and steered his car onto the streets, his body was alive with excitement at the prospect of seeing Hayley again. He had missed her so much in the last twenty hours that he had been away from her. As he drove towards her house, he checked for Jason and Madison’s cars, but found nothing suspicious. So maybe Madison wasn’t that serious, or was she? Was it only meant to coax him to give in? Did she know he was going on a date with Hayley?
He stopped in front of her gates and messaged her.
I’m outside. Should I come inside to get you?Ashton.
No. I’ll be with you in two seconds.- Hayley.
Ashton smiled, but deep in his heart, he wanted to go inside and proudly seek permission from her parents to take her out. He didn’t prefer sneaking out with her. Maybe someday he would talk to her dad.
The gates opened after a minute and Hayley rushed towards him in a white sheath dress that clung to her curves like a second skin. The sight of her aroused him and he sucked in a deep breath to control his racing heart. With her hair casting a halo around her face, shining under the light of the setting sun, she was a sight to behold. Gazing at her, Ashton couldn’t help the sinful thoughts from playing havoc with his senses. She looked so beautiful, like a blushing bride, that he would be a fool if he didn’t marry her. He wanted to make her his for life.
So had he crossed the third stage of dating already?