STRINGS ATTACHED

Cole looked shocked and disgusted. She had told him that she was getting food for a pregnant woman but here she was, in a hotel with a guy.

He rushed to the two and dragged her out of his arms and behind him. He stood so close to Vincent and flashed him a fierce look which Vincent also sent back. From the tension between the two, Ashley knew something was not right.

She was surprised as Vincent dared to stare back at Cole. She had a feeling there was a beef between them.

"Stay away from her," he warned.

"I can't promise you that," Vincent replied provokingly.

Angered by his reply, He held him violently by his collar as they exchanged vicious stares.

Ashley was trying to understand what was happening from a safe angle; which was behind Cole. She thought of asking, but was fully aware she was not in the position to do so. She remembered that she to face Cole's anger once they were out of there. In the end, she didn't get what she came for but now she was sure that the baby wasn't Cole's.

Cole slowly let go of Vincent's collar as he knew it would be nothing but a waste of time. He was back to the cold and emotionless Cole.

"She is not Ayla, she's different so leave her out of this" Cole said but this time more cold and emotionless than angry.

He turned to leave holding Ashley gently by the wrist like she was an ignorant child.

"You didn't let me get Ayla but this time I'll make sure I get her" Vincent said.

Cole walked out of the room ignoring Vincent's words though they hit him hard.

The journey back to the villa was silent and choking, especially for Ashley. She hated how quiet he was, she preferred him to be angry than emotionless. She didn't like the fact that she was completely unaware of how he felt or what he wanted to say.

"Uh…" she tried to explain herself in the car but kept quiet at the last minute.

****

Even after the silent ride home, Ashley couldn't stand the situation anymore; She walked up to Cole's study which at that time seemed like she was walking into a den. She slowly opened the door trying her best not to make a noise.

"Cole, before you jump to any conclusions, we need to talk, " she said sounding as confident as she had practiced.

Once his eyes turned to meet her, her confidence evaporated into thin air, and her legs began to tremble. All the hours of practicing in front of his picture were rendered useless.

"Why did you go there?" he asked straight-faced.

Ashley knew the tables had turned and she had to explain herself instead of defending herself.

"Um- I wanted- uh, You do not need to know" she blurted out after decided not to explain at the last minute.

"Answer me!" he exclaimed in anger.

By now, she had no courage left, she was at his mercy after all. She noticed that ever since he had been busy in his study room, he had become less sweet and more aggressive. All she wanted was her sweet Cole back, the one who massaged her head at night, the one who once slept on the same bed as she did.

"I wanted to prove that the baby was not yours" she replied in regret and shame.

Her head was bent low as she couldn't afford to see the look in his fiery eyes.

"And what made you think I believed it was mine," he said sounding a bit calmer than before. Ashley felt a ting of happiness from his words. She unknowingly let out a smile.

"I just need a favor from you, just one favor."

Ashley's bowed head elevated a bit as she wondered what favor she could help with.

"Stay away from trouble…please." He said calmly. "Aria will be leaving the house by tomorrow, I can't stand her presence anymore."

Ashley was so overjoyed, so happy that things were going the way she wanted even if her plans didn't fall in place.

****************

Janet sat once again in her place of silence, this time hoping for Tegan's arrival. She wasn't going to tell him how much she missed him, she just wanted to see him once again.

She knew he had put her under a spell because she couldn't forget him even when she tried to which was frustrating.

She sat there for hours with the strong hope that he might come. To her surprise, he didn't come. She wondered why she had such strong hope.

"Why isn't he coming?" she asked herself.

Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her, this made her heart flutter, she could feel her heart pounding against her chest as her adrenalin rushed. She suddenly felt happy, sad, nervous, shaky, choky, and other feelings she didn't understand.

"He's here," she thought. "I'm angry with him how can I show him I'm excited to see him"

She took deep breaths as she slowly turned in the direction of the steps. She was strongly convinced that it was him even when she didn't have any evidence.

To her dismay, it wasn't him, it was ….lake keeper."

"Oh..you" she let out with disappointment.

"Whom did you expect it to be?" he asked teasingly.

"Can you believe Mr. Fox came over here up to an hour ago looking for someone?" he said as he raked the excess leaves away.

"Tegan?" she said exclaimed.

"Don't call him with such disrespect, if he finds out you lose your job" he warned.

"Oh!" she said remembering that he was an elite and she was just a maid.

"I wonder who the lucky girl is?" he wondered.

***********************************

Janet walked out with disappointment. She felt so hurt that she wasn't there when Tegan came looking for her.

As usual, she heard gossip from random maids beside her, but she didn't care as her heart was filled with heartbreak.

"I heard something about Master Hendrix's handsome friend, what's his name again...Yes Mr. Fox"

She automatically halted when she heard his name. Everything about him made her heart race. She was fall0ng deeper and deeper in love but couldn't stop herself.

"I heard he was getting introducing his girlfriend to Master Hendrix." A random maid said.

This news sounded like a bomb to her and she felt a rush of anger and betrayal overcome her.

"How could he betray me?" she thought.

When she thought it through, he didn't betray her as she told him not to meet her. She knew she had lost the right to be angry especially when she was nothing compared to him when it came to status.

"I'm truly heartbroken to hear that I thought he would notice me," another made said.

"That's what we all thought." Another maid said.

"Where did you hear that?" Janet violently butted in.

"Sasha was serving them and she overheard it"

"Where is he, has he left the villa?" she asked in a hurry.

"No, he was about to leave when I saw him"

"Okay, thank you" she replied and zoomed off.

"What's up with her?" One of the maids asked with disgust.