Ashley's POV

My phone rang on my nightstand as Layla's name popped up.

I've been avoiding her since last night. I'm too afraid of what she would say to me.

She is always updated on her information. I fear she might already know what happened between Tristan and I and that scares me a lot.

I can still remember her words ringing in my eyes: 'Don't get too attached' and here I was, very much getting attached to him. What was I doing kissing him back like that?

But anyway, I didn't have time for that right now. I was rushing around the house, doing my best not to be late for work.

The other hand was putting on my shoes as I grabbed my keys with the other.

"Ashley," Mom called out. She was standing right behind me. "We need to have a talk," she said.

"Can we talk later? I'm in a rush," I answered.

"No sweetheart, this is more important." Mom insisted.

She pointed back to the living room. She wanted me to sit. The sooner I comply, the better.

"You know, I was at your age too, I get it. I know because I was in the place you are in. I didn't listen to my parents either. I sneaked out and I was always lying about where I was, and then I got pregnant with you." She spoke.

I knew where this was going.

"I'm not going to get pregnant," I said. "Besides, I never lied about where I was going," I replied.

"You know, I said the same thing too. Here I am with two daughters. I don't want you to end up pregnant and alone like I had to go through it," she continued.

I was about to be late for work because of this?

"Is mom giving you the talk?" Katy laughed coming downstairs.

"You should sit for this too." Mom pointed.

"The only place I ever go is to school. Those kids are too rich to even sit with me. How am I supposed to get pregnant?" Katy laughed. "You know what we should really be talking about? That guy who you talked to on the phone last night," Katy said. She folded her arms, facing mom in a challenging manner.

"Don't be silly," mom said, throwing her hand over her shoulder.

"I heard you last night. How you were laughing and telling each other that it had been many years since you last saw each other. That you miss each other, all the lovey-dovey stuff. I know what I heard." Katy replied.

I joined in, staring at mom with my arms folded. "Who was it, mom?" I asked with a serious face.

"You guys are acting crazy. I only spoke to a client for a few minutes." Mom spoke.

"So, you were talking to someone?" Katy asked. "Mom, we just want to let you know that we are not interested in a stepdad. That is unless he can buy us a mansion and buy us each a car." Katy shot mom another look before making her way out of the house. Her driver had arrived.

I looked at mom in disapproval before looking at my watch to see that time, I was running late.

"We are going to finish this conversation when I get back," I assured her.

Mom sighed as both Katy and I rushed out of the house.

I nearly missed the bus by a second. Thankfully, the driver was kind enough to stop after a car nearly ran over me as I tried to cross the road.

By the time I arrived at the hotel I was a sweating mess.

At my locker, I looked at my phone screen to see several missed calls from Layla. Maybe it would be better if I just spoke to her. I couldn't hide away from her forever.

I took the time to fix my hair, making myself more presentable.

Just then, Ivy walked into the room. She looked tired; her hair was tousled in a bun. I noticed the bags under her eyes. She probably didn't have time to do her makeup this morning.

"Morning," I greeted her.

Ivy paused, resting her back against the locker. "Morning," she finally greeted back.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

"It's Marcus, he is seriously after my life this time." She answered. "First, he gave me most of your shifts so now I'm basically doing two people's jobs and then he moved me to laundry. I had to finish all the clothes first before I could go home. By then I could hardly stand on my feet." She explained.

I felt her pain. I wondered who was doing my shift since Marcus didn't plan on employing anyone new. Most importantly, who was now cleaning Tristan's penthouse?

My phone vibrated in my hand. I was hesitant to look at my screen thinking it would be another text from Layla.

'Morning' the text read. It had a picture of a sunflower following the message.

It was from Tristan.

I couldn't help but smile.

"You are smiling at my misery?" Ivy exclaimed.

"No, I'm sorry," I answered looking up from my phone. "It's just a message from someone. But listen, I'll do my best to try and convince Marcus to take some of that burden off your shoulders." I answered.

Since I was the assistant manager, it had to be worth something right?

"Thank you," she said, placing her back against her locker again.

"But listen, we can catch up later. "My shift starts soon," I announced.

"Okay, but I won't wait for you after work. Yesterday you ditched me after you said we'd meet up after work." She said.

I gave her a thumbs-up as I walked out of the locker room.

I headed towards the elevator for Marcus' office.

But before the doors closed, Madison slipped in.

It was too early to deal with her antics.

"Good morning," I said, trying to fake a smile.

Madison leaned forward and pressed the button to stop the elevator.

"So, what did you find out about who that whore is in those pictures?" she asked.

"No ma'am, I didn't see him with anyone or hear him mention someone," I answered. I think my legs must have been shaking. Maybe it was from my lies or the murderous look she gave me. I could already imagine her yanking my hair out the day she finds out that I'm the one in those pictures.

"Did he speak to anyone at all?" she asked.

"He didn't speak to anyone; he only had a few business calls," I answered. I wouldn't know anyway because I was sleeping.

Madison sighed. "You are useless to me; I'd have to do everything myself." Madison snapped. "Just one question, is he in his penthouse today?" She asked.

"Yes, he is," I answered. At least I think he was.

Madison now appeared relieved as she smiled.

What was she planning?

She pressed the button for the elevator to continue moving.

Madison left the elevator before me and I got out of the elevator on the following floor after her.

I stepped out of the elevator into Marcus' office. His door was open as usual.

I noticed a desk in the far corner of the room. He must have placed it there to accommodate me. He has been a lot nicer to me since I've been promoted. I thought he'd be yelling at me all the time.

"Morning Marcus," I greeted.

"Morning," he answered. He handed me several lists, some containing contact information and others with lists of items like food, drinks and decorations.

"We are hosting a party for a guest this weekend; I need you to call these suppliers and ask them if they'd be able to deliver these items for the event." He explained.

I nodded and then followed his instructions. I sat down to begin my work; I already had a telephone at my desk.

Talking to suppliers was not as easy as I thought. It was hours of negotiating and switching between suppliers hoping that I'd get a better deal. Marcus was busy on his computer, occasionally giving me a look that said, 'good job'. In the end, it worked out.

I leaned back into my chair, happy to know that I had completed my task.

"Ashley," Marcus spoke. "We have a guest that is leaving today, Mr. Leonardo Pierce." He said. That was the guy who saved me from my stepfather the other day. "I need you to just make sure that everything is in order, that he didn't leave anything behind and if anything is broken or missing in his suite, I need to know about it so it can be replaced before our next guests arrive. Last time Maggie couldn't get that right." He instructed.

Marcus needed it done now.

I nodded and then followed his instructions. I took an elevator to his suite; I remembered the room number from the last time.

I knocked on the door, but no one answered. He had probably already left. I used my card to enter the suite.

"Hello?" I called out. I was met with nothing but silence.

It didn't look like anyone was here.

My phone vibrated again. 'Are you avoiding me?' Another text from Layla read.

I wasn't going to be able to ignore her forever. She clearly wasn't used to being ignored.

'I'm coming there now.' Her next text read.

That scared me. I didn't want to see her now. It was just better if I spoke to her over the phone.

I pulled the phone to my ear after dialing her number. She answered on the first ring.

"Ashley," she said, sounding relieved. "I thought something had happened to you. Why weren't you answering my calls?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I've just been busy." I lied.

"Well, I'm glad you are okay. We have to work now. I have a plan that will finally get Madison out of both of our lives. How about a setup? If my plan works Madison will never step foot anywhere near Tristan again. He will never want to see her again." She said.

That just sounds like it involves more lying. I didn't want to do that anymore. Tristan didn't deserve this.

"Listen, I've been thinking. Maybe it's just better if I come clean about everything. I don't want to lie anymore," I said.

Tristan has been nothing but kind to me. It felt like I was taking advantage of that. As for Madison and Tristan ending up together, I didn't think I had anything to worry about because he didn't seem interested in her.

I'd never know if he kissed me because he truly felt something for me or maybe he was just doing it because he thought I was having his baby.

"Are you backing out on me right now?" She asked, her voice annoyed.

"No, I just don't think that Madison is truly worth all of this trouble. I don't want to lie to Tristan anymore." I answered.

Layla sighed. "You are falling in love with my son, aren't you?" She asked.

I took a pause. Was I really?

"It's not like that," I answered. "Tristan seems very invested in his baby. It's going to break his heart when he finds out that I've been lying to him all along. That I'm not having his baby or any baby at all." I said.

"I see where this is heading. I just hope that whatever it is that Tristan gave you, is truly worth betraying me like this. I thought we had a connection." She said.

I sighed. "Layla, we should just end this thing now before it gets complicated any further. He is your son. You know he's going to hate us when he discovers the truth. It's better if we end this now before he gets too attached," I said.

"You mean before you get too attached?" she asked.

I sighed. I clearly wasn't winning this argument. Maybe she had a point.

Just then, I saw Leonardo emerge from the bedroom, he stared at me dumbfounded. He was in shock. His jaw dropped, his one hand holding a toothbrush as he continued to stare.

Had he just heard my conversation? But how much of it?

I thought no one else was here.

"Layla, I'm going to have to call you back," I whispered into the phone.

I pulled the phone from my ear, hanging up the call.

"Good day Mr. Pierce. I thought you would be out for the day." I said.

'Calm down Ashley,' I reminded myself. This didn't have to be awkward. Maybe he hadn't heard anything at all.

"Just one question," He paused. "Is this the same Tristan who owns this hotel?" he asked.

So, he had heard my conversation.

"I can assure you that it's not really what you think. It's a completely different person. It's not really who you think it is," I said.

"Okay," Leonardo answered. "I can confirm that once I've spoken to Tristan myself. I can also speak with his mother Layla. His father and I used to play golf together." He folded his arms, waiting for my next response.

This time I was truly trapped. Turns out I wasn't that much of an expert at lying to help me get out of this situation.

"Are you ready to talk to me?" He asked. He then gestured for me to take a seat. There wasn't much I could say to get me out of this one. I should just come clean. At least if he was going to judge me he might as well know all the facts first.

I sat down, staring at my feet and avoiding all eye contact. I felt like a kid who was about to be scolded.

"So," I began. From then onwards I was pretty much a rambling mess. I explained every detail of the story, starting from the night Waylen knocked Tristan out right up to everything that was happening at this moment.

He listened intently to every word. I hated that I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He kept his hand on his cheek with his leg crossed over the other.

"Look here, I've seen a lot of these kinds of things to know it doesn't end well. You should just tell him the truth now before it's too late." He spoke.

That was a better reaction from him than I could've hoped for. At least he didn't use words like whore, liar, cheap and opportunist.

I wanted to speak but he cut me off by raising his hand.

"I'm not here to judge you or even tell Tristan on your behalf. I'll trust you'll do the right thing." He spoke.

That was easier said than done. At this stage, I don't think I will have the heart to tell him the truth.

We remained quiet for a few minutes. I just kept staring at my feet while planning my next move.

"I think I'll leave now," I announced. I stood up to leave.

"Okay, I just hope you will do the right thing." He said.

I nodded. "I hope you have safe travels," I said. At least he was leaving. I'd never have to experience the shame of facing him again.

"Actually," he paused. "I think I'll extend my stay. I have an old friend to catch up with." He said.

I nodded faking a smile before turning to leave.

Great, he was staying for a while. At any moment, he could decide to change his mind and tell Tristan the whole truth. Maybe I just had to beat him to it.

I closed it and continued walking down the hallway.

My options were narrowing. Eventually, I'd have to tell Tristan the truth.

Maybe I could just tell him about what happened without ratting Layla out, but then he'd investigate how the doctor possibly got the fact wrong that I wasn't pregnant.

I wasn't ready for what he would do when he found out the truth, but soon, it wasn't going to be my choice whether he found out or not. He'd start wondering why my stomach wasn't growing.

I heard loud sounds coming from down the hall. I continued walking in that direction.

"Help!" A scream followed soon after.

It sounded like Madison's voice; it was coming from her suite.

Without thinking, I rushed to her penthouse.

Her door had been left open.

I stared, horrified by the fight breaking out in the living room.

I noticed three guys wearing masks. They were all dressed in black. Two of the guys held onto Tristan while the other punched him in the gut.

Madison was laying on the ground, her clothes torn as she broke into tears.

The one guy looked over at me, frightened that I had seen them.

All three guys instantly became aware of my presence as they looked at each other frightened.

I was in shock, still not able to move.

Tristan was thrown to the ground by the two guys, clutching his stomach in pain, his face bloodied.

I noticed how the other guy was limping as they tried to plan their escape.

"Let's move," one of the guys said.

I panicked as the three men rushed towards me to get to the door.

One of the men grabbed my arm before slamming my back against the wall. I hit my head in the process. My vision became blurry. The man let go of me, and I slowly started to fall to the ground.

The next thing I noticed were blurry images of three men rushing out of the suite.

"Ashley!" Tristan yelled.

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

What do you think Madison is planning?