Episode 58

I prayed things would remain as it was forever. Being here with Ashley hasn't been such a bad idea and I found myself not wanting it to end. It's been four days and it has been taking all my self restriction not to grab her body as she laid next to me every fucking night on that bed. I never knew I could possess the power to stop myself even when I'm so hard and turned on by her mere presence. With Ashley, I guess everything's worth waiting.
She was in my head every fucking time. When I look at her all I'm reminded of was the kisses we've shared. I wanted her just as much as I hopefully think she wants me but I'm willing to wait. For her I would wait no matter how long.
Her reaction was totally unexpected when I told her I had feelings for her. Maybe I shouldn't have told her and just leave her hints. I can't believe I'm contemplating on telling a girl how I feel.
But the smiles that's been on my face was about to me smacked away when I received an anonymous call from a man.
"It's good to have you here Mr Riccardo" the voice had said over the phone.
"Who. . . . ."
"We're the FiveWays company, I'm sure you've heard of that. We're currently contemplating on whether to file against your manhattan project or not. But of course, what we come up with depends on you, Mr Marcello"
I felt angry instantly " what is that supposed to mean?" I growled angrily.
"We'd like to have a meeting with you as proposed before. Let's meet at our office shall we? I'm sure you know your way. 10a.m. thanks for cooperating" and he disconnected the call.
I hadn't realized Ashley was by the door, watching me take the call until she called my name.
"What was that?" She asked again.
"It's some FiveWays company" I replied through gritted teeth.
She walks closer to me and said "okay what did they say?"
"They wanna meet me at 10"
"Why? Who are they?"
"They work with victoria obviously"
"Hmm alright just. . . . . Calm down okay? I don't think it's a good idea to meet with them. . . . . . . ."
"No, it's the perfect idea. She better be there, Ashley"
"Alright, I'm coming"
I turned a pale look at her and replied " no you're not"
"Why? That's why I'm here with you isn't it?"
"You don't understand, Ashley, victoria is a dangerous person"
"I don't care, Ric. I'm coming okay?"
I heaved a big sigh before replying " you're so stubborn, Ashley"
The smile she gave was priceless as I watched her.
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Ashley's POV.
It felt like walking into a lion's den as I walked beside Ric towards the tall skyscraper. Stepping through the revolving doors into the lobby, we're met with gazes from far and near. A Petit woman standing before receptionist desk acknowledges us instantly.
"Good morning, Mr Marcello" she greeted as she walked towards us, a big smile on her face. I understand that it's their job, but what's with all these women giving Ric all those charmer smiles every damn time?
" This way please" she said , pointing towards an elevator.
We followed her into the elevator and she punched in the floor number. The elevator came to a stop after a few seconds and the doors slid open. We both stepped out and followed her through a corner and up three steps before coming to a wide door.
She pushed the doors open to reveal a conference meeting room. The room is wide with a long square table in the middle of it, surrounded with twelve chairs at the least. Two men sat waiting, both dressed in black with a woman dressed in blue suits who appeared to be an assistant just as I was, a computer in front of her as she sat far away.
"Welcome Mr Marcello" one of the men greets with a smile, pointing to a seat closer to us.
" Thank you" he replied, amusement all over his eyes as he sat down.
Yes, that's the Ric I'm talking about. I took the seat next to him.
"Okay, ah. . . . . . I'm Liam Granger and this is Mark bennett" the second man said " nowLet's go straight to the point, the reason why you're here"
"We're here to talk about your project which you started over a year now but has been stopped for some reason, " Mark continued "the idea is to pay you. . . . . . . "
"Not to steal it?" Ric interrupted him, a long smirk on his lips.
"No, Mr Marcello,"Liam replied with a long face "we never wanted to steal it"
"Then tell me,Liam, why did you put a stop to my work without informing me first"
"The truth is, Mr Marcello," Mark said " Manhattan project shouldn't have been built on that spot. It's a public property. We are authorized to demolish the building but we decided to give you a long term notice first and . . . . . .," He chuckles " we're even offering you some compensation money"
"Tell me,Mark, what agencies do you work with? Public law enforcement? "
"We work for a government organization, Mr Marcello and you've been told to remove manhattan within a month"
"You call that spot a public place," Ric said as he leaned back into his seat, unbothered for some reason "I don't see the difference if I build a public park there. Unless you have no idea what manhattan is"
"We know exactly what you're building there Marcello and it calls for a demolition"
"Except that you're not demolishing it" Ric replied with a serious glare at them.
I shifted uncomfortably as the look on Mark's face tightened into a frown. I didn't like how this was going.
"You're both so bad at acting" Ric growled at them.
They exchanged looks before Liam replied "take the money and walk away, Riccardo"
"You know it's a big shame how victoria is always hiding behind men like yourselves," Ric replied with a long smile "you two should be ashamed"
I glanced from Liam to Mark, noticing the change in their eyes as they listened to Ric say insult I've words to them.
"You should go ahead and file manhattan to court," Ric said, leaning across the table to them "let's see who goes down"
"You should take this while you're being offered,Ric," Mark replied with a smirk, surprising me by the change of tone in his voice.
"That's what I'm talking about" Ric said in amusement. "I knew you were victoria's lap dog the moment I stepped in here. You smelled like one. Come to do her bidding again"
I saw the angry look of Mark's face as he fumed and fessed up. This was gonna end so bad.
"Well at least I don't run away from realities" Mark shot back. I looked at Ric just in time to catch the anger that crossed his face as he glared back at Mark.
"Why don't you tell victoria to end her silly games and meet me when she has the mind" Ric replied more angrily than subtly.
"You sure you're not just gonna run off again?" Mark said tauntingly "You might not make it to tell the story this time"
I saw the rage in Ric's eyes as his body stiffened and I quietly tried to reach to him " Ric. . . . . ."
"Why don't you just take my message to your owner and see if I live or not" Ric nearly yelled.
I reached to touch his arm but he wiggles his hand from mine, throwing death glared at Mark. They continued to exchange hurtful words and I just about had enough of it. Why wouldn't he just listen? Why couldn't he see what victoria is making him do?!
"Ric!" I screamed to be heard as their voice soon filled the room. " Can you please just stop?! All of you!"
Ric abruptly stands up like I didn't just speak and stormed out. I sent a death glare to the duo sitting across before hurrying out too. The elevator was in use, Ric probably got in so I took the stairs and ran as fast as I could manage with my pump shoes. I got down to the previous receptionist desk in time to see Ric passing out through the revolving doors, his hand angrily undoing his necktie. I ran after him, pulling him to a stop before he reached his car.
"What the hell, Ric?!" I asked him angrily.
He just made a big fool of himself and of me in there. Why couldn't he just stop when I tell him to?!
"What the hell?" He asked back " are you seriously asking me that?!"
"Yes, Ric, I am!"
"Did you hear all they were saying in there?"
"Can't you see this is just what victoria wants?! She wants you pissed off and. . . . . . "
"Well I don't give a damn anymore, do I now?! So just stay the fuck out of this!"
"I should stay away?! Why the hell did you bring me in the first place then?!"
"To be my fucking assistant, Ashley! And now you're just gonna blame me?!"
"I'm just trying to tell you to listen sometimes, Ric! Maybe that would save you from a lot more self humility situations like this one!"
"Oh I embarass you?"
"You know that's not what I mean, Ric!"
"Then what the hell do you mean cause I don't fucking understand you anymore! Either you're on victoria's side or mine!"
"I'm not on anyone's side here, Ric and if need be, I'll be on your side and you know it! I'm just telling you to do this right, Ric, you've come a long way to just throw all these away now!"
"So what are you suggesting? That I'd agreed with them and taken the money?! You of all people should know I can't do that!"
"I wasn't asking you to do that. I wanted you to have talked like a man with them, handled the situation like a man and do it the right way"
"What is the right way then? Enlighten me please!"
"You're just getting angry again, Ric!"
"Yes I am and I don't see how that bothers you so much Ashley! You have no idea what this project means to me! Nobody does! Not you and not even victoria so it's easy for you to say!"
"What?" My throat suddenly felt so dry "you think I don't know?! "I've been with you for months now for this, you think I don't know what it means?!"
"Then for fuck"s sake, Ashley, do me a big favor and stop acting like a child. I never asked you to come anyway but you're Just so stubborn!"
I froze instantly as his word hit me like ice. I opened my mouth but nothing came out of it. And that's when I realized 'shit, I've let myself lose for this man for far too long'
I felt this urge to slap myself, force my senses back but right that moment I didn't know which to do first? Break into the cry that's bubbling inside me or slap him across the face.
I decided doing either of them was going to be pointless so I just drew in some air and stepped past him. I started towards the road when I heard him call me.
"Ashley"
I didn't turn back and went ahead to cross the road and hail a taxi. .