“Miss Brown, I can see you are pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. I can help you make your dreams come true as long as you accept my offer.” Old Grandpa Walton didn’t beat around the bush after Ashley sat down.
‘She should have been a good life partner for Raymond. What a pity she is such an opportunist.’ Old Walton thought as his eyes were fixed on Ashley’s features, studying her.
Ashley felt unease under the old man scrutinizing gaze. Before Ashley could speak, assistant Jeff, old Walton’s PA that was standing behind him, walked forward and put a folder in front of Ashley.
“Sir, I don’t think I know you from anywhere. Why did you want to help me?” Ashley asked, her hands itching to open the folder in front of her.
“You don’t need to know who I am, Miss Brown. As long as you accept my offer, you are good to go.” Old Walton doesn’t want Ashley to know his identity.
The Waltons have always been a low-key family that doesn’t like appearing in public, except when it’s necessary. Ashley can’t be blamed for not recognizing the old man.
“And what would the condition be, sir?” Ashley asked, her hands tightly clasped on her lap, her eyes flashing with unease. Her instinct keeps on telling her that the old man’s conditions would be something she might regret in the future.
“It’s just a simple request. I want you to cut off whatever romantic relationships you are having right now, and you also have to leave New York for good, and never come back. As long as you do this, I will try my best to make sure you become a well-known actress at home and abroad.”
Ashley’s heart sank as she listened to old Walton’s conditions. She couldn’t believe her ears as she thought he was playing a joke on her. Why would he want her to leave the country? Wouldn’t it be better and easier if she developed her career here in America, before going out there?
“Is this some kind of joke sir? I have been living in New York all my life. How would I survive after leaving my hometown?” Ashley’s voice was low, her questions sounding like she was in a daze. “You don’t expect me to leave my family and loving relationship here to go and develop my career somewhere else. I’m sorry, I don’t think I would be taking this offer.” After saying that, Ashley stood up, trying to leave.
“Miss Brown, why don’t you at least open the folder and see what it entails. Who knows? you might change your mind.” Old Walton said with a sly smile on his face, like he was sure that Ashley would accept his conditions.
Taking a deep breath, Ashley sat down back and took hold of the folder. She tore it open and brought out a piece of paper, which seemed to look like a contract, written in black and white. Ashley’s eyes couldn’t help widening as she read the document she was holding.
It was stated in the document that Ashley has to leave the country with her family to relocate to any foreign country of their choice, where old man Walton would help them start their life afresh. He would financially assist her parents in establishing their dream business, providing unlimited financial backing. Ashley was awed by all she read just now. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
It was also stated that she would be able to attend the most prestigious media and arts school in whatever country she wished to relocate to, giving her the chance to connect with many well-known artists in the entertainment industry. All this would be achieved if she accepted his conditions and moved out of New York in a week’s time.
Seeing how Ashley’s hands were trembling, old master Walton lips curled into a smug smile. “What did you think, Miss Brown? Is the contract good enough, or do you want to add more to it?”
What? Can she even add more to it? Ashley’s eyes snapped up to old Walton. Her lips were trembling as they tried to open and say something, but nothing came out. Seeing that Ashley was speechless, old Walton signals assistant Jeff to pass a pen to her.
As Ashley was about to sign the contract, her hand suddenly paused, the pen ink already staining the white paper. Old Walton’s brow furrowed slightly as he thought about what Ashley was thinking. Why did she stop?
“Sir, I…I don’t think I can accept your offer sir. What should I tell my parents and my boyfriend? What would they think of me? Won’t they think I’m an opportunist and a selfish person, who only thinks about herself?” Ashley stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, but everyone in the room could hear her clearly.
“Don’t try to act innocent, Miss Brown. I knew the last audition you went to was arranged because you slept with that boy from the Scott family. Don’t try acting pitiful in front of me.” Old man Walton was disgusted by Ashley’s fake innocent look.
“How…what are you talking about?” Ashley stuttered, her voice trembling. Who was this man? How did he know her dirty secret? Ashley couldn’t help thinking.
The room was filled with silence. People in the room could hear each other’s breathing. Old man Walton studied Ashley’s face in boredom, his thoughts swirling.
“Miss Brown, I bet you don’t want your boyfriend to know you slept around in order to achieve your goal. Tell me,” old man Walton adjusted himself on the chair, his jaw resting on his left hand. “If your boyfriend know about what you’ve done, did you guarantee that he would still continue your so-called loving relationship?
Ashley’s face welled up in tears. She regretted it. She regretted sleeping with Ian Scott, who did not later fulfil his part of the deal they have.
“And most importantly, think about your family. Your family are just middle class. Don’t you want to be rich? Did you want to continue struggling to meet end means, Miss Brown? I promise you, my conditions are quite reasonable. Your life will change with immediate effect as long as you sign that.” Old man Walton’s eyes went to the document that was seated on the table.
A minute of silence passed, no one talked. All were filled with their respective thoughts.
“Can I ask you a question sir?” Ashley’s soft voice broke the silence as her eyes were fixed on the old man in front of her. Old man Walton nodded his head, indicating for her to go ahead.
“What is your relationship with my boyfriend? And why are you doing this?”