Chapter 1.

”Ms. Shaw, Mr. Carlson will see you now.”

The tall-legged secretary of Mr.Carlson said. I stared at her for a moment, unable to speak or move. This is the moment I have been waiting for all my life. This is the moment that I have passed up so many other moments for. The parties and outings were memories were made, switched for late nights of studying. The road trips I passed on, only so that I could perfect my essays.

All for this moment. All for the internship at Carlson enterprise. I watched as her smile fell a bit when she realized that I wasn't moving. All the other people in the waiting room, watching in frustration as I was stuck in my seat.

”Ms.Shaw?” She repeated.

”Coming,” I said quickly and rose to my feet. I tried my best to keep balanced, even though my legs felt as if they would buckle.

I took a few deep breaths and tried to gather my composure.

This is your dream Elena, you got this.

I told myself as I walked past the woman and entered the room where the interview would be held.

Only to met with a sigh that my breath hitch in my throat, and my palms getting sweaty.

He wasn't supposed to be here. He declined the company.

His cold gaze burning into my eyes as he sat on the leather sofa. His hair slicked back with the greasy wax I always hated, because it made his soft hair so very stiff.

He was wearing a tux, that clung to his body. His muscles could be seen through the material of his clothes. I willed my eyes to not go further down as I stood frozen in my spot at the sight of the love of my life.

”Ashton,” I gasped.

I quickly shook my head and remembered my professionalism.

”I meant Mr.Carlson.”

”Sit,” Was all he said. He remained the eye contact as I  moved my legs over to the opposite armchair.

Memories were not all that I chose to dismiss on my journey to success.

He was too.

Ashton and I met in my first year of college. I was on a trip with my parents to Washington DC.

We were sitting in a restaurant called Le Diplomate and eating lunch when I and my mother got into a fight. She was scolding me for wanting to be a painter and choosing a college that suited my interest. She wanted me to be a surgeon or a corporate boss of sorts.

I’ve always been more of the artistic type rather than the numbers and office type. After our fight, I didn't want to sit and act as if everything was good which she always did. She liked sweeping things under the rug in the hopes that they one day might not exist. She went as far as to call my principal and offer him money to have me kicked out.

I left the restaurant and made my way to the Lincoln monument. I strolled around and admired the artistic glories details of everything I saw.

I looking at the Lincoln statue when a young man came up behind me.

”Impressive isn't it?” He had such a soft voice when speaking. I turned around only to be met with a man not much taller than myself. His hair was jet black and he was wearing jeans and a leather jack with a white T-shirt underneath. He had sunglasses on and I hoped that his eyes wouldn't be as beautiful as the rest of him or I would be in trouble.

When he took off his sunglasses, I knew I was screwed.

We walked around and talked for hours, ate ice cream, and went over to sit by a little lake nearby.

Two cars pulled up at the same time. From one of the cars, came a man, yelling and swinging his arms around. Ashtons puffed out a breath of air and shook his head.

”That’s my cue. When can I see you again?” He asked me as he stood up.

Just as I was about to answer him, my frantic parents came rushing towards us from the other car.

I rolled my eyes and got up on my feet, Ashton towered over me.

”Soon, I hope,” I said, and took my leave towards my parents. Not wanting them to come too close.

I walked with them to the car, not hearing a word they were saying. As I was about to enter the car, I turned around and locked eyes with the most perfect pair I had ever seen. They were hazel, and in the sun they looked like melted caramel.

I was so caught up in my reminiscing that I forgot where I was and why I was here.

”Ms. Snow?” I heard a dark low voice say. Jerking me back to reality.

”Yes?” I felt my cheeks heat up as the memories played on repeat in my mind.

”Why should I pick you over the three hundred others who want the same spot?” He asked me.

I remember the others in the waiting room. They were giggling and chattering about how handsome the boss was and how there will be more than one good thing about getting this internship.

I just thought they were talking about his younger brother, David, who was the intended heir of the company. It is not only a company that the Carlsons own. They are the biggest, most powerful mafia family in America.

Ashtons was supposed to take over the mob when he was twenty-two, and his younger brother would take over the company once their father chose to retire.

As I was about to answer, the secretary came in with a tray in her hands. On the tray stood a carafe filled with lemon water and three crystal glasses. As she placed the tray on the table in between us, she kept her eyes locked with Ashtons the entire time. I wondered why she bent as far as did but when I saw where Ashton's eyes were, I understood.

A pit of jealousy was starting to grow in my stomach and I cleared my throat, getting everyone's attention.

”Because I am not applying for this internship in order to get into your bed.” I mentally slapped myself for speaking so abruptly, and even more so when I saw the amusement on Ashton's face.

The two men who were standing in each corner smirked as well, and the young man standing next to where Ashtons sat, looked taken aback.

”Thank you for your time, Anna please send in the next person.” He said.

”Wait what? We've barely had an interview?” I said in shock as my eyes flew up.

”I’ve heard enough, you may leave.” His voice was cold. I was baffled but not surprised.

”Mr. Carlson with all due respect, I’m here for the internship and you haven't given me a chance to show-”

”I said leave!” He yelled. Making the poor secretary jump back.

I felt my blood start to boil. I gathered my things and stood to my feet, locking my eyes with his.

”Profesional my ass. The one thing you always said you valued is the one thing you lost.” I spat as I turned my heel.

”Stop.” I froze in my spot. I heard the anger in his low, rumbling voice and the heat from where his eyes were burning into my neck.

”Everyone out.” I spun around and looked in shock, as was everyone else. I tried my best not to be intimidated by him, but it was hard. His whole persona was intimidating and dangerous.

”I SAID OUT! Except for you Ms. Shaw,” I gulped hard as I watched everyone walk out of the room.

Ashton stood up, he held his hands by his sides, his hands balled up to fists as he took slow, menacing steps towards me. Like a predator, ready to attack his prey, he dragged it out.

My heart picked up the speed and was racing inside my chest. I clung to my things, holding them tight to my body.

When he reached me, I averted my eyes and stared at the floor.

Whatever this man does to me, I don't like it. When we were together I was never afraid of him.

But now, something’s different.

”Look at me.” I slowly lifted my gaze and it locked with his. His hazel eyes were not black. His breath fanning my face.

He lifted his hand up to my cheek, making e flinch. A flicker of worry swept past his eyes.

’Oh how much that has happened since las we saw eachother' I thought to myself as I stared into his eyes.

”Why are you here?” I asked him when I noticed how he wouldn't speak.

He caressed my cheek and leaned his head down to where our foreheads leaned on each other.

”Because of you of course,” He said softly.

And like a switch was turned, his eyes were black once again and he stepped back.

”What do you mean?” I asked him. Knowing he was up to no good.

”I saw that you had applied and I knew I needed to be here. I'm a man of my word Elena,” His voice was low and threatening. And I knew what he meant. After what happened, he swore he would make my life hell.

But so much has happened since then, and so much happened during that time. How will I ever tell him after three years that I did it to protect him?

I started remembering everything that happened, that put me in the spot where I am today.

I was feeling so many emotions all at once.

I took a deep breath, and turned around, ready to leave.

But before I could, a large hand took a grip of my neck and spun me around. My face was inches away from Ashtons, any closer and our lips would meet.

I dropped everything that was in my hands and the papers scattered around the floor.

”I’m far from done with you Ms.Shaw, you have my word,” He whispered. Our lips grazed each other. I closed my eyes and remembered when life was good and when all our promises were made in the name of love. Just then, his hand let go, and he turned his back to me and walked back to the sofa.