Afterwards, Hayley didn’t get a moment alone with Ashton to resume where they left off in the morning. Simon Baylor arrived and was waiting for them in his office. Hayley rushed to meet him after a hasty breakfast followed by Ashton ten minutes later.
“Good morning, Mr. Pierce! How are you today?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye, watching the two of them with interest. Their body language towards one another gave them away.
“I’m fine, Mr. Baylor. I’m glad to be back on my feet.” Ashton turned to smile at Hayley, his gaze dropping to her lips.
“That’s good to hear. I hope Ms. Barclay has updated you about our decision to appoint you as CEO of our group?”
“Yes, she has. So when do we start?” Mr. Baylor loved his enthusiasm, and they had a detailed discussion that stretched until lunch. While Hayley and Mr. Baylor prepared his appointment letter, Ashton left to take care of his pending work. However, everywhere he went, the curious glances of his employees disturbed him. Maybe it was time to announce his relationship formally to douse the gossip once and for all.
He whisked Hayley away to a quiet lunch in their penthouse after Mr. Baylor left. “Will you go out with me tonight?” he asked over a delightful meal.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Ashton grinned at her enthusiasm, a plan already hatching in his head. He would plan this well for her.
“I would have asked long ago if Gambino and his daughter hadn’t interfered.”
“I know. Maybe it would still have been the same if Dad hadn’t taken the initiative and involved the cops. I was so scared, but he was adamant. I think you should call him and thank him, Ashton.” Ashton looked guilty and nodded.
“I will soon. If Dad wouldn’t have been so critical, I would already have called him.”
“I know, Ashton. I’m sure he’ll understand too if you tell him.”
The rest of the day, they worked together. Despite the speculative looks in everyone’s eyes, they sailed through the day. Hayley loved working with Ashton. It was clear he was the best for the Baylor Group. The enthusiasm he showed in his work was reflected in the results.
In the evening, Ashton left early to wrap up some important work that he was very secretive about. Hayley trudged to their penthouse to shower and get ready for dinner. Had he forgotten about their date? How could he disappear without informing her?
Ready in a semi-formal pale blue dress, she sat waiting for Ashton Pierce, all the time fuming at the impossible man. After two minutes, she called him, ready to blast him for forgetting their date.
“Where the f*ck are you, Ashton?” she gritted out, storming over to the bedroom to change out of her dress.
“I’m downstairs at the reception. Are you ready?” Hayley gaped at the phone. He remembered!
“I’m ready and waiting at your penthouse. Do you want me to come down?”
“Yep! Come straight to the Crystal Room beside the banquet hall downstairs.” He disconnected the call before she could ask him anything. Hadn’t he asked her out? Then why the Crystal Room at their hotel? It was always booked for weddings and other events. What had Ashton planned for them?
Giving her appearance a once over, she left the penthouse and went down the capsule elevator. From up above, she could see the excitement among the staff, who stared at her as if she was a celebrity! What the hell was Ashton up to now?
“Ma’am this way, please,” said one of the event management staff, leading her down to the entrance of the Crystal Room instead of through the staff door at the backside.
“What’s going on?” she asked the young girl, who just chuckled instead of answering.
“It’s a surprise, Ma’am,” she whispered as Hayley entered the picturesque glass venue. The ceiling was crowned with a canopy of sheers and gorgeous small chandeliers. There was a sweetheart table in the center, right underneath a stunning crystal chandelier that was the largest of all. Beautiful organza canopy all around made it look dreamy and romantic.
Suddenly, violins started playing from behind her as two violinists followed her into the room, playing a soft romantic tune. She gasped at everything with surprise. Where was Ashton?
A dreamy layer of fog appeared out of nowhere. The lights dimmed, and she felt surrounded by twinkling lights. A door opened in front of her and Ashton slowly walked in wearing a navy blue tuxedo, his eyes twinkling under the magical lights.
Hayley stood, transfixed to the spot watching him walk up to her like a dream come true. He stopped in front of her, holding his hand out for her to take. A slow soft music started as she placed her hand in his, holding his gaze. He pulled her closer in his arms and swirled her around, swaying to the music.
Immersed in their own world of fantasy, they danced on a cloud of fog until the music stopped. No words were needed to express what they felt. It was as if the unfulfilled wish to dance with him was finally happening. She couldn’t have asked for more. The music stopped, and the lights brightened up the place again like before. Ashton smiled and led her towards the table where hot steaming food had been served.
“Wow! When did you plan so much?” she gasped at seeing all her favorite dishes laid out before her.
“While you were getting mad at me for forgetting our date!” He chuckled at her flushed cheeks.
“How did you know I was mad at you? Do you have cameras around the penthouse to watch me? How creepy!” Ashton laughed, leaning a little towards her.
“I don’t need cameras to see you. I can feel you.” Hayley smiled and served him shyly. With him watching her like a hawk, his words melting her insides, she was acutely aware of herself. Could he feel what his words were doing to her? If they weren’t in a public place, she would have grabbed him and forced him to repeat what they did in the morning.
“I know, right?” he chuckled as if sensing what she just needed.
“Can we eat? Don’t look at me that way!” Ashton chuckled, but he didn’t listen to her.
“What way?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.
“Just you wait, I’ll devour you soon, way!” He laughed and winked at her playfully.
“See, you can read me so well!” He picked up a spoonful of food and fed her lovingly. Hayley too did the same while the violinists started a piece of sweet music in the background. It was the best date of her life. The previous ones they stole with one another didn’t measure up at all.
“Are you enjoying yourself? I didn’t get the time to plan what I wanted. Our event manager suggested this, actually.” Hayley gaped at him, wondering if he told the event manager about their relationship.
“Did you tell him about us?” she asked with dread.
“Yes, what’s there to hide? We’re already in a relationship.”
They enjoyed their meal amidst the light-hearted banter. Hayley updated him about her friends and their love lives. Ashton rolled his eyes, knowing about Alyssa and Nicholas Donnelly’s chemistry together.
“Alex will go crazy if they don’t stop.”
“I don’t think they will stop. They’re quite serious about each other.” Hayley tucked into the exotic caramel flan served for dessert while Ashton finished his and watched her enjoy hers.
“Is it still your favorite?” Hayley nodded with a smile, remembering the times when Aunt Jodie would make them and she would fight with everyone and grab as many as she could.
“You remember!”
“I can’t forget anything about you, Hayley. I liked you since the day I saw you, but I couldn’t approach you. I was afraid of rejection. As you grew older, I wanted to protect you. I wanted to care for you, but it all changed into something deeper when we met again. Later, when we met after so many years, that deep feeling intensified instead of diminishing. Now I know what it is. It’s love, an all-consuming love that’s true, unconditional, and here to stay.”
His admission blew her mind, and she gazed at him, lost in his heartfelt words. “I was so f*cked up yet I could feel your love for me in everything you did. It made me want to hope, but I was too scared to do even that. What if you learned about my reality and started hating me?”
Hayley caught his hand and shook her head, holding his loving gaze.
“I can never hate you, Ashton.”
“I know that now! Then there was Gambino’s threat. I didn’t want him to harm you in any way. You were too precious! I kept myself away from you, but I missed you tremendously. I was living, but my soul was with you, Hayley. Every second I wished I could kill Gambino, rescue my dad, and then marry you and make you mine forever.”
“Now you can!” Ashton smiled and got up, only to kneel in front of her on one knee. Hayley gasped with surprise, realizing what he was about to do.