Chapter70Riding the Clouds of Fortune to My Love
Damian was a man who was handsome by any measure, but with the right attire, his attractiveness could be elevated to a whole new level. When he stepped out in a suit, there was a new rhythm to his stride. His glossy shoes clicked against the cobblestones, creating a captivating tune that seemed to form a halo around him. As he walked, one hand would habitually find its way into his pocket. His back was straight and tall, a perfect embodiment of both grace and strength. When their eyes met, Ashley quickly averted her gaze. As Damian settled into the passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt, he turned to her and challenged, "Can't bear to look?" Ashley held his gaze, her eyes unwavering, fully exposed to his scrutiny. Was he pretending to be blind now? "I can't risk being dazzled by you; I still have to drive," she retorted. Damian's lips twitched momentarily, the spasm morphing into a smile he didn't even notice. The car was headed toward the ManHearston district, and Ashley fell silent. Throughout the ride, Damian was engrossed in his phone, dealing with work and not initiating any conversation. "Which building?" Ashley finally asked. "I've never been here before," Damian replied. Ashley was frustrated. "So ask, will you?" "Just drive on," Damian instructed. He had spotted a balcony on the second floor of a ManHearston building, draped in red roses, Trinity Bezos' favorite. Ashley, unaware of Damian's deductive skills, peered uncertainly into ManHearston, unable to discern its significance. "You sure it's this place? How awkward if we get it wrong." "Do you have any idea how many people would kill for me to walk into the wrong door?" Damian remarked. Ashley felt like giving him sarcastic applause. In terms of narcissism, Damian was unrivaled. "Yes, Damian, you're the money god. So, Mr. Money God, how long will it take you?" "I'm not sure." "So, what, I just wait here?" The ManHearston neighborhood valued privacy. No facilities were nearby—just secluded homes and greenery, without a soul in sight. "Do you expect me to build a playground and slide down the slide for you?" Damian retorted. "Fine, Damian. Get on with it. I'll be here when you're out," Ashley responded, regulating her breath once again. Damian grabbed the gift box from the trunk, stepping into his future lady's home. A woman inside was eagerly waiting, her heart in her hands, ready to offer to her beloved. And Ashley, his forsaken ex-wife, witnessed it all scene by scene. Sometimes, Ashley wondered if the strategy she concocted overnight was feasible. Could she afford the cost of changing her attitude to try to connect with Damian genuinely, and then use him to gain resources? In just half a day, Damian had dealt her blow after blow with everything he'd done—each act a provocation, a test of her limits. Half an hour later, Amelia sent a message: [Dear, are you still alive?] Ashley replied: [Can you talk on the phone?] Earlier, pressed for time, she could only send an urgent message through a chat app. Now, unable to wait for Damian, she wanted to have a chat with Amelia. After about three minutes, Amelia called. "Turns out it was a blessing in disguise for me. After that shoddy news piece, people finally noticed my name. I did some promo work with the crew today, and the director made a point of introducing me. Go figure, this world we live in." Ashley reclined against her chair, angling herself comfortably with her feet propped up on the steering wheel; she gave it a playful shake. "That old saying 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' huh? The law of conservation of energy in action." From Amelia's end, the commotion of the promotional event filtered through. She ducked into a restroom to take the call. "Enough about me. What's going on with you? Has the scumbag run off to his new flame's place?" "Mmhmm, he's been there over half an hour now. Must be hitting it off." Amelia cursed under her breath, "The jerk! What's he playing at? Leading you on while clinging to his new chick? Why are you still playing his game? Shouldn't you slap him and walk away instead of waiting for him to toast to you at the wedding?"
Amelia was fiercely protective, her heart aching for her friend.
"Astor Group's bankruptcy can be traced back to my father," Ashley confided, her eyes reflecting a complex web of relationships she was trying to unravel. "Perhaps I can clear his name and bring our family back home."Amelia found herself at a loss for words. The implications were staggering. The scandal that had shaken the nation years ago, with thousands cursing the Astor Group, was common knowledge."Tell me, have you two been sharing a bed again?" she asked."No," came the curt reply."Well, at least he has that much decency. So, what's your plan?"Ashley's gaze drifted towards the ManHearston building nearby, its doors a mere barrier between her and the echoes of familial warmth she imagined within.How ironic, she thought. She had been there before, years ago. But back then, Damian wouldn't even offer a smile; the atmosphere was unbearably awkward.Turning away, Ashley voiced her ambitions. "I plan to make a name for myself, network with influential people, and take on bigger cases. Once I have enough social clout, I can make my case for my father."Amelia couldn't help but ask, "You're not falling for Damian again, are you?" She bypassed the career objectives, hitting straight at the heart.Ashley laughed, "After he nearly destroyed my family? Would I be insane? But, setting personal feelings aside, Damian is a businessman worth studying. He's decisive, sharp, and always able to see the bigger picture and solve problems. That's why I was attracted to him in the first place."She hadn't found another man who matched Damian's caliber."There we go, there we go! You're still hooked on him!" Amelia exclaimed dramatically.But Ashley was resolute, "I can control my heart, even if it means sacrificing my body when necessary.""Just don't surrender your heart."Amelia had to return to work, hastily ending the call with a reminder for Ashley to take care of herself.An hour passed. The door remained shut, and Damian hadn't sent any word. Lunchtime had come and gone, and Ashley's stomach growled in protest. She considered driving somewhere nearby for a bite, but the thought of Damian stepping out and not finding her there, possibly causing a scene, held her back. Eventually, she slumped over and dozed off in the car.Three hours later, Damian bid farewell to the Bezos family and noticed the car parked under the shade of a tree. A twinge of irritation mixed with annoyance prickled him.He was about to knock on the window when he saw Ashley, her head tilted away from him, fast asleep. His hand paused mid-air by the glass; a breeze swept past him, tousling a strand of her hair.In her slumber, she looked peaceful and delicate, her thick lashes resting like the wings of a cicada about to take flight, her petite nose, and the soft contours of her face trailing down to lips that were a gentle pink.She wasn't resting easy, though; a twist had pulled her neckline askew, revealing a deep valley that trailed off into mystery.Using his phone's remote unlock feature, Damian carefully unlocked the car and slipped into the passenger seat.His movements stirred Ashley awake. Her eyes fluttered open groggily, unable to focus or see Damian’s expression clearly. Her voice was hoarse with sleep, "You're back?"Her tone was husky yet soft.Damian cleared his throat with a grunt, "Yeah."Ashley sat up to adjust her seat, but her foot slipped off the steering wheel with a clatter, the pain making her hiss.Damian caught her arm to steady her, preventing any further clumsy accidents. It surprised him how uncoordinated she could be. "Got some nerve, sleeping like that."She rubbed her eyes to avoid any crustiness, "Should I drive you home?"She seemed eager to play the role of the driver.Annoyed, Damian shot back, "Woman of steel, are you?"Ashley blinked in response, silent."The lunch was lousy. I didn't eat much. Let's grab something."Ashley asked, "Didn't Trinity Bezos know what you like?"That didn't add up. Surely, the Bezos family would've pulled out all the stops to cater to their distinguished guest, offering at least thirty different dishes. How could he not be full?
Damian buckled up and tersely ordered, "Drive."
Ashley reflexively asked, "Where to?"
"To heaven. Didn't you want to have lunch with angels?"
