Ashley's POV

"You are outside my house?" I repeated.

"Yes," he answered. "I brought you some food that I thought might help. I think there is someone else in your house. I see a shadow in the kitchen. Should I knock?" He asked.

"No," I cut him off.

Maybe mom came back early.

I rubbed the back of my head thinking of the next lie. I looked back at his grandmother who smiled warmly at me.

"Listen, I'm not really at home right now. I had to stop by the pharmacy, but you can go back home. You don't have to worry about me," I replied.

I started with way too many lies. Sooner or later he was bound to catch on.

He sighed. "Okay, why don't I just pick you up?" He offered.

"No, there really is no need for that. As I said, I'm perfectly fine. You can go home. Besides, I'm just about to catch a cab now." I answered.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow at work," I said.

He sighed. After that, we both said our goodbyes.

I got out of this a lot easier than I thought.

****

*NEXT DAY*

I rubbed my forehead, hoping it would make my hangover a little bit better. I ended up having a lot more drinks with Layla than I should have. To make things more difficult, Mother Nature decided that today was my day. Not only did I have a hangover, but I was also having cramps. My back and feet hurt. If not for yesterday, today would have been the best day to stay at home.

I slammed my locker shut.

"Morning!" Ivy yelled. I nearly jumped out of my skin at her surprise.

"Could you be any louder?" I snapped, rubbing my forehead.

"Someone is having mood swings," Ivy said.

I sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just having a bad day," I answered.

"You know, you never told me about your date." She whispered.

"How about I tell you about it after work?" I suggested.

"Okay," Ivy smiled.

I had something I needed to do urgently. I needed to inform Madison that I had agreed to her deal. Hopefully, she hadn't changed her mind. Who knows what crazy thing she will be up to next? It was still a few minutes before I officially started work so it wouldn't be a problem.

I waved Ivy goodbye before making my way to Madison's suite.

I knocked on Madison's door.

"Come in," I heard a loud yell.

I walked into her suite.

Madison was sitting on the couch, leaning back with a glass of champagne in her hand.

She smiled upon seeing me.

"So, have you made up your mind yet?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, I'll do it. I'll help you keep an eye on Mr. Montenegro and tell you everything you need to know." I said. I've made far worse decisions than this one. It took everything in me not to laugh in her face or better still, slap her.

"Good," she answered with a smile.

She placed her glass on the table, taking her feet off the couch to pick up the tabloid on the coffee table. She then turned it around to show it to me.

"All I need you to do is find out who this mysterious girl is. Use any means possible." She instructed.

I nodded.

I'm sure she would kill me if she figured out it was me.

"I'll take care of Tristan myself." She smirked.

The look on her face told me that she was up to no good. I needed to figure out whatever it was that she was planning and stop her before it was too late.

"You can leave now," she dismissed me.

I nodded again and turned around to leave.

How I wanted to slap her and wipe that smug look off her face. Maybe it was just my hormones causing me to act out today.

I took a moment to breathe before making my way to Marcus' office. I wondered what work he had planned for me today.

I knocked on the door before stepping in.

He was busy paging through a couple of documents all lined up and piled on the table.

"Ashley," he said acknowledging my presence.

"Morning Marcus," I greeted him.

He looked up from the papers. "The boss wanted to see you today. He called to ask that you go to his suite as soon as you arrive." Marcus instructed.

I nodded and followed his instructions.

Was this about yesterday? He had to have known I was lying.

What if someone had told him where exactly I was? All our plans would be ruined. This wouldn't be the first time Tristan had spied on me.

Without knocking, I opened Tristan's door and entered the suite.

He was busy. The living room was scattered with documents and architectural plans.

I cleared my throat grabbing his attention. "Marcus said you wanted to see me," I said.

"Ashley," He said, a smile forming on his face. I noticed his dimples. Was it my hormones exaggerating everything or did he look incredibly sexy this morning? Maybe he always looked this good with his wet hair and two of his buttons left open.

I looked at his arms. Surely he must have exercised those thick biceps. Instead of those documents in his hands, I wish I was the one he was paging through.

"After yesterday, I just wanted to check on you today," He said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Focus Ashley, I reminded myself.

"How are you feeling today?" He asked.

I wanted to smile at him, to assure him that my day at home yesterday had not gone to waste. That I had fully recovered but my body betrayed me as I was reminded by the cramping in my stomach and how incredibly uncomfortable it was just standing right now. I couldn't even handle my period, how would I actually handle being pregnant? Good thing I wasn't.

I sighed. "No, I'm not okay," I answered throwing my hands in the air. "You have no idea what my body is going through. I feel lightheaded and nauseous.

"My back is sore, and so are my feet. My whole body feels cold, and I have no idea what I even want." I rambled. My voice sounded like I was on the brink of tears.

I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. It was all going to be alright. I had been doing this for more than fifteen years of my life.

Tristan took it as some hormonal tantrum caused by my pregnancy.

He was now trying to calm me as he sat me down on the couch. He added pillows to support my back, placed both my feet on the couch after taking my shoes off and wrapped me in a warm, cuddly blanket.

I felt so much better.

"How about that?" He asked.

I nodded with a smile to show my approval.

His next move surprised me as he sat at my feet, reached his hands inside the blanket and began messaging my legs.

I bit my lip to keep from moaning as he worked his magic.

Didn't he have work to do?

With a smile and my eyes closed, I took a moment to enjoy everything.

"You know, I was thinking. " He began. His hands slowly made their way up to my ankles. "Maybe we should schedule a doctor's appointment." He suggested.

"Everything was so much better until you started talking," I answered. I was still living in dreamland.

"I'm being serious, we need to know how the baby is doing." He insisted.

I wasn't expecting this until at least a couple more days from now.

I kicked my legs away from him as I sat up straight.

If I was going to come up with a lie, it wasn't going to work if I was under his hypnosis.

"Isn't it a bit early for that? I'm barely just a few weeks. We can visit the doctor at a later date," I replied.

"We can't put this off forever, you need to know how our baby is doing." Tristan reasoned.

"Fine," I sighed. "We'll just wait a couple more days," I answered.

He nodded with a smile. That was the best I could bargain for.

Maybe Layla could help me out. Was there a way she could put Tristan in a coma for nine months so we wouldn't have to discuss this again?

Tristan stood up to leave.

I wasn't ready to lose my very own personal masseur.

"I have a few important calls to make. I'll be in my office. Is there anything you need?" He asked.

I took a moment to think. "Lots of chocolate, some yoghurt and a fruit salad," I instructed.

Tristan nodded, sending an order to the kitchen staff downstairs.

After the waiter arrived at his door, he took the liberty of collecting the food himself.

He handed me the food, he even passed the TV remote as well.

"If you need anything, just shout and I'll be right here." He said.

He turned around, ready to leave.

"Tristan," I called.

"Yes," he turned around, stopping in his tracks.

"Can you get me an extra pillow?" I asked innocently, pointing at the pillow at my feet.

He did so happily. After that, he returned to his office.

I hate doing this to him. At what point had I become such a liar? He has been nothing but kind and all I did was take advantage of him. I just hope that whoever he ends up with is someone who truly deserves him.

I don't know at what time I fell asleep, maybe it was while I was gorging myself with food or somewhere in between the movie, but I lost track.

*

"Did you really think you could steal him away?" Madison's voice echoed. "He will never be with someone like you, now I'm going to make sure that he never does." She let out a wicked laugh.

Before I had time to react, she pulled a gun from her purse and pointed it at me.

"No," I yelled.

I shook my head as Madison finally pulled the trigger.

I woke up gasping for air as I sat up straight. I examined my chest, happy to know I had no bullet wounds.

It was just a dream.

That's when I finally took a moment to take in my surroundings. I was sleeping in Tristan's bed. Again!

The last time that happened, something bad happened.

I took a moment to examine myself. All my clothes were still on. That was a good sign.

"I see you are awake," Tristan said. His voice startled me.

I looked up and spotted him leaning on the door frame as he smiled back at me.

All the drapes were closed, making the room a bit dim. I couldn't tell what time it was.

"What time is it?" I asked in a panic.

"It's nearly five p.m." He answered.

I looked at him, horrified.

I had slept my entire workday away. Surely it had helped and all my cramps were gone but I had missed work.

"I'm supposed to be working." I panic again.

"Don't worry, I told Marcus there was something urgent I needed your help with." He answered.

That was a relief. I wasn't the only liar around.

"Maybe you really shouldn't be working. Besides, the rest of the employees are going to find out sooner or later that you and I are having a baby. I imagine it's not going to be pretty." He said.

I removed the duvet over me.

I didn't need to worry about saving my job again.

"I'm fine, my hormones were just a little out of balance," I answered anxiously. Hopefully by the time my stomach is supposed to be 'big enough', this whole lie would have been over. The was no need for other people to find out.

I feel so much better now.

There was pretty much no work left for me to do at this point. My shift was almost over.

"I need to get home now," I said, jumping off the bed.

He sighed. "Why don't we have dinner first? Get a little something to eat first then you can go home right afterwards." He suggested.

I remembered how suspicious my mother was yesterday. I didn't need to skip another meal, or mom would make sure to pick me up herself every day after work.

"Maybe another time," I answered.

I stood up straight as I took the moment to adjust myself. I don't know how much I had been rolling but my hair was a mess.

He smiled downheartedly as he lowered his eyes. Those eyes. Why would he do this to me?

"You know what, why don't I take you out instead?" I suggested.

He looked up, amused by my proposal. "Me?" He asked pointing at himself.

"It's safe to say that after last time, I owe you. So let me take you out instead?" I offered.

"I must warn you, I'm hard to please." He answered.

"I look forward to meeting your expectations." I accepted his challenge. "Let's get you something to wear," I suggested. I took his arm and walked him into his closet.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" He asked.

"People can easily recognize you and I don't want your fan club to attack me," I reasoned.

I scanned through his closet. He didn't really have any clothes that didn't scream 'I'm a rich guy' from a mile away. In the end, I settled for black sweatpants and a hoodie.

I gave him the items so he could change into them.

He paused, waiting for me to turn around.

"I'll wait for you outside," I said awkwardly.

I waited for him in his bedroom.

Minutes later, he returned. He still looked like someone you would consider robbing. The look wasn't good enough for me.

I stood on my toes then reached my hands into his hair and swiftly ran my hands through it.

"Much better," I whispered as I watched his curls dangle on his forehead.

"You could have just said you wanted me to look like a hippie." He commented. He reached his hand into his hair, trying to bring some order to his tousled hair.

Even with his messed-up hair, he still looked good.

He grabbed his wallet and stuffed it into his pocket. "Let me grab my car keys." He said.

"No, we are walking," I interjected.

He looked at me horrified. I grabbed his hand and led him out of the penthouse before he had the chance to protest.

As we got out of the elevator, Tristan wore his hoodie over his head.

We walked as fast as possible without drawing too much attention to ourselves.

"Ashley!" I heard a yell.

The voice stopped me in my tracks. Tristan stopped too.

It was Jeremy walking toward me, one of the security guards. I hadn't spoken much to him after he confessed that he was the one who allowed Waylen in.

"You are still alive," Jeremy said in an amused tone.

"Good evening to you too," I muttered.

"Who is your friend over there?" He asked pointing at Tristan. I'm glad he hadn't recognised him.

"He is my cousin, he came to pick me up." I lied.

I turned to Tristan who didn't seem too pleased.

Jeremy chuckled. "We all thought you would quit after we heard that Marcus had made you the official maid for Mr Montenegro. That guy is so cold and grumpy. He is a certified asshole. It's no wonder he is alone. Good thing he has all that money because otherwise, no one could stand being around him unless they were getting paid for it." He laughed.

I wanted to laugh too but I restrained myself.

Tristan's mood changed as he clenched his fist.

"Bye now," I waved goodbye to Jeremy. 

I didn't want to give Tristan the chance to say anything to Jeremy.

I held Tristan's hand as we walked out of the hotel. I didn't want to draw attention to us.

Tristan was taken aback by the incident. That was probably the first time someone said anything like that to his face.

"Can you believe that guy?" Tristan asked. "I'm going to make sure he never gets a job again." He threatened.

"It's over now," I whispered trying to calm him down.

We finally left the hotel.

We walked southwards.

For a while, neither of us spoke as we waited to get to a safe distance where no one would recognize either of us.

"So, how is work?" I asked breaking the silence.

He sighed. "Are we so boring that we have to start talking about work?" He asked.

"I'm just trying to have a conversation," I answered.

He sighed again. "Well, it hasn't been running that smoothly honestly. I have this project planned. We have already invested so much of our time and money into it but we still haven't gotten the property we need to continue with it. If this deal doesn't work out, a lot of people are going to lose their jobs. I should have obtained the land first before embarking on this project." He replied. "It's all my fault." He added. He sounded defeated.

"I'm sure you'll figure everything out," I answered reassuringly. "After all, you wouldn't have come to own all of those hotels and restaurants if you weren't good," I added.

"On five different continents," he added.

"See?" I said trying to cheer him up.

"So, if you were one of those five hundred people who might lose their jobs, you wouldn't be mad?" He asked.

"I'd kick your ass," I answered truthfully.

We both laughed.

"With your energy and enthusiasm, maybe I should use you to help me get the deal." He spoke.

"Me?" I laughed. "I'd do nothing but bring bad luck to you. You'd never get another contract again." I laughed.

"Well, you never know." He answered smiling back at me.

I stopped as he arrived at our destination. We were in front of a hotdog stand.

Tristan looked at me in disbelief then returned his attention back to the hotdog stand.

"No," He whispered shaking his head in disapproval.

"Yes," I insisted, adding a nod.

"You know, there is this really good restaurant just five minutes away from here." He turned around as he made an attempt to walk away.

"Come on, just try it." I insisted, stopping him in his tracks.

He sighed, realizing that he had no way out.

I ordered two hotdogs for us.

He reached his hand into his pocket for his wallet but I quickly stopped him.

"Let me take care of you," I winked.

He smiled back.

I handed a ten-dollar note to the hotdog vendor.

He was done with our hotdogs in no time. He then handed them to both of us.

"Thank you," I smiled at the vendor.

We then proceeded to walk.

I took no time at all to dig into my hotdog. Tristan seemed reluctant.

"Go on," I encouraged him. I took another bite of my hotdog.

He looked down at the hotdog hesitantly. I knew what he wanted to say; is this safe to eat?

He bit into the hotdog without further thought.

I studied his expression as he chewed. He didn't seem disgusted, otherwise, he would have spat it out. I saw a look of satisfaction flash across his face.

"So, how about it?" I asked enthusiastically.

"I must say, it's not that bad." He said as he continued to chew. He took another bite.

"Yes," I yelled throwing my free hand in the air.

"See, hotdogs are the best food in the world," I stated.

He laughed. "I said it wasn't that bad, not that it's the best thing I've ever tasted." He stated. "I think it's official, it's either you are delusional, or you haven't tasted that much food to compare it to." He stated.

"No, you just have no taste," I concluded. "Hot dogs are the best food in the world. Everything good only ever happens with a hotdog. I once found a hundred-dollar note under a tree the last time I had a hotdog." I answered.

"That's just a coincidence." He reasoned.

I shrugged. "Say what you want but good things always happen to me whenever I have a hotdog," I concluded.

He laughed at my reaction.

We ate our hotdogs as we aimlessly strolled through the city.

"Watch out!" I heard a yell.

I turned to see who was speaking. It was a guy heading towards me on his bicycle. He rode at full speed. He tried to manoeuvre his brakes but it was of no use. His bike was about to crush me. What was he doing on the sidewalk?

Tristan wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest. It was just in time to save me from the man who was about to crush me.

I realized how close our bodies were as we both breathed heavily.

Between the adrenaline of almost getting injured and the electrical sparks flying between us, we both found ourselves leaning in. Everything else seemed to disappear.

He pressed his lips against mine. At first, I was shocked, but I found myself responding.

Initially, it started out as passionate and slow, but things quickly escalated as we became possessive and demanding as we fought for dominance.

My arms instinctively moved to his neck as I held onto him for support. I felt his hand travel across my lower back.

The world around us could have been on fire but I didn't care.

It was a while until I finally pulled away as we both breathed heavily.

I felt his eyes on me, which lowered again to my lips. I noticed how he playfully bit his lower lip. I thought he would kiss me again, but he pulled away.

"You should be ashamed of yourself. You didn't even wait to take me out on a proper date first before you jumped in and kissed me. You could have at least tried to wine and dine me first. You couldn't wait to get your hands on me, could you?" He joked.

"Hey, you kissed me first." I protested. I slapped his chest playfully, taking a step back. "Besides, maybe if my boss paid me enough, I'd have taken you somewhere really nice. Too bad he is a jerk." I teased.

"Really?" He whispered. "You should probably take that back or else that promotion might just disappear." He teased.

"You are right," I answered innocently. "You know, my boss is really hot. Maybe I should go out with him instead." I teased.

I think I made Tristan blush.

He leaned in, capturing my lips with his again. It felt like time had stood still as I tasted every inch of his mouth. He pulled away before teasingly biting my lower lip.

"Okay, maybe I might have started that one," he whispered breathing heavily.

We just stared at each other with our foreheads still pressed together.

It took us both a moment to realize we were still in public.

We smiled at each other once again and then continued walking.

The guy who almost crashed into me had crashed into a tree just meters away from us. The guy turned to look at us apologetically.

Tristan's phone rang. His expression suddenly changed as he glanced at the screen of his phone. His eyebrows drew together as he read his message.

"Shit," he muttered.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No, it's just my grandfather. But I have to leave now." He answered. "I'd love to take you home and make sure you get there safely but my driver won't be here for a while so how about I get you a cab instead?" He offered.

I nodded.

He took my hand as he walked us closer to the main road. He then signalled for a cab driver. Within seconds, a cab stopped by. Tristan opened the car door for me to enter.

"Please take care of her," Tristan said to the driver as he handed him a hundred-dollar note.

The cab driver drove away. I couldn't help but look back at Tristan who was heading back toward the hotel.

I used the opportunity to take in everything that had happened.

Tristan and I kissed. What does that mean for us now?

What did that mean for any of the plans we had?

Maybe we shouldn't have. This would only complicate things. What was I going to do now?

I leaned my back against the seat as I tried not to overthink the matter.

My phone vibrated in my hand. It was a message from Layla.

'We need to talk now! 'Her message read

What was I going to tell her now?

________________________

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please vote and comment down your thoughts on the chapter.

Happy New Year everyone!