Chapter 8 The Rejection

Annika sat before her desk as she tried to finish up her work. She was making Ashton's schedule ready for him. Recalling what had happened last night was of no use to her. Whatever had happened, she wanted to forget it immediately. Ashton had seemed different before she left. Whatever had happened to him, she didn't want to think about it. Going to that party had been a mistake and she should have left sooner. She had drunk too much champagne and had spent a couple of hours in her tub when she got home.

The elevator binged and Ashton stepped out of it. He walked through the hallway with his left hand in his pocket. A figure was rushing to catch up with him from behind, but Ashton didn't seem to notice. He was heading towards his door. He arrived sooner and the figure stopped him. Annika, who had been busy on her desktop, immediately caught sight of him as one of the employees rushed towards him. Ashton looked properly dressed this morning compared to yesterday.

"Brahim?" Ashton said recognizing the man who was panting before him now.

"Good morning, Mr. Maverick, I have been trying to catch up with you since you stepped out of the elevator," he said.

Brahim was a Hispanic man who wore glasses. He pushed the glasses to the bridge of his nose and stood erect.

"Did you bring the papers my father requested?" Ashton asked him.

"Here they are, sir," Brahim said, handing over a brown file to him.

Annika watched this from her desk with rapt attention. Her eyes were fixed on Ashton as he went through the papers thoroughly. She never thought that he would be this serious. Perhaps she judged him too soon from yesterday? She doubted that. She knew Ashton's kind and she was aware of how careful she had to be when dealing with him.

A few minutes later, Ashton closed the file and nodded at Brahim.

"Brilliant from what I've seen so far," Ashton praised. "I'll go through it properly when I get inside."

Brahim smiled at Ashton.

"Thank you, sir," he said.

Ashton nodded his head and Brahim departed. Ashton reached for the door before pausing. Annika was still watching him. He turned to her stiffly, and Annika's heart almost skipped a beat. Ashton gave her a plain face as he looked at her. Annika immediately rose from her desk.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted nervously.

"In my office," he said coldly. "Five minutes."

And with that, he opened the door and got lost inside his office. Annika heaved a sigh of relief and sat back on her desk. She knew why he was asking of her. It had to be the schedule. And she was almost finished. Annika looked at her watch and it was 9:30 am. Ashton was thirty minutes late. Again.

Five minutes later, she found herself standing before the door of his office. She breathed in deeply before knocking.

"Come in," Ashton's muffled voice sounded.

She stepped into the office and closed the door behind her gently. At the executive desk was Ashton. His suit jacket hung on the chair while the sleeves of his white undershirt were folded. His black hair fell on his forehead and his blue eyes glittered in the sunlight. The room was cold and Annika could feel her knees grow weak by the second.

"You asked to see me, sir?" She said,

Ashton raised an eyebrow at her and she immediately realized why.

"Sorry.. err... Ashton?" She corrected herself.

A smile appeared on his blank face and she heaved a sigh of relief.

"Much better," he said. "What do I have to do today?"

"You had a meeting with one of the partnering companies, but they called in before you arrived to adjust it," she said. "You are free till your lunch break and then, a meeting with the head of departments by 2 pm."

Annika paused and looked up at Ashton. He seemed to be staring at her which almost startled her.

"Did you enjoy the party last night?" He asked.

Annika scratched her forehead, holding the iPad with one hand.

"I think I did," she replied.

Ashton chuckled at her words. He was looking at her chocolate skin which glowed. She was dressed in a gray suit and her skirt highlighted her curves perfectly. She was tempting, and Ashton couldn't help it. He wanted her, and he would do anything it took to have her.

"Let's have lunch together," he said.

Annika was surprised by this, and couldn't hide it.

"S-S-Sir...? I mean...Ashton?" She stuttered.

"Go out to lunch with me," he repeated.

Annika thought it was an order. It was a hard pass. She just couldn't. She knew what would happen if she accepted.

"I'm sorry, but I can't," she said.

Ashton chuckled at that. He couldn't believe she had rejected his offer. There was something about her that interested him. Something that he couldn't quite fathom yet. He stroked his chin gently. Annika could feel her heart pounding against her chest. She felt she was going to get fired. Ashton leaned off his desk and sat erect.

"Okay," he said. "I respect your decision."

Annika was surprised by this.

"Can I leave now?" She asked politely.

Ashton leaned on his chair and nodded. Annika spun and headed out the door in relief.