She's back

Arriving at one of the biggest resorts in the country which is owned by the Gu Dynasty, Ashley’s car came to a stop and she got down carefully with a smile on her face. She grabbed her son’s hand to help him out of the car.

“Thank you Mommy” he giggled with glistening eyes.

The five-year-old boy was so cute and lovable and as much as Ashley tried so hard to look past the familiar set of jade eyes and pointy nose that reminded her of his father, reality wouldn’t stop slapping her back with it. His memories have tormented her for years but the love she has for her son outgrew the pain. Except that, she would be forced to face it now after how many years.

“This way Ma’am”

A voice interrupts her thought and she nods subconsciously.

Walking hand in hand with Kristian, they arrived at the large dining room where her mother and two stepbrothers awaited them.

“Grandma” Kristian voiced out happily and removed his hand from her mother’s.

it’s an involuntary kind of reaction whenever she’s around her new family, they make her feel safe and happy.

She was so busy smiling at the sight of her mother showering Kristian with kisses and gifts.

“Are you okay princess?” James’s sarcastic voice sounded from the side and she knew to get ready for her stepbrother’s teasing.

“Come on brother, don’t tease me today” She implores jokingly finding her seat across the table.

“Why would I tease? That’s what Collins calls you now and he requests for a date can you believe that? He invested in my business because of this woman right here!” James added.

“I see” George, the second stepbrother cut in with a chuckle.

“As the princess you are, be generous and help your big brother out,” James said with a dramatic movement of his hands and a bow throwing everyone into an unintentional train of laughter.

“Seriously? Kristian is here you know?” Ashley warned with gritted teeth.

“A date sounds good Mommy, you should try considering that again” Kristian added nonchalantly as he continued examining his gifts.

Madam Gu’s gaze was on her grandson all through but Ashley could see through her. With the faint wrinkle on her forehead and the constant heavy sighs even when everyone was laughing, she knew she was worried about something.

“Do you know why I called a sudden meeting today?” Madam Gu started.

The two brothers exchanged confusing glances with Ashley.

“I just got a weird feeling… just like that night you came back home with her,” James said.

“Uhm Kristian, do you want to explore the kitchen for a while? It has always been your wish, right? You can go with Mister Ben “ George proposed.

“Yay. Thank you Uncle” Kristian helped himself off the chair and took his phone along.

“Don’t eat anything heavy okay? just fruit and veggies” Ashley informed him as he strode off to the door.

“An offer came from the blue house and it was a direct order from the President’s wife” The old lady informed.

“Wow congratulations Ashley, why stressing hard about this good news?”

“It’s not here in the country but that place… Skylight at ‘Dee_McCall’” Ashley explained her plight.

“That rings a bell. is that not your ex-husband’s company?” James questioned with a disgusted look.

“This is bad. And this is the first time we’ll get an offer from the blue house. The road to being on the highest chain of business” George added with a sigh.

“I’m not worried about that George,” The old lady said, her full lashes raised to cast a troubled look at Ashley and continued;

“I made her work so hard to reach this position so I could protect her. I don’t want her to return to that terrible environment full of nothing but the stench of betrayal and pain. But sadly the blue house made it clear that they need no representatives but the competent Ashley Gu herself” she added.

Ashley gasped in annoyance “ I understand that old witch! she wants me out of her sight for a while. We didn’t have a good experience at the last banquet.” I reported.

“The faster she settles with the truth, the better. Such an oldie” James added dramatically.

“I can’t thank you all enough, you’ve been trying so hard to protect me and Kristian. You showed us love and gave me everything I missed out on but I need you to trust me this time. I’m a new version and I’ve learned that it’s never advisable to run away from one’s fear, it should be faced and dealt with.” Ashley informed them, hoping they would support her on this instead of making the family name suffer damage because of her.

“But Ashley, you’ll be working with him. it’s not like you’re just visiting the country on the low. Oh, what a tricky fate” Madam Gu sighed.

“Since it has come to this, I guess it’s time to give everyone what they deserve” George cute in, straightening his suit and leaning closer to the table.

“You’re our little princess and we’ll give you all the support you deserve” He assured.

“Do you want us to go with you?” James asked, his brows raised passionately and he’s not one to back out once he’s made up his mind.

The offer sounds good but Ashley didn’t want to be selfish enough to accept. She was only lucky to have two stepbrothers who welcomed her with love and supported her always. They have their different companies which are successful and they could fight her if they wanted her position but instead, they helped her study hard and take over the family business. They’ve never shown anything dispassionate about them nor any negative energy. They love her and she does too.

To ease the tension hanging around, Ashley smiled and ushered the waitress to open the wine on the table.

“I know how much you love money James and as for you, big brother, I can’t snatch you away from Nikki. she’ll never forgive me” she said.

And with that, Ashley raised her glass with a well-molded smile “To a new journey ahead” She announced and they chanted after her with the clink of their glasses.

“They are smiling again and it puts me at ease that everything is under control, it shouldn’t be that bad over there too. To put trash exactly where it belongs. In the trash can,” She said in her mind.

******New City******

Ashley stepped off the plane with Kristian by her side, the familiar sights and sounds of her homeland enveloped her but the horrible stench of the painful memories still lingered, tugging at her heart. The weight of those years away felt heavy, despite the constant practice she’s made in preparation for this moment. Mr.Fred arrived in a car which has their luggage but instead of unlocking the car door, he stepped out with a guilty look.

“What’s going on?” Ashley questioned.

“I just received a call that someone from the company is already on her way to receive you” He reported.

“How did they know I would be arriving today and not tomorrow?” She asked.

“I have no idea ma’am, but she’s almost here”

“That’s not professional enough. Our agreement is tomorrow and I don’t plan to do anything other than business talks with anyone so let them know I came with my assistant and I have a driver” Ashley insisted.

“Uh… ma’am I…”

“Seriously? Do you want to book another flight back?”

“No please forgive me Miss but the person coming is said to be important to Mr.McCall, our partner, the owner of the company.”

Ashley removed her sunglasses and ushered Kristian away from the harsh weather.

“Mr.McCall’s wife, Rachel….”

“All the more reason I shouldn’t wait to be received. Save the name for later” She cut him off immediately.

She needs no one to tell her that her ex-husband’s wife is no one other than her stepsister.

“I fear what I might do out of anger if I should face her now… and they got married after doing that to me…”

“Mommy, can we go now?” Kristian sounds irritated and tired.

“Mommy is sorry, let’s go for an ice cream first okay?”

“Hmm” He replied cheerfully and Ashley took the car key from her assistant.

“Stay here to receive her on my behalf, that’s good manner enough from Ashley Gu” She flips her hair and walks away proudly.