DEMI
"What? Ashton knows everything?" Anna paces with her hand on her waist.
I am glad my in-laws have been too distracted to impose bodyguards on lately. With Ashley’s help, my life is semi-normal in that regard as I only move with one bodyguard, Trevor, who’s smart enough to not make uncomfortable by being too obvious.
While I am talking with Anna at the honey pot on her off day, Trevor is sipping on a latte and pretending to read a magazine like a regular custor a few tables behind us.
"How did he find out?"
"I don’t know, Anna. Your guess is as good as mine. He showed up at the villa, pulled aside and imdiately started interrogating about my mother. I tried so hard to defend myself and fend off his suspicion but he was adamant. That only tells that he’s got irrefutable evidence of my involvent in everything."
"Do you think your aunt and Kira could be behind this?"
I recall Ashton talking about Kira filling him in. "Maybe. He did ntion that Kira filled him in. However, I don’t think that’s his major source of conviction. I’ve heard Kira’s theories about my intentions for the Rollins family. She always has a point but she’s not very good at convincing people. I doubt she got through to Ashton that way, unless he already had his suspicions about ."
I want to tug at my hair in frustration because I am unable to fathom how Ashton saw through . How did this happen? Could uncle Marcel have done this? No. He might have turned a new leaf but he wouldn’t throw under the bus. He knows my dead parents would never forgive him if any harm cos to as a result of his actions. At the very least, I can be sure of that.
"What are you going to do now? How do you plan on executing your revenge with Ashton aware of everything? He could expose you, Demi. He surely won’t keep quiet if sothing bad happens to his family or their business again. He’ll know you’re behind it."
Thoughts of my last night at the villa float back in my head. I had been so scared of my ga being up. I was horrified that I had been caught too early, before my revenge was properly executed but I kept a brave face and denied everything. Ashton had assured that he wasn’t going to make his culprit. He claid to understand my pain and even promised to protect . I don’t know if I can trust him. He might not be Brett’s biological son but he was definitely raised and molded by that monster of a man.
I guess I’ll have to see if he truly ant his words.
"I’ll have to inform Liam."
"He’ll be pissed."
"He would." I agree with Anna. "But I have to warn him. If everything is about to co to an end, I’d hate for Liam to be caught unawares. He still has ti to save himself. Besides, Ashton told father is about to unmask Billion-Err. I don’t know how they intend to do it but Ashton sounded really worried that I’d be exposed once that happens. He was very certain his father had found a way."
"Oh shit. This is all happening so fast. Where did we get it wrong?" She lowers her voice now. "I’m so sorry, Demi. I know how dejected you must feel. You really wanted to teach that family a lesson. At first, I was of the opinion that you move on with your life but after encountering that family, I completely agree that they’re a nace in society and need to be put down like a rabid dog. You did your best."
I shake my head. "It’s not over yet. If Ashton wanted to report , he would have done so already. Back at the villa, he swore to protect and begged to trust him. I think I’ll cling to that. He feels bitterly remorseful over my mom’s death. He won’t expose even if I strike his family again. I am sure of it."
Anna studies quietly. "He’s still in love with you."
My eyes flash at her. "What?"
"It’s more than guilt, Demi. Don’t act like you don’t see it. He still loves you. He probably never stopped." She reaches for my hand over the table and squeezes gently. "I rember how much you cried in my house when you got back from the villa that day. You couldn’t even say a word to . It all makes sense now. You are mad at yourself because your feelings for him haven’t gone away either. You’re desperately trying to distract yourself from it by pushing forward with your plan irrespective of the risks right now because you think allowing yourself to feel sothing for him will weaken you."
I wrench my hands from hers as beads of sweat coat my forehead. Is she part of uncle Marcel’s club?
"That’s B.S. He said what he had to at the villa to manipulate . Ashton cares for no one more than he cares for his family. He told himself. He was only trying to manipulate to drop my revenge plot against his family. I refuse to fall for it."
"But Demi..."
"I have to get back to work. My lunch break’s over and I don’t want to give anyone a reason to complain about ." I grab my keys and purse, give her a quick kiss on her cheek before making my way out of the restaurant with Trevor on my heels.
Of course, I had lied. I still have so ti left on my break but everything she had said about Ashton made uncomfortable.
I am trying so hard not to dwell on my feelings for Ashton or his for . I really thought they had waned over ti but I was mistaken. Regardless of what we feel for each other, I am never pursuing it again. It will be risky, foolish and reckless of to try.
If my revenge plan fails, the least I can do is walk away knowing I tried. I don’t want to have to walk away feeling lost after reopening my heart to Ashton and being brutally reminded that he and I can never be. That’s why I am refusing to entertain any feelings right now. It’ll ss up.
Back at the HQ, I settle into my self-decorated office as an assistant manager. I haven’t been getting any real work done except showing up for etings. According to Asher, I can’t be seen as being overworked given my ’pregnancy’. I am sick of playing with my computer all day but it’s better than sitting at ho and running into mother or Ashton.
My phone buzzes with a ssage from Ashley.
[I’m back. Working late at the office. See you later]
I don’t reply. Instead, I head to the kitchen to get sothing to drink.
"What are you doing?" Nessa shrieks.
"What?"
She lunges forward and grabs the bottle in my hand.
"Are you trying to harm your baby?"
My eyes fall on the label on the bottle. Shit. Habits die hard indeed. I’ve had so much going on in my head that I forgot I was supposed to be acting pregnant.
"Oh, where’s my head at? I could have sworn that was lemonade. Thanks, Nessa." It takes a beat to notice her puffy eyes as she replaces the drink in the refrigerator and fixes a glass of orange juice.
"Nessa, are you okay? You’ve been moody all morning."
Her hand trembles as she offers the drink. I set it aside and pull her to a chair.
"What’s wrong? Talk to ."
"Do you promise to help ? I know you can help."
"I’ll do everything I can. Go on."
The tears start flowing. "Asher is firing by the end of the month."
"What? Why?"
"He seems to believe I cheated on him with Mr. Randall but I swear I didn’t. I had only one lunch date with Josh. He promised to talk to the chairman about a possible promotion on my behalf so I couldn’t turn him down. He got into a quibble with Asher and made insinuations about us hooking up. I don’t know why he would go so far to endanger my career just to hurt Asher’s feelings but Asher’s been mad at ever since he resud work. He’s already putting out job alerts on job boards for my replacent."
I don’t know why Josh would do such a thing. Then again, I lack the prerogative to judge another person’s moral compass. I rub her shoulders and console her.
"I’ll speak to Josh. I can’t guarantee that Asher will let you keep your job even after Josh tells the truth but I’ll make sure Josh keeps his word and gets you a new position here."
"Oh, thank you, Demi. I really need this job. Thank you."
***
Another perk of being the pregnant daughter-in-law of the Rollins family and working at the HQ is that I get to stroll in late and leave work early without anyone fuming at . At exactly two pm, I head out to see Liam at Mr. Rahl’s.
I am particularly in high spirits because I managed to shake Trevor off. Though he won’t take long to find , it feels good to be able to drive by myself without an escort again.
I don’t plan on wasting a lot of ti with Liam so I sent him an audio ssage ahead of ti, explaining everything. Of course, he is livid when I walk through the door of the empty bookstore. Thankfully, Mr. Rahl’s wife mans the counter now. She gives a benign smile and a nod before retreating to her small office behind the counter.
Liam spends the first few minutes after I take my seat to brood. Then, he takes a long breath and sighs.
"Do we know how he found out?"
"No idea."
"Are you sure?"
The question irks . "Why would I lie about that right now? I have no idea. I have been wracking my brain ever since but nothing’s co up."
"Calm down, Demi. One might actually think you’re pregnant with those raging hormones."
I give him a cold stare. "What are you going to do about Billion-Err? Ashton sounded serious. They could really be onto you."
"Relax. Do you think I never made plans for a day like this? They won’t find anything as long as it’s Rollins Group looking. They can’t beat my system."
He leans back and sips his water with a smug look on his face. I want to believe him. He’s sothing of an underrated tech wiz himself but every ti I recall Ashton’s worried face, I panic.
If anything happens to Liam, I don’t know if I can manage on my own. Most tis, just the thought of not disappointing him helps get back on track when I am losing my willpower.
"Did you say ’As long as it’s the Rollins Group looking? What does that an?" I ask with furrowed brows. "Who else could look and find you?"
He shrugs lazily. "No one. I said I’ll handle it so quit fretting." Just as he sets his cup down, his eyes, which are trained behind , narrow to slits. "Hey, Demi? Quick question. Why aren’t you incarcerated since Ashton knows your secret? What reason did he give for letting you off?"
I wasn’t expecting that. I shift uncomfortably in my chair and rehash the sa lie I told him in the audio ssage.
"I told you I managed to convince him he had all wrong. He bought it. Hopefully, he’ll drop his suspicions soon."
"Nah, I don’t think he believed you or why else would he follow you here?"
"WHAT?" Before I can whip my head to look, Liam stops from being too obvious.
"He’s in his regular black leather jacket and pants, confirming your car. He’s definitely coming in here and there isn’t a lot we can say to convince him we aren’t co-conspirators. He’ll recognize too and things could get ugly. "
"What? Recognize you? How?"
"Race track. Long story. We don’t have ti for that. He’s coming in. Demi, do you trust ? Follow my lead okay and don’t panic."
"What?" My mind is in disarray right now. Why did Ashton follow ? Does he have more intel from his father to prove that I can trust him or is he here to interrogate further? Just as he pushes the door open, Liam smashes his lips against mine while fisting his hands in my hair. He drowns out my muffled protest with a soft moan. The kiss is heated but brief. When Liam ends the kiss, my lips are left moist and throbbing.
Nervously, I lock eyes with Ashton by the door. His eyes are boggled in disbelief. By his side, his fingers clench into tight fists. Dear God. I hope Liam has a good explanation for his action. I hurry to my feet and push my hair out of my face.
"Ashton? What are you doing here?"
Liam lurches to his feet as well with a casual smile and shoots out a hand to shake Ashton.
"Well, well, well, we et again. Hello."
Ashton leaves him hanging to give an icy stare. "Demi? A word? Outside." He goes to stand by his car where Trevor is also waiting for .
"What the hell was that?" I yell at Liam. "Was that the best thing you could think to do?"
"Don’t act like you don’t know that man is in love with you. I bet that’s the main reason he hasn’t turned you over to the cops or worse, his father."
"So, what? You’re trying to infuriate him so he can hate enough to turn in?"
"No. I am trying to douse his suspicion that I could be your partner in cri by projecting myself as your secret love interest. With your crumbled marriage and imminent divorce, it’s an easier sell than you giving into his charm and seducing him to weasel your way out of being suspected. He’ll see through that ruse in seconds but with you having an affair, he’s likely to believe it."
I hate that he is right.
"Suck it up. Go out there and defend your right to happiness aka our secret affair." He blows a kiss as I make my way out. Ashton’s expression is cold as I approach him.
"Before you say anything, I am not going to apologize. I have every right to find happiness in the midst of this shit show that has beco my life. My contract will be done in a few months so I thought why not?"
I feel mortified but I make a good show of looking unabashed. Crossing my arms, I ease a hip on his sports car and act like his deep stare doesn’t make uncomfortable.
"And did you tell your lover all those fine details about your marriage?"
"I didn’t have to. He didn’t ask questions."
"Hmm. Well, your private life is none of my concern. I simply ask for more discretion on your part for the sake of our family. You know the drill." He replies flatly, hurting my pride with his indifference. Then he stands upright. "I only stopped by to inform you that Spellman Group is finalizing a deal to work alongside our company to unmask Billon-Err. Do with that information what you want. I’ll see you at ho."
He gets into his car and drives away. My shoulders are sagged in defeat when I re-enter Rahl’s bookstore. Liam is on his laptop with a shocked expression on his face.
"Oh crap, I think we chose the wrong day to give your lover boy there a rude shock."
I plunk down on my seat. "What?"
He turns his laptop so I can see the latest headline. My eyes almost pop out of their sockets.
ASHTON SUDDENLY CALLED OFF HIS ENGAGENT TO MILA SPELLMAN?
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