Episode 62

Ashley's POV.
Waking up every morning to the smell of Ric beside me has become a part of my daily life that it hurts seeing that it would one day come to an end. I didn't know what to call us but I didn't give much care. I'm gonna cherish every moment spent here together before it ends.
Waking up has been something I barely look forward to because it meant I'm gonna stop snuggling against Ric's strong body. Even though we spent the whole day together, I still greedily want everything he has to offer and more.
I walked towards the walk-in closet, knowing fully well that Ric would be somewhere there. He always woke up earlier than I. I abruptly came to a stop as I heard his voice from behind the clothes rack.
"Victoria?" I heard him say.
Victoria? He's calling her? I listened more closely.
"What's there to forget about you, Victoria? You never change," he added. After a few more seconds, he spoke again "I'll be there"
What? My heart skipped a beat. He's going to meet with her? That's a very bad idea.
I walked to his front and saw the small frown on his face but he soon smiled to cover it all up. I reached to throw my arms around his neck and he kissed my lips firmly.
"Good morning" he said, inhaling my hair loudly " God, I love your morning smell"
I snorted a laughter and replied "I love yours more."
His hands grabbed hold of my waist and he yanked me into him and said "how about we go skiing today"
"Skiing?" I asked frightfully " no way am I doing that" that's the one thing I'll probably never ever do.
He chuckles mockingly, planting another kiss on my neckline before saying "such a scardy cat. Let's eat out then. I know this really great place. They serve the best italian foods, you're gonna love it so much"
"It's a yes," I replied with a satisfied grin "as long as we're gonna wear casual outfits"
"I can do that," he kisses my lips again "I've got a lot of jeans for us"
I leaned in and kissed him this time.
We dressed up and he took me to this fancy italian restaurant and as he'd said, the foods were amazing. Especially the seafoods. I'd dressed up in a pale blue skinny jeans which accentuated my butt curves and a white diagonal cap top which I tucked down into my jeans. Ric couldn't look any more handsome than he did in his casual jeans and crew top.
"Were you on the phone with Victoria?," I asked halfway into the breakfast " I wasn't prying, I just overheard you while coming into the closet"
He sighs enormously before replying "Yes, Ashley, she called me and she wants us to meet like I requested"
"Is that a good idea? I'm just worried. . ."
His hand crosses over the table to caress mine and he gave me a smile "don't worry, victoria isn't as psycho as my sister painted her to be"
"But all the things you've told me about her shows just how bad she is"
"Believe me when I say this, Ashley, that everything is under control"
"Okay," I sighed in defeat " you may fight me on this but I'm going"
"No"
"This is gonna be one hell of a fight then, I told you. I'm going" I picked up my wine and started drinking it.
He smiles sweetly and replied " I love it when you're so stubborn. Alright, you're coming baby"
I gave him a big smile as I set down the wine glass.
The following morning, Ric's car drove us to a large building. We stepped out of the car and walked in together.
We walked into the spacious room but got stopped as soon as we entered by two tall men wearing suits and shades.
"Please wait" one of them said, hands crossing our fronts and preventing us from going any further. Ric remained still and the big man searched his body before letting us through. I looked around, searched the few faces around but nobody looked like victoria. Not that I knew her. But I was positive it would be easy to recognize her even by merely glancing at her. Given her personality, she probably looks evil from the look.
The room has only a number of men seated around drinking, some around a pool at the far corners. A man in black suits and shades walks to us.
"She's waiting," he said, pointing to an entrance at our left "this way"
We followed him into a much brighter room. The room seems to be at the back of the building, with roof to floor glass walls, a large amoebic table cutting in the center. The walls are pasted with army green floral wallpapers.
I casted my gaze up as we entered fully into the room to find a tall, averagely slim woman standing beside the draping curtains. She's wearing a deep red shorts gown, it's ends sprawling all over the floor behind her, her pale thighs and long legs in full display, running into black high heels. She wears a poker face, a huge amount of make up on her face. Her pin up eyeliners are heavy and obvious even from the door and her wrinkled lips shone under the bright red lipgloss. Her black hairs are held into a messy bon behind her head.
As I walked closer, I began to actually predict her age. She didn't look so young. She looked like she was in her late fourties.
Around the room stood three suit men, standing guard.
"Victoria," Ric called as he stopped at the end of the table "it's nice to see you again"
"And you too, child," she replied with a straight face "but. . . Is that how you greet a mother you haven't seen for so long?"
Ric laughs.
"Have a seat," she said drawing a seat back from the table separating us from her " we have a lot to talk about"
Ric pulled out a seat for me and I sat down before he sat beside me. Victoria's eyes falls on me before she looked back at Ric.
"Who's this?" She asked and I knew very well she was referring to me.
"She's not why we're here, is she?" Ric shot back " why don't we talk about your schemes to take my company from me"
"How are you so sure I'm the one trying to take it from you?"
"You're the only one who knew about the manhattan project even before I created it. I also know that Michael Amoretti works for you and that he has been tailing me to get information for you"
Victoria chuckles " maybe you're right. Maybe you're not"
"I know exactly what you're playing at, victoria. You've done worse in the past"
"Oh have I, Riccardo? I never had any hands in what happened that night, and you left because you wanted to"
"I left because we both knew you were just a mindless thief! You took everything, didn't you? What have you got to gain with this project?"
"Oh everything, my sweet boy, everything," she replied humorously, her eyes only glancing at me every now and then " listen Riccardo, you got everything wrong. Maybe if you let us start over, you'll see things more differently"
"I have nothing to see differently, Victoria. The truth remains just how it is. You're a thief"
"That's not a way to talk to your mother!"
"You're not my mother!" Ric yelled.
Here we go again. This is gonna get really bad. Again.
"And I am giving you the last time to leave manhattan alone or I'm gonna put you to court!!"
"You can try, Riccardo," a sadistic smile lingered on her slim lips "but you will wanna know that I have the biggest law firms all over the states, the best lawyers and the money"
"So do I, Vick! And I think I'm gonna be fair enough if I give you twenty four hours to get your hands off my project!"
"It's a shame, really. That's not why I called you to London," she leaned into the table " I called you here to pay back a debt"
"Does this make you happy?" I spoke before I could stop myself, slowly looking up to her "why are you even doing this?"
Her lips moved into a smile like something amused her "wow. . . . Who is she, Riccardo? Your girlfriend? "
"Yes, I am" I replied "I've heard a lot about you"
"It's a shame," she clucked her tongue " I've heard nothing about you," she turns to Ric now "Riccardo never told me about you"
"Cut the crap, Victoria and tell me what the hell you're going on about" Ric cut her off, anger edging his voice.
"You know what I'm talking about, Ric" she replied, her smile stoic.
"I'm giving you twenty four hours, Vic," Ric said, rising to his feet and fixing his suit "or you're not gonna like what comes next"
"Ohhwww. . . I like the sound of that," she replied maniacally " I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves, Riccardo" she turns to me and her grin grew wider.
"We should meet sometime for coffee or dinner," she said to me " I have a feeling I'm really gonna like you, Ashley"
I thought my heart leaped out of my chest as I realized she actually addressed me by my name when I've actually not told her my name. I felt uneasy as I watched her grin back at me, and I wondered just what goes on in her sick mind?
I rose up and walked out with Ric, a strange feeling enveloping me. Thoughts swam through my head. Thoughts about what Victoria was really playing at. Deep inside, I had a feeling she wasn't completely after this project. Like she'd said, she came to collect a dept. What could that possibly mean?
Throughout the ride back to the hotel, I saw how meeting with Victoria affected him mentally and physically. I knew he was disturbed, having to deal with all of these. I wondered afterwards if she'd like to be paid off? But would Ric do that even if she agreed to that? He's already pissed as it is and willing to do anything.
The day went slowly at the hotel. Ric had to leave to meet with some work associates. That's when I realized that I hadn't spoken with Katie since I got here. I instantly felt terrible and tried calling her immediately. When I called, the call died down, unreasonable.
That's odd. Katie's phone is always reachable. I dialed again and still, she wasn't reachable.
I decided leaving her a text would be better.
Me: Hey, Katie. You would not believe the days I've been having. I finally met with victoria today and she looks way bad ass than we'd painted her to be. She has refused to let go of the project though and Ric is willing to fight all the way. . . . At all cost.
I sent it, then I thought of more to say.
Me: you would not believe the news I wanna tell you once I come back home, Kay! I'm so happy, this thing. . .coming to London has been a really great idea!
Then another.
Me: I called you Kay but it's very unusual that your number isn't reachable. I'm worried, so you better call me when you see this. Love you!