Chapter 46: Reaction

Ashley's POV

I looked at my phone's screen before throwing it back under my pillow.

I told myself I didn't want to know whether Tristan had texted me or not but I couldn't help but be curious.

It had been three hours since I handed him the letter and there was no message from him.

The anxietywas killing me. How would he react to this whole thing?

I didn't expect him to be happy about it but I expected him to say something about it, even if it was a treat or a long message about how much he hates me right now and never wants to see me again.

Had I made a mistake by giving him that letter? Maybe everything would have been better off if I had just decided to follow through with Layla's plan. He wouldn't have been hurt by this.

But I had to do it.

By now, almost all the nails on my left hand had been chewed off. A few more hours and all my hair will be gone too.

I paced around the small space in my room as I tried to think of my next move.

Calling him wasn't an option. I didn't know how upset he was and I definitely didn't want to make things worse. It would be shameless of me after everything I'ddone. I should at least give him space to think about everything before showing up again.

Maybe he hadn't even read it yet, that's why he wasn't responding. Surely, he was a very busy person with a lot to deal with. I couldn't just expect him to have read the letter.

I finally decided to switch my phone off and wait for a response tomorrow.

~*~

It was the next day and it had been eight hours and thirty-two minutes since I handed him the letter. I knew this because I had been counting down every second.

I couldn't fall asleep. I switched my phone on again within minutes then started crying about everything.

At this point, I couldn't even cryto make myself feelbetter. I was all cried out.

I was almost startled by my own reflection. My hair was a total mess with dark circles under my eyes. I hadn't even bothered to change into my pyjamas.

I made my way downstairs. If I was going to continue crying, I at least needed to be hydrated.

The house was unusually loud this morning with mom yelling at Katy to get ready while Katy threw a tantrum. Mom must have been in a good mood today because otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten away with it. I ignored them, filling my glass with water.

"Why haven't you had breakfast yet? You are going to be late." Mom snapped at Katy.

"I'm almost done," Katy responded rolling her eyes. Mom probably didn't notice.

She was trying to braid her hair with one hand while using the other to slip into her shoes.

"You are supposed to be at school already." Mom snapped. "And don't forget to do what I told you. I want everything you brought packed. I'm taking it away today." She added.

"You honestly can't make me give up my clothes, it wasn't even your money." Katy pleaded.

"If you think you are all grown up now and don't want to listen to me, you can leave my house the same way you came into this world. With absolutely nothing." Mom snapped back.

Katy turned to look at me with pleading eyes. I was hoping to get her back for last night, but I guess Karma decided to do a better job than me.

"What happened to you?" Mom asked as she turned her attention to me. "Have you been crying?" Mom asked.

Both of them stared at me worriedly as Mom reached in to push some strands of hair from my face.

"Have you been sniffing cocaine lately?" Katy added.

"No, it's just my allergies." I lied. I stepped away from Mom and took a gulp of my water to avoid answering their questions.

"But you have none," Katy added.

"Some people can get allergies when they are older, okay?" I snapped at her.

I walked past them returning to my bedroom.

My reaction left them quizzed. I could feel their gaze on me as I walked up the stairs.

"It's probably the hormones." I heard Mom say to Katy.

I shut my door and locked it.

I continued pacing my room, my mind returning to Tristan.

Did he even get the letter? What if something happened and he didn't get to read it?

Or worse, what if something happened to him?

I dialled his number and paused for a moment. Maybe he wouldn't answer me.

Maybe I should call Layla instead. I would be happy knowing he was alright.

I settled on calling Layla, she didn't take much time to respond.

"Good morning sweetheart," Layla answered cheerfully.

"Morning," I replied softly.

"I've had such a long morning already, you..." Layla blubbered.

"Have you heard from Tristan?" I cut her off.

Layla paused, deciding on the appropriate response. "It's barely been a few hours and you are already calling to ask about him." She responded.

"I was worried about him," I answered. "Have you seen or heard from him?" I inquired.

"I'm sure he is just fine. I haven't seen him since last night. He left in his car to go to his penthouse, and I haven't seen him since." She answered.

Layla was always keen on saying what was on her mind. I'm pretty sure if she knew something she would have said something.

I ended our call soon after that, ignoring her story about the spa retreat she wanted to go to.

He was probably fine. I had no reason to overreact. It was only logical that he wasn't talking to me. At least I knew he probably made it home. If something had happened to him Layla would have known.

I sighed, throwing myself onto my bed.

What was I thinking when I handed him that letter? After everything, I didn't even have the guts to tell him to his face. He deserves that at least. I could already imagine all the adjectives he associated with my name right now.

An idea sparked in my head. Maybe I should go and see him. That way I'd explainthings a lot better. I needed to own up to my mistakes. At least then he wouldn't think I was a coward.

I sat up straight and ran to the bathroom. Today I got ready in record time and wore the first items I noticed in my cupboard. I couldn't meet him in last night's clothes.

"Are you going somewhere?" Mom asked as I ran downstairs.

"Yes, I just have to meet someone," I answered. I fumbled through my cross-body bag to make sure I had my house keys on me.

"But there was something else I wanted you to do today. We have a guest coming over." She answered.

"I really have to do this right now," I answered, walking towards the door.

She sighed. "You should at least eat. You look like we haven't fed you." She insisted.

"I'll be back soon," I yelled back, closing the door.

It wasn't until I was on the bus that I realized I hadn't thought this through. What if he didn't want to see me?

The last time he had people kick me out, I couldn't be too sure he wouldn't do the same this time. Giving him space would be the right thing to do at this moment. However, I just wanted a shot at explaining everything before he hated me forever. Maybe I was being selfish.

I found myself moving, stepping out of the bus, and walking towards the hotel.

I had too many things on my mind. A voice yelled at me to turn around and leave the country.

Not long after I entered the hotel. Now that I no longer work there, I couldn't just walk up to his suite. At least this would give me some time to change my mind and turn around.

As 'luck' would have it, Tristan was right at the receptionist's desk. I was a few feet away as he instructed the five receptionists at the desk.

He lookedokay, dressed in a black tux with black stripes. His hair was freshly styled. He wasn't in a bar getting drunk or having a fit. He looked calm and in control as usual. He looked completely fine.

I suddenly froze on the spot. I knew then it was a terrible idea coming here. I should have stayed home.

I hadn't had the chance to turn around when he turned in my direction.

There was no shot at me running away because he made eye contact at that instant. What further surprised me was that he smiled.

After everything, why would he smile at me?

I don't know if it was his smile that made me freeze, or maybe it was just the shock of everything. I felt like I was falling in love with him all over again.

It wasn't too late for me to walk away. Maybe it was someone else behind me that he smiled at. There was no way he could still stand to see me after everything.

That theory was quickly disproven as he approached me, still maintaining eye contact.

"I was just about to call you." He smiled as he walked in front of me. He tucked his hands into his pockets nonchalantly.

Why wasn't he yelling at me right now? This didn't make sense to me.

"I'm glad you are here but I didn't know you would be coming." He said.

"I was... just around the corner," I replied softly.

"You look like you've barely slept, are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine," I answered. My brain was still processing everything. Why does he still care about me right now?

"Well, I think your timing here is perfect. Remember when I said I would have a surprise for you? I have something for you." He said. He then gestured towards the elevator.

Indecisive about whether or not to follow him, I remained frozen. What if his plan was to be nice and then murder me? But that would be a badmove. There are too many security cameras and witnesses around here. But then again, he owns the place.

His smile grew wider as he got more insistent.

I moved to the elevator. Remind me when something bad happens to me because I didn't follow my indistinct.

The only explanation that made sense to me was that he hadn't read the letter. If he hadn't, what had happened to it? Other than that, I could only think that he now knew everything and was playing with me instead. What would he be capable of doing to get back at me?

I nearly jumped out of my skin as he placed his hand on my shoulder just as he stepped into the elevator. It took me a while to calm myself.

"Last night turned out to be better than we expected. Don't you think?" He asked over my shoulder.

I nodded as I suddenly felt a hard lump down my throat.

The elevator began moving.

He didn't say anything else after that. He kept to himself in a corner as he cheerfully hummed.

I was starting to feel that this elevator was way too small for both of us.

My phone rang inside my bag. I looked at my phone's screen to see my mom's name pop up. I could probably take her call at a better time, I ignored the call and placed it back into my bag.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into Tristan's suite.

I was still hoping he would start screaming, maybe he just didn't want to make a scene earlier.

The place still looked just as I had remembered. So many things had happened here, and I wondered what else was to come.

We entered his living room.

Tristan sighed, leaning on the side of the couch. "I feel so terrible," he said running his hands through his hair. "When I got home last night, I was distracted by a phone call. I placed your letter among my other documents. I mistakenly asked one of my assistants to shred everything as all of those documents were useless. I didn't even get to read it. I guess you will just have to tell me what it says." He explained.

I didn't know if I should believe him or be happy that I could now undo all of my mistakes.

It would surely explain his behaviour towards me, but it didn't help the doubt lingering in my thoughts that he knew about everything. But what would he gain from lying to me? I'm sure he would only want me to get out of his life as soon as possible.

"It wasn't that important," I managed to answer.

"Are you sure?" He asked searching my eyes.

I couldn't get myself to answer.

"I have a surprise for you.I'm going to need you to close your eyes first." He said next.

I was surprised when he took a blindfold lying beside the couch. He reached his hands out, offering to put it for me.

What was he planning? Could I trust him for this?

What was the worst that could happen? I'd already left the country with him before, and I returned alive.

I accepted. He moved towards me to apply the blindfold.

I just realized thatif he hadn't read the letter,I was going to have to tell him all over again. Either that or figure out a new plan out of this situation.

I was extremely nervous about our sudden closeness. I felt his breath fan against my neck. Everything slowly turned black as he tied the blindfold.

I felt his hands move down my arm, intertwining our fingers.

"It's just a few steps," He whispered beside my ear.

We then began moving slowly, his hands guiding me at every step.

"We are almost there." He whispered.

I don't know if it was because of how slow we were walking but it almost felt like we were never getting there, but then we suddenly stopped.

I heard a door opening.

His hands were near my face again, the blindfold slowly coming loose.

The bright light assaulted my eyes before my pupils adjusted.

"Surprise!" Tristan shouted beside me.

I couldn't believe what I saw in front of me.

It was a baby's room. The room had been repainted grey with a matching wooden cot bed at the far end. There were a few drawers on the side with a baby changing station and a rocking chair at the opposite end. One side of the wall had been perfectly painted in a darker shade of grey, with pictures of animals and stairs.

My jaw shot wide open.

I couldn't believe he did this.

At what point did he decide to do this? The last time I was here I'm sure it was just a guest room or maybe it was something else.

Even if I were pregnant, why would he do this right now? I've only been fake pregnant for amonth. He couldn't be this eager.

I had no words for him.

"I really hope you like it." He said snapping me out of my thoughts.

My brain became blank as I continued staring at him and then back at the room again.

This almost convinced me entirely that he didn't know I wasn't pregnant. Why else would he do this?

"Since we still don't know whether it's a boy or girl, I decided to have it in neutral colours." He added. "I know this isn't the best place for a baby to be but I think it will do for now until I find a bigger place. Maybe the three of us can stay together." He smiled.

I nearly choked on air as I remained speechless.

Why did life have to be this cruel? Couldn't he have just read my letter that explained everything? I was again placed in this position, still feeling like a liar.

Was I capable of shuttering all his dreams with just one sentence?

"Come on, I have so much to show you." He said grabbing my hand.

He walked me into the room and thenbegan opening the drawers. To my surprise, it was packed to the brim with tiny baby clothes and even nappies. I remained speechless throughout the presentationand then nearly fainted.

"I really hope you like it. We can always change anything you don't like." He said squeezing my hands.

He reached in, kissing me on the cheek. "Why don't we go out to havebreakfast? I know a place just around the corner. It's perfect." He added.

I nodded my head vigorously.

I was willing to do anything to get out of this room. I could barely breathe.

My heart broke. I quickly disguised my emotions. My father never showed up even for just a day and he was, ready to take on everything in just a short time.

By the time we reached the elevator, I was hyperventilating and fanning myself.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything?" Tristan asked stepping beside me.

"I'm fine, I'm just getting hot," I answered leaning to the side.

I was relieved when the doors opened. I hurried out of the elevator. Tristan ran to catch up with me.

I used the ten minutes walk to the restaurant to steady my breathing.

We settled at an outside table close to the exit. We were under an umbrella and just a few steps from the people walking down the freeway.

I ordered pancakes and pineapple juice while Tristan chose waffles.

I continued paging through the menu while we waited for our food.

Tristan's phone rang on the table. He quickly moved to answer it.

"Morning Mother, you will never believe whoI am with this morning. Ashley is here." Tristan smiled as he answered it. He paused, staring past me.

"Since we are already having this conversation, I think I've made a decision." He paused. "I already have one child on the way. I've decided I don't want more children and I'm getting a vasectomy." He said.

I had to keep myself from choking. At this point, I was convinced that this was either an act or he was just trying to kill me from all of these surprises.

"But you only had me. It would give me more time to focus on one child," he added.

He sighed as he continued listening to his mother. His phone wasn't on speaker, but her disapproval was loud enough.

Their conversation finally ended when the waiter arrived with our food.

Tristan seemed so nonchalant. I was hoping he would explain that it was all a joke and that it was just to get his mother's reaction, but he didn't. I just hope he wasn't serious about it.

We began digging into our food. If my day started out like this, I was going toneed the energy.

It seemed like my Karma had arrived because someone else was walking down the street, steps away from us.

It was Waylen.

After last time, I'm sure things would bea disaster if he saw us.

I ducked my head, hoping he would walk past and not see us. But he did.

Waylen's face blanked for a moment as he stared at the two of us. I thought through my options. I could run to the bathroom but there was no guarantee he wouldn't wait for me. It would just make things worse. Let's hope my threat to him last time worked. Luckily, Tristan didn't notice.

Waylen's blank look was soon replaced by a smirk. He then walked to our table.

"Ashley?" Waylen yelled.

This got Tristan's attention. Turning around, he stared at Waylen puzzled.

"I'm so happy to see you. It's been a while." Waylen continued.

One of the security guards moved in to block Waylen but Tristan dismissed him.

"And you are?" Tristan asked.

My hands were shaking. Waylen and I made eye contact for a second before he looked at Tristan. "I'm Waylen. Ashley is an old friend of mine. We go way back." Waylen smiled. "I really hope I'm not disturbing your breakfast," he added.

"Not at all." Tristan smiled. "Please sit with us. I would love to know everything about your friends." He offered.

Could my day get any worse?

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A/N: Thank you for reading. Please comment down your thoughts on the story.