Ashley
I took my seat gloriously as the CEO, sitting beside Marcus. Some folks couldn't take their eyes off me, the meeting kicked off, but two pairs of eyes refused to concentrate and I wondered why?
I smirk deciding to throw him off guard a little
"Me Nicklaus Baldwin, what do you have to say about your assistance suggestion"
He came back to his senses immediately, looking around in consciousness
"Ahh…ahh.. ahhhh'' He stuttered, looking pathetic
" You have been caught off guard staring at me since the beginning of this meeting so tell me, what are you looking at?"
I smirk evilly waiting for him to answer, I could hear murmurs as the boards of Directors all focussed their gaze on him
Rex was pleading with me, using his eyes, I sighed I must say he has changed so much in a short while, more broadened and manly, he's a good man but he can't stop me today
"Is this how you want me to sign a billion-dollar deal with you Mr. Nicklaus, how can you handle my money when you ain't even attentive?" I lashed maintaining a composed posture and throwing him off guard
"I apologized" He muttered closing his eyes
"Hold your apology, the meeting can continue" I ordered waving my hands and Rex continued from where he stopped
Yet! He never stopped looking at me till the meeting was over. We signed the deal and his company especially his company shareholders continue to thank me,
I don't know why they are thanking me, my plans are yet to hatch, this company must go down
I watch in my seat as everyone left, Rex sat there with Nicklaus while I sit with Marcus
"Ashley, what happened to you?" Rex ran towards me as we engulfed in a right hug, I smile patting his back
"We will have a drink later" I winked at him
"Fuck! You have changed a lot, damn! So you are the face behind the invisible business mogul wife of late Lucus" He said smiling
"Yes…" I smile at him, loving his free spirit with me even after a long time. Nicklaus only stood there watching us intently
"See you later" Rex left, Marcus also stood up and whispered to me
"Be brave" He said and left
I look at Nicklaus to see him staring at me intently, If it was back then, those stares make me weak on the knees but now, not even a bit effect
"See you later Mr. Baldwin" I muttered and stood up to leave, but he rushed towards me and held onto my arm
I was filled with rage at that action as my eyes turned bloodshot
"How dare you!" I flung his hand away and landed a thunderous slap on his right cheek
I was expecting him to react, but he didn't instead he rubbed his cheek and stared at me calmly
"Don't you ever in your miserable life again Nicklaus Baldwin touch me!!"
"Ashley…" He called after me, but I walked out slamming the door on his face
I walk out angrily and met Marcus and my guards outside
"How did it go?" He asks looking at my whole body
"Fine, let's go" I muttered walking into the elevator, I could feel Marcus' questionable eyes on me, but damn him I owe nobody an explanation.
We walk outside and entered our car while we drove off
We were back at the mansion already, I threw my bag on my bed and slowly slipped down the gown and placed it on my couch, I removed my stiletto and walk into the bathroom
I stripped off my undergarment and soaked myself in the jacuzzi
The event of today couldn't stop displaying in my mind, why does he still look at me like that after so many years, he divorced me and said he doesn't want me, he broke me and made me almost kill myself when I went to see him in his company
He moved on so fast in a short time like I never existed in his life, so why now?
You might have gotten me so many times in the past with your trick Nicklaus, but not this present time, I will always be a step ahead of you,
I refused to let you break me again, I closed my eyes, as tears rolled down my cheeks, but I was quick to wipe them off, I caress my tummy passionately
My baby, I lost my baby all because of that bastard son of a bitch
I don't know for how long I stayed in the Jacuzzi but by the time I came out, I was feeling a lot better.
I dried my body and apply my cream, I blow-dry my wet hair before walking to my closet, I don't feel like wearing any clothing so I settled for a robe
I took my new laptop which Marcus got me recently cause I broke my other one, I went to my email and was surprised to see an email with the name ''Nicklaus"
I was about to read the email when the door burst open and Marcus rushed in
"Ashley…" He called making me raise my head
"There's a crazy lady outside, she said she either sees you or set this house on fire"
"Name?"
"Nelly"
"Fuck!" I exclaimed fucking this is bound to happen
"Let her in" I muttered but he narrowed his eyes at me
"Don't worry, she's my best friend?" I said and his eyes calmed down and he walked out.
I stood up immediately and start pacing around the room, I know Nelly she can be crazy as fuck!
"How do I deal with her right now?" I ask myself,
I was still pacing around the room when the door finger opened and Nelly entered Fuck! I might be a brave woman but when it comes to my crazy best friend whom I've never contacted for years
I'm bound to get scared, she stood by the door glaring daggers at me, I still love my pretty face so I begin to move back not failing to see the anger and mixed emotions emitting from her eyes
I decided to stop moving, but she continued to come closer not muttering a word to me, as she stood, I already prepared myself mentally for whatever she's about to say, I didn't have time to admire her new looks, she looking more elegant
"Nelly…. I!!" I couldn't finish my words before she greeted me with a resounding slap
"Taaaaa…..!" It sounded so loud
"Nelly please listen….." I meant to say but she cut me off again with another slap on my cheek
"Taaa…."
"How could you throw away our many years of friendship, you didn't even feel the need to contact your best friend for years, I was worried not a single night did I sleep without the thought of you in my head, but here you are…." She pointed at me spitefully
"Here you are leaving large forgetting where you came from, if not for the media I wouldn't have known you are still alive"
"Nelly listen it's not like that," I said and made to move closer to her but she stepped back like my hands burned her
"You cut me off for years, I just want you to know I've cut you off too" She muttered and turned her back on me
I sighed,
"We are best friends"
"Best Friends don't act the way you did"
"At least give me a chance to explain" I pleaded going to stand in her front
"I'm sorry Ashley but if you need my friendship, this time around EARN IT" She emphasized before walking out in anger