hristopher Barclay waited for Ashton in his study the next day when Hayley was at work. Knowing his hardworking nature and level of intelligence, he too wanted Ashton to handle Barclay International.
“Why have you called him, Chris?” asked her mom, sitting down with her husband. “I hope you aren’t considering him for Hails?”
“No, Carol. Relax. I just want him to work for us.”
“Why? I don’t want him around Hails. He will manipulate her mind and she’ll never consider Jason,” said Caroline Barclay bitterly. She had seen Ashton once at a social gathering long ago, to which the entire Van Every family was invited. She hated the sight of the tattooed guy, who looked like a misfit among them. Therefore, it was natural that she preferred Jason, who tried to impress her when they met at charity events.
“You’re overreacting, Carol. Ashton isn’t the type to manipulate Hayley. Despite his rough exterior, he’s quite a polished and well-behaved boy.”
“You can keep your opinions to yourself, Chris. I’m never wrong about the people I meet. After Hayley returns from her trip to Switzerland, I’ll invite Jason over to dinner. We’ll get them engaged,” said her mom.
“Hails will never agree to marry Jason.”
“She will if you don’t involve Ashton in this. Don’t offer him the job, Chris. I don’t want him around my daughter. He’s a bad influence on her. Would you like it if he forces himself on her, impregnates her, to gain access to everything we possess?” she demanded, feeling totally upset.
“He doesn’t need to do that. His dad, Daniel Van Every, is offering him VE Global Finance on a platter which he has declined.”
Her mom scoffed and got up to leave. “His Dad? Do you mean his foster dad who rescued him from a slum, right? I don’t want insults thrown my way at every social gathering because of this.”
“Then don’t go to such gatherings,” muttered her husband angrily.
“That’s for me to decide. Just don’t add to our woes, Chris. Even Mom wants Hayley to marry Jason. They’re perfect for one another. Don’t sabotage everything by involving Ashton.”
On hearing the conversation from the door of the study, Ashton froze. He had avoided Hayley’s family since they didn’t like him at all. For the first time, he understood the complete picture. Hayley’s dad liked him and wanted to offer him a job, but he didn’t have any say in the matter. Hayley’s mom and granny were planning to get her married to Jason.
Ashton didn’t wait to meet Christopher Barclay. He left as quietly as he had arrived, the decision to leave NYC stronger in his mind now.
Her dad waited for some time, but Elsa informed him about Ashton’s arrival and departure. He felt ashamed of himself that the boy had overheard the conversation between him and his wife. In his heart, he knew Hayley would revolt against their decision, but he preferred to let his wife and mother face it themselves. They wouldn’t stop otherwise.
The next day, Hayley and her dad left for her trip to Switzerland, where their third hotel was being inaugurated. At home, unknown to her, Eva got ready for her duty. She had just emerged from the room when she overheard Hayley’s mom and granny talking.
“We need to introduce them, Mom,” said Aunt Caroline.
“Yes, but how? Eva sticks to Hayley all the time. I want Jason and Hayley to spend time with one another before their engagement,” said her granny. Eva’s eyes widened on realizing what they were planning.
“He wants to come home for dinner. How long will Eva stay here?” asked her mom. Eva paled, realizing that contrary to Hayley’s beliefs, her family didn’t want her to stay here. What a fool she was to believe that they did! She went back to the room, her decision made now. She wouldn’t stay here a minute longer and quickly packed up. In twenty minutes, she was done and carried her stuff towards her car. Hayley’s granny and mom looked at her with surprise. They hadn’t expected her to be home so late. She usually left for work at seven in the morning. They eyed each other, realizing that she might have overheard them.
“Eva? Didn’t you go to the hospital today?” asked her mom.
“I have my duty from 11 o’clock today. Thanks for everything, Aunt Caroline, granny. I’m moving out,” she said with a small guilty smile. She had wanted to leave long ago, but it was Hayley who had stopped her every time.
“Why so suddenly? Is something wrong?” asked Aunt Caroline, eyeing Granny with guilt.
“It’s not sudden, Aunt Caroline. I’ve already told Hayley that I will leave today. I would have left long ago, but she stopped me every time.”
“Oh, where will you go?” asked Granny.
“I’ll go back to the hospital accommodation.” They didn’t prod further, relieved to see her go.
Eva left but sent a message to her clueless friend about the planning and plotting going on at her house in her absence.
In the meantime
Ashton smiled at seeing the call for an interview from Hotel Bayview, Florida. A part of the Baylor group of hotels, they had recently posted an advertisement for the post of a General Manager. Eager to get away from NYC and its toxicity, he applied for the post a few days ago.
After overhearing the conversation between Hayley’s parents, he felt quite restless to know that Hayley’s family was getting her hitched to Jason. He couldn’t stay here and watch her get married. He would die! Therefore, it was best that he left at the earliest.
The next few days, he was quite busy with the interviews, which were held online. Ashton sailed through the four rounds of interviews and finally got selected. He didn’t inform anyone apart from Alexander.
“When do you need to join your new workplace?” asked Alexander when they met at their gym.
“Next month. The current GM is serving a fifteen days notice period. Once they frame my appointment letter, I’ll take over from him.”
“That’s a relief. Come over tomorrow to Impulse to celebrate Alyssa’s birthday.” Ashton’s heart skipped a beat on hearing about the plan. Could he meet Hayley once before he left forever?
“Who all are invited?” he asked, holding his breath with hope.
“Eva, Hayley, you, and my so-called fiancee, Beatrix.” Ashton groaned with agony on hearing her name. He knew everything about her!
“Why did you have to invite her?” Alexander snickered with disgust and shrugged helplessly.
“We haven’t. She invited herself. Anyway, I’ll pick up Alyssa and Eva and reach there,” said Alexander while Ashton’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“But Hayley is away on a work trip, isn’t she?”
“No, she has returned last night,” said Alexander, making his heartbeats speed up.
“In that case, I’ll pick her up and reach the venue on time,” offered Ashton.
Excited beyond words, Ashton sent her a message first to see if she had unblocked him.
Alexander is treating us to dinner at Impulse tomorrow to celebrate Alyssa’s birthday. I’ll pick you up in the evening. Be ready at 6.Ashton.
In five minutes, he received a reply that made him smile.
Sure. Have you thought about my offer?Hayley.
He didn’t want to tell her about his plans yet. What if she refused to talk to him?
Meet me. We’ll talk.Ashton.
The next day, he waited eagerly for the evening. Finally, it was time, and he got ready to go out. Aunt Jodie smiled at him appreciatively.
“I’m going out to dinner, Aunt Jodie.” Her smile widened, and she looked at him curiously.
“With whom? Madison or Hayley?” Ashton colored a little.
“Why would I go out with Madison?” Jodie Van Every smiled back knowingly. So Hayley Barclay was the one for her son!
“Alexander’s treating us to dinner. It’s Alyssa’s birthday treat,” said Ashton, noting the sad look on Jodie Van Every’s face.
“Tell her to come home and see us, Ashton.” She sighed, and Ashton gave her a hug to comfort her. He wanted to clear up the misunderstanding between Alyssa and their parents.
“I will, Aunt Jodie. Give her time to mature. I’m sure she will patch up with you both.”
Somehow, Ashton couldn’t tell her he was leaving for Florida. Maybe he would in a month’s time.
He drove off towards the Barclay mansion to pick Hayley up, his heart thumping wildly with excitement. Tonight, he would kiss her for the last time before he left forever. He didn’t know how he would live without her. Could he tell her how much he loved her? Could he show her his feelings for her? He realized he had just one night with her and a lifetime of dreams to catch up on before he left.