Episode 69

Riccardo's POV.
I woke up to the sound of Ashley's phone vibrating slowly underneath my pillow. I looked to my side and found her sleeping soundly. I retrieved the phone and a frown crossed my face as soon as I saw the caller.
Frenchie.
Apparently, he'd called before and Ashley didn't pick up so there's a message for her. I stood from the bed and walked into the closet, letting it ring off before clicking the message open.
Message: hello beautiful, it's been a long while. You seem pretty busy, you didn't return my call. Guess you're still tied down with your boss, huh? Let's meet up and have a good time together, okay?
My frown gravely deepened as I read the contents of the message. Meet up? How dare him!
I dialed his number back and listened as it rang till he picked up.
"Hey, Ashley!" He called out festively.
"Frenchie, why the hell are you calling her so early in the morning?"
He went silent for a moment before chuckling quietly and replying "Hey, Mr Marcello. You keep your assistant's phone now?"
"She's not just my assistant, Frenchie," I gritted angrily "she's my girlfriend who definitely wouldn't be meeting you today"
"Wow, wow, wow, hold on Marcello. Ashley and I are just friends"
"I know that"
"No you don't"
"Why don't you just tell me what the hell you want"
"Maybe you can trying asking your. . . . Girlfriend, she knows pretty well why I'm calling"
Bastard. I pull the phone from my ear and cut the call. What the fuck did he just say? Now someone has a lot of explaining to do. I walked out of the closet and saw Ashley waking up, stiring on the bed. The sight of her causes my frown to deepen even more.
Ashley's POV.
I thought I heard Ric's voice screaming, causing my eyes to fly open. I might as well just be dreaming cause when I opened my eyes, he was nowhere in sight. The thought of last night played in my head again and I beamed a smile. I turned around on the bed to an empty bed beside me. Where could he possibly be?
I started to sit up when I saw him walk out of the closet, a deep frown on his face. He had a death glare on his face as he strode fast towards me, stopping just beside me to point my phone to me. Then I had a frown on my face.
"What's happening here?" I asked him as I collected the phone from him.
"I think I should be asking you that. You tell me why Frenchie is calling you and asking to meet with you to have fun?"
Damn it Frenchie.
Sighing deeply, I pull the duvet off my body and rose to my feet "it's not what you think, Ric"
"Really? Then tell me exactly what you think I should be thinking"
"I don't know why he's calling me okay? Maybe if you hadn't answered my phone without my consent, I would've found out why he called" I replied angrily.
"Don't turn this against me, Ashley. You know damn well who Frenchie is"
"Of course I do, Ric! So fucking what? He's just a friend and if he wanted to meet up then I don't see the slightest bad thing there"
"Really? Is that all you're gonna say?"
"What the hell do you want me to say?! You just freaking went into my phone, picked my call without my permission and. . . . . . Ric, you did this before and I overlooked it because you're my boss but. . . . . . . . . . . . "
"What fun things do you do with Frenchie, Ashley?" He asked out of the blue, folding his arms across his chest.
"I told you, he's just a friend. And we don't even meet much. You seriously think that I'm cheating on you now?! With him?!'
"What the fuck do you want me to think when he leaves you morning messages asking you to meet up and have fun"
"You had no right to go through my phone"
"Oh I'm sorry that I'm just trying to make sure my girlfriend isn't cheating on me"
"You don't even trust me, Ric. I am the one who shouldn't even trust you here, Ric. I am! But I do and now you're just gonna rob that on my face?!"
"I do trust you, Ashley. I just don't know what to fucking think anymore?"
"You know what? You can think whatever you wanna think!" I tried to leave but he held me back.
"You seriously cannot blame me Ashley. He said you knew why he was calling when I asked. What the fuck is going on Ashley? You know he works for Michael and victoria"
"Here you go again, Ric, suspecting me for trying to betray you. Is that what this is about again?," I cut my hand from his grip "you'd never change Ric and. . . . . . . . "
"Ashley listen to me. . . . . .. ."
"No you listen to me, Ric!," I yelled angrily " I have been your toy for several months! Now I'm your girlfriend and you can't even trust me?!"
Before I knew what was happening, he's kissing me on the lips, his hands holding my head still. Angrily, I pushed him away from me and whipped my lips with my hand.
"Ashley can we just talk this out?"
"No, we can't. It was a big mistake coming here last night. You take advantage of me, Ric. You never listen to anybody but yourself and now you accuse me of cheating on you? You're the one who sleeps with every woman you see!"
"Are you gonna judge me with my past now?"
"It is the truth. So tell me who should be feeling insecure here? Who should feel threatened? It's me Ric. It has always been me and you know it. I get it, if you do not want me around anymore all you had to do was say it not accuse me of cheating on you all in the name of your insecurities. You know what? I'm out of here"
"Ashley" he tries to hold me back but I cut loose and hurried into the closet. I stripped off the white nightdress and got into my previous dress before running out before he could stop me.
I took a taxi home, all the while wondering how possible it was for Ric to have said all he said to me. I felt so upset with myself, how could I have let him in so much to say all that to me? I shouldn't have listened to him yesterday. I should've just gone ahead to California. I need to book for a flight to get me out of here as soon as possible.
While in the taxi, I checked the supposed message Frenchie had sent. What the fuck did he even mean by us having a good time together at a meet up? I wanted to call frenchie and confirm exactly why he wanted us to meet but I wasn't in my best mood and would probably yell at him if he even tried to joke around with me. I didn't know what Ric might've told him too. Now just wasn't the best time.
Just then, a call came in from Trevor.
I shut my eyes, contemplating on whether to pick it or not. In the end, I realized I need to talk to him. It wasn't something I should do, it was something I needed to do. And I picked it up and held the phone against my ear.
"Hello T" I greeted, watching my fingers nervously.
"Good morning, Ashley. How are you doing?"
"Great. You?"
"Aish, I said good morning. It could be night in London now for all I know"
I laughed at his silly joke and replied "come on T, The difference isn't that big. Besides, I'm back in New York"
"Really?"
"Yeah, got in yesterday"
"That's really great. I was gonna go on about how much I miss you but I guess I can come check up on you now. "
"I don't know,T. . . . . I'm kinda really upset right now. . . . . "
"What? What happened?"
"I had a fight with Ric" shit, I wanted to slap myself for saying that.
"I'm sorry about that, Ashley. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just wanna get home and sleep"
"You were with him?"
I didn't know what to reply cause the conversation was starting to get really awkward.
The cab comes to a stop in front of my apartment building and I got off.
"Can we not talk about Ric anymore please? What are you up to?"
"I'm at the office," he replied "but I may leave soon cause I'm not really feeling that well today. You sure you don't want me to come over?"
I smiled even though he wasn't there to see me "thank you, Trevor but no"
"Alright. You know you can always call me if you need anything or anyone right?"
I bit hard on my teeth as I got on the elevator. Then I said "I'm leaving for California,T. By the end of the day. When I came back yesterday, Katie wasn't around. She left for home in california and didn't even tell me. Apparently she was feeling down about something so she had to leave"
"Is everything alright?"
"I hope to find out when I get there today. Still hoping to catch a flight today"
"I could help you look into it and get you an early flight. I'll let you know later"
"Thank you so much, T, I owe you"
"Alright. I'll call later then"
"Bye"
Merely talking to Trevor eased half of my pains and worries. He was a good friend.
By the time I reached home I was only able to sleep for a few hours before waking up to Trevor's call. He had booked a flight for me to leave by 3:30.
I started packing my bags when Ric called. I ignored it. The last thing I wanted was to talk to him, or see his face. How could something once so sweet become such a bitter venom? He continued to call, and left tons of messages which I didn't bother opening. I felt completely upset.
After getting my things ready, I had a quick shower. Then I decided to call Katie just one more time. Maybe, just maybe it would ring this time. Again, I'm greeted by the customer Care's voice from the other end. I hoped she was okay. I had a pretty bad feeling about all these but I just hoped Katie would find it in her heart to forgive me for being so ignorant and not pay any attention to her. This must've been hard for her.
I quickly dressed up in my faded mom jeans and a brown t-shirt, pinned my hair behind my back in a messy bon and took out my dark shades. I pulled on my blue flats, not feeling the need to dress up so much when I heard the door ring from outside.
I hurried out and pulled the door open, coming face to face with Robin. He has a worried look on his face and he was breathing like he ran all the way here.
"Robin, what are you doing here?" I asked him.
"I'm really sorry. I know you hate me now but I must see Katie"
"Well as you can see," I opened the door wider and threw my hands towards the room "she's not here"
"I know. That's why I'm here. I couldn't reach her for weeks until Luc told me a few minutes ago that she left for California and that you were leaving. I'm coming too"
I gaped at him, speechlessly.