6 Chapter 5 - Ashiya

ASHIYA

MY EARS swell from rubbing it with alcohol. I washed it with soap back at the restroom and repeatedly put alcohol, but I still felt disgusted. I could still Mauro's wet tongue against my ear. That was an aggressive move on his part.

My father might have looked like he whored me out, but he made Mauro promise not to make advances with me without my permission. So Mauro would discreetly hint his lust on me, hoping that I would fall for it. I don't find any pleasure in it. It gave me an icky feeling.

I don't react well to physical contact. Other women find it arousing. Not me. What if someone would see us? How could I still remain respectable in their eyes? They will think that I am the bitch of my boss. And even if we were in a relationship, which was very unlikely, he still had no permission to do that.

I had no idea how long I stayed in the restroom. I only went out when I felt like I was calm. But I stopped when I saw Mauro talking to two politicians and three businessmen at the bar. I had no intentions to see him or speak to him. I was still rattled. Instead, I went to the balcony of the hotel to get some air. I valued this time alone. No Mauro tailing me around. I could easily breathe.

I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes as the breeze from the sea wafted over me. I could pretend that I was free for this moment. If only I could escape my life. I'll take Ashlyn far away and assume a new identity. We'll live simply. We'll go hiking. Two princesses who knew nothing about household chores, surviving through farming.

Yes. A simple life would be nice. Away from my gambling addict father. Away from the grubby hands of Mauro. Only if it was that simple to leave everything behind.

"It looks like you could use a drink," a deep, masculine voice interrupted.

"Excuse me?" I uttered in a high pitch tone and looked behind. And who was this trying to ruin my quiet time?

I stopped when I recognized the stranger I saw while I was dancing with Mauro a while ago. He looked far-fetching up close, taller, and more imposing than I first thought. I noticed that his nose was a little crooked. He must have got into a fight before. But it did not diminish the man's character. It added to his charm. He was holding two glasses of amber drink, which she presumed as whiskey.

"You look rattled a while ago. A nice shot of whiskey would do wonders to your nerves." He handed the other glass to me. "Have some."

My eyebrow knotted as I stared at the glass. It was tempting, the same thing that he tempted me. But I used my common sense. He was gorgeous, and he looked delicious, but he was still a stranger. And I am not that innocent or naïve. What if there's a party drug or a rape drug in there? I don't trust innocent or decent-looking men nowadays.

"I don't know you. And it is wise not to accept anything from strangers." No matter how fuckable he was. Especially if he was fuckable.

He put the glass down on the nearest table and fished out a calling card inside his jacket. He handed the card to me with his two hands. "I am Damon Savas. You can tell your friends that you are with me. Tell them I gave you the drink. I don't mind."

If it was another man annoying her at a party, she would never entertain him and walked out on him. But she accepted the man's calling card. It was black, but his name was embossed in silver. Very classy, yet it spoke of power and sophistication.

"Damon Savas," she whispered. President and CEO of Savas Financial Group Unlimited.

That Damon Savas. They call him King Midas, building his business from scratch. He touched failing businesses then turn them into goldmines. Then he would sell it. He also helped out start up companies.

And he was also known for his womanizing ways. Not that I care. He was under my radar because of his savvy business practices that won't compromise the workers.

While he looked handsome in his photos on the internet, he was more charismatic in person. Maybe his hair was longer now. He looked ruggedly handsome. His eyes had a certain command in them but not threatening. His dark eyes were hypnotic.

I had been warned about men like him. the men who could make women literally jump out of the bridge with just a smile. His power and confidence were innate. He was dangerous.

Yet I accepted the glass of whiskey from him then took a sip.

"There. Brave girl."

I arched an eyebrow. "Why? Should I be scared of you, Mr. Savas?"

"Do I look scary to you, Miss Yuzon? Or should I call you Ashiya?"

I held my breath. "Y-you know me?"

I don't know why that knowledge made me feel giddy like a fangirl. I was not the kind of woman the likes of him would remember unless his mind was focused on business. I am not exactly a model or beauty queen material. I am not even an heiress. I am just a lowly assistant.

"Of course. You are an interesting woman. You are from the Yuzons of Negros. A sugar princess."

I was dismayed. He must have thought I was rich. "You mistook me for my cousins. They are the princesses." And I was the slave. My bank account is negative. I have debts to pay and all that jazz. "I am just an ordinary employee."

"With the tilt of that head, you look like a queen. Like the type who gives out command well."

I sighed. Of course, that is my forte. I was a born leader. People even teased me that I am the little boss. I could even make Mauro obey me. "You knew that by just looking at me?"

"Just an inference. But if you will let me, I want to know you." He brought his face closer to me. "Really know you. Will you let me, Ashiya?"