How to Hunt a Billionaire ✔️

Step 60: FALL for him

(Ashley's POV & image of Ashley)

"You need to find your own place," Ace complained while I flicked through Netflix to find something to watch.

"I will but it's hard when you get kicked out during the holidays," I replied.

My parents were in Paris so my brother was checking if I was alive and hadn't burnt down their house. "I hope you're not cooking," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not that stupid."

"It doesn't look like you're washing either," he muttered pointing to the containers around me. "Do you want to talk about Et-"

A pillow was thrown at his head before he could finish his sentence. "Shut up," I said, my tone hinting that I didn't want to discuss the billionaire.

"It's New Year's Eve. Don't you want to go out with your friends?"

"No."

"I can take you shopping..."

"No."

"Well, you got invited to some birthday party and I've already told Diana and May."

My head turned slowly. "You did what?"

"They're coming now."

"Ace! Why would you do that?" I grumbled then hid under the covers. He dragged them off, exposing me to the cold of my room.

"You're not hiding here for the rest of your life because of a guy," Ace argued. "You've been invited by Hadrian DiRomero. He's famous."

"And I'm not going."

"You are," Diana ordered entering my room with a dozen of bags. May sniffed the air and held her nose.

"Did someone die?"

"My will to live did," I replied. "Can you all go?"

"If we go, you're coming too," Diana told me while cleaning my room.

I glared. "I'm fine alone."

My brother and May seemed to disagree as they dragged me out of bed and pushed me in my bathroom. May handed me a bag. "Only come out when you've used everything there and you're clean."

"What the f*ck is in this bag?" I gasped, eyes wide. She shook her head and closed the door.

"Hurry up. The party is at eight."

*****

"This is too much." Diana slapped my hand away from the makeup wipes.

"You aren't ruining my masterpiece," she hissed.

"I don't want to go," I wailed, stomping my foot in the silver heels.

"Is it because of Ethan?" May asked directly.

"So you know. Can I take the dress off?"

"He's wounded. He probably won't go." Diana looked fed up. "You need to go out and send a universal f*ck you instead of acting like a little b*tch."

Ignoring the insult, I nodded. "Yeah. I'll go."

"Say it louder," Diana encouraged.

"I'll go!"

"Louder!"

"I'll f*cking go!"

"That's the spirit. Drink this then you'll be ready." She handed me a shot and without questioning it, drank it feeling pumped.

"Ashley! Let's go," Ace yelled, honking the car horn.

"I can do this. I just have to pretend I'm dirty rich," I muttered. My best friends both smiled with support on their faces.

"Bye. We have things to do," Diana said. "Leave before you change your mind."

Chin up, I walked to my brother's car then tried not to get the dress stuck in the door. "Are you nervous to see him?" Ace asked once we started driving.

I tried to calm my shaking hands. "Of course not. He's not even going to be there."

"And if he is?"

"I'm coming home."

He glanced at me, sympathy and pity on his face. "I told you he was bad news."

I didn't reply and the journey was quiet until we reach the building that towered high into the sky. "This is it," I announced, watching the clearly rich people walk inside in groups.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

For a moment I was going to take Ace's offer but decided I might as well do it myself. "As long as there is an open bar, I'll be okay."

"Alright. But remember. Call me," Ace repeated.

"I will," I assured him before following the next herd wearing my total income for the next ten years.

"You can go in," a man said after scanning my ticket. Inside took my breath away. The walls of the enormous room and ceiling were made of glass revealing the incredible sight of New York and the stars above. Silver was clearly the main color scheme  - the elegant flowers, napkins and balloons. It was magical.

Everyone seemed to know each other and were engaging in conversations while my only acquaintance was the bar on the opposite end of the room. My feet moved automatically as I tried to get around the vast number of guests. Just as I was about to step forward, someone entered my path causing me to crash into their back.

"Sorry," I apologized then looked up. "Never mind. I take it back."

"Ashley," Ethan greeted.

"Ethan."

Pink claws wrapped themselves around Ethan's arm introducing Ivy. "Are you okay?" She asked him, not noticing me yet.

"I'm fine. Ashley, can I talk to you?"

I was transfixed on Ivy's grasp on him. "I think the f*ck not."

"She was invited?" Ivy said incredulously.

"I invited her," he replied before removing her hand and turning his attention to me. "Please."

Deciding that talking to him was a small price to pay for Ivy's annoyance, I nodded. A warm hand placed itself low on my back in order to guide me towards a door which led to an art gallery. We walked further and further in until we stopped in front of a painting of angels.

"You look lovely," Ethan started.

Rolling my eyes, I moved out of his reach. "I don't care. Get to the point so I can drink something and you can get back to your date."

He winced at my words. "I'm sorry."

"About what? Ivy? You can't be since she's here with you?" I scoffed.

"I bumped into her. It was just a coincidence."

My anger cooled slightly. "Fine. It was a coincidence."

"Am I forgiven?"

"No."

"It was a kiss, Ashley. You know it meant nothing."

"How would I know?" How I exclaimed.

"Because... I like you. I f*cking like you."

#

Two chapters left!
I'm sorry guys. I know I'm bad at updating x
But we're almost done!
XO Nyx