The week passed faster than Ashley had imagined as she buried herself in more work after learning of her grandfather's strange illness. Lorenzo kept sending cupcakes, chocolates, and flowers in various types and sizes, requesting she kindly call the contact usually attached to the gifts—just so he could have her number. Ashley thought it was ridiculous and that he would give up after a while. But after a week, she was starting to realize just how wrong she was. She would have been fighting for space to place her feet by now, but instead, she started giving out the cupcakes and chocolates to her subordinates. Then began visiting hospitals to give flowers to patients.
Today, Lorenzo's note explained that he had baked the cupcakes himself and, with the help of YouTube, arranged a beautiful bouquet of lilies. How far was he willing to go just to get her attention?
As before, Ashley kept the packages aside, determined not to eat any, but the tantalizing smell of the cupcake kept calling out to her. And she also couldn't help stealing glances at the Godiva chocolate.
Back at Christian's, she had to save up to buy one whenever she craved it. He wouldn't let her use his money for what he called unnecessary cravings. Besides that, it was expensive, and he demanded accountability for every dime she spent from his credit card.
Unable to resist the temptation any longer, Ashley slowly reached for the chocolate.
"I'll taste just one," she muttered, unwrapping a bar and dropping it in her mouth.
"Mm..." She shut her eyes, savoring the deliciousness.
She lost count of how many she ate before turning to the cupcake. The smell was too tempting.
She couldn't believe Lorenzo had baked it himself. She took a bite, then another, and before realizing it, she had finished four. She was about to devour the fifth when the door was suddenly pushed open, freezing her hand midair.
Her breath hitched as she locked eyes with Christian Harrington.
She scanned him from head to toe before snapping. "What are you doing here?"
Instead of answering, Christian's face curved up into a smile as he approached her. "I asked, who let you in here?" Ashley demanded, slamming her hand on the desk, making him pause in his tracks.
"I came to celebrate with you on your ascension as the new CEO. I'm sorry I couldn't extend my congratulations at your party," he explained and Ashley stared at him like he had grown an extra head. "See, I got you flowers and some hot Cheetos. Remember you used to love them?" he added with a nervous smile.
Ashley's face scrunched up in disgust, as her eyes lowered to the bouquets he was holding. "I hope those aren't sunflowers because I'm allergic to them."
She saw disappointment flash across his face, and it brought her satisfaction.
"What about the Cheetos? You always begged me to share with you back when..."
Ashley held out her hand, interrupting him. "It was all just to please you; I never liked it one bit. It was always too spicy."
Christian looked shocked, and she rolled her eyes. "If only you ever paid any attention to me, you'd have noticed. Please see yourself out the same way you came, Mister Harrington. I was busy before you interrupted."
She watched his eyes travel to the roses and chocolate boxes beside her desk, and his shock slowly turned to anger when his gaze returned to her face. Ashley made a mental note to warn the receptionist never to grant him entry again.
"Who gave you those?"
He was unbelievable. "And how is that any of your goddamn business?"
"I was your husband, and..." His voice dropped low. "I still want you back."
Ashley couldn't help but laugh at his audacity, making him clench his fists in anger.
"You're too funny. You should consider stand-up comedy," she stated, her gaze turning hard. "Now, if you don't get out of my office, you'll hate what becomes of your beloved image, Christian Harrington." The words were calm, but there was no mistaking the threat.
When Christian didn't budge, Ashley moved to pick up the telephone on her desk, intending to call security on him, but he quickly grabbed her hands, stopping her.
"Please, just give me a listening ear, Ashley. I miss you. And I still love you."
She whipped her head back to him, giving him a stern once-over, stopping at their connected hands.
Boiling over with anger, she asked, "What did you just say?"
"I've been searching for you since that day you left me." His gaze turned intense, and he tried to touch her face, but she slapped his hand away before yanking her other one out of his grip.
"You divorced me and threw me out of your stupid house," she corrected him.
"Eh, however you put it. You never gave me the time to rethink my decision before you left. Maybe you just couldn't wait to run and spread your legs for him. But, not to worry, I can forgive you for that."
Ashley couldn't believe what she had just heared. She raised her hand to slap him, but Christian caught it midway, pulling her to collide with his chest. Panting, she struggled to free herself, but his grip was firm.
"I know you still want me. And I also know you just want me to chase you. That's what every woman wants, right?" He raised a brow at her, increasing her rage. "...to be chased."
"I see you're still suffering from those stupid illusions you managed to create over the years." Ashley clicked her tongue in irritation, and she noticed his gaze waver.
"You think coming here to confess some bullshit love would get me crawling back to you, huh?" She spat.
"Come back to reality, Christian." She smiled, patting his chest lightly before straightening the invisible crease on his tuxedo. His eyes followed her every move, looking defeated.
Finally, she freed herself from his hold, putting some distance between them. She recalled how she used to love his cologne, but now, it made her nauseous.
"I would advise against wasting your delusions on me because the truth is, your presence really, really irritates me." She scrunched up her face, and Christian's jaw tightened, causing butterflies in her stomach.
"I know you're just saying that to make me feel bad," he answered. "You're mine. You've always been."
She ignored him and continued, "And what if I spread my legs for him? I get to choose what to do with my body, don't I? Just like you did when we were married."
His smug expression made her blood boil. "I'm a man, and it's natural for us to be polygamous," he said, as if that excused his infidelity.
So, that's his excuse for being a dog?
She decided to push his buttons, still unsure of who they were talking about.
"He was always better in bed than you. So, what choice did I really have?" She shrugged. "You really need to do better if you hope to measure up."
Christian's face turned beet red with rage, and he lunged at Ashley, grabbing her neck. He seethed with anger and disgust at how boldly she was admitting to her shameful acts right to his face. He was tempted to tighten his grip.
Ashley struggled to reach for her phone to call security, but then something crossed her mind, and she paused.
"Wh-where's... your bitch? D-does she... know her boyfriend's... in my office... fooling around?" she managed to ask, struggling to breathe.
Christian's eyes narrowed menacingly before he forcefully released her neck, and she coughed, gasping for air. "You should watch your tongue, Ashley. I was your husband, and I might be again... soon!" he sneered.
Ashley laughed– a cold, humorless sound–shaking her head. "I'm glad you keep saying 'was,' Mister. You were many things: my husband, a cheater, emotional abuser, even a rapist..." She shrugged. "... but over my dead body will I ever return to my vomit."
Christian's face turned the darkest shade, jaw clenched. "How dare you?!" He towered over her, eyes blazing with pure fury. "How dare you call me a rapist? I could charge you for defamation."
Ashley stood her ground, unmoved by his outburst. She only hoped that nobody walks in to witness the nauseating scene.
"Please, Christian, go ahead. I'd love for you to try. That way, I can tell the world all about how you tie and force yourself on me, especially that one time I was on my period. How you left me bleeding for days!" Her voice trembled as the memories flooded back. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Christian's smirk only fueled her rage, and she wished she could claw his face off. "If you've forgotten all the times you brutally raped me whenever you and Kayla had a fight, I'd be happy to remind you. How dare you come here and talk about love, you heartless monster! Get out!" she shouted, her body trembling.
But Christian's arrogant smirk only grew wider. "Like you didn't enjoy it," he murmured, tongue swiping across his lower lip. "I'll get you, Ashley. This sumptuous body of yours will be mine again when..."
He didn't get to finish his sentence because, just then, the door burst open, and like a speeding bolt, Lorenzo's fist connected with his jaw, sending him crashing to the floor.