Chapter64Finally, A Retort He Can't Catch
Holding the receiver away from her ear, Ashley muttered, “Dialogue from the TV.”Amelia's sharp intake of breath was audible even at a distance. “You scared me! That voice was so similar to... you know who. His voice is too distinctive.”The 'you know who' she referred to was Damian, but she refrained from uttering his name for fear that Harold might overhear.Stepping further away, Ashley was mindful of the possibility of Damian's voice carrying over again. “What are you thinking? I’m just watching TV at home.”"It’s the middle of the night. Why aren't you sleeping instead of watching TV? You said you were busy, right? Harold cooked a bunch of dishes tonight, waiting for you. He told me you were caught up.”“Getting a topic off the trending list is harder than it sounds. I’m exhausted. Let’s talk some other time. I need to rest.”Amelia, trusting Ashley implicitly, agreed. “Alright, I’ll come by the law firm tomorrow to bring you something to help your brain and hair.”After ending the call, Ashley made her way back to the dining room, where hot plates of pizza awaited her. Damian had a unique talent for transforming even the simplest meals into an event. Every item on the table had its specific place; his arrangement of the pizzas was almost artistic—a visual feast.Pulling out a chair, Ashley declared, "I didn't say I was going to eat."Damian, nonchalantly picking up a slice of pizza, retorted, "Then don't."The aroma of the pizza was tantalizing, and Ashley's stomach was already rumbling. She wanted to reach out and grab a slice, but his challenge made her retract her hand and place it on her thigh. She could eat after he left. "What were you about to tell me?"Observing her stubborn refusal to eat, Damian's irritation surfaced. "You're not punishing me, but your own body. It's you who will suffer from a stomachache and fever, not me. Starving yourself is such a foolish thing to do—don't do it in front of me."In a fit of anger, Ashley grabbed a slice of pizza and shoved it into her mouth, her cheeks bulging as she chewed vigorously and swallowed. It was a form of self-torture.Damian frowned. "Did Christian pull the plug on that trending story?""Yeah.""He isn't trying to make things difficult for you."Ashley laughed. "What would count as difficult? An axe to the forehead?"Her sarcasm fell flat."You both have biases; you can't blame one person. You need to reflect, too," Damian suggested."I have reflected. My mistake was chasing after you, which led me to him. If he dislikes me, it's just out of loyalty to you. I hate him but can understand it, like when he targets my friends. It angers me, but if someone harmed my friends, I'd want to retaliate, too."He guided her to reflect without delving too deep. "Finally, something sensible from you. You're rarely this rational."Ashley retorted, "He told me you and Trinity Bezos are getting engaged and that your grandfather approves. That's good."The taste of onions filled Damian's mouth, a precursor to a looming headache. "You think she's good for me?"Poking at her plate, Ashley felt a strange sensation. Damian's remarriage should be irrelevant to her, just as his relationships were. Yet she felt a pang of discomfort, a sour, bitter sensation akin to biting into an unripe mango."It's you marrying her, not me. My feelings don't matter.""Share them anyway."Suddenly, Ashley's appetite vanished, her mind awash with thoughts. "I don't want to talk about her."Damian took a bite of his pizza. "Do you always eat like this? There's no nutrition at all."Why hadn't Ashley noticed Damian's obsession with food before? No, that wasn't accurate—usually, he dined on meticulously prepared dishes by chefs. "You didn't see the bread in the fridge. I make sandwiches."Damian was momentarily speechless. "And then?""You know, cooking up some spaghetti, making soup, a variety of stuff."It all sounded like he was referring to instant meals.Damian scoffed, "So you've been in the States for three years being waited on hand and foot? Like you've never had to lift a finger for anything."Back when he'd studied abroad, he had cooked for himself. It was then he had honed his culinary skills, though they had gone unused since his return home.
A near laugh bubbled up in Ashley's throat. Could Damian truly perceive her as some indolent, inept layabout? "No," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "it was angels, their wings beating in harmony to deliver a feast fit for a king."Damian was rendered silent. Ashley had finally delivered a riposte that had stolen his words, and she reveled in the victory, albeit a secret one."Angels serve God, not royalty. The two don't mingle," he managed to retort."And how would you know? Have you met them?" she challenged.Damian, once again at a loss for words, muttered, "Ashley, you really are a troublemaker."With a dismissive gesture, Ashley pushed her bowl away. "Are you finished? If so, leave. I intend to sleep."Damian had barely touched his meal; his plate remained half full. But he was full - full to the brim with frustration from Ashley's sharp remarks. "You don't need to be so combative.""I'm the one who owes you. I don't want my debtor lingering around my home. Besides, I'll move out tomorrow and stop invading your space. As for the KM Road lawsuit, I assume you don't want me to continue with it. I'm no longer your representing attorney and don't have the right to stay in the accommodations provided by KM Road."Damian was taken aback. He had never considered severing the contract with Heaven Law Firm. Was she truly that eager to depart?"Are you prepared to pay the penalty for breaching the contract? You seem rather confident."A twinge of guilt pierced Ashley. She was bluffing, hoping Damian wouldn't push things to the extreme. But what if he did?"Harold was the one who signed the contract, but I'm the one who's been managing it. Could you please refrain from complicating things for him? Let's resolve this between ourselves.""Are you requesting a favor from me?"Ashley was reluctant to admit it, but that was the crux of it. "Let's just say...""If you want my assistance, you should at least demonstrate some respect. Currently, the legal department hasn't decided whether to terminate the contract or proceed, nor whether to seek damages. It all hinges on your performance."Ashley was taken aback. Could it be that he wanted to continue the contract?No, that wasn't like Damian."What are you suggesting?""You're the most familiar with the case. You understand the processes and the details. From a cost and efficiency perspective, you're the best fit. I have no reason to replace you over some personal disagreements."Ashley felt a sting of insult, but the thrill of the unexpected opportunity washed over her. Upon reflection, this lawsuit could be her turning point, and she was eager to seize the chance."I just...""If you want to continue with this case, you need to exhibit a professional attitude instead of getting confrontational with me at every turn. That's not how a professional attorney behaves, nor is it the demeanor of a composed adult."Ashley's head slowly dipped, an apology nearly escaping her lips.Was she being manipulated by Damian? Why the sudden urge to apologize?"I have a condition," she said.Damian retorted, "You're not in a position to make conditions with me."Ashley pursed her lips, "I mean, can I handle the specific details of the case with the project manager at KM Road from now on? You're busy, and it's not worth your time dealing with trivial matters."As long as she didn't have to encounter Damian, she was confident in her ability to remain level-headed and decisive, avoiding impulsive actions."Are you afraid of me? Or do you simply dislike seeing me?" Damian asked.
