Mischievous Encounter

AT A SHOPPING MALL

“So refreshing” Kristian lets out gaily as he finishes a portion of an ice cream.

“Are you that happy?” Ashley asked in surprise, she gently patted his head and urged him to remain seated with the plan of getting him another cup.

The walk to the ice cream store seemed longer than usual as she sighted her ex-husband’s favorite coffee. She remembered the visit here after work and how he knew her preferences all the time.

She didn’t know how she got to the Ice cream store but she could see the lady before her smiling at her.

Lost in deep thought…

“How May I help you ma’am?”

She finally heard the female attendant voice of concern and her lips curved into a forced smile to compose herself.

On getting back to Kristian’s table, she noticed his gaze was focused on something else.

Unknowingly, her eyes followed and landed at the table next to theirs. He's busy staring at a family of three playing sweet home in public. It’s not the first time he would be distracted by a complete family according to his terms.

Just when she decided to get his attention from that one table, she saw another family behind them and then another.

The tables comprise a full family and kids his age.

“ What a good day to gang up on me. I avoided the real Ice cream shop for this and now they are everywhere” Ashley sighed.

“Uhm Mommy, that man has been staring at you for a while now, do you know him?” Kristian questioned his mother.

A little bit relieved that he brought up a topic, Ashley quirked her brows with arms stretched out dramatically to convince her son “I don’t know him love”

“You barely took a glance at him Mommy” Kristian pinched his forehead with a nod.

“Trust me, sweetheart, it’s not safe to know anyone here,” Ashley said hoping to close the matter but secretly she had stolen a glance at the said man staring at her intently.

“Skylight people and being rude” She groaned in frustration.

“I’ll handle it,” she said to her son.

Then she covered the side of her face to whisper to the man who was ready to bore holes in her within minutes “There’s a child here with me”

Watching him cover his face out of embarrassment with the menu book, Ashley smirked and crossed her legs. Not until she saw him approaching their table.

“ Get lost you famine” she uttered desperately.

“Excuse me, ma’am, you’re very…

“I’m a single…

“So very single auntie” Kristian cuts her off and she nearly choked on her spit.

“Why would you call me that in front of a stranger? Ashley whispered.

“Oh wow, that’s good then do you mind sharing your calling number?” The man continued.

Ashley exchanged glances with her son just that hers wore confusion and his, amusement.

“I do mind” She replied at the speed of the light.

With that, they left the shopping mall and arrived at their lodge very late at night.

Kristian was so tired that he went to sleep immediately.

Watching her son sleep is therapeutic for her, he’s living evidence of what she’s been through and that she can overcome any challenges that might come her way.

The gentle feel of the night air brushes through her hair, luring her to the very source which is the large window behind her. Ashley took in a deep breath and after a large exhale, her hands reached for the window to shut it close.

She turned around to look at Kristian and her protective instinct kicked in. The strong will to protect him at all costs! Away from his father and the cruel family who never cared about her.

Then her phone started to ring—

“Good evening Ma’am, Ms.Rachel just left the airport now. She was hoping you’d show up and allow her to welcome you but she ended up leaving very pissed” Her assistant explained.

“She has no right to be. Their company is just one of the many top companies in line for the big project, it’s not a do-or-die affair” Ashley declared, rubbing her well-polished nails.

“Yes Boss” his voice came defeated.

“And start preparing my outfit for tonight’s event, I won’t meet anyone until then. Goodnight Mr.Fred”

“Goodnight ma’am”

NEXT MORNING

Kristian woke up feeling energetic today and he’s been making a fuss about touring the city which is impossible at the moment for Ashley as she’s been busy catching up with work.

She also has to study tonight’s guest list to know how to play her game.

Ashley ordered different delicacies for Kristian but he didn’t show any slight interest other than disturbing her working hours.

After a while, she stopped hearing from him and she thought he must have gotten tired and went to his room.

Then, her eyes caught a name among the list on the file presented by Mr.Fred.

“I like the history of this certain Mr.Rugar, he’s a sworn enemy of the McCall,” She said with a smile.

“Yes ma’am, he’s the fourth richest and next rated after Dee_McCall investments”

“I see” She uttered faintly, her eyes, mind, and soul weaving her next course of action.

“Arrange a meeting with him at tonight’s party” she informed.

“But the blue house wants you to ally with the top-rated company in the city…”

“Top 1 is not a family inheritance, it’s made, and what's the difference if R&B (Rugar&Brothers) suddenly becomes the top rated?”

Mr.Fred lets out a defeated sigh.

Ashley was about to inquire about her dress when the telephone rang.

“It must be here already ma” Mr.Fred informed politely before picking up the telephone.

Surprisingly, his well-proportioned face contorted with horror as he took a glance at his lady boss.

“The young master Kristian?” The assistant’s voice morphed into that of concern.

Hearing her son’s name, the seat suddenly became hot and she sprang up alarmingly.

“What’s the problem?” she asked.

“Apparently, the young master had left the room and caused trouble downstairs…”

“What?” She exclaimed in horror.

Without caring about her look and not to waste much time, Ashley made for the door and hurried to the elevator with Mr.Fred.

“In just how many minutes and he’s already at the reception?!” I said in fear.

Immediately the elevator door spread open, and Ashley rushed out towards the reception area where she could already see Kristian standing in front of a man. A man with a ridiculously familiar frame even though she could barely see his face.

After a few more steps to the scene, her feet suddenly became too heavy to lift and her chest rammed wildly against her rib cage.

“Mommy” Kristian voiced out the minute he saw Ashley.

The alleged victim of his shenanigan turned briefly and Ashley could not believe her eyes.

“Don’t tell me that’s… what’s he doing here?”