It was the most exciting news in the Barclay family and everyone congratulated Meredith and Robert Barclay. They all knew how much this meant to them. Granny was in tears and she engaged herself in organizing a baby shower party for Meredith. Hayley was glad that their attention was diverted away from her. After dinner, she could pack up her stuff in peace. Her mom came over to help her.
“Jason is still interested in marrying you, Hails. If you change your mind about him, tell me. We’ll plan your engagement.”
“I won’t change my mind, mom. I will now look into the business to relieve dad.” Hayley was determined not to give in and marry that man, whatever it took her. She would rather stay single all her life.
“That’s a very noble thought, but you can’t live alone all your life, Hails. We won’t be there for you forever. You need a family of your own,” coaxed her mom.
“I’ll have my cousins, mom. I don’t need Jason in my life.”
“Fine, as you wish.”
The next morning, Hayley was in the brightest of spirits. Rejoining her office had been her dream and now she had been formally appointed as the Deputy CEO of Barclay International, which managed Barclay Resorts And Suites worldwide. The whole day, she was too busy to think about Ashton. Her dad left after lunch, quite satisfied with the way she handled things. It wasn’t new to her. The training she received from her dad at eighteen helped her cope. She didn’t know that her brain had absorbed it all then. She was too immature to apply it, but now years later she remembered everything like she had learned it afresh.
“Hayley, there’s someone here to see you. Should I let him in?” said Dana McCain, who was still her PA, even after four years. Hayley was glad that she stuck to the company. Being a powerhouse of experience, she was very helpful indeed!
“I’m leaving, Dana. Please, can you postpone all meetings to tomorrow?” She got up, packing up her stuff to leave. Suddenly, she remembered she had to move into her new home tonight. Ashton would wait for her! Her heart started racing faster at the thought.
“He won’t take no for an answer, Hayley,” said Dana agitatedly.
“Who’s he? Haven’t you noted his name?” she asked, looking up at a flustered Dana.
“No, he’s a con man in a suit. I saw his tattoos and rushed in here to warn you.” Hayley blinked at Dana in disbelief. Who could it be? Seriously? A con man?
“I’m no con man. I’m just Ashton Pierce, General Manager at Silver Spring Resorts, and your friendly neighbor!” said Ashton’s booming voice from the door, startling her out of her mind. Dana clutched at her heart with fright and took a step towards Hayley, her eyes wide with fear.
“Ashton, what are you doing here?” said Hayley, coming to her senses as a deep flush stained her cheeks at being caught discussing him.
“I had to come over to remind you about your other commitments.” Dana’s eyes widened further, and she cleared her throat.
“Do you know him?” she whispered breathlessly into Hayley’s ear. Hayley smiled at the poor woman and nodded.
“Yes, he’s harmless. You can leave, Dana. I’ll be on my way.” Dana rushed out of her room and Hayley picked up her laptop bag.
“Sorry, it escaped my mind. Let’s go.” Ashton rolled his eyes and grabbed the bag from her hands and marched off towards the elevator.
“Have you brought your stuff or have you forgotten that as well?” he asked, unlocking his car.
“It’s in my car. I’ll follow you.” Ashton smiled and climbed into his car while Hayley went towards hers. Soon they were out of the parking area and driving towards Ashton’s condominium. Hayley’s heart thumped wildly at the prospect of living with him in the same building. They would surely bump into one another, wouldn’t they?
She parked the car behind him and went out to unload her stuff. Within minutes, Ashton was at her side, helping her with the luggage.
“Gosh! How many boxes do you have?” he asked with surprise after unloading almost ten.
“There are more in the back seat and passenger seat. I hardly brought much.”
“Such a princess!” Ashton helped her with the rest.
“I’m not! I bought nothing for myself in the last four years! Now I had to because I joined the office as the Deputy CEO of Barclay International. I can’t go to work in ripped jeans!” she said with a look of horror, and he grinned at her.
“Wow! We’d make catchy headlines! Deputy CEO of Barclay International dates General Manager of Silver Spring Resorts.” Hayley gave him a look of warning, picked up the last carton, and walked into the elevator with him.
“I’ll never date you.” It was enough to make Ashton pin her with a brooding stare.
“Then who will you date? Lowells?” Hayley didn’t miss the jealousy in his tone this time, but she just shrugged, looking away.
“Anyone but not you.”
“Why? What’s wrong with me?” The elevator doors opened, and she started unloading the boxes without answering him. Seeing him unlock his apartment, Hayley felt confused. Wasn’t he leading her to the new apartment? She had forgotten to ask him which floor it was on.
“Oh, which floor is my apartment on? Upstairs?” she asked, cluelessly following him into his.
He picked up a set of keys and went out to unlock the one bang opposite his apartment.
“This one’s yours,” he said, smothering a small smile at seeing the jaw-dropped look on her face. He started carrying her luggage inside while she blinked in disbelief. She hasn’t at all expected to live right opposite him.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” she asked, walking into her new apartment. It was spacious, well-furnished, and tastefully decorated, just like his. The large, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors led to a small terrace overlooking the beach and the ocean. The cozy rug and throws on the floor attracted her like a magnet. She could spend her evenings with coffee and a good book, staring at the sunset over the shimmering water. It was just perfect! Her feet took her towards the place and she stared at the beach shimmering under the moonlight. It was as secluded as it was last morning.
“Do you like it?” asked Ashton, leaning in towards her. With her skin glowing under the moonlight, it attracted him towards her like a magnet.
“Yes, thanks, Ashton.” She continued to gaze at the beach while he looked at her. If only it was his apartment she had moved into! He didn’t want to go back to his place. He needed her to answer him first. Why couldn’t they date now? Was she dating Jason?
“You hardly saw the rest of the apartment,” he pointed out, watching her eyes shine with excitement.
“I love this view. It’s enough to make me like it. Maybe I’ll go out for a jog tomorrow morning!” Ashton was immediately on high alert.
“We can go out together!” he suggested, and she nodded. “At 5 o’clock?”
“Yes.”
Although she dismissed him, Ashton couldn’t leave. He wanted to spend more time with her.
“So what did you do for the last four years, apart from studying?” he asked, waiting to know if she was dating Jason.
“Nothing! I just studied.” Ashton frowned, bursting with curiosity.
“I’m sure you had made new friends and went out daily,” prompted Ashton, but she shook her head.
“I didn’t make many friends. In fact, I didn’t go out much since I didn’t want to collide with Jason.” Ashton gaped at her admission. What did it mean?
“Surely Jason knew you were there. Weren’t you two dating?” he asked already at his wit’s end. He needed to clarify now.
“No, Jason didn’t know I was there. I kept a low profile and ensured that my family didn’t inform him. No, I wasn’t dating him and I never will!” she said vehemently, stomping inside to check out the rest of the apartment.
“You won’t date him or me! Then who will you date? Shaun Peterson?” demanded Ashton angrily.
Hayley gaped at his outburst with surprise. “Now who the fu*k is Shaun Peterson?” she asked, looking clueless. Ashton stared at her for a minute and then chuckled, walking towards the door. With both contenders out of the scene, there was no reason for him to feel threatened. With the keys to her apartment with him, he was definitely at a greater advantage than the other two. This time, he would make her fall for him all over again. It shouldn’t be a hard task to accomplish since she used to love him once upon a time. Couldn’t he rekindle that magic again?
“Never mind! You’ll date me and that’s final!” he opened the door and left before she could come to her senses.