Hayley reached Miami in the night and booked a room at Hotel Bayview. She introduced herself and fixed an appointment with the owner, Simon Baylor for the next day. There was no sign of Ashton still and she didn’t bother messaging him. Let him get the shock of his life when he returned.
The receptionist was initially wary of her after Madison’s visit. But Hayley didn’t want access to Ashton’s penthouse, and she relaxed a little.
“Actually, sir has tightened the security around the hotel. He has strictly prohibited us from entertaining any of his guests without his permission. Last time someone called Madison Parker gained access to his penthouse in his absence.”
“Oh, Madison was here! Did she used to live with Ashton?” she asked, bursting with curiosity. However before Gina could answer her, the landline buzzed with an incoming call. Seeing her busy with numerous calls, Hayley picked up the keys to her room and left. Maybe she would find out the details later.
The fresh piece of information disturbed Hayley. She had never expected Madison to reach here! So were they together? Was that the reason he showed little interest in her? Was he vacationing with Madison now? Disturbed by her jealousy, Hayley had a restless night. She couldn’t wait to strike a good deal with Simon Baylor and own the hotel. She would throw Madison out of his life forever. She wouldn’t allow Madison to live in his penthouse with him.
The next morning, Simon Baylor sent an attendant to summon her to the conference room.
She greeted the elderly, tired-looking man with respect the moment she went inside. He led her to a seat and occupied the one opposite to her.
“Good morning, Ms. Barclay. This was a pleasant surprise indeed. I never expected the CEO of Barclay International to show interest in my little venture. I was on the verge of selling Baylor Group to someone called Francesca Gambino. Her offer was too good to decline.” Hayley gaped at the man. The name Gambino immediately had her on high alert. Was Francesca Gambino related to Salvatore Gambino? Why would she want to buy the hotel Ashton worked at? How did she survive DeLuca’s and the subsequent SEALS team attack?
“I see. So, are you looking for an investing partner or a buy-out deal?”
“I would prefer an investing partner, but Francesca Gambino was only interested in a buy-out. I didn’t have any say in the matter.”
“We’re fine with being an investing partner for Baylor Group. Let’s discuss this in detail. My lawyer will be here by late afternoon. We could have another round of meetings and finalize everything.”
For the next three hours, she was busy checking the Baylor Group’s performance and fiscal reports. She consulted her dad too, involving him in the video conference. Their lawyer arrived, and after much study, Hayley signed a good deal with Simon Baylor.
Under the agreement, Barclay International would invest and bail out the Baylor group from its financial crisis. Until then, Hayley Barclay would have the power to run the hotels under the group at her discretion.
Simon Baylor readily agreed, since Hayley was more efficient than he was. It was an equal partnership, and he would benefit from her interference. He accepted a backseat and passed on the reins to Hayley.
Hayley shifted to the penthouse adjacent to Ashton’s. Settling down in the posh office on the ground floor, she immediately started working, taking an update on all the hotels under the Baylor group. It was almost evening when she could get a grip on everything. Going up to her penthouse, Hayley released a sigh of relief.
She called her dad and updated him about her efforts, accepting suggestions from him to improve the financial situation of the Baylor Group.
At night, she lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. In a week’s time, she would leave Miami and go to the next hotel under the Baylor Group. While her dad was busy handling Barclay International in her absence, she could return after completing her work here.
Despite being busy the whole day, a part of her restlessly waited for Ashton to arrive with Madison. Hayley wanted to catch them red-handed this time. She wanted to know why Ashton was so bipolar towards her. She wanted to know the truth. It would give her the closure she needed to move on. Maybe she couldn’t love another, but she would stop hoping for him and carry on with her career.
The next day went by similarly. All the employees treated Hayley with respect. She had a thorough discussion with the core teams and they implemented the changes she wanted. In fact, she had to accept that Ashton had put in a lot of effort to bring Hotel Bayview up, unlike the other hotels of the Baylor Group. Even Simon Baylor was impressed with him.
“Appoint him the overall CEO of the Baylor Group, if Simon Baylor agrees. That way, you’ll be free to handle Barclay International,” said her dad.
“I will once he re-joins.”
Hayley pondered over her dad’s suggestion. Simon Baylor agreed instantly, since there wasn’t anyone better than Ashton Pierce. Why hadn’t he thought of it before?
“Why don’t you call a press conference and announce it, Mr. Baylor? I’m sure Ashton Pierce would be excited about his promotion!”
“Shouldn’t we wait for him to join back?” asked Simon Baylor, hesitating a little.
“I know him well, Mr. Baylor. I’m sure he will be thrilled to join us as CEO. Please don’t inform the press about our involvement yet. My dad will announce that later.”
She knew that wherever he was, Ashton would surely return once he saw the news of his promotion. That was what she wanted, right? To make him return at the earliest with Madison. Mr. Baylor summoned a press meeting and announced Ashton Pierce as the future CEO of the company. It was covered by all the leading news channels, and Hayley sat back in her chair to wait for the man. Surely Ashton couldn’t miss this. He would have to come back.
In the meantime
Ashton dragged his sleep-deprived body back to the cottage after a day of roaming around aimlessly to tire himself. He had expected to get a grip over himself here, but day by day he was sinking into a depression. He couldn’t drive the guilt out of his mind. If only he knew! He would have admitted his dad to Bellevue Hospital for the first operation itself.
It had been almost a week since he lost his dad, yet the pain was the same. How would he carry on living? He ordered some food after having skipped meals the entire day. Taking a shower, he sat down in front of the television set to wait for his food.
His attention suddenly fell upon a news channel that was broadcasting something on the Baylor Group. Curious, he went back to check.
Mr. Ashton Pierce, the GM of Hotel Bayview, has been appointed as CEO, of the Baylor Group.
Ashton sat with his jaws dropped to the floor. What? Had Simon Baylor lost his mind? How could he decide on something so important without consulting him? He knew the Group was on the brink of bankruptcy and they were surviving on Hotel Bayview’s reputation and income. Maybe because he could bail out Hotel Bayview, they pinned their hopes on him. Should he decline the old man who was already suffering from health complications of his own?
His food arrived, but he didn’t have the appetite to eat. Sitting absent-mindedly, he contemplated his next move. No, this was an opportunity of a lifetime. He couldn’t let down Mr. Baylor. He would take up the responsibility and meet his expectations. Determined, Ashton packed up and checked out of the hotel.
Taking a cab, he reached his hotel in twenty minutes. Gina McCain had left for the day and the night receptionist, Carlton Smith, greeted him with surprise.
“Good to see you, sir. Are you alright?” he asked, seeing the dark circles under his eyes caused by insomnia.
“Yes, Carlton. I’ll be fine now.” He strode towards the elevator and went up to his penthouse. The place made him unhappy since he had planned to bring his dad back here with him. Walking in a daze, he went towards his bedroom when the doorbell buzzed. Ashton groaned in agony. Who could it be now?
Couldn’t it wait until tomorrow morning? He trudged towards the door and yanked it open. Having expected some employee on his doorstep, his eyes widened at the sight of Hayley Barclay wearing a pair of pajamas. What the f*ck? Was he hallucinating? He gaped at her with disbelief, pinching himself hard to check. No, she was very much here.
“Hayley? What are you doing here?” he stammered nervously. Did she know he was in New York a few days ago?
“Yes, it’s me. So who are you with?” she stormed inside to check. Ashton watched her with surprise. Who was she looking for?
“No one, Hayley!” he mumbled brokenly. His head started swooning, a week’s torture taking a toll on him.
“I know you were with Madison. You love her, don’t you?” Ashton closed his eyes and shook his head.
“No, I love only you,” he mumbled incoherently, as his body gave way and he fell down to the floor with a thud. Hayley shrieked with panic and yelled for help. What was going on?