Ashley's POV

I froze on the spot as I stared at Tristan's mother.

What did she mean by 'undo all my handy work'?

Was she the one who planned all this?

Breaking the silence, she was the first one to speak. "When we met last time, we didn't get the chance to introduce ourselves. I'm Tristan's mother, Layla. You must be Ashley," she introduced herself.

I nodded trying to master a smile. The anxiety was getting to me.

I had a million questions running through my mind. Why was she here and what did she want from me? Did she find out about the baby? And what would she do about it? So many unanswered questions.

"I think it's fair enough to say that I owe you an explanation." She continued.

She gestured for me to take a seat.

It took me a while to react in my state of shock.

We sat on a couch in the living room, facing each other.

"Should I order anything for us to drink? My driver is right outside." She offered.

I shook my head no.

She crossed her legs over each other and then cleared her throat before speaking.

"I must say, I was quite intrigued when I heard about your little pregnancy story," she began.

My eyes widened.

Did she know about that? That explained why I was here.

This was probably another rich lady's 'stay away from my son' talk.

"I didn't..."

She raised her arm to stop me from continuing further.

"Well, it turned out to have been the best thing that could have happened to me." She said with a more relaxed tone.

She let out a laugh.

I stared at my feet, unsure how I should respond.

So, she wasn't planning to cut me into pieces for lying to her son?

"I don't judge you for any of what you did. She spoke. "Instead, I want to help you continue," she said.

She pressed her hand onto the couch, leaning to the side.

"What?" I found myself whispering.

"I'll help you with it. I already had to work through a lot to make sure that everything worked out perfectly. Sure, I might have done some things in an extreme way, but it was all for a good cause." She spoke.

"What plan are you talking about?" I asked.

"Who do you think paid that doctor to say that you were pregnant?" she asked.

I should have known. Everything was just too suspicious. It only takes someone well-connected and probably a mad genius to execute such a plan.

"I might have taken it a bit too far when I asked the chef to spike your drink, but I had to make the whole thing believable. That way Tristan wouldn't suspect anything. I know..." she continued.

Wait, she did what?

"You spiked my drink?" I interrupted her.

She raised both her hands to surrender.

"Bear with me, I only did it so you could end up in the hospital. It was only a little bit, so you could fall asleep. No harm at all." She answered.

I can't believe this was how she justified herself.

I stood up from the couch, now pacing the room angrily.

I now knew how Tristan would feel, having someone influence your decisions like that, taking away your right to choose. This was another reason I needed to tell Tristan the truth.

"It was all for a good cause, and besides, it was best if no one knew about the plan for things to work perfectly." She explained.

Was that supposed to make me feel better?

What sort of mess did I get myself into? Now I was surrounded by potential psychopaths.

No wonder the doctor was so keen to release me.

I took the time to calm myself down. After all, I was the one who started this whole thing.

"I need you to continue lying to my son, for him to think that you are pregnant." She continued.

"What?" I whispered.

What kind of mother wants someone to lie to her son, especially regarding something as serious as a baby?

"You just confessed to spiking my drink. What makes you think that I'll ever do anything you ask me to do?" I continued.

She sighed.

"Because we both have one common enemy. That is Madison. You have seen how crazy she is and just what she is capable of doing. She needs to be far away from my son." She explained.

"Isn't that your son's problem?" I asked.

This had nothing to do with me. This was probably something the two of them needed to talk through.

"I admit, Tristan is my son, and he has many strengths, but someone must have dropped him as a baby because he insists on acting like an idiot. He is very impulsive. Who knows what that witch will manipulate him into doing?" she asked.

She made Tristan sound like a five-year-old child who couldn't make any decisions for himself.

I still didn't see how Madison was MY problem.

"Madison is not my problem; I don't want to be a part of this," I replied.

Maybe it was time I left this place and got myself out of this madness. I didn't want to continue to be a part of this.

"You saw how friendly they were the other day. She was parading herself in his shirt, who knows what else could have happened between them?" Her expression turned into one of disgust.

"They didn't sleep together," I completed her thought.

They couldn't have, right? Maybe she wanted to sleep over and he just borrowed her his shirt. Maybe I was naïve and didn't want to see what was right in front of me.

"Maybe not yet, you know how women like her are. Madison is a monster that needs to be stopped. If she ever got to own this hotel, I'm sure she would love to make you her puppet. That is if she hasn't tried already." She spoke.

I suddenly remembered my meeting with Madison earlier. The fact that she was a bit demanding didn't mean I had to give in to her whims.

"Besides, it would only be for a few weeks. I only need you to distract my son, keep him away from Madison while I figure out a plan to get rid of her permanently." She explained.

I hope she wasn't plotting murder.

"I want you to spend as much time with him as possible. If he isn't working, he has to be with you, and you can only do that with a baby. I don't want to give that witch a chance." She continued.

I sighed. This whole thing was crazy. I can't believe I was even entertaining this.

"I was caught the last time, it's a miracle he even believes it this time. What makes you so sure that I won't get caught again?" I responded.

"Because this time you have me. I'm pretty sure we can both agree that I'm capable of fooling just anyone." She answered.

"This doesn't feel right," I whispered.

"What's wrong with what I'm doing? I'm just a mother who is trying to protect her son from making the worst mistake possible. If I have to go about it this way, then so be it." She answered.

She paused to analyze my reaction.

"Look, I'm sure you've seen how Madison goes around trying to control everyone. She is just a guest here and she already thinks she owns the place. Imagine what she could do if she actually owned the place. By doing this you will be doing the rest of the employees a huge favor. You will just be finishing what you started. Besides, would you ever want someone like that to be your boss?" She asked.

She wanted to guilt-trip me but apparently today I was high on morality.

"Your idea sounds noble and all that, but I won't be able to do it. You have the wrong girl; I can't do this for you." I answered.

In the last three weeks, my life has been the most dramatic and stressful. I don't want to relive all that again. Besides, Tristan deserves to know the truth.

I turned around ready to leave.

"Just wait," She stopped me. "Think about your mother and your sister. How happy she must have been when she found out she got a scholarship. Your mother's contract with the bakery. I can do a lot more than that for you." She spoke.

My eyes widened with realization. So, she was the one behind the whole thing. I knew the whole thing was just too suspicious.

"You are a bright and beautiful girl; don't you think you deserve more than just cleaning up after people your whole life? If you do this for me, I'll make sure that when this all ends, you and your family will have enough money to start a new life. You will never have to clean up after anyone again. You can go to college and start your new life." She continued.

For a moment, I imagined how my life would be if things were different if we had more opportunities. My mom wouldn't have to suffer and work so hard, and I wouldn't have to be disrespected by guests here just because they have money. For a moment that fantasy felt good.

But no, if my mother ever found out about this, it would kill her. She always made her money honorably and she taught us to do the same. It would break her heart that I ever become a part of this. Besides, it was just too wrong playing with someone's feelings.

I paused.

"My mother taught me to work hard and earn my money honorably. She wouldn't want me to be a part of this. No amount of money in the world can change that." I answered.

She sighed again, now standing up from the couch.

"Okay but promise me you'll at least think about it. I'll be here for the rest of the day, get back to me with your answer then. At least consider it and don't do anything until then." She pleaded.

I nodded.

That was the least I could do for her. I knew there was no way I was following through with her plan. I didn't want to continue stringing Tristan along. He was already so committed to having a child. It would just break him if he found out later on that there was no baby and that this whole thing was a lie. Better to tell him the truth now than when he was too invested.

"This room is for guests; you should probably leave soon," I said.

"You still haven't leant, have you?" She spoke.

That answers the question.

I guess she was the one who rented the suite room, probably in someone else's name so no one would get suspicious.

I was ready to leave and get out of this madness, but I still had one nagging question.

"Why me?" I asked.

If she could take her plan this far, I'm sure she could choose someone else to replace me. Why would she be so insistent?

"Because Madison sees you as a threat," She answered.

Without any further questions, I turned around and left the room.

Why would Madison ever see me as a treat? She had the perfect smile with rich parents, which was what rich men wanted, to marry into money so they could make more money. I was just a simple maid here, maybe just one that got herself involved in many problems.

I walked to the break room. It was my lunch hour now and I needed something to eat. Hopefully, there were still some left-over sandwiches from the guests, those were very popular amongst the employees.

Ivy was already seated at a table having a sip of her bottled water.

"Why do you look like that?" Ivy asked as I pulled out a chair to sit in.

"Nothing," I answered.

I didn't even know how to begin explaining the kind of crazy day I had had. Besides, this wasn't a conversation we could have at a place someone could easily overhear us.

"Why don't we get ourselves some sandwiches?" I suggested.

"Those are already finished," Ivy answered downheartedly.

The kitchen staff often got the first helping, leaving little for the rest of us.

Ivy and I got up to leave, when neither of us packed a lunch to eat, we often ate at a restaurant close by.

I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Both Ivy and I turned around to see who it was.

"Excuse me, ma'am," The man spoke.

He was wearing the hotel uniform; he definitely was one of us.

"I'm here to inform you have you are free to dine in the restaurant downstairs anytime you would like. Free of charge of cause." He spoke. "Courtesy of the boss," He added.

Both Ivy and I looked at him with our eyes widened, and Ivy's mouth half open.

This wasn't a trick, right? What if Layla sent someone to put something into my food? I couldn't take the risk. There was no way I was going.

"I won't..."

"Of course, she will be there," Ivy interjected.

Ivy hugged my arm as she whispered into my ear. "Go there so you can tell me how the food tastes."

Ivy was going to fight with me to go. Besides, he said it was from Tristan. How risky could this be?

"Fine, but if my friend can't come then I won't go at all," I answered adamantly.

"Of course," The man nodded. "You can have as many guests as you like." He answered.

Ivy's eyes filled up with happiness as she tugged at my arm like a three-year-old.

The man gestured for us to move forward. He led us to the restaurant where he seated us at a table before leaving.

I felt so weird being here, especially in my maid's uniform. I could feel people starting to stare.

Oh wait, I no longer needed to wear a maid's uniform.

Ivy rubbed her hands together in excitement as a waiter approached our table.

"I want your most expensive steak and wine please," Ivy requested.

My eyes widened at her request.

She really knew how to take advantage of the moment.

"She can't have any wine of course." Ivy pointed at me.

With her requests, she fit right into the high society life.

I ordered a simple glass of juice and one of their pizzas. I heard it was delicious. Besides, if I tried to abuse this, Tristan would change his mind and we would never get to dine here again.

Ivy rubbed her hands together, excited about her order and a bit disappointed in mine.

"I really hope those test results come back positive. If you are getting this just because of the baby, I can already imagine the kind of house you will live in. I don't care who the father is, just as long as he thinks he is having a baby for the next nine months." Ivy spoke.

This was probably the worst time to break the news to her.

"I'm not pregnant," I whispered to Ivy. "I got the test results, and they came back negative, "I replied.

Ivy's smile dropped. She let out a sigh with a look of disapproval.

"Would you by some miraculous way consider having his child?" She asked.

I knew what she was suggesting.

"No, I'm not willing to sell myself for money," I answered.

She let out another sigh.

"Fine, then we will just have to make the most of the situation while it lasts." She answered.

She took another look at the menu; she called another waiter over and began ordering a ridiculous number of dishes, all for takeout.

"Your mother will thank me for this," she spoke.

I had to hide the menu from her for her to stop, I knew she wouldn't fight me in front of all those important guests.

This was probably our last time eating at the restaurant.

Our food finally arrived. Ivy and I ate in silence.

I had never tasted food this tasty. Even the pizza tasted like something foreign. I already missed its taste while it was still in my mouth.

But I should have known that my happiness would be short-lived because Marcus walked into the restaurant and headed in our direction.

"I see you two are enjoying yourself," Marcus spoke standing at our table. He rolled his eyes at the two of us.

"Ashley, I have a job for you." He continued.

I should have known he would choose to do this right now.

"But she is on a break," Ivy interjected.

"The job of an assistant manager never ends. Just because it's your lunch hour doesn't mean that everything should stop running so I still expect you to do your job." Marcus spoke.

I sighed defeatedly.

Ivy's eyes lightened. "You got a promotion?" her mind registered.

I hadn't even had the chance to tell her about that, anyways, I wasn't going to be an assistant manager for long anyway by how things were progressing.

For now, I needed to prove Marcus wrong.

Marcus ignored Ivy's question.

"There has been a problem with one of the guests, I need you to go and solve the issue. I want to see just how well you can work under pressure and communicate with our guests." He spoke.

He held an 'I know you are going to fail' attitude. This time I needed to prove him wrong.

"Okay," I answered.

I pushed back my chair stepping out of my seat.

For him to stop undermining me, I needed to prove to him that I was just as capable.

"It's in room 307," Marcus added.

I walked to the room Marcus instructed me to go to, heartbroken that I had left my food unfinished.

I took another look at the door Marcus instructed me to. This place was all too familiar.

Why was I at Madison's door? This could only mean trouble.

Was Marcus trying to set me up?

I knocked on the door, but no one answered me, just the repeating sound of someone yelling on the other side. Maybe I needed to intervene.

I walked into the hotel room and spotted Madison and Maggie in the living room. Maggie was one of the hotel maids.

My presence was unnoticed as Madison yelled at Maggie. Maggie had her head down, staring at her feet. I noticed tears whelming up in Maggie's dark grey eyes.

What had Madison done this time?

"How would you ever think to use my perfume!" Madison yelled. "You are worthless, your entire exitance is useless. You were only born to serve people like me, and you can't even do that right." Madison paused.

Madison threw the pillows lined up on the couch in a fit.

Next, she picked up the perfume on her table.

"This perfume is worth a lot more than you will ever be." She yelled.

This had gone on for too long, I needed to stop her.

"Madison!" A man yelled walking into the room.

He looked to be in his fifties, with hints of grey hair on his temples. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, probably something expensive. He had the same shade of blue eyes as me.

"Father," Madison whispered in a startle. "You should have seen this shameless wag; she dared to try and use my perfume," Madison explained.

"That is still no way to speak to people." Her father reasoned.

It was good to know that both madness and being delusional didn't run in the family, at least he didn't seem to have it.

"Why should I even listen to you anyways," Madison shouted. "You are old, useless and broke; I don't need you," Madison yelled.

I could tell her father was a bit taken aback by her words.

"That was the very reason I lied to you that I was bankrupt. Both you and your mother have no respect for anything or anyone. I'm cutting you off from my money. It's time you work for yourself for a chance." He yelled back.

My mother and I had our moments, but we never went this far.

"So, you finally notice what I turned into, it's not like you were ever around any whys. You only ever cheated on my mother!" Madison yelled out. I think this was the most emotional I've ever seen her.

Finally, she turned her attention to me.

"You tell your boss to make sure that she is fired, or else I'll do something to make sure that she is." Madison threatened. "You better make up your mind about our deal soon or else you will soon follow." She added.

She stormed out of the room and slammed the door to her bedroom.

"I'll handle her," Her father spoke walking after her.

Maggie erupted into tears. She covered her mouth with her hand trying to chook back her tears.

I wrapped my hands around her, slowly walking her out of the suite.

"I didn't mean to, please tell Marcus not to fire me." Maggie cried out. "I was just dusting around her perfumes when I picked one of them up to clean. Madison walked in and assumed I was using it. After that, she dragged me out of her room. I promise you I didn't use it; you can smell all my clothes and my hands." She begged.

She held the hem of the arm of her dress, asking me to smell it.

"It's okay Maggie," I whispered to her.

I held Maggie in a tight hug hoping it would stop her from crying.

Most of the hotel staff didn't say anything because of how much money the guests were paying. It was often their job on the line when they complained. But I needed to put a stop to this.

Tristan's mother was right. Madison needed to be stopped. It would only get worse if she kept clinging to Tristan. I couldn't allow someone like her to continue harassing us.

I pulled away from Maggie, wiping her tears with my hands.

"I promise nothing will happen to you," I whispered to her.

She nodded her head, she tried to master a smile as best she could with the tears still pouring down her face.

"I'll be right back." I again.

Right now, I had a problem I needed to attend to.

I know that this was probably a mistake and the worst way to go about it, but I couldn't let things continue like this. Madison needed to be stopped. Perhaps I was about to make a deal with the devil, but it was time to start fighting fire with fire.

I increased my speed toward Layla's suite.

This was probably the worst mistake I would make but right now Layla was the only one capable of dealing with Madison.

I knocked on Layla's door. She was quick to answer the door with a smile.

"Have you made your decision yet?" She asked.

I nodded.

"I'll do it," I answered.

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A/N: Please comment down your thoughts on the chapter and vote.

What do you think about Layla's deal?

What would you say about Madison?

Do any of you have a friend like Ivy?

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