Chapter 2

Ashley entered the meeting room with David not too far behind as they greeted staff of confused employees, "Good morning, everyone, thank you for coming due to our busy schedule," she said as both she and David took their seats at the very front of the table, "Good morning, Miss Miller," the staff greeted in unison earning a warm smile from Ashley, "Please sit down, guys," she ordered in a gentle tone as they took their seats before giving Ashley their undivided attention. 

"I know you guys must be wondering why I stopped all work in the company for everyone to meet up when it's unlikely of me to do so," she said as the employees nodded their heads, "Well, I have some great, big news that I know for sure will boost our company's standard, and I know you guys are here for this," she said as she gestured to all of her employees as their eyes sparkled in curiosity. 

Ashley crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair with one arm leaning on the arm of the chair as she smirked, "So a few days ago, I received a call from StarLink's CEO," she explained as gasps filled the room earning a 'yes' nod from Ashley, "As you guys know, we've been looking up to Starlink company, and with all our hard work, courage, and mindset, we hope and pray that our company would reach that level of success, which we are achieving very slowly " she said as the employees nodded in agreement, "The CEO and I were having this conversation, he was praising our company's hard work and discipline, and then he proposed an offer," she said before pausing earning a frustrated sigh from David. 

"Girl would you just spit it out I'm growing gray over here," he said as everyone began to laugh as Ashley faced him with her jaw drop, "I'm trying to make it dramatic, David," she said as everyone continued to laugh while David rolled his eyes, "I already got enough drama in my life, I don't want anymore," he said as Ashley chuckled before turning back to her staff, "Alright guys, I'll get right to the point, Starlink's CEO wants to partner up with our company for their next big project," she said as everyone's face lit up, "I told him, I'll confirm my decision after I conversate with my team, so what do you guys think?" She asked as a bunch of "yes!", 'hell yes!", "Absolutely!" was heard from the employees as Ashley chuckled before nodding with a wide smile on her face, "I guess we'll be working with Starlink company," she said as cheers and applause filled the room. 

"Now, I want everyone, and I mean everyone to bring their A games because we're in this together, we fail together," she said as all the employees stood up, "And we succeed together!" They chant in unison as Ashley nodded, "You are dismissed," she said as everyone nodded before leaving the room as they headed back to work. 

Ashley turned to David, who had a smirk on his face, "B*tch, you did it again," he said as Ashley cracked up before nodding, "You bet I did."

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Ashley was in her office on the phone with Anna, "Ash, I'm telling you, I think I'm pregnant," she said as Ashley massaged the bridge of her nose, "Did you take a test, Anna?" She asked as Anna remained silent for a few seconds before replying, "N-No, I didn't," she said as Ashley chuckled while shaking her head, "Then how do you know that you're pregnant?" She asked as Anna rolled her eyes, "Because, I have the symptoms," she replied as Ashley raised an eyebrow, "Which is?" She asked as Anna set the bag of barbecue chips aside, "Nausea, I threw up a few times, weight gain, and I didn't see my periods," she replied causing Ashley to stop what she was doing, "If you're having these symptoms, Anna, then take a pregnancy test," she said as Anna hummed, "Alright, I will," she said as Ashley smiled, "Does Tucker know about this?" Ashley asked as Anna shrugged her shoulders, "He does, but he just thinks that I'm sick," she replied as Ashley's brows furrowed.

"Is everything okay between you two?" She asked as Anna sighed, "I'm not sure, he's been a bit distant lately," Anna replied while fiddling with her fingers, "What do you mean?" Ashley asked as Anna shook her head, "He got this new job at this construction company, and I guess he's just trying to get to know his new co-workers," she explained as a furrow formed on her face, "Do you think he's cheating, Ash?" Anna asked as Ashley's eyes widened.

"What?" Ashley asked in disbelief as Anna fustratedly sighed, "I mean, do you think he is?" She asked as Ashley looked around her office trying to find an answer for her best friend's question, "I-I don't know, Anna, do you think he is?" She asked as tears welled up in Anna's eyes, "He doesn't spend time with me anymore, he often comes home late and goes straight to bed, I mean, I get that he's tired, but we don't have sex anymore, I feel rejected," she explained as Ashley sighed in disappointment, "You need a vacation, Anna, how about I fly out to spend some time with me," Ashley suggested as Anna wiped her face.

"I don't know Ashley, I mean you have work, and I don't want to be a distraction," she said as Ashley rolled her eyes, "Just pack a suitcase Anna, and I'll see on Friday," she said as Anna smiled, "Thank you, Ash, you're a lifesaver," she said as Ashley grinned, "Yeah, yeah, I love you too," she said as Anna giggled, "Love you, bye," she said as Ashley bidding her goodbyes before ending the call. 

As Ashley put away her phone, she received another call that had her blowing air out of her mouth before she answered the call, "Yes, Stella?" She answered as she continued with her work, "I'm sorry for bothering you, Miss Miller, but Miss Gibbes from Starlink is here to see you," Stella said as Ashley nodded before placing her pen away, "Yes, please send her up, Stella, thank you," she said as before ending the call. 

Ashley quickly organized her desk before walking towards the built-in door to David's office. Once she stood in front of it, she knocked, "It's open, boss lady," he said as Ashley opened the door to reveal David hard at work, "David can you organize some tea for me, we have a guest from Starlink company?" She asked as David stopped what he was doing before getting out of his chair, "I got you, boo," he said as Ashley smiled before going back to her office. 

As she made sure that her office was clean and tidy, there was a sudden knock on the door. Smoothing over her elegant dress suit, Ashley walked towards the door before opening it to reveal a red-headed woman dressed in a black pantsuit with a binder in between her arm, "Please, come in," Ashley said as she stepped aside to let the woman inside as she smiled, "Megan Gibbes, it's nice to meet you, Miss  Miller," she said as Ashley shook her hand, "Likewise, Miss Gibbes, I'm guessing that Mr.Leo sent you?" She asked as Megan nodded, "Yes, he certainly did, I'm here to deliver and explain the insight of the project," she replied gesturing to the binder in her hand. 

"Oh, that's great, please have a seat on the couch, I asked my secretary to bring us some tea, I hope you don't mind?" She asked as Megan took a seat on the leather couch while shaking her head, "No, I don't mind, tea sounds lovely, thank you," she said as Ashley smiled before taking a seat beside her. 

Ashley and Megan began discussing the insights of the project and the more Megan explained to Ashley the more excited she got. Suddenly, Megan's phone that was laying on the table in front of them began to ring, catching Ashley's attention as the screen lit up. 

A picture of Megan and a guy cuddling had Ashley stunned before she covered it up with a small smile, "I'm so sorry, Miss Miller, it's my boss," she said as she picked up the phone, "It's fine, you go right ahead," Ashley reassured as Megan smiled before exiting the room to answer the call. A sigh left Ashley's lips as she leaned back against the couch before the sound of the door opening caught her attention. 

David walked through the door holding a tray with two cups of tea on them, "Hey, boo, you look like you just saw your ex," he commented as Ashley dryly chuckle causing David to raise an eyebrow, "What, you di-

The sound of the door opening cut David off, "Miss Miller, I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid we have to cut this meeting short, there's an emergency at Starklink company, and I have to leave," she explained as Ashley stood up to shake her hand, "Not a problem, Miss Gibbes, it was nice meeting you," Ashley said while shaking her hand as Megan smiled, "Likewise, Miss Miller, my boss said he will contact you to finish explain the insights of the project, have a good day," she said as Ashley nodded before walking her to the door as she left. 

A heavy sigh left Ashley's lips as she walked towards her table and sat down. David placed Ashley's cup of tea in front of her before sitting down with the cup of tea that was originally for Megan, "You wanna tell me why you're so moody all of a sudden?" He asked as he sipped on the tea while Ashley played with her own, "It's nothing, I'm just worried about my best friend," she replied as David raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure because before that when I asked if you had seen your ex, you turned into a dried out coochie," he said as Ashley burst into laughter with her head thrown back.

After a while of laughing, Ashley's laughter boiled down to a few giggles before she stopped while dabbing her eyes, "I swear I love you so much, David, but I'm fine love," she said as David grinned, "Just checking, but what's up with your homegirl?" He asked as Ashley sighed, "Her boyfriend isn't giving her any kind of attention, and she thinks that he is cheating on her," she replied as David placed his teacup down, "Oh yeah, his ass is cheating, are they f**king?" He asked as Ashley chuckled, "No, he just comes home late and goes to sleep," she replied as David nodded his head, "Oh yes honey, his ass is cheating, what is she finna do about it?" He asked as Ashley shrugged her shoulders, "I told her that I'll fly her out here, she needs some time for herself, and I don't want her stressing because she thinks she's pregnant," Ashley said as David dramatically placed his hand on his chest while leaning backward. 

"Pregnant! Oh, hell naw, and she thinks he's cheating?" He asked as Ashley nodded causing him to stand up, "Uh, uh, I'm out," he said as Ashley laughed, "Where are you going, David?" She asked as David walked towards his office door, "Back to work, you're not paying me for this," he said as Ashley laughed before getting back to her own work.

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Work was over and all Ashley's employees were heading home including David, who was exiting his office, "Bosslady, I'm heading out, I'll see you tomorrow," he said as Ashley looked up from her laptop with a smile, "Have a good evening, David," she said as David smirked, "You know I will, hopefully, Justin gives me, my vitamins because I'm lacking in vitamin D," he said as Ashley giggled before turning her attention back to the laptop, "Goodluck, babe," she said as David opened the door, "I wouldn't need it when I put this ass on him," he said before closing the door. 

Ashley shook her head before her phone rang, "Hello?" She answered, "Hey, babe, I'm downstairs," Daniel said as Ashely stood up from her chair, "Alright, I'll be right down," she said before ending the call. After packing her belongings, Ashley exited her office before walking towards the elevator as it opened. Once she was in, her mind immediately wanders back to Megan and her phone, "Could it be him? No, it can't be, how would I know, we haven't seen each other in forever." Ashley thought before the sound of the elevator door opening caught her attention. 

Walking out to the front desk, Ashley saw Daniel talking to the lady at the front desk, Stella. She walked towards them catching their attention as Stella stepped away from Daniel, who was leaning up against the table, "Hey, babe, are you ready?"  Daniel asked as Ashley looked between him and Stella, who turned slightly pink, "Yes, but what's going on here?" She asked as Daniel cleared his throat, "While I was waiting, I thought why not spark a friendly conversation," he replied as Ashley nodded, "Alright, well I'm ready, Stella, why are you still here?" She asked as Stella forcefully swallowed, "I was getting ready to leave, ma'am, when your boyfriend began talking to me," she replied as Ashley nodded again before handing Daniel one of her bags, "Well, hurry up and leave, it's closing time." she said before turning around and leaving. 

"How was work?" Daniel asked as Ashley folded her lips before answering, "Eventful," she replied as Daniel smirked, "Good because when we get home I have something that will calm your eventful day down," he said as Ashley smirked, "Then let's hurry and get home."  

TO BE CONTINUED...