Ashton’s jaws dropped with shock, and he gaped at Hayley, who looked as surprised as him.
“But she doesn’t have any of the symptoms the other pregnant women do.”
“All women don’t show the same symptoms. Some are too nauseated, some don’t even realize they’re pregnant until the fourth month. It varies from person to person.”
“Is it a cause for concern? I mean, Hayley is just twenty-two, and she hadn’t been resting exactly.”
“Her age is perfect for bearing a healthy baby. Don’t worry, I’ll just prescribe some medicines to take care of her fatigue. Otherwise, you both can lead a normal life but you have to go for timely checkups. Keep eating small meals and never stay on an empty stomach. I can make a diet plan for you if it helps,” offered the kind doctor to a dazed Hayley.
“Yes, please. That would be helpful indeed,” said Ashton, seeing Hayley’s unresponsive state.
After the doctor left, Ashton couldn’t contain the happiness he felt deep within him. He sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap, hugging her to his chest. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, my love! I cannot express what I’m feeling at the moment.” He cupped her cheeks and stared at her, his eyes reflecting the happiness he felt deep within him.
“Aren’t you happy, Hayley?” He searched her eyes, frowning worriedly at the shocked look on her face. He noticed she hadn’t uttered a single word since the doctor announced her pregnancy. Did she not want any children?
“I am Ashton, but I’m scared. Is my pregnancy normal even? How did I not feel anything for the last 8 weeks? We haven’t even shown a gynecologist, or done any tests. What if I’m unable to go through this pregnancy? I don’t want to lose my baby!” she murmured with dread. Ashton pulled her into his chest again, stroking her hair to soothe her. It was obvious the news shocked her. He was too, but now he knew he would do anything to make it happen. He wanted to be a dad now, the best dad for his baby!
“Everything is fine with our baby, Hayley. Dong worry, we will do this together. I’ll ensure that nothing happens to you or our baby. Now cheer up and eat some breakfast with me before I leave for work.”
After breakfast, Ashton asked the hotel staff to get the medicines for Hayley. “Come here, baby! Give me a kiss before I go.” Hayley smiled and went into his outstretched arms.
“You’re looking quite dashing in this suit. Who have you dressed up for?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You, who else? I’ll come up for lunch. Rest and regain your strength by then. The doctor said we can lead a normal life.” His eyes twinkled, and Hayley knew what he meant.
“I’m already better. You can do whatever you want with me.”
He brushed his lips against hers. “Anything I want?” She nodded with a smile, which turned into a moan when he grabbed her hips and crushed her to his body. His fingers tangled into her hair and he crashed his lips to hers in a smoldering kiss that took her breath away. She kissed him back, matching his passion with hers. It felt like they were back on their pre-wedding honeymoon trip when she had conceived their baby.
“Mmmm, you taste like sweet vanilla! I wish I didn’t have a meeting right now,” he said against her lips, reclaiming them with added passion. It wasn’t enough. He wanted to plunge deep into her! He could feel himself go painfully hard for a release. A release only Hayley could give him. They lost track of time, kissing one another hungrily.
“Oh, Ashton!” she moaned, grinding herself against his massive hard-on. Ashton lost his restraint and was about to pick her up and head towards the bed when his phone buzzed with an incoming call from Victor.
“What the f*ck!” he swore, accepting the call.
“Sir, Mr. Willis is waiting for your signature in the conference room.” Ashton’s eyes went wide with horror and he checked the time. He was already twenty minutes late!
“I’ll be there in a minute.” He disconnected the call and stared at his reflection. God! His lips looked so ridiculously swollen. With his massive hard-on, the entire universe would know what he had been up to. His suit didn’t look freshly laundered at all.
“Sorry, love,” said Hayley guiltily. Ashton winked at her and leaned forward to peck her neck.
“Don’t be sorry, baby. I’ll take a quick cold shower.”
After ten minutes, he was ready in another suit and turned to go. This time he avoided even a peck or he would forget himself totally.
“I’ll be back to resume where we left off.”
Ashton strode out of the penthouse and went towards the conference room, aware of the curious glances from everyone around. They all wanted to know how sick Hayley was, having seen the doctor leave the penthouse. At that point, Ashton wanted to go home to his new apartment in New York with Hayley. At least they could have some privacy there!
If only he could pull up the business right now, he could look for an office near Barclay International. With Hayley expecting, he couldn’t think of staying away from her. For the next few hours, Ashton was busy with the legal procedures. There were more formalities involved than he had envisaged.
“When will you visit Simon’s mansion, Mr. Pierce? I could help you sell it off at a competitive price,” offered Mr. Willis.
“We can visit it after lunch. The faster it’s done, the better it will be for me. I have to check up on the mansion in Orlando, too.”
So, although he had promised Hayley, Ashton was too busy to join her for lunch. He grabbed a couple of sandwiches with Mr. Willis in the conference room and left to check out Simon’s mansion. Mr. Willis brought a client who was interested in buying the place. The money he offered wasn’t much, and Ashton refused outright.
Another client spoke to him over the phone, but Ashton wasn’t satisfied with his offer too.
“The location is so good, Mr. Pierce. Why don’t you develop a hotel here as well?” suggested Mr. Willis. It had him considering the lawyer’s proposal. Why hadn’t he thought of it before?
“You’re right, Mr. Willis. Let me arrange for some funds and we could develop this place into a hotel. It has tremendous earning potential.”
It was already ten o’clock when he returned to his penthouse. Seeing Hayley sulking in front of the television, all alone and grumpy, made him very guilty. He had been so involved with his work; he had completely forgotten his promise to her. “I’m sorry, Hayley. I was a little busy with the legal procedures. Did you eat?” he asked gently, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her delicate shoulders.
“No. I was waiting for you and then fell asleep. I think coming here was a mistake, Ashton. You don’t have time for me at all!” She pushed his hand away and got up to serve herself food. Tears pricked at her eyes, realizing that he had completely forgotten about her. Here she was sick, pregnant, and waiting for him while all he could think of was work. The tears spilled and trickled down her cheeks as she served herself.
“Hey! Don’t cry! I said I’m sorry. Please forgive me just once.” He entered the kitchen and hugged her from the back.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t eaten lunch as well?” he asked, seeing all the food lying on the kitchen counter.
“Why do you care? To you, the Baylor Group means everything, doesn’t it?” she sniffed, extricating herself away from his hold. Ashton sighed and faced her allegations. He had to clear them before they blew up. He caught her cheeks and forced her to look at him.
“No, Hayley. You’re wrong. You and our baby mean everything to me. I was really busy trying to wrap up the work at the earliest so that I can marry you. I want to ask your dad for your hand in marriage, the conventional way. I’m rushing this only for you. So please don’t torture yourself and our baby by not eating. Remember what the doctor said? Do you want to lose the baby?” he asked her gently, wiping her tears with his thumb.
Hayley shook her head, realizing how she had overreacted when he was only trying to complete the work as fast as possible. “I’m sorry for overreacting, Ashton. I’ll not neglect myself anymore.” He kissed her on the forehead tenderly.
“Thank you for understanding! Let’s eat now?”
They sat down to dinner when Hayley received a call from Eva. Her face paled as she spoke to Eva in hushed whispers. After she disconnected the call, she sighed and looked at Ashton.
“What happened? What did Eva say?”
“She wants us to attend her wedding this week.”
“What? How is it that Alexander didn’t call me?” asked Ashton, puzzled by the sudden news.
“Eva isn’t marrying Alexander. She’s marrying Maxwell Clyborne, Nicholas Donnelly’s best friend.” Ashton gaped at her with dread.
“But he’s Alexander’s enemy! Does Alexander know?” Hayley shook her head slowly.
“God! We can’t let this happen. We have to go to New York immediately to stop the wedding and put some sense in Eva’s head.”