When Love Hurts

When Love Hurts-Chapter Fourteen- Unwanted Memories

Five Years Later

"Tell them to cut that away from the list." I was being hounded by my assistant who was rushing through the items that needed my approval. Finally the day ends and i took my keys and strode out of the office. My Dad is over at New York with Uncle Stanley, their company that opened two years ago is having a crisis so there's only me here.

"Yes Dad." I answered the call using Bluetooth as i walked to my car in the basement carpark.

"Ashley, there is some problem with the accounts over here. I need you to look over and get back to me ASAP alright?" I sighed and shook my head.

"Alright, faxed it home. I just left the office." I pulled the car into gear and drove my car onto the street. It's already seven, i had been overworked, my assistant had too and yet there is never ending pile of things to do.

"Thanks, baby. Oh, and Bruce is here." I froze, unable to give any reply. I shook my head and sighed.

"So what's it got to do with me?" My Dad chuckled at my tone. My lips twitched as i turned around a corner, nearing my apartment.

"Nothing. Just telling you. I'm going back in two days, there is something i need to tell you." I frowned. What thing did he need to tell me in person but not over the phone?

"Okay. See you."  I cut off the call after my Dad said his goodbye. I reached my apartment and went straight to the shower. I was wiping my damp hair when i heard the fax machine buzzing. I threw my towel onto a chair and walked over to take the papers oozing from the machine. I sighed, there is at least fifty pages and i only had a few hours to finished looking through them. I rubbed my temples and took the stack of papers to the table before walking over to the drinks counter. I had already drunk a glass of red wine and yet my head is still throbbing, i needed a stronger drink. I took out a bottle of brandy and poured a glass before going back to the papers. Fours passed and i'm almost done. I stretched and looked at the clock, one am, shit. I'm damn tired, my eyes drooping a little. I took another glass of brandy and drowned it. I slapped my cheeks to wake myself and went back to the annoying numbers. Another hour passed and finally i finished. I yawned and walked into my bedroom, changing into my night gown. I quickly stacked the pile of papers from the table and sent it to my Dad. I rubbed my hands down my face, great, i don't feel sleepy now. I gave a growl of frustration and treat myself to the bottle of brandy. Why couldn't i sleep? Yeah, because of him. Whenever i had spare time or couldn't sleep, I always thought of Bruce. I stood near the window, looking at the empty street. I took a swing at the bottle again, it always helped me to get through nights like this. Have he changed? Will we meet again? Over the past few years, we didn't make any contact. Not even on gatherings that our fathers organized. Ít's either me or him unable to make it. I didn't know that i was crying, only until when i felt wetness on my cheeks. I hadn't dated any guy, I couldn't. All i could think of is him, his smile, the way his eyes turned red when i last saw him. I had two flings over the course of five years and yet all i could remember is his touch. I walked into my bedroom and pulled out the box under my bed. I called it unwanted memories, it contains pictures of us together, and the photo frame he made for me on my birthday. I run my hand over the picture, stopping at his face. Tears slid silently down my cheeks and i hugged the frame to my heart. He didn't love me anymore, not after all this years or even when we were together. From last i heard from my Dad, he had a date at the last gathering that i didn't attend. I didn't know that i hugged the picture of the love of my life and slept.

"Ashley, are you awake?" I heard Dan's voice when i answered the phone. I looked at the time groggily, it's already nine am.

"Yeah, i'm awake now.." Dan chuckled when he heard my sleepy voice. I rubbed my temple and shoved the pile from last night into the box.

"Okay, just to let you know, Pam's latest shots is here. I'll pass it to you in the afternoon." Pam is a supermodel now and Dan is her photographer. They made a good team and we meet up only once every other month as our lives got busier.

"Sure. I'll be waiting. Is it normal or exotic now?" Dan laughed. Pam surprised me sometimes with the theme of her photo shots. I had to embrace myself not to be shocked when i opened the folder.

"Normal this time. I got to go, see you later!" I smiled and stood up. I washed and changed quickly, rushing to work. It was hectic as my Dad's company just got a new deal with one of the big shot companies. Lunch time came and Dan came in, giving me the photos. We talked for a while, eating sandwiches before i continued with my work. The day ends and another passed, same as always, work work and work. I was shocked with what my Dad told me when he appeared in the office the next day.

"I what?!" I was shocked to the core. My Dad threw his coat over the armchair before sitting himself into the chair, facing me.

"Yes, Ashley, Bruce is going to be your partner over at New York. You're going over there next week, and stay until you learned the ropes." He's gotta be kidding me! I was still dumbstruck, my mouth opened a little as my Dad ignored my stares and continued telling me about how the business operated differently over there. I was supposed to take over the company with Bruce after I adjusted to the different work environment. My Dad will still be heading his own company and i will stay with Bruce to operate the newer company. Uncle Stanley will also be leaving the both of us alone to run the new company and in time it will be brought over to our names. I was still shocked as the week passed, my bags packed and now i'm on a plane to New York.

Up next-

Chp15-The Player