Ashley's POV

Mom kept her strong gaze on me, staring directly into my eyes as a range of emotions flashed across her face. The tears on my cheeks weren't helping her worry any less. Without question, she looked like she was expecting the worst.

The look on her face told me, "How bad is it?".

I knew I had to tell her the truth. Maybe then I'd be able to gather the courage to tell Tristan and face whatever consequences that follow.

This wasn't really something you just throw in your parents' faces. I was just about to tell her that I'd disregarded all the morals and values she'd ever taught me. I continued with this despite knowing it was wrong. That's why I was in this position. That wasn't an easy thing for most parents to hear.

The pressure building up inside me only increased my anxiety. The thought of someone being at our front door wasn't helping either, but if one thing was clear, I needed to be out with it now.

"You are starting to scare me, Ashley. What is it?" Mom asked as she pulled me out of my limbo state.

My mom has never been the kind to ignore any house guests, even when I suggested that we pretend we weren't home when her gossiping work friends wanted to visit.

The fact that she too was ignoring the person at our front door suggested that she too might have realized that this was serious.

"It's about the baby" I began, my words barely audible. But she heard me. "I...."

There was a loud thump that came from upstairs. It startled me and I nearly lost my balance.

It sounded like a few boxes had fallen.

"Sorry!" I heard Katy yell upstairs.

Mom turned away from me, shaking her head in disapproval of whatever stunt Katy had just pulled off.

Mom's face now appeared to be more relaxed as she let out a deep sigh. Katy seemed to have diverted Mom's attention. "I realize that you are really scared about this whole experience, and I understand that. Believe me, it will all be alright. It may seem like everything is just slipping out of control but that's just the process of adjusting. I was scared too and I got through it." She smiled. I was now confused, what exactly was she talking about? "I know that it's scary having a baby. You are probably going through a range of emotions. It's alright to feel scared. I want you to know that I'll be there for you." She smiled at me reassuringly.

That was not what I intended at all. I didn't need her to commit to a grandchild that didn't exist.

Why was it that whenever I tried to be honest, things never turn out as planned? It always leaves me in a worsened position. The universe must have been trying to get back at me. Everything was going to blow up in my face.

"No, it's something else," I said wiping away my tears. This time my voice was more persistent.

The doorbell rang again. This person had the worst timing. It better not be one of our neighbours asking for butter again.

Mom's attention was now diverted as she looked towards the door. "I think that I need to get that. The person has been there for a while," Mom said dismissively. She stepped away from me, heading towards the door.

I was left with an empty space in front of me as mom rushed to answer the door.

As always, I was too late because I was too much of a coward to speak up any sooner.

Loud footsteps on the staircase soon followed along with an out-of-breath Katy who was not fully dressed for school. She jumped down the last couple of stairs, landing a step away from me.

This child was clearly looking for a way to end up in the hospital.

"What do you think you are doing?" Katy asked in a whisper.

Experience tells me she was probably listening in. I knew the sound upstairs was no coincidence.

"I can't keep hiding this forever, it will only blow up in my face." I reasoned with her.

"Mom has never stolen a candy bar in her life. She will murder you and everyone else involved. You can't do this." Katy whispered.

Katy and I froze as we heard two sets of footsteps and laughter coming from down the hall. Katy tried to look as natural as possible to avoid all suspicion.

"I see you are ready for your trip." I heard Tristan's voice from down the hall.

Not him too. I couldn't help but curse softly. My bad luck couldn't be a coincidence. This was all a conspiracy.

Maybe it was just my bad decisions.

It would be a lot easier to just tell the two of them while they are together. That way, I only have to see their disappointed faces once but Tristan already threatened me and I'd never seen him more serious. He clearly shouldn't be messed with, especially when he is angry. There was no telling what unhinged thing he would do next. That meant I was back where I started.

Katy and I both pretended to be normal as mom and Tristan approached us.

He looked cheerful today, in a bright shirt without his usual tailored coat, but still maintaining his business look. The smile on his face looked even brighter. Maybe today was a great day to disappoint him.

Immediately when Tristan walked in, he noticed my reddened cheeks and the salty tears that were still in the process of drying off.

The smile on his face faded, a more concerned look replacing it.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a genuine look of concern on his face as he approached me.

I had no strength left in me to continue lying to him even with just a nod or even half a smile. It was too arduous.

"She just woke up and realized that she had eaten all the chocolate on her bedside. It's probably all the hormones." Katy answered on my behalf. "By the way, you owe me five hundred dollars and forty-five cents. That's how much it's going to cost you for rent since you are coming here all the time now." Katy said as she held her hand out to Tristan.

"Do you take credit cards?" Tristan asked with a chuckle.

"Don't mind her," mom interjected. "We are not trying to raise the next corrupt politician." She added as she shook her head in disapproval.

"I'd never get caught though," Katy added with a smile.

Mom sighed, continuing to shake her head.

"Anyway, Ashley. What is it that you wanted to say?" Mom asked.

Everyone's heads turned in my direction. Their concerned looks returned.

I didn't have the courage before to tell either of them separately, and I still hadn't gathered that courage right now.

Of all times I had to be placed on the spot.

"No, it's nothing." I finally gathered my words. "As Katy said, I just woke up emotional today," I answered dismissively, hoping it would be enough to convince them.

"Are you sure?" Mom asked with a questioning look.

"Yes," I answered.

With my track record for lying, I was well set off for a career in Hollywood.

"Anyway, I better get going now.". My bus leaves in an hour and the cab will be here soon." Mom announced. "You two should look after each other. I'd also like my house in one piece when I get back." She added.

I noticed mom tearing up as she pulled Katy and I into a hug.

I forgot I was mad at her not too long ago.

Our moment was interrupted by the honking of the taxi waiting outside.

Mom picked up the last small remaining bag while Tristan helped her take the rest of it to the cab.

I couldn't help but start tearing up again as the taxi drove away with mom.

Katy was back in the house the moment mom climbed into the cab.

I don't know but something deep down told me that things were never going to be the same once she returned. Where was she even travelling to?

"You'll see that it's not that bad," Tristan said standing beside me. I felt him snake his hand around me as he gave me a light pat on the shoulder. It was nice having him close for a brief moment, but it was short-lived.

He pulled his arm away from me, repositioning himself in front of me. "You should probably start getting ready. I got your new passport and our flight leaves in three hours." He announced.

~*~

I folded my arms in rebellion in my seat, all buckled up as the jet took off.

I tried to fight this, I really did. But in the end, I lost.

My main argument was that I couldn't possibly leave my sister alone. For a while that worked as Katy backed me up, showing her big puppy eyes.

I knew I'd lost the argument when Tristan mentioned his five-star guesthouse, her own staff and an unlimited bank card. That's all it took to buy her loyalty. With Tristan's main argument that I couldn't be trusted, things weren't looking good for me.

Although Tristan insisted that she would be under supervision, it didn't help me feel any better. Besides, I was the one trying to get out of this trip.

Layla called to inform me that she would also keep an eye on her for the five days that we would be gone.I hope Layla doesn't start planning to find a husband for her too.

Thinking about it now, I probably should have fought a bit more about this.

Despite everything, my mind was finally registering that I was on my way to Greece.

Not too long ago, I could barely afford a cab and now I am on a private jet.

The luxurious surroundings still made it difficult for me to keep my jaw closed despite trying to show Tristan how upset I was. I thought I'd seen a lot while working at the hotel but turns out that was only a fraction of it.

I still couldn't believe it.

Staying mad was more difficult than it seemed, considering the flight attendants were serving custom-made chocolate with my name on it and all sorts of famous dishes. I was probably going to look pregnant by the time I finally stepped out of this jet.

I was living like the one percent, and for a moment I forgot what it took to get here. It was better than the movies.

I wouldn't describe my disappointment, having to leave my message chair after a nearly ten-hour flight to Athens.

Turns out Tristan can be a lot less annoying when he has so much work to do.

Stepping out of the jet to the view of the private airport, the experience was nonetheless exceptional.

A car was already waiting for us.

It's hard to believe he was so humble when he had so much money. It was a rare quality in lost people.

From what I'd heard, we were headed towards one of Tristan's resorts. I was too bedazzled by the city to listen in on the rest of the conversation Tristan had with the driver. I couldn't help but admire the architecture of the city. It really was to die for.

I noticed Tristan smiling in my direction. He probably realized he was winning.

I knew we had arrived when the car started to slow down as we passed through security and into the complex.

It didn't have the typical New York hotel architecture. This was different.

It was a lot more spacious and not just layers of different floors stacked on top of one another. I felt as if I had stepped back in time to Greek mythologies, just in a more upscale manner and with bright flowers decorating the place.

Stepping out of the car, I suddenly felt conscious of my jeans and t-shirt with everyone else looking like they were just about to walk the runway. After all, those were the kinds of people who could afford such places. I should have probably googled what to wear, or at least known what not to wear. Most people don't show up in jeans on a vacation. I still wasn't sure why we were here.

The sun was soon starting to set, it wouldn't matter what I looked like anyways.

We were led to one of the hotel suites on the second floor by one of the butlers.

For the first time, I was worried about our sleeping arrangements. I felt my heart beat even faster. All the excitement I had earlier had been replaced by anxiety. I didn't trust myself to be around him.

The last time we slept in the same bed, it didn't end too well.

The butler who had walked us up here opened the doors to the last suite, allowing us in as I took slow steps to take in the view.

I thought that Tristan's suite back home was magnificent but this one right here was glorious.

It matched the architecture of the rest of the building. The room was quite spacious and painted white with what I imagined to be artwork probably worth millions. The furniture was no exception either, looking both modern and comfortable.

The butler nodded at us before dismissing himself.

"Feel free to choose either of the two bedrooms that you like." Tristan interrupted my thoughts. "I have to meet with a client for a few minutes. I'll be right back. Make yourself at home," he added.

He looked at his phone before making his way out of the suite.

For the first time, I was finally left alone to behave like the lunatic I was. I was jumping up and down like a twelve-year-old kid. For someone who'd just been through a ten-hour flight, I'd think that I'd be tired but then again, I also got a full-body message.

I was forced to remember how old I was when I noticed the door knob turning.

I stopped, keeping an eye on the person who walked in.

Instead, it was a maid who walked in. She was almost startled that I was just standing there. She had a similar uniform to ours, the same knee-length dress style with a white apron over it, except theirs had a faded ocean blue instead of black.

"Good day ma'am, I'm Cassia," she introduced herself. She had an unfamiliar accent.

"Good day," I greeted back with a smile.

"I'm here to pack your things for you. Which room would you like me to put it in?" she asked.

"I don't care, I'm sure both rooms must be equally stunning," I replied with a smile.

I should probably have gone to check first but if everything else looked like this, how bad could it be?

She stared blankly at me and was hesitant to move.

"I'm so sorry ma'am it's just that everyone in the hotel staff has been talking about you." She began.

I shifted my attention back to her. People were talking about me? What for? Was it obvious that I was the unstylish girl who didn't belong in places like these?

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked instead.

"No, not at all ma'am." She interjected. "It's just that you are so lucky." She replied calmly. "We heard that you were a maid too. It's just that, with some of the guests who came around here, they forget to treat us like humans too. It's good to know that one of us is up here. Most girls around here would kill to have what you got. Mr Montenegro is such a kind man." She added, her smile becoming broader.

I don't know if the people around here are just optimistic but how had that story been spread around and not in any way made me look like a gold-digger, those were the typical reactions.

Besides, why would anyone want to be me? I was the perfect example of how not to run your life.

"You have no idea what it's like to be me. You might not be able to handle it." I chuckled.

"I'm sure it can't be that bad." She smiled again. "Please excuse me, feel free to call if you need anything else." She said, "And congratulations on your baby." She added as she walked out of the room.

Had Tristan told the entire hotel? I wouldn't have put it past him.

After wasting so much time, I realized something. It's been more than ten hours and I still haven't heard from Katy. I needed to make sure she hadn't burned down Tristan's house and sent Tristan into bankruptcy by maxing out his credit card.

Luckily, I still had my phone in my pocket.

I moved toward the balcony to go and give Katy a call.

Even from up here, I could see almost all of the city.

I pulled the phone to my ear and I listened to it ring.

She wasn't answering.

What has this child done this time? Hopefully, it wasn't anything bad. Maybe someone had finally done the right thing and clocked her into a mental institution.

Hopefully, she hadn't started a party and was too busy getting drunk.

After a couple of tries, I finally gave up. Maybe it was just my phone.

I saw a telephone earlier, that would probably work.

I stepped back into the suite. My footsteps slowed as I heard Tristan's voice back in the house.

I couldn't believe he was already back. I thought he'd spend at least an hour.

He was on the phone. He sounded a bit agitated.

"Of course, I wouldn't," I heard Tristan yell frustratedly into the phone.

I couldn't believe what he said next.

He knew the whole time!

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A/N: Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. 

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