Chapter 15

The next morning Ashley woke up and get ready to leave to Eric house all her luggages were already in the living room she kept looking out through the window, she didn't want to leave nor stay close to Eric but she has just too many reasons to live, because of her mum she could finally have her surgery after many years of waiting, later on a black luxury car with tinted glass drive in she puff her cheek and blink several times at the car, Eric sent a car to pick his p.a? Unbelievable she scoffs "hey Ashley the car is here to pick you" Laura said standing by the doorpost, Ashley moved away from the window and look at Laura "okay mom" Laura move close to her then pull her into a tight hug "thank you Ashley"

"No mom am sorry I was so stupid and crazily annoy that I forgot about your health" she cried "it's okay Ashley" she pull away "it's time to go now"

"Take care of yourself mom I will visit you before your surgery"

"You too Ashley" she sighs.

       Laura and Ashley packed her luggages out and Jason and the other bodyguard moved it into the car, Jason could not stop staring at Ashley he wonder why Eric is treating her specially that he sent his most expensive car to pick her up or is she a mistress in guise of p.a? "Bye mom" she hug Laura once again "bye Ashley I love you".

....

Ashley looked out through the window as the car stopped in front of huge mansion it didn't take time before the gate open voluntarily her jaws drop immediately they entered the house compound, she didn't didn't know whether to call it a mansion cause it is huge than a mansion, the garden in the spacious front yard is so colorful and bright the car halt and car park, and the bodyguard in black dress and colorless face get down and open the door out for her, Jason grunt another special treatment order by Eric "oh... Thanks" she alighted from the car and look around the house was painted in white and the front was covered with glasses "this way" Jason said and lead the way snapping Ashley out of her daze "okay". They walk closer to the entrance as she walked through she saw small receiving room, Jason lead her further inside, the hallway opened up to a larger space with a large staircase at center of it, the white marble stair swept grandly towards the upper floor which made Ashley gape in awe. The staircase seemed to stretch endlessly, its smooth steps gleaming under the soft glow of the chandeliers hanging above. Ashley followed behind Jason as he confidently ascended the stairs, his steps echoing faintly throughout the spacious hall. As they reached the top of the staircase, Ashley couldn't help but admire the intricate details of the wrought iron banisters and the delicate carvings on the walls. It was evident that this place held a rich history, and Ashley found herself intrigued by the stories it had to tell.

Jason led her down a long corridor adorned with antique paintings, their frames gilded with gold. The portraits seemed to come alive in the dim lighting, their eyes following Ashley's every move. She shivered, feeling as though she was being watched

"wait here I will inform master that you are here" Jason led her to a sofa and she quietly sat there adjacent to her she saw an old woman probably in her 80s mopping the floor she frown slightly Eric is just to heartless that he allow this old woman to work here. Time passed by Ashley got tired of waiting already though she has been practicing how to put on an act that they were just a stranger and he is nothing but her boss, she close her eyes then sooner she heard some steady footsteps coming from the grand staircase and then Eric appeared he was wearing a white short trouser that stop a bit above his knees and yellow simple shirt his blonde hair was tousled and his face was pale like he just wake up, seeing this she laugh inwardly 'even celebrities sleep too?' she laughs mockingly to herself, his eyes were wide open immediately he look down Ashley throw back her head slightly why is he looking at her like that, then he rush down making Ashley wonder if something is wrong but it took her some time to notice that he wasn't rushing down because of her but because of the grandma cleaning the floor "grandma" he snatch the cleaning stick away from her with worrisome look on his face, Ashley puff her cheek blinking her long eyelashes at him what's he trying to do "I told you not to do this ever again" he exhale frustrated but the grandma just giggle and pat him on his shoulder "you are just too kind boss, I have to do something I can't continue sleeping eating and still receive salary"

"but still..." Eric inhales and turn around "lady Ann! Lady Ann!!" He shouts "yes Eric!!" a woman responded from the second floor, Ashley was utterly confused did she just hear Eric? She is suppose to be a worker calling him boss to respect him but Eric? She scoffs inwardly then heard a loud footsteps evading from the stairs she look up towards the direction of the footsteps then lady Ann come to view she grasp seeing she is a middle aged  woman probably in her 50s or 60s with short black curly hair and blue eyes even in her 50s she still look so young and beautiful "I instructed you never to let grandma do anything in this house" Eric said as if scolding lady Ann "sorry... I left her in her room I didn't know when she come here" lady Ann said collecting the mopping stick from Eric the grandma sighs "how else should I repay your kindness boss"

"Grandma I told you several times not to call me that... Call me Eric just see me as your son okay?" He smile "okay Eric thank you so much"

"Ah... Grandma you should go back to your room now" lady Ann said "oh... Thank you Eric how else can I repay you" lady Ann lead the grandma upstairs. After they left Eric draw in a sharp breath sighting Ashley his shoulder drop as he ran his finger through his hair before putting his hand inside his pocket. He walked elegantly towards her "you finally came?" He smile walking towards her "you are like tortoise very cunning" she frown at him "say whatever you want what really matters is that you are here now"

"There are millions of people who are dying to work with you why are you obsess with me I was never interested" Eric move close to her so close that their noses were almost touching, Ashley shift her head back a little blinking at him "do you want to know why?" He whispered seductively, Ashley gulp she was determined never to fall for his trick never again "your hair" Ashley eyes widen as his hand went behind her hair "what are you doing" Ashley said almost yelling, she was about to slap his hand away when he brought a piece of paper from her hair, Ashley hid her face embarrassed "oh..." She pout, Eric move back then straighten his shoulder "your work start tomorrow"

"Tomorrow is Sunday"

"Oh..." Eric look around "you don't think am gonna stay in this house whole day tomorrow do you?" He ask, "you actually won't die if you do that" she cross her arm over her chest looking sideways with a deep frown on her face, Eric look at her both amuse and frustrated at the same time she was no longer the gentle Ashley he knew that he will give ridiculous reply to him "you don't talk to me like am your boss, you talk to me like we known each other" Ashley look back at him "sorry boss, but there is no way we've met before" she smile mockingly "lady Ann" he said and immediately lady Ann ran downstairs "yes Eric"

"Over to you" he said before turning his back to leave, Ashley froze as she watch him leave lady Ann cough and draw back her attention "am Ann, nice meeting you... Ashley" she introduced herself smiling brightly as if he had known her a long time again, Ashley puff her cheek staring at her with curiosity "nice to meet you too lady Ann"

"Come with me I will show you your room" she said "my..."

"don't worry about your luggages Jason already took care of that" lady Ann lead her to the grand staircase with actually led to the third floor.