They reached Baylor Ocean Villas, Maui on the pristine beaches close by Kamaole Beach Park I, II, and III in Kihei. The beautiful brand-new property was ready, and Simon Baylor was keen on inaugurating it in a few days. Hayley’s jaws dropped since there was a lot to do before that. However, Simon wasn’t deterred at all. He made everyone overwork to make it possible.
After almost a month, they could inaugurate the hotel and open it to the public. It was the peak season, and they welcomed their first few guests. Simon Baylor was over the moon with happiness. He hugged them both, appreciating their efforts.
“Thank you for helping me save my dad’s dream. I wouldn’t be at peace if the company went bankrupt and closed down. I shouldn’t have neglected it for so long. You both have eased the guilt off my mind at last.”
“We did nothing, Simon. It was our joint efforts. I’m sure we will achieve more in the coming years,” said Ashton, earning a sad smile from the old man.
“I trust you, my boy!” Ashton’s heart swelled with emotions every time Mr. Baylor called him that. During the last two months, they had bonded well with one another, sharing a common passion for pulling up the company to its previous glory.
“I’ll uphold it, Simon.” He smiled with satisfaction, patting Ashton’s shoulder before going over to his room to rest. There was only one task left on this trip for them. To restart the construction work of their mega hotel in New York. Hayley agreed to share fifty percent of the expenses on behalf of Barclay International, as per their agreement.
“You should have a word with your dad, Hayley. He has been calling you for the last three days,” said Ashton.
“I know what he wants. We’re going back to New York tomorrow, aren’t we? I’ll talk to him then.” Hayley was a little upset, thinking about how she would stay away from Ashton. With his work in Miami at the moment and hers in New York, it wouldn’t be possible to stay with one another like they did for so long. She knew her dad wanted her to look into their business, but her heart was with Ashton. She couldn’t at all stay away from him.
“Fine. Then what’s bothering you?” Hayley shook her head and went to their room to freshen up for dinner. It had been a hectic month for them, but she wasn’t glad that it was over. It would mean separation, and she didn’t wish that at all. However, Hayley opted out of checking out the construction site in New York, as she wasn’t well. Instead, she would straight head home.
Ashton frowned at her strange behavior and followed her to their room. He had been noticing her reticence for the last couple of days. What was bothering her? He had to know! Closing the door after him, he turned to face Hayley.
“Come here, Hayley! You can tell me everything that’s on your mind. We’re soul mates, aren’t we? I’m sure we can find a solution to every problem!” Hayley went into his outstretched arms and wrapped hers around his torso.
“I’m afraid that we wouldn’t be able to spend time together after tomorrow. I’ll be busy with Barclay International in New York while you’ll be busy with the Baylor Group in Miami. I can’t live without you, Ashton!”
Ashton crushed her to his chest, feeling overwhelmed. He had been thinking about this for a while now. If he had the funds, he would have shifted the Baylor Group’s headquarters here to NYC, but he couldn’t suggest it to the poor old man. It wasn’t in their priority list right now!
“Just for the time being, babe! We’ll soon think of a solution.” He knew he couldn’t live a day with her. It was different before, but now, after getting a taste of her sweetness, a peek into the depth of her feelings for him, he needed her like he needed air to breathe.
“Promise me, Ashton. Promise me you won’t forget me,” she whispered in an anguished voice.
“How can I forget you, babe? You are my life.” They sighed in each other’s embrace and later cuddled to sleep. With Hayley feeling too exhausted, both mentally and physically, Ashton didn’t want to make love to her and tire her. He knew maybe it was the last time they would sleep together in a while, but he didn’t say it out aloud to an already upset Hayley. He would have to talk to her dad soon during this visit!
The next day, Hayley felt more exhausted than ever before, as if a road roller had mowed her down. She slept all throughout the flight to New York. It had Ashton worried since Hayley wasn’t one to sleep for so long. He woke her up every time for her meals, only for her to doze back to sleep.
At last, they reached her house. Ashton helped her with her luggage, leaving his own at the gate. He didn’t wish to visit her mom and granny yet before talking to her dad, but with Hayley unwell and he had to accompany her.
“Freshen up, Hayley. I’ll take you to the doctor.” He pressed the doorbell and waited for the drama to start. He knew her mom and granny didn’t favor him at all and would definitely react in some way, but he was ready to face anyone now, for Hayley’s sake.
“No, I don’t need a doctor. I just need you,” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. “Stay with me here, Ashton.”
“I will if you want me to. Don’t worry so much.” Elsa opened the door and gasped with surprise.
“Wow! We were just discussing you, Hails. Hello Ashton. Please come inside.” She ushered them inside to the family gathered around the breakfast table. Elsa took her luggage and carried it to her room, much to Ashton’s disappointment. He wanted to do that instead.
“Hayley? What a pleasant surprise!” exclaimed a very pregnant Aunt Meredith, opening out her arms to hug her.
“Hello, young man! Ashton Pierce, right?” said Uncle Robert, getting up to shake hands with Ashton.
“Where were you for so long?” Granny scolded Hayley, scowling at her with displeasure.
“Hello, granny! I was away on a work trip.” Granny scoffed, obviously not believing her.
“Work trip with him? Is he your PA?” she taunted, concentrating on her food instead of offering Ashton breakfast. Ashton felt uncomfortable in Hayley’s father’s absence. He didn’t like her family much!
“Why would he be my PA, granny? Ashton is the CEO of the Baylor Group, with whom we have a tie-up,” said Hayley, her cheeks flushed with insult.
“Whatever!” said her granny, dismissing them.
“Please join us for breakfast, Ashton,” said Uncle Robert, but Ashton glanced at her mom glaring at him since the moment he entered the room and his appetite left him completely. She hadn’t greeted him nor spoken a word to him. It made him feel unwelcome here!
“No, thank you, Mr. Barclay. Maybe some other time. I just came over to drop Hayley off. I have to report to my work in an hour.” Ashton couldn’t look at the shattered expression on Hayley’s face. He knew she wanted him to stay with her, but maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do now. He would talk to her dad first.
“Come over sometime, Ashton,” said Aunt Meredith.
“Sure, I will. Tell Uncle Daniel that I was here to see him.” Her mom frowned and looked at him suspiciously.
“What do you have to say to him? You can talk to me,” said her mom in a gruff, dismal tone.
“Hello, Mrs. Barclay! I just wanted to thank him for something. I’ll call him, don’t worry,” he said as cordially as possible. He glanced at Hayley and nodded, seeking her permission to leave.
“Stay,” Hayley mouthed, but he shook his head slowly. It wasn’t possible under the circumstances.
“I’ll call you.” He waved at her uncle and aunt and left as abruptly as he had appeared. He didn’t have an apartment of his own, or Hayley could have lived with him. Ashton now considered buying a place for himself in New York. The construction would take a long time and he couldn’t live in a hotel or at his parents’ house for that long. He needed his privacy.
He went home and his parents welcomed him with open arms. They were so overjoyed to see him that Ashton felt guilty for even thinking of moving away to a place of his own. Maybe he would talk to his parents about his decision.
They sat down at the breakfast table and discussed everything that he’d been up to in the last few months. However, Ashton didn’t tell them anything about his dad or about Hayley.
“So now, you’re here for a month at least, right?” asked Aunt Jodie.
“Yes, maybe more. It depends on how long the project takes. I was thinking of buying a place for myself.”
“Why do you need to buy anything? You can stay here with us,” said Aunt Jodie.
“Umm, actually, I’m engaged to Hayley. I want her to move in with me,” said Ashton, his cheeks coloring a little at the jaw-dropped look on their faces.