Ashley's POV

I stared at Tristan dumbfounded. After trying to avoid 'the talk' last night, the moment had finally arrived.

I began to notice more about Tristan. His hair was a mess. He was wearing grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt instead of his usual tuxedo. I noticed the bags and the circles under his eyes. The thought of having a baby must have given him nightmares.

He grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me into his penthouse. He closed the door after us.

"Are you okay? You look a bit pale," He asked scanning my face.

'I'm not okay because your crazy wanna-be girlfriend just threatened me to spy on you.' I wanted to answer. The person I should be asking if they were okay was him. He looked close to death.

"I'm fine," I answered instead.

"Why did you lead me to believe you weren't pregnant when you were? You should have said something." He spoke.

He scanned my face for a reaction.

How was I supposed to answer him? I didn't even know about this.

"I was an idiot; I was so insistent on the idea that you weren't pregnant and I did not consider that you could be. Look what happened to you." His voice trailed off. "It was my fault, and I don't think I would have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you or my baby." He spoke. I think I saw a tear in his eyes.

His speech left me speechless.

What was I supposed to say to him? I still wasn't sure whether I was pregnant or not, let alone having his baby.

"I..."

Tristan cut me off.

"Anyways, it doesn't matter now. I'm willing to step up for my child and I will do anything to support you." He spoke.

I watched him take a deep breath; I knew I wasn't going to like what he was about to say next.

"For that reason, I have to fire you." He spoke.

It took me a while to register.

"What?" I muttered, my eyes widening.

"You fainted just yesterday, who knows what else would have happened? The doctor said you needed to rest and I'm not willing to risk it." He continued.

No, he wouldn't be serious about me losing my job.

"But I'm perfectly fine, I can work." I insisted.

"Ashley, this is not up for debate. This job is clearly too stressful for you and I don't want anything to happen to my child or you." He continued.

I couldn't lose my job. Not after everything I've had to do to keep this job. What if the results come back and it turns out I'm not pregnant? Then I will be jobless and without a baby daddy to support me.

"Well, you can't fire me. What if everyone finds out you just fired me because I'm pregnant?"

"Are you threatening me?" he asked with a laugh.

"No, I'm just saying it wouldn't be very good for you or this company's reputation." I continued.

"Alright, I see what you are getting into. I can also play the same game." He answered.

Tristan chuckled before walking out of the room for the telephone. I couldn't hear any of what he said. I was too afraid to listen in.

What was he up to? Was he calling for me to drag me out of here?

I needed to remain tough. My job had already survived all of his previous threats and Madison's threats too, so I'm sure it could survive this too.

I heard the door opening followed by loud footsteps.

I instantly regretted my bravery. Maybe I can do without this job. It has brought me nothing but problems.

Instead, it was Marcus who walked in.

I immediately got up off the couch.

"You called for me sir," Marcus asked.

Marcus glared at me with a threatening look. I could already imagine his words 'Ashley, what have you done now?'

"Marcus, you know about Ashley, right?" Tristan asked.

Tristan patted Marcus on the shoulder. I could tell just how scared Marcus was by the way he nearly jumped out of his skin at Tristan's mere pat on the shoulder. His eyes widened in shock.

"Yes sir," Marcus answered. "She is one of the be-best employees we have here sir," He started.

"You are the manager, right?" Tristan asked.

"Yes," Marcus answered, this time his voice sounding a bit more assertive.

"Well, I need you to use any excuse possible to fire her right now," Tristan demanded.

My eyes widened.

"But why sir?" Marcus asked.

"Because I said so. Besides, she seems to think I can't fire her. So, I want you to do it." Tristan said.

Marcus and I stared at each other both of us looking equally as frightened. With the look Marcus gave me, I knew exactly what it meant. It was his job or mine that was on the line. I knew Marcus would have no trouble choosing himself.

Tristan sat down on the couch watching the two of us in amusement.

"I'm still waiting," Tristan said after nearly a minute of silence.

Marcus paused. He seemed to be gathering his words. Maybe he just wasn't sure if Tristan was testing him or if he really wanted to fire me.

Tristan crossed his leg over the other, looking at the two of us in boredom

I was ready to accept my fate. Maybe I could start afresh and get the job that was right for me.

"Ashley... you are..." Marcus started.

Tristan sighed.

"Okay," Tristan replied, raising both his hands. "Since you don't have the balls to do it, how about this? Ashley, I'm promoting you to assistant manager. You will work under him and assist him in running this place. Nothing too stressful of course, you will no longer be cleaning any rooms." He spoke.

Marcus let out a breath of relief before he once again widened his eyes at the realization that I had now been promoted.

A smile formed on my face. I wanted to jump up and hug him. I hadn't expected this at all.

"You can leave now," Tristan dismissed Marcus.

Marcus nodded before making his way out of the room.

"Marcus," Tristan called out, stopping Marcus in his tracks.

"If you give her too much work and pressure, next time I'll be asking her to fire you from your job," Tristan warned.

Marcus nodded anxiously. He then proceeded to walk out.

We waited until we heard the door close.

"I must say, I admire your courage." He spoke. "But you will never undermine my decisions again." He added.

"Thank you," I answered, still having the urge to hug him.

"You can leave now," He dismissed me.

I walked out of his penthouse with a smile on my face.

This turned out so much better than I could have imagined. I thought he would have asked me for a DNA test or for me to terminate the 'pregnancy' but I never imagined getting a promotion and his full support.

My happiness was short-lived. I noticed Marcus leaning against the wall right outside Tristan's penthouse. The dreadful look he gave me told me there was bad news coming.

"So, you are now the new assistant manager," Marcus announced. "What did you do to the boss?" Marcus asked. He stared at me with his eyebrows raised and his arms crossed.

"No, nothing," I answered.

"Don't play games with me. I've known Tristan for years and he has never been that generous with anyone. You have no idea how hard I had to work for my position. This morning he nearly bit my head off just because you were late for work. He refused to have anyone else." Marcus continued.

"I really didn't do anything," I tried to assure him.

Marcus sighed, uncrossing his arms.

"Anyway, don't think for one second that because of your position, you can now start slacking off. I expect even more from you, I don't care what the boss says." He spoke.

He kept staring at me, waiting for a reaction. For a man who didn't care what the boss said, he seemed very afraid a few minutes ago.

"Well, to start your first job, I asked Mary to prepare room 204. Go there and make sure that everything is prepared for the guests." He said. "I'm sure you know the drill by now." He added.

"Yes sir," I spoke.

I walked past him and took the elevator to the room he requested. Even from behind, I could still feel his cold stare.

After finally being alone in the elevator, I jumped up and down in excitement.

I could not believe this was now my life. I was the newly appointed assistant manager at this hotel of all places. I always imagined that I would be cleaning hotel rooms my whole life. But for how long was I going to be able to keep this job?

I arrived at the room number Marcus had instructed me to. I had access to most of the rooms here. I stepped into the room.

I noticed the large heart formed by carefully placed roses on the white linen bedsheets. There was also a swarm on the bed created by some bathroom towels. Red roses and candles formed a pathway, the candles just waiting to be lit.

As it happens so often, it was probably for a couple on their honeymoon or a man bringing his lover.

I scanned all the rooms. Everything seemed set and ready for guests.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I looked at the new email I had just received.

I read the subject line of the email. 'Test results' it read.

My heart skipped a beat. It raced as it threatened to pound out of my chest. My palms were sweaty and my shaking hand could barely hold onto my phone. I've never felt more afraid.

My phone's ringtone distracted me from my train of thoughts.

I answered the call with my hands still shaking.

"Hello," I answered.

"Are you Ashley Owens?" the guy asked.

"Yes," I answered anxiously.

"I'm calling to inform you of your test results. We have also sent an email with the results. You are not pregnant." He said.

It took me a moment to register the news, taking in every word.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Okay, good day ma'am," he said before hanging up.

This was good news, but why didn't it feel like it?

Maybe because I knew I was right back where I started, not pregnant and trapped in a lie. I'm sure this time I was not only going to lose my new position, but Tristan would surely throw me out of here.

"I'm not pregnant," I said out loud.

I needed to hear it one more time for my brain to finally register.

What I could not understand was why the doctor said I was pregnant. Who was I really supposed to believe? But I always knew deep down that I wasn't pregnant.

The thought of Tristan came back to mind. If he didn't lose it the first time around when he found out the truth, he was surely going to now. What would he do if he found out?

He couldn't find out the truth.

But no, if there was one thing I learnt the first time around was that I needed to be honest with him. Even if it meant risking everything. This time around he had to understand that it wasn't my fault, I'm not the one who made the mistake.

"I need to tell him," I spoke out loud.

It was the right thing for me to do.

I mentally prepared myself, ready to walk out the door and tell him the truth, that I wasn't pregnant.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by a sound.

The door cracked open as Tristan's mother walked in. Today she had a more relaxed look with her hair loose, wearing a floral dress. She had a handbag in one hand as she slowly removed her sunglasses. Nonetheless, I still managed to recognize her.

"That would not be necessary," she smiled at me.

What was she doing here?

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I wouldn't want you to undo all my handy work." She spoke.

I couldn't help but stare confused. What was she talking about? Why was she here?

"I think it's time we formally introduce ourselves." She said.

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A/N: Thank you so much for reading. Please vote and comment down your thoughts.