Hayley tried hard to concentrate on her work the next morning at her office, but failed miserably. The hurt from last night was still fresh in her mind. Ashton didn’t even bother to stop her from leaving. Apart from two missed calls, there has been no communication from him at all. It only proved that he didn’t much care about her. It was just a shallow fling for him.
After a sleepless night, her head felt heavy, and all she wanted was to go home and sleep. She had expected Ashton to contact her in the morning, but he hadn’t. In fact, he didn’t log in to the messaging app after she left. Did he forget her so soon?
She wanted to go to Silver Spring Resorts and meet him, but then thought against it. Let him miss her! Let him seek her out.
However, the whole day passed by, yet he didn’t seek her out or contact her. Hayley was at her wit’s end. Should she go back to her parents’ house or to her rented apartment? Choosing the former, she went home to her parents’ house, still refusing to bow down and call Ashton. Maybe Ashton hadn’t changed at all, as she had thought. He still didn’t believe in relationships. Then how did he ask her to be his girlfriend? Was it an act? Why would he need to fake it? What could be his motive? Was he playing with her feelings?
Ashton’s silence confused her a lot. She waited for his call, only to meet with disappointment. The next day too passed by similarly. It was Saturday, and she wanted to return to her apartment and patch up with Ashton. Having missed him immensely, she couldn’t stay away from him any longer. Maybe he was as upset as she was. Maybe she had overreacted! She would definitely clear up the misunderstanding!
Her mom sent a locksmith to help her, but the locksmith would arrive late in the afternoon. She drove over to her apartment in the evening, hoping to see Ashton and talk to him. When she reached her apartment, she found the locksmith waiting for her. He immediately set down to work while Hayley stood by, contemplating her next move. Should she buzz Ashton’s doorbell? Should she seek him out instead? She was his girlfriend, after all!
She was about to go over when his door opened and a woman emerged, giggling away at some joke. Hayley froze, recognizing her instantly. She was the woman who was staring at them in the mall. Did she know Ashton? The woman gave her a look of pure hatred and snickered with a victorious gleam in her eyes. Soon Ashton emerged, ready to go out with her. He froze at seeing Hayley right in front of him. Hayley looked away, her throat choked up with hurt. No wonder he didn’t have time for her. Here she was, wanting to get back with him while he had moved on from her. So fast?
“Hayley? When did you arrive?” he asked, stopping near her. Hayley didn’t even bother to answer him. It was all over between them.
“I’m asking you something, dammit.”
“None of your bloody concern.” She muttered angrily, not even glancing at him. The woman scoffed and grabbed his hand.
“Let it go, Ash. We’re getting late for our date.” She pulled Ashton away while Hayley felt tears prick in her eyes. So, now he was dating that woman! How had she been so blind? The woman’s voice seemed familiar to her. The elevator went down and the tears trickled down her cheeks. She moved away to the far end of the corridor to compose herself. Obviously, she couldn’t shed tears in front of the locksmith!
Hayley decided she wouldn’t stay here any longer. Ashton was a jerk and he would remain one, all his life. Her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Alyssa, and she was glad. Talking to her friends always cheered her up.
“Hey, girl! Where are you? I have something exciting to tell you,” squealed Alyssa, instantly making her smile.
“I’m in my apartment on Long Island. What news? Are you getting hitched?” she asked with a chuckle, but Alyssa groaned instead.
“Very funny! Who the f*ck will marry me? It’s Sienna who has a crush on Lucas Donnelly. He had an accident and wants Sienna to move in with him as his nurse,” she gushed excitedly. They all knew Sienna’s love story. She met Lucas Donnelly on her birthday in Phoenix. He was a famous entrepreneur, and the CEO of Donnelly Technology Corp., known for its innovative home and industrial products.
“Wow! So romantic!” Although Hayley felt upset, she feigned happiness for her friend’s sake. After taking an update on all of them, she disconnected the call.
The locksmith handed her a new set of keys, and Hayley paid him for his service. After he left, she went inside her apartment and started packing up. It was time to forget Ashton and go home to her parents. He could f*ck around with whoever he wanted.
Later, loading all her stuff back into her car, she spoke to the security guards about releasing the apartment. They gave her the landlord’s number, and she spoke to the man. Thankfully, the landlord agreed and she deposited the keys with the security guards and left. Her first love, her first relationship ended in a disaster and she just couldn’t get over the heartache. But she didn’t shed tears! He didn’t deserve it.
Her parents were extremely relieved to see her return home. No one questioned her and Hayley was thankful.
“Hayley, I’m going to Melbourne tomorrow to meet the President of Reckitt Group for a collaboration. I want you to accompany me. It’ll be a ten days trip and we’ll be covering the entire country,” said her dad, making her jaws drop with surprise.
“Dad, I haven’t packed. Why didn’t you inform me earlier?” she asked in dismay.
“It’s no big deal, Hails. I’ll help you pack,” offered her mom.
“Why don’t you come along, mom?”
“I can’t. There’s an upcoming charity event and I’m invited as their guest of honor. I can’t back out at the last minute.”
Eager to escape, Hayley readily agreed. The business trip would keep her thoughts away from Ashton. Her mom helped her pack, and she went to her room to sleep, switching off her phone. Unaware of the numerous missed calls she received from Ashton, she soon dozed off to sleep.
In The Meantime
“Madison, I hope you are happy now?” Ashton gave her a displeased look, still remembering the hurt in Hayley’s eyes. He knew she had misunderstood him again, but this time he wouldn’t wait for her to clear it. He would go to her apartment and talk to her. This was all because of Madison. He wouldn’t have gone out with her, but she threatened to stalk him forever if he didn’t.
“Yes, I’m happy. Can I stay back at your place? I really don’t have the strength to drive home tonight.” Ashton was immediately on high alert. He knew what she was trying hard for. No, he wouldn’t allow her to create more misunderstandings between him and Hayley. She had already done that, but not anymore.
“No. That isn’t acceptable at all. Go home. After this, I hope you will stop stalking me, Madison.” Madison pouted and whined to get her way, but Ashton didn’t give in at all.
He drove all the way to his condominium and parked his car. “You don’t need to come up. Bye,” he said, dismissing her.
“Why can’t I come up for a drink?” she whined again.
“Because I won’t let you.” He waited patiently for her to get into her car.
“You’re horrid, Ashton. I know why you won’t let me come up. You’re going to that bitch to patch up with her, right?” she scoffed, going towards her car angrily.
“Yes, I am going to my girlfriend. Next time you want to behave like a bitch, do me a favor, Madison. Get the f*ck out of my life. I’m done being nice to you.” He stormed towards the elevator, his whole body seething with fury. He wouldn’t associate with the mad woman after this. She could go to hell! How could she insult Hayley? It was because of her that Hayley had misunderstood him.
The elevator went up and Madison glared at the way he overreacted. She swore to take her revenge now on both of them. She wouldn’t let this go.
Ashton went to his floor and glanced at Hayley’s door. Was she inside? Maybe she had fallen asleep. If she had brought her own locksmith, she might have changed the lock and keys already. Now he wouldn’t be able to open her door with his spare set.
He rang her doorbell, but she didn’t answer. Sighing, Ashton went away to his apartment. He would try again tomorrow. He was recuperating at his parent’s house for the last two days after the accident. When Madison called him, threatening to harm Hayley, he came to his senses and arrived at his apartment. He didn’t fear Madison, but he knew she could harm Hayley.
He tried Hayley’s number, but she had switched off her phone. Ashton swore to keep trying until he cleared up the misunderstanding between them. This time, he would give her what she wanted. He would make love to her! Everything else could to go hell!