Ashley's POV

First thing at work, I dropped my bag off at my locker and wore my uniform. I didn't see Ivy this morning because she was taking a later shift.

All of my problems sorted themselves out easier than I could have anticipated. Guess all I had to do was to come out with the truth.

I felt free. There were no more lies. This felt like a second chance. Despite my fears, things didn't turn out as badly. I wasn't about to do anything to mess things up this time.

I smiled as I stepped into the elevator to Tristan's penthouse.

He was standing in the hall, reading a newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand.

"Morning sir," I greeted getting his attention.

He looked at me for a second as if deciding on a reaction. It was almost as if he wasn't expecting me to be this happy.

"You are late," Tristan stated. He returned his attention to the newspaper.

My watch read five-past eight.

I arrived here before eight and managed to clock in. However, with the time it took for me to get here, it was already past eight, but that wasn't the point. At least I still had a job.

"It won't happen again," I replied with a smile.

He stopped me as I walked past him to begin my task.

"I will be working from here for a while. I have some business to attend to. Let me remind you that I expect nothing but exceptional work from my employees." He spoke.

"Okay, take note." He continued. "From now on you'll have to start work at six. By six thirty I expect to have my breakfast ready. Depending on my mood, you'll either have to cook or ask the chef to prepare something. At ten, I have my smoothie Strawberry, banana, blueberry, mango, orange, raspberry, and a mango pineapple smoothie, specifically in that order throughout the week." He stated.

I replayed every one of his words in my head, trying to recall everything.

"You're not taking anything down," he said.

"I have a good memory," I answered.

"At two it's lunchtime. You'll also have to work on some weekends too. Of course, with all this, you are still expected to perform your day-to-day tasks." He continued.

I had started my day full of enthusiasm but now I was completely drained before I even started work. I don't think he was going to be any easier to deal with than guests like Madison. For a second, I thought he had let me off easily but now I know he was just plotting his revenge.

I wasn't brave enough to ask but I sure hope these newly added responsibilities and extra working hours come with a great paycheck.

"Get me another coffee, double espresso." He instructed handing me his cup.

"I don't think it's healthy for you to be drinking so much coffee," I commented staring at the cup.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" He asked.

He pointed at the cup and then in the direction of the kitchen before waving me off.

At least I know it won't be my fault if he ends up in the hospital from a high caffeine intake.

I made the coffee and placed it on his desk where he was now working. I was quick to leave the room before he got any ideas of giving me more work.

I must have spent nearly two hours cleaning the bedroom, from vacuuming the place to changing the bed linens to scrubbing the toilet and the bathtub.

At ten, it was time for his smoothie. Luckily enough there was a recipe book that I found on the kitchen counter with written instructions for all the ingredients. It seemed like he already had things planned out for me.

I returned to his office to hand him the smoothie. The coffee I had left earlier was now cold and untouched. I walked out with the cup knowing he wouldn't drink it.

After that, I cleaned the rest of the house.

I was relieved when it finally reached 1 p.m., which was my lunch break. It meant for an hour I wouldn't have Tristan barking orders at me.

I sighed audibly stepping out of Tristan's penthouse. My feet were killing me, I had been standing since morning.

My phone vibrated in my pocket indicating a text message.

It was from dad; I don't know if I should even call him that. I'd rather call him by his name, Kevin.

'I need to see you,' the text read.

I ignored it, shoving the phone into my pocket.

It was another one of his tricks. He would stay away for a while and get drunk. Then he would come back again pretending to have changed so he could get more money from us so he could continue to drink.

I got another text.

'I'm sorry for what I did last time. I would really like to meet you in person. I am at the park near where you work.' It read.

I sighed audibly.

If I didn't see him, he might end up showing up at home and I didn't want to see Katy upset again.

I left the hotel and walked to the park.

The park wasn't very spacious at all, with only a few people walking by, going about their day-to-day lives. A few kids were playing, all of them too young to be in school.

I scanned the crowd, but he was nowhere in sight.

I finally settled on a bench, tapping my feet as I waited anxiously.

I was getting ready to leave when he finally arrived. I only had thirty minutes left of my lunchtime and I still hadn't had anything to eat.

He looked distorted, he was shaking and wearing a thick coat in the warm weather. I noticed the bags under his eyes with dark circles accompanying them. His bloodshot red eyes stood out the most.

I moved over, giving him more room on the bench.

He sat down beside me fidgeting with his fingers.

His clothes were dirty and malodorous. I wonder where he has been living.

"How are you and how are your sister and your mother doing?" He asked. He bowed his head and stared at his feet.

"We are all fine," I answered. "Look, if you are here to ask for money, I don't have any," I replied.

He turned around making eye contact for the first time.

"Look, I've changed. I've started seeking help and I'm getting better now. I'm going to get my life in order, for you, your mother, and your sister." He spoke.

He paused, still maintaining eye contact.

"But I just need some money. I have a few things that I need to take care of," He spoke.

I have seen him like this for far too long. He always came back pretending to be remorseful when he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I had had enough of this; I wouldn't stand for it anymore.

"I knew you were only here to ask me for money. I'll never give you another cent just so you can continue drinking." I shouted.

I got up, ready to leave.

He reached for my hand and held my wrist in a tight grip before pulling me back onto the bench. He kept his hand on my wrist.

"Let go of me," I demanded.

"Please, I need that money. I owe some really dangerous people that money." He continued.

I tried pulling my arm away, but it only caused him to tighten his grip. I felt a sharp pain in my wrist.

"I know you must have some money somewhere; I only need a little bit of it so I can sort out my problems." He spoke.

I pulled my arm once again, now groaning in pain.

"Do you have a problem here?" A voice spoke.

I looked up to see Leonardo. He looked at Kevin angrily, his hand already fisted.

I hadn't seen him since our awkward encounter when I spilt detergents all over his shirt and documents. I wonder what he was doing here. He looked like someone who you wouldn't find at a place unless it was a five-star establishment.

Kevin quickly released my arm and then turned away from me, pretending as if nothing had happened.

I twisted my arm trying to relieve the pain in my wrist. There was now a red bruise on my wrist, his hand imprinted on it.

"No, he was just leaving," I replied. My voice was a bit shaky.

Kevin looked over at me and then at Leonardo before walking away anxiously.

It took me a while to gather myself. This was the most deranged state I've seen him in; he was lost in alcohol and beyond all rational thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Leonardo asked. He took a seat beside me.

"I'm fine," I managed to answer. I felt tears whelm up in my eyes.

I quickly got up to leave and hurried back to the hotel.

I wiped tears from my cheeks. I wasn't going to let this weaken me.

'Pick up my lunch at the restaurant downstairs,' I read the text from Tristan.

My break was already over.

I returned to the hostel and to the kitchen of the downstairs restaurant they had. Just like the hotel, it was just as prestigious and exclusive with chiefs from around the world. They had dishes that were only sold here and nowhere else in the world. Getting a meal here would cost more than an arm and a leg.

The kitchen was as busy as always with waiters walking in and out with food and the chefs yelling at their appointed junior chefs to drive them to perfection.

I managed to push past the crowd where I met with the head chef. He seemed to already be aware of Tristan's order.

I didn't like being in the kitchen. It just made me crave all the food I knew I could never afford. It reminded me of just how poor I was.

"Ashley, right?" He asked.

I nodded. I had only met him a few times, with different employees working in both the hotel and the restaurant, so I didn't expect him to remember me.

"You look a little pale," he commented.

He was currently busy grilling some meat as he instructed a cook how small he wanted the onions to be cut.

"I'm fine, I've just been on my feet the whole day. Through the little break I had, I had to meet someone." I answered.

"Well, why don't you have some juice?"." He offered. He sprinkled some spices over the meat.

"No, I'm fine," I answered.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer; you have no idea how much they charge for this one glass. Besides, you look like you need it." He spoke.

I finally agreed.

He turned around to the fridge where he poured a glass of orange juice then glided it across the table over to me.

I drank the juice in one go, barely taking a moment to breathe. Now I know what being rich tastes like.

"The order is ready, sir," the waiter said over my shoulder.

He was holding a large silver tray with the contents covered which only made me curious.

He handed me the tray. I was surprised by just how heavy it was as I nearly lost my grip.

"Guard this with your life," the chef instructed.

I nodded as I made my way out of the restaurant.

I used the back entrance which led directly into the hotel.

I walked back to the penthouse, praying at every step that I wouldn't drop this. If I dropped it, it would probably take two months of my salary to pay it off.

Tristan was now in the living room, pacing the room while reading some documents.

"You can leave it there," he pointed to the table.

I leaned in, placing the tray on the table.

I was once again aware of the bruise still visible on my wrist.

Tristan must have noticed the mark too because he froze, just staring at my wrist. I quickly pulled my hand away, holding it behind my back away from his view.

"Do you need anything else, sir?" I asked.

It took him a while to snap out of his thoughts.

He sat down ready to have his lunch.

"How about you clean up all the windows in this place?" He instructed.

I looked around in distress. There was no way I could clean all those windows. There were far too many of them, and besides, it wasn't part of my job.

I had brought this on myself. When he said he had other plans for me I didn't think it was to make my life miserable. At least at the end of this, I still had a job.

"Yes sir," I nodded.

He removed the cover of the tray, revealing a buffet of sushi, all carefully arranged in a neat spiral shape. I lost count of the different kinds there were on that tray. No wonder it was so heavy.

He had a whole tray full of sushi. Meanwhile, I had not even had lunch. I was probably only going to end up eating a sandwich for lunch anyway. I wonder what he would do with the rest of the food he doesn't finish; I didn't see any leftovers in the fridge. I was reminded of just how hungry I was.

It was okay, I hate sushi anyways.

I took a bucket, a sponge, and some other cleaning detergents and began my work.

I started with the windows in the living room. I figured that hopefully, it would guilt trip him into changing his mind and that I wouldn't have to clean the windows. Besides, I wasn't tall enough to reach most of them anyway.

I started with the bottom windows, and I started feeling dizzy.

My vision was slowly becoming distorted.

I tried pushing the feeling away. It was probably because I hadn't had anything to eat for lunch. The feeling would go away soon.

But it was only getting worse. Everything was slowly going pitch black as I lost my balance. I reached out my hand to grab a hold of the table for support, but I missed and fell to the ground.

"Ashley!" I heard Tristan yell.

I blacked out, hitting my head on the floor.

****

I woke up to a beeping sound.

My eyes were assaulted by a bright light directly above my face. I quickly turned my head away.

"Ashley?" I heard a faint whisper.

I slowly opened my eyes again. My arm was connected to an IV. There was a couch at the far end and a table on the side. I was in a hospital room.

I noticed the figure beside me, but I couldn't completely distinguish who the person was from my blurry vision.

"Are you okay?" I heard Tristan's voice. I heard the sound of the chair scraping against the floor indicating he had just stood up.

I took another look at my surroundings.

"What happened?" I droned.

I was slowly seeing things a bit clearer.

"You fainted. I was really worried, and I brought you here to the hospital." He explained.

Did I faint? For how long was I out?

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked.

I pressed my arms down, trying to lift myself into a sitting position.

"You shouldn't move, you should try to get some rest." Tristan stopped me.

I was feeling a bit better, I just felt a little bit drowsy.

At that moment, a doctor stepped in. In a white coat and stethoscope around his neck, he had the typical doctor look.

"How is the patient?" the doctor asked with a smile. He readjusted his glasses to get a better look at me.

"I'm just a bit drowsy," I answered truthfully.

"Doctor, what is wrong with her?" Tristan asked in a panic.

Was I hallucinating or did Tristan sound like he was worried about me?

"It's nothing serious, you just need to get some rest. Your blood sugar is also very low." He reassured us.

"You should be out of here in no time." He smiled.

I let out a breath of relief.

He opened a folder beside my bed and silently read to himself. He maintained a smile throughout.

I was relieved that it wasn't anything serious. I couldn't afford to be hospitalized for too long.

"It looks like you are okay, it's nothing serious." The doctor replied. "Oh, and congratulations. You are pregnant," he added.

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A/N: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, please comment down your thoughts and vote for the chapter.