Episode 29

Episode 29.
Ashley's POV.
When I woke up the following morning, I felt a whole lot better. After getting some pills from the pharmaceutical store last night,I'd taken the number prescribed and fortunately enough, sleeping wasn't so uncomfortable after all like it was for the past month and a few days back. I woke up to a ringing phone to realize it was long past day break and the sun was shining tenderly from the outside. I unplugged my phone from it's charger on the nightstand table and checked the caller. The number was unsaved but I knew who it was.
I didn't know if picking it was the right thing to do or cutting it. He'd stood me up last night and I couldn't reach me and he took his time to call me. And now what? He's gonna apologize, give a regular excuse of how he was caught up at work and then ask to meet again. He must think I'm stupid. I'm definitely picking this and giving him a piece of my mind!. . . .
I picked it and put the phone against my ear.
"Hello,Ashley" his voice is once again hoarse yet smooth.
"Hi," I waited for him to speak again but he doesn't. All I was hearing was ruffling sounds from his end.
"I am very sorry about last night" he said finally.
I sighed disappointedly and replied "You took your time to tell me how sorry you are for standing me up last night"
"Honestly, I can explain. I was caught up with something"
"Yeah,I know"
"Believe me"
"I did not say otherwise"
"Okay"
Silence.
"Um," he started again "Would you be,um. . . . . is it okay if I make it up to you?"
Seriously! He is really asking me that isn't he?
"I'm very busy,Frenchie. . . . ."
"Busy? You don't work anymore. At least not with Marcello"
I opened my mouth to reply but I couldn't find the word. I was stunned with surprise. "How did you . . . . ."
"Come on,Ashley. You're an intelligent girl. And you worked for a man like Mr Marcello, so when stuffs like this happen,word goes out and I'm not saying this is a good thing or rubbing this in your face but . . . . ."
"I don't care if you rub this on my face,Frenchie. Tell me what you want"
"Well. . . .I just wanna have a talk with you. And I have a proposal for you"
I listened, more attentively. Most of the time when someone offers you a proposal. It's usually job linked or something. What does he have to offer me? I take it it's a job and if it so happen to be. . . . . .no,if it is what I think it is,then meeting him won't be such a big idea"
I hadn't realized I'd zoned off into my thoughts until he said "are you there?"
"Yeah,yeah," I breathed quickly "yes,I am. What kind of proposal is that?"
"You'll find out. So,are you meeting with me?"
"It's my pick this time"
"By all means please"
"Casanova restaurant, 24th main street. 7p.m"
"Okay. I'll be there"
When I heard the disconnecting beep,I wanted to yelp in victory. I felt good,like I'd achieved something. I was so angry a few minutes ago when he called,look at me. Well. . . . .I guess desperate times do require desperate measures.
I hurried out in my oversized PJs as my stomach rumbled. Effects of me taking drugs? I always get so hungry after taking them. I didn't know what to eat as I matched into the kitchen. Katie always do the cookings. I decided that it's never a bad idea to make eggs even though that's exactly what I ate for breakfast yesterday morning.
The door bell rang and I yelled "coming!" Before walking out to pull the door open.
"Ashley!!" Katie is at the door,pulling me into a bone crushing hug.
"Move over,ladies," Luca said as he tried to maneuver past us and into the sitting room.
"Katie!" I fought for breathing air "it's so good to have you back"
"I know," she pulls away to my relief "I have so much to tell you!"
"I,ah. . . . . didn't know you're coming this morning"
She gave me a straight look before pointing her phone towards me "seriously? Didn't you see my IG post this morning?"
"No,haven't gone on" I helped her pull her heavy bag inside.
"I'm just gonna. . . .hit the shower guys" Luca announced before disappearing inside.
"Hey,aren't you like late for work?" Katie said as she tried to take off her shoes "these boots are killing me!"
"Um. . . . .about that. I don't work anymore, Katie"
She stops whilst pulling her shoe and looked up to meet my eyes,confusion laced in hers.
"I quit my job"
"What? What happened?"
"It's a long story, Kay. You should take a rest"
"Come on,Ash. Tell me already. Is today the day I put that motherfucker in his place? You just say the word,girl"
I gave her a disapproving smile "that won't be necessary. I'm way over him and his job,trust me. I've been better off without his job"
"Since when,Ash?"
"Since last Sunday"
"Really? How come? I thought you guys went to the party thing together"
"Yes,then he called me the following morning to get to the office,only to humiliate me in front of all the people. Our workers,the investors. . . . all of them. I cried my heart out and left. After quitting"
"He did that?! How could he do that? After all you've been through for him and his goddamn company! This is so not okay,Ashley. You should sue him!"
"I wish I could. You know what it costs to sue somebody. Let alone a man like Mr Marcello. I'm sorry about this. . . .you got me this job and now I. . . ."
"No,no,don't say that. When all is said and done,this is just the best solution. You can finally have time to your own self"
I gave her a smile "I'm just worried,Kay,about dad"
"Dad? Did you talk with him?"
"No," I looked at my fingers for the sake of looking anywhere "I can't. I've thought of calling him but I. . . . . just can't"
Katie walks over to sit beside me,putting an arm over my back to rub soothingly.
"Hey," she called tenderly "it's gonna be okay. Okay?"
I nod slowly before leaning onto her shoulder, my heart sinking deep,a strange aura of sadness enfolding me.
* * * * *
I stood in front of Casanova restaurant, slowly contemplating whether to go in or turn back now. Deep down I knew there was no turning back now.
I'm gonna walk in,meet Frenchie, talk business and be on my way. Sounds like a plan.
But when I pushed the door open and saw him seated at a table,I knew that plan wasn't gonna go so easily.
He's checking the time on his watch,reminding me that I was twelve minutes late. I'd decided not to get stood up today,even for a single minute and had caught a taxi at exactly 7 o'clock. The ride to the restaurant was only a ten minutes ride.
He looks up again,towards the door, and his eyes caught me. He's dressed in deep blue suits,his red hair fitting over his head in stylish curls. He looks surprised at first,like he'd seen a ghost before settling down with a sigh as I approached his table.
"I thought you were gonna stand me up too" he says amidst laughter,standing up to pull out a chair for me.
"Just a few minutes late and you're already complaining?" I sat down,drawing in the chair before he walked back to his seat.
"I'm sorry once again," he said as he settled down on his chair "Thanks for coming"
I gave him a polite smile,setting my purse down on the table.
"You picked a fine restaurant," he said,his eyes scanning the place "you must be a big fan of American dishes"
"Why do you say that?"
"Most girls who are opportuned to,would go for either an Italian or a French restaurant"
"Well that depends," I fold my arms across my chest "This isn't some date,the place might not matter as much. We're here to discuss, right?" I add extra emphasis to the "discuss" so he'd get what I'm pointing at.
He smiles meekly,giving me a long look before speaking "very well. What would you like to eat"
"I'll take the first on the menu" I replied,not breaking eye contact with him.
He sighs in a chuckling manner as he took the menu,glancing over it "looks like you're a regular here?"
"Why exactly did you call me here?," I asked him seriously "obviously you didn't call me here to have small talks"
"That's right,Ashley," he places the menu down again and intertwined his fingers on the table "I'm here to know a few things,ask you a few questions about . . . . your boss,Mr Marcello"
"If you want to know anything about him, why not hire a spy or something?"
"You would know better than a mere spy,you are his personal assistant. . . ."
"Was," I cut him off,settling back into her chair "I do not work for him anymore. Besides,why would you wanna know anything about him than you already know? You're enemies. Isn't that clear enough?"
"Enemies? You surprise me miss Ashley," he chuckled,arranging his suits "Riccardo and I aren't enemies, everybody knows that"
"Then maybe your boss. . . ." I stopped mid sentence, realizing I was beginning to say way more than I should. I must've stopped working for Mr Marcello but that does not give me any right to say things that could be damaging to him. He never cared about you, Ashley, my inner voice told me. I took a sharp breath in to push away the sinking thought.
"My boss," I correct myself "ex boss,that is. From what I've heard,you two don't go so well"
"Maybe" he turns around to beckon the waiter. He walks to us and Frenchie leaned closer to him and said "get us a bottle of scotch. Not too strong,for the lady"
I watched the waiter walk away before I let out a loud sigh "seriously? Not too strong for me?"
He smiles before replying "forgive me but I've seen you get drunk. Don't a pleasant thing"
My tongue rolled back into my mouth and I watched him, unable to speak. What could I possibly say? Defend myself?
"Nothing to be embarrassed about" he added.
"What do we have to talk about,Frenchie?"
"Your boss. . . .sorry,ex boss"
"Well all I have to tell you is that Mr Marcello is an asshole. He pissed me off and I quit working for him"
"I pretty much know who he is and pretty much all you just said,Ashley. I'm more interested in something else"
"That is. . . . ?"
He leaned into the table,a sadistic smile lingering at the corners of his lips before he said lowly "Manhattan project"
I stared back at him,his statement suddenly making so much meaning to me.
The waiter walks back to us,blocking my view of him as he bent over to place our drinks on the table.
Why was he asking about the project? I remember during the meetings that the Manhattan project was a fabulous work in progress which had called the attention of some government who's trying to scandalize it. Mr Marcello had agreed that-we've all agreed that- they we're no government people but some low life person hiding behind the government.
Now,I know that this man sitting right in front of me is an enemy to Mr Marcello. And now he's asking about the project. Was he the one behind these government stuff? Most importantly, is everyone supposed to know about this project already?
"I have a proposal for you," he said,sipping from his cup "work for me"
I stared wide eyed at him,surprised at the last few words he'd said in the last few seconds.