Chapter 8 :

Ashley's POV:

After the party was over, I went straight to my bedroom and got rid of the uncomfortable dress I had been wearing all evening, and went to the bathroom. For almost 20 minutes, I stayed in the bath, bubbles flowing around me and the soft candle scent was helping me to clear my mind.

I was staring at the tiny flame of a candle, irritated and sad. And the surprising thing was that I wasn't agitated about the way my own parents were playing volleyball with my life. I was actually angry with that broody and grumpy man. He was so full of himself. How the hell did he dare make such foul judgments about me? Just because I hated to play the damsel in distress didn't mean he would assume that my life had always been a bed of roses.

I stepped out of the bathtub and put on a bathrobe. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm my nerves. At least, I had served him right. I knew very well about the men of his kind. They think that the world was under their feet and that it was only they who had struggled and strived hard in life. And the rest of the people were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Huh, The Audacity.

By the time I plopped down on the bed, I was too tired and exhausted to even think anymore. I simply closed my eyes and resigned to sleep.

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The swooshing sound of curtains pulling apart woke me up from a deep slumber. I opened my eyes slowly and witnessed Ms. Jane tying up the curtains. I glanced toward the wall clock and groaned heavily when I noticed that it was just 7 am. Ms. Jane, non-oblivious to my annoyance, cooed up, "Ms. Ashley, it's time to wake up."

I buried my head under the pillow and grumbled, "Tell me a good reason to."

In the same cheerful voice, she stated, "Mrs. Frostford has ordered you to have breakfast with her and Mr. Frostford."

I heaved up on my elbows. My eyelids were heavy with sleep and I nodded and mumbled to her to go away. I wanted nothing more than to sleep back but I knew very clearly that I needed to make an appearance at the breakfast table. My parents summoned me to breakfast only when they had something important to tell me.

I got out of bed, went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and donned trousers and a shirt. Brushing my hair, I put on slippers and made my way downstairs. Father and Mother were already sitting on the chairs, busy savoring the food. I felt so dejected and couldn't keep my disappointment to myself, "Couldn't you have waited for me before starting with breakfast? You knew I would be coming down in a minute."

Father mumbled after swallowing, "Your minute turned into two and then somehow into 20."

I tried to make a point, "That's because Ms. Jane woke me up just 20 minutes ago."

Father placed his fork on the table, "Don't argue with me, young lady."

I turned to Mother for some sort of support but I found her busy with her fork and knife. How dumb was I to even think about her siding with me?

The maid walked over to my side and poured me the orange juice. I sat back in my chair and asked directly, "So, what's the matter that couldn't have waited to be discussed later?"

My father turned his head towards me, "Your mother told me about your childish act yesterday."

I eyed my mother who still didn't acknowledge me and then I looked back toward my dad, "Okay. And?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly, "Care to explain why did you do that?"

He was referring to my little escape plan that went down the drain. I picked up the glass of juice, "I don't know what else I was supposed to do."

Father raised his voice, "You could have gotten hurt. What would have happened to the empire I have built? You do know that you are the only heir, right?"

I slammed the glass on the table, "Seriously, dad? I had been in a car crash and you never once asked about how I am. All you care about is the empire you have built?"

He shrugged, "Well, I can see that you are right and fine, isn't it so?" He then glanced towards his wristwatch and got up from the chair. The mother immediately put down her knife and jerked up. Walking over to the Father, she helped him into his coat. Father didn't even glance at her as he sauntered towards the door.

As soon as he was out of sight, the smile fell off Mother's face. She settled back into the chair but did not make a move to eat. Crossing her arms over her chest, she affirmed, "First of all, just like I said yesterday, you are being monitored 24/7. So, don't even think to try anything funny again."

She paused for a moment and then, "Secondly, your Father has chosen the man for you."

My eyes went wide at that. I blurted out, "What? When? Who is he?"

She pouted, "Yesterday at the party, of course. The party was arranged solely for that purpose." She then chuckled delicately, "Too many proposals were lined up. But your Father has chosen the best one for his dear daughter."

I was quick to ask, "And what do you mean by The Best One?"

She frowned at my question, "What do you mean? Of course, the man who was the richest of all and had the potential to uplift our business."

God, I was so disappointed with my parents. It was the question of my whole life. How could they make such an important decision that quickly? I tried to protest, "I don't even know him, Mother."

She made a show to clean her nails, "Well, your father does. And I think that's enough."

"I'm still in university."

She eyed me with disgust, "Doesn't matter. After all, the degree you chose is of no importance."

I opened my mouth but she shot up from her chair as an indication that the conversation has ended. She was walking towards her room when I said to her back, "And what if I refuse to do what you people are suggesting?"

She stopped in her tracks and without looking back, she said in a voice laced with venom, "I don't think you have much choice." A pause, and then, "Besides, we are not suggesting. We are telling you. The decision has already been made."

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