Ashley's POV

I stared at Waylen with a warning look. He wouldn't dare, would he? Especially after everything he has done, he should want to be far away from here. He was the one who knocked him out after all.

I waited for it. The moment Tristan would just get up and recognise Waylen. That we would get up and punch him in the face. But it never happened.

Waylen smirked, giving me an equally challenging look. His smirk broadened into a smile as he pulled a chair to sit at our table.

He had done it!

I removed the jacket I was wearing. It was getting far too hot for me to handle, even in this cold.

"It's so nicefor us to do this. We haven't seen each other in a while," Waylen said.

"I thought I'd never see you again," I said with clenched teeth.

I had to remind myself to stay calm. He clearly wanted a reaction from me. Why else would he be here?

"It's a shame we lost contact. We were so close." He smiled.

If losing contact means blocking someone's number along with all their friends, then sure.

What did he really want here? I don't believe it was a coincidence.

I didn't know if it was some sort of confidence he had gathered for him to sit with us or just plain stupidity. I thought I had made it clear to him, so why didn't he take my warning?

Maybe he was just bent on getting caught.

"Now that I think about it, when did we last see each other?" Waylen asked, folding his arms. He looked at both Tristan and me, almost as if he was about to say something worse. "It must have been that day I showed up at your work." He concluded.

He had done it.

"Really?" Tristan responded curiously. He took a sip of his juice. His full attention was now diverted to me.

"It was a long time ago. You know, with hotel security it's not always easy to see someone." He paused. "But the trick is always knowing someone. You can pretty much get anywhere after that, even to the presidential suite," he added.

If he wanted to sit and expose himself, I didn't care. It would only save me from more problems.

I sat back, trying to relax as best I could under the situation. I had a theory that if I waited long enough, Waylen would end up snitching, and then I wouldn't be the one to break the news.

I'm still wondering how much it must have cost to have that baby room done, I hope it wasn't too much.

A waiter came up to our table, going on to take Waylen's order. Knowing Tristan, I can't believe Waylen was just about to get free food out of this.

"Please forgive my manners. I've been talking about Ashley and I this whole time. I'd like to know more about you. How did the two of you meet?" Waylen smiled.

"It's a pretty funny story actually." Tristan smiled.

"He is my boss." I cut Tristan off. Oh wait, he fired me. I don't work for him anymore. I didn't want to get into any details that Waylen didn't need to know otherwise.

Wait, what did Tristan remember? What would he have said? Maybe I should have just allowed him to speak.

"I'm surprised you are her boss and not some grumpy old creep as I had imagined. It's not everyone who gets the wonderful opportunity to have such a wonderful breakfast with their boss," Waylen said.

"And, we are also having a baby," Tristan added.

I think it was time I had a conversation with him so as to when it's okay to share certain information.

"No way," Waylen answered intrigued. "How far along is it?"

"About a month now," Tristan answered.

A light bulb lit up on Waylen's face. It was as if he had connected everything. He knew every well that Tristan was unconscious that night. It wasn't rocket science.

"Speaking of which, we are probably long overdue for a check-up now," Tristan added. He looked over at me, rubbing my hand with his.

"The two of you must be very happy. Ashley is one of a kind, isn't she?" Waylen said. A wide grin appeared on his face as he looked over at me. He knew.

"That she is." Tristan agreed.

I'd say it was just a coincidence or some psychotic, sadistic person is probably the one scripting my life, but Tristan's phone rang at that moment. He looked at his phone's screen for a moment with both his brows raised. "Please excuse me," He excused himself.

I was left alone with Waylen.

Waylen followed with his eyes until Tristan was faraway before laughing sadistically.He should audition his evil laugh for Disney.

"It turns out the idiot doesn't even remember me. The plot keeps getting thicker, doesn't it?" He answered sarcastically. He picked up his fork, spinning it between his fingers.

"It turns out I was right about everything I said about you after all. I'm willing to bet almost anything that you are not even pregnant. I bet you used that night to your advantage and faked the whole thing. You really are a gold digger after all." He continued.

"What do you want? You really have no shame, do you?" I asked.

"But you, sweetheart. Are a lot worse than I'll ever be. I bet you are lying to the poor man. How do you think that story would look in a tabloid?You might not have much of a reputation to worry about, and maybe it might affect if you'll get your next mark, but he certainly has something to worry about. Imagine what it would do to that powerful image of his. It would ruin him."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked.

"Maybe I want to repay him for sleeping with you. You were my girlfriend after all when you cheated on me with him." He answered.

"You are delusional," I stated. There was no way I would allow myself to be bullied by him, not again.

"I don't think you want to know how far I'm willing to go. Don't test me. You just behave, and everyone will be fine." He warned. His face suddenlyturnedcold. The sadistic grin had disappeared. I saw true evil in his eyes. How had I never seen this before?

What did he mean by behave? Maybe it was best not to find out.

"It looks like I have to return to my office. I have a lot of work to do," Tristan said stepping back into his set.

Waylen quickly replaced the look he had with the innocent smile he had earlier.

"What did I miss?" Tristan asked as he settled in.

"Well, Ashley here isn't feeling well. She was feeling a bit dizzy. She looked like she was about to faint."

"I'm fi..."

"I think it would be better if you went home and rested." Waylen interrupted. "I'm sure you have many things to do. I'll gladly take her home and make sure that she is safe, that way we can also catch up."

"I'm perfectly fine, you don't have to do anything," I interjected.

My phone vibrated from my mom's message. I wonder what she wanted, what could have been so urgent? Right now, I had bigger problems.

"Are you sure? You should rest if you are not feeling well," Tristan said.

"You looked so pale, I almost panicked. You know dropping you off won't be a problem at all, especially since he is so busy." Waylen added.

"That's alright, I'll get a cab. I have to get home very soon." I answered.

"Okay, I'll see you off. I have to get back to work," Tristan said.

Tristan placed the bill on the table as I gathered my stuff to leave.

If Waylen thought he could blackmail me, he had one thing coming. I wouldn't allow it again.

Tristan walked me to the side of the road as we waited for a cab.

"Tristan," I paused. "I'm sorry," I said.

He paused for a moment, indecisive of what to say. "You should travel safely." He answered rubbing my shoulder.

He stopped a cab, opened the door then gestured for me to step in. He then went on to pay the driver.

I could still remember the sinister look on Waylen's face as the cab drove away. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid.

There were so many things I couldn't wrap my head around. Why would Waylen deliberately show his face? Knowing how powerful and influential Tristan was, I imagined he would have been scared and run away. The same way he did when he left me with Tristan's unconscious body. He was a coward and people like him tend to stay the same. So why the sudden bravery?

I thanked the driver as I stepped out of the cab.

I just realized I still hadn't done the one thing I had left the house to do.

As my phone started to ring, I stopped in front of our gate and searched for it.

I noticed the car racing down a couple of housesaway. For a residential neighbourhood, I wonder why anyone would drive so recklessly. There could be children or older people walking around. It suddenly stopped, just two houses away.

"Hello?" I answered my call.

"Where are you? I've been worried. You weren't answering my messages." Mom said.

"I'm perfectly fine, I'm outside. I'll be in in a moment." I responded. Why was she always so worried? I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself.

Mom responded with a sigh. I hung up the call. I wonder why she was in such a hurry. Was I about to walk into an intervention?

I slipped my phone into my pocket, struggling with our front gate.

I was distracted by the screeching sound of tires of the car from earlier.

It turned to drive on the sidewalk. Before I had I'd managed to respond, it was only inches away from me.

The car tires screeched again as the car reversed. I would have thought that the driver would stop and if he had any decency maybe step out of the car.

But he stepped on the gas and rushed towards me, attempting to run me over for the second time. This time it missed, only by a few inches but managed to smash into our front gate.

"Ashley!" Mom yelled my name.

My vision became blurry, and my body was pinned to the ground.

I knew one thing, this wasn't an accident.

All I could see were two shadows running towards me. I heard tires screech again as the car drove away. My mom must have scared him.

I couldn't move or feel my limbs.

Everything turned black.

***

I've thought about what it must feel like to be dead. However, I've never imagined seeing nothing but darkness and hearing blurred machine sounds in the background.

Maybe I was still alive, but barely. I'm starting to think I have a habit of almost dying.

I tried moving my limbs and opening my eyes, but my body was unresponsive. I was too tired.

"I don't think this is the right moment to tell her. My daughter is barely alive right now." I heard Mom say. "I think it would be best if you would just leave, at least for now." She continued.

Her voice sounded like a whisper and barely alive, but I recognised it anyways.

I wonder what she was talking about, who was she even talking to?

Minutes passed and the voices stopped. Maybe it might have been hours.

I found myself slowly regaining consciousness. I could finally move my fingertips. I opened my eyes next.

"You are awake," Mom exclaimed.

The two of them stared at me lovingly.

I used the moment to take in my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, a very expensive one at that. How didwe afford this?

Katy rushed towards my bed, wrapping her arms around me. "You are alive. I'll never be mean to you again or tell on you ever again. These last two weeks have been so hard without you." Katy sobbed.

It had been two weeks.

"You should let go of your sister. You'll knock her back into a coma." Mom said as she pulled Katy away from me.

I could barely feel anything. It must have been the painkillers.

Mom stared at me smiling. I noticed the tears in her eyes.

"What did the doctor say?" I asked.

Mom turned over to look at Katy hesitatingly before returning to me again. "Unfortunately, you lost the baby," Mom announced. "But, it's all going to be alright, we will help you get through this." She added. She took my hand into hers, rubbing it gently.

"We have so much to talk about and so many things to do," Katy said. She settled herself beside me on the bed.

"We should let your sister rest. She still needs to recover," Mom said.

"But she just woke up," Katy argued.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Mom said.

"Fine," Katy sighed. "I hope you get better soon so that Mom will finally stop putting all the pressure on me." She said climbing off my bed.

They said their goodbyes and stepped out of my room.

My mind reverted back to the accident.

Why would anyone try to kill me? It's not like I owe anyone money.

Did the person ever get caught?

I was caught off guard when the door slipped open. Layla stepped in. A smile broadened on her face as she saw me awake.

Of course, if Mom thought I had lost the baby, she must have been involved in some way.

"I'm so glad you are finally awake. How do you feel?" she asked.

"Like someone just ran over me with their car," I answered.

"You must have buried a hundred million somewhere for someone to try and kill you like this," she added. "Do you know who could have done this? Did you see anyone? The police are still investigating but so far no one has been arrested."

"I can't think of anyone who would be this disparate," I answered.

Waylen would probably have wanted me dead at some point, but I don't think he was capable of murder or even attempting it. Besides, he doesn't own a car. I didn't think he'd want to crush the first one he got his hands on. You have to have a lot of power and influence to get someone else to do it.

"We were all waitingfor you to wake up. The doctor said that hopefully, you wouldn't have any permanent injuries. Luckily the doctor said your uterus is fine. I should probably stop talking and give you some time to rest."

"Have you seen Tristan? How is he?" I asked.

Last time, he was so excited. I could only imagine how crushed he must have felt.

"Not too well, but he will be alright. Everything was probably for the best." She concluded.

"I just lost my baby and this is what you are saying, you are such a monster." I joked.

She laughed. "Don't worry, life will only get better from this point onwards." She assured me.

_____________________________________
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. For the coming chapters I'll be leading towards the end of the story so prepare for a lot of things to happen.

As always, please vote and comment down your thoughts.