Chapter67Almost Clinging to His Back
Once the words had been spoken, they hung in the air, irrevocable and undeniable. Ashley bit her lower lip, a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment, her flushed face thankfully hidden from view. In a moment of impulsive indiscretion, she had brought up a topic Damian had casually mentioned the previous night, despite his clear reluctance to discuss work. She had resisted him then, careful not to fuel any expectations regarding certain matters. The brief pause that followed seemed to stretch into an eternity, her mind racing with imagined responses from Damian. She was certain he was silently judging her, his scorn echoing in the silence. "Where are you?" His response was unexpected, catching her off guard. "I’m at the law firm. Our weekends aren't strictly observed, so if there's work, we come in," she replied, her voice steady. The life of a lawyer was far from the typical nine-to-five routine. When it was busy, it was a twenty-four-hour commitment. "All done with your work?" His question was casual, but it held her focus. The KM Road project was her priority, her schedule hinging on Damian's response. "Let's meet on Hudson Boulevard to talk," he suggested, leaving her staring at the disconnected call on her cell. It took her a moment to realize that Damian was suggesting they go shoe shopping together. A glimmer of hope sparked within her. Did she still have a chance?"Harold, I've secured a meeting with Mr. Hearst. I'm heading out now," she announced, her voice echoing in the room. Harold's tension was palpable, his anticipation akin to a nervous husband pacing outside a delivery room, a mix of thrill and apprehension. "You got the meeting? Where? You can’t go to a hotel."Ashley chuckled, "Just for coffee."Hudson Boulevard in Rochester City was a luxury shopping haven, boasting everything from high-end apparel to gourmet food and lavish accommodations. Navigating through the weekend crowd was a challenge, but Ashley managed to find a paid parking spot near the mall entrance, wincing at the exorbitant twenty-dollar-an-hour fee. As she stepped out of her car, a familiar black Rolls-Royce pulled up, its boisterous license plate unmistakably Damian's. He drove straight into the VIP parking, where an attendant rushed to open the driver’s side door, his subservience reminiscent of a butler greeting his lord. Ashley could only think one thing: Capitalists!Damian was dressed casually in black trousers and a white shirt, his usual commanding presence somewhat diminished by the absence of his suit, lending him an air of relaxed civility. With a hint of irony in her smile, Ashley wondered when 'mild-mannered' had ever applied to Damian. "Damian," she greeted him, stepping forward and adjusting her mindset, ready to play the role of the humble second party. His cold chuckle was audible as he quipped, "I always thought you were uncompromisingly upright, Ashley. I never expected you to grovel for work opportunities." He didn't bother to save her face in front of others. Ashley had prepared herself for such barbs on her way here and didn't mind it. "The bigger picture doesn't concern itself with trivialities. I learned that from you, Damian. Besides, I'm well-versed with the KM Road case and confident I can secure the best interests for you."As Damian strode towards the mall, Ashley quickened her pace to keep up with his long strides, occasionally breaking into a trot. "I had considered handing the case to you, but now I need to think if someone so emotional is the right fit for an agent.""From a professional standpoint, I believe I meet your expectations. As for being emotional, rest assured, there won’t be a next time," she assured him.Approaching a manual glass door, Damian paused, making no move. Ashley beat him to it, opening the door and gesturing for him to enter. "You're quite adaptable," Damian noted with a sideways glance.Ashley offered a modest smile, "Don’t flatter me, Damian."Who would have guessed that Ashley, who was forcefully kissed just yesterday, would be flashing Damian a conciliatory smile and playing the role of a doorman for him today? The thing is, Damian acted as if he had amnesia regarding last night's transgression, not mentioning it at all—as if it didn’t even register as an offense to him.
During the weekend, the usually bustling luxury shopping district was surprisingly serene. Damian sauntered through the opulent space, heading straight to the top floor with an air of ownership.Ashley had initially thought she would spend, at most, a hundred dollars on a pair of slippers. However, the sight of the glittering brand logos made her wallet feel lighter. She wondered if her bank account could withstand the financial hit if Damian expected her to cover the bill.Damian was a man of refined taste, selecting only the finest items. He didn't even spare the humble slippers from his discerning scrutiny.The sales associate, oblivious to Damian's true status, was instantly charmed by his debonair demeanor. "Sir, these are our latest home collection..." she began, guiding him towards a pair of slippers showcased prominently."Give me two pairs," Damian requested nonchalantly.A nervous chuckle escaped Ashley's lips. "For home use, isn’t one pair enough?" she asked, her eyes inadvertently catching sight of the price tag—over six thousand dollars per pair.The sales associate, well-versed in the world of fashion, quickly noticed the stark contrast between Ashley's ordinary attire and Damian's lavish style. She looked stunning, but it was clear that she and the man beside her were from two different worlds. The associate assumed Ashley was probably his secretary or a clueless Spencer-like figure unfamiliar with luxury goods."Miss, your boss wants two pairs, probably to wear them alternately. One is for the living room, another for the bathroom, keeping dry and wet areas separate. It’s more comfortable that way," the sales associate explained with a hint of condescension in her voice.Internally, Ashley rolled her eyes. The salesperson made it sound so simple, not considering it was Ashley's money being spent. With a forced smile, she asked, "Alright, where do I swipe the card?"Damian, lounging on the couch like a prince awaiting his orders, didn't offer to pay.The sales associate, accustomed to wealthy shoppers, knew they often handed their assistants a no-PIN card for quick purchases before swiftly exiting.However, Ashley was using a regular debit card, which required a PIN and signature to complete the transaction. Noticing the girl's name on the card, the sales associate quietly asked, "Is that handsome guy your boss?"With a wry smile, Ashley replied, "He’s my client. Otherwise, why would I be paying?"The purchase cost her twelve hundred, nearly draining her card's balance."Ah, no wonder he's so bossy. Clients are the worst. Had I known, I wouldn’t have suggested two pairs," the sales associate commented, her tone suggesting some sympathy for Ashley's predicament.Stowing away the receipt and card, Ashley remarked, "That's why I need to nail this collaboration. Otherwise, this money’s wasted. We're all just trying to make a living, right?"The associate nodded, fully understanding her plight.As they exited the store, Ashley was laden with bags while Damian strolled leisurely, hands in his pockets, the picture of ease. He treated Ashley like his personal errand-runner. Fearing Damian might have more shopping demands, Ashley hurried to catch up with him."Hey Damian, KM Road looks closed today, but the legal department should have the documents we need, right? Lee’s been stirring up trouble, and didn't I draft the complaint already? We could sign the retainer agreement, and I’ll handle the coordination with the court," she said, deliberately avoiding any mention of the breach of contract issue, worried he might spring another surprise assignment on her.Damian abruptly halted, turning to face the woman who was practically glued to his back. "I've said it before: no work talks on weekends. Which word don’t you understand?" He threw her words back at her.Holding her shopping bag tightly, Ashley mentally counted to three before smiling. "Alright, Damian, so where are we heading now?" Her smile was as polished as a flight attendant's—engaging, with perfectly white teeth curving up at the corners.Despite knowing she was only being so pleasant to secure the project, Damian found himself momentarily distracted. "Shut your mouth!" he retorted.
