Chapter 03

ASHTON’S POV

This section of the bar is my favorite spot. And if you haven't guessed, it's VIP.

As I swirled the almost clear liquid in the glass cup I was holding, I had thought coming to the bar would ease up the tension in my heart but it didn't. The weight of the declaration by my Grandpa a few moments ago was still fresh in my mind.

Recalling the conversation had my heart twisting in pain, I wasn't ready to give up this life I had right now. The partying all night, the women, and don't forget the booze just to sit behind the desk all day.

My thoughts wandered to the moment he dropped the bombshell on me earlier today and I couldn't help but cuss out loud. I didn't want to give up this party spirit and life, at least not yet but it seems I have no other choice.

"Come here my boy," He said as soon as he saw me by the door of his office.

"It has been a while, I think I missed you and you know your Grandma does too"

"Why haven't you been over at the house in a while? Did we old folks do something wrong?" He asked while raising his head to look at my face. I was that tall.

"That is not true, it might interest you to know that I miss Grandma too, especially her homemade meatloaf which you are aware I love," I said thinking back at my childhood days and a few moments in my adulthood when I stayed over at my grandparent's mansion. They were good times, they are the true representation of what family is, I couldn't help but smile at that thought.

Grandpa Luis and Grandma made my childhood bearable. They were both that solace I knew I could run to where all the storm I was facing would be calmed. I was grateful and I wanted to pay for t m by being a grandson that they're proud of.

Although I haven't been doing so much of that since my grandpa never misses a point in calling out my charade with different women. But what can I say, I am like candy for sore eyes. Maybe there is a magnetic field around me because why are these ladies so attracted? I didn't have to make the move, they come for me and I can't deny ananyanyanyright to a good time with me.

My Grandpa's face contoured in a mock unpleasant way as he said, "Did I miss the part where you said you missed me also, damn! Your Grandma ends up getting all the love, then what do you have for me?" He grumbles

"You see, all I see here is you being partial and where is the fairness in that? You don't love me, huh? I am hurt" He contorted his face to give a sad expression that we both knew was fake.

The next moment we both burst out in laughter. My grandpa stood up and walked around the mahogany table in front of him and engulfed me in a big hug. I missed him but I wasn't going to tell him. You see my grandpa has an ego that is so high and I was not going to fuel it any further.

We pulled apart as he gave me pats on the back saying, "Have a sit my boy"

I pulled forward while heaving down heavily on the plush chair in front of his table. Looking around the office, not so much had changed. The curvy mahogany table in front of me had pictures of Grandpa and Grandma on it. These two had the perfect chemistry and love story.

I used to believe in love too, I thought I would have what my grandparents have but that thought died some time ago. I don't believe in love anymore, not after Emily shattered me. Remembering her brought back painful memories that I didn't want to reminisce about.

How could a person be so cruel? At a point in our relationship, I thought she was the one. I fucking gave her the ring. I didn't have second thoughts when I did. She was the love of my life but what did I get in return? Betrayal that cut so deep that it still hurts after three goddamn years.

Willing my thoughts back to reality, I looked over at my grandpa who was observing me. The look he was giving me was a new one. Absolutely nothing I am used to. Like it wasn't there his face morphed into a serious one.

With his gray eyebrows pulled together and his eyes trained on me he said, "Ash, you know I don't like going through the corners or beating about the bush" he said while reclining on his seat.

"I called you here for a very important reason, you know it has been ten years since your dad died" I could see the pain in his eyes. You could say father's death took a toll on Grandpa Luis. He took it the hardest, losing his son, my father changed him in a way.

I could see the sadness behind those aging orbs but he masked it before I knew it.

He adjusted his tie as he continued, " You know hehehehehe last ten years the position of the CEO of the Eden Holdings corporation has been vacant. I have only been an acting director" he said with his eyes still trained on me

"It hasn't been easy for me, these old bones deserve some rest, and that is why it's time for you to take over everything. You have your MBA in business administration, you are fit for this" he added.

"You have to agree with me that it's high time you put a halt to the lifestyle that you live, I don't want to go into detail

"The CEO of Eden Holdings is one with integrity and who makes the best decision for the establishment" he lectured me while I sat there wishing I could be somewhere else.

Of course, I knew a time like this would come but I never thought it would be this soon. For fucks sake I wasn't ready for all that responsibility. I still wanted to party and be carefree. Have all the women I want warming my bed all night while I do the thing I do best, rock their world.

But looking at my grandpa I couldn't help but agree, at his current age he should be retired not running a company with close to a thousand branches around the world with tonnes of workers. It was about time he eased all those responsibilities.

I nodded and smiled at him while he returned the smile.

Then for a second, his smile faltered before he said the most incredulous thing I have ever heard, "Your dad before he died signed that before you get to run these companies, you'll have to get married".

The smile on my face was wiped in a second without a trace. I looked at my Grandpa to confirm that this was all a joke but his face was set with no hint of playfulness.

* * *

Looking around me as much as the neon lights would let me. I could see all the sexy women in the club below me.

Some were dancing in ways that suggested that they were either high or tipsy. Allowing my eyes to wander around the club in the VIP section where I was, I saw this blonde chick who was eye fucking me already. I'll tell you she's having a good timetimeme! My shirt could barely contain my muscles. I mean, training three times a week pays off, it could make any woman get on her knees doing the dirty on me if I asked.

She was still staring so I ignored her. I womfearfearlessre fearless areas, daunting, and capable of stating what I want. That blonde chick was definitely out of it. Although she has a nice and sexy body with legs that caaroundoaroundist.

Looking away from her when I got a text from Jason, my best friend.

Jason: "Ashton, heyyyy... I am in one of those booths in the club".

I didn't bother replying to him. Knowing Jason, he must be shoving his tongue down a chick's throat.

Jason is also a lady's man but he is more goofy, so carefree, and never serious unlike me. You would mistake him for a child sometimes. I have known him since kindergarten. We were a trio, Jason, me, and Lucas but thinking back only made me boil with anger. I had to take a few breaths to calm myself down.

I stood up almost immediately. Striding at my full height, I moved down the stairs to the booths as I looked out for a brown-haired Jason.

He has always been predictable. That was some hot redhead he was making out with.

" Ahem! " I cleared my throat trying to get their attention and I did.

Jason whispered to the redhead who nodded, she spared me a glance before getting off Jason's lap.

After she left, Jason sobered up a bit and asked, " You said you have something urgent you want to talk about"

I took the whiskey in a glass that one of the waiters brought. I drown it at a go. The liquid burned but I liked it. Made me feel alive.

Looking up at Jason I told him everything my grandpa told me a few days ago.

His eyes grew like saucers as he exclaimed, "WHAT THE FUCK!... This shit is so crazy!"