Ashley had just taken a shower & was eating the spaghetti that Nick had made for her. While she was eating there was a knock on the door. Ashley was startled of thinking what happened the last time. It took Ashley a while to get back from her thoughts & get the door.
Upon opening the door Ashley met with an older handsome yet very stern faced man.
Ashley: Who are you looking for sir?
Mr. Matt: I am looking for Ashley Akshara.
Ashley: Yes, I am Ashley, what may I help you with?
Mr. Matt: I'm Jason Demoure's father, Mr. Matt. May I come in & talk?
Ashley: Hhmmmmm.....
Mr. Matt: I see that you're hesitant in letting me in. I assure you that no harm will come to you because of me. You can trust me. Please. I'm sorry for whatever that my son had done to you.
Ashley: (After thinking for a few seconds) Alright. You may come in.
Ashley opened the door & let Mr. Matt in & while on the way in, Mr. Matt had seen the blue black marks on Ashley's hands & he knew someone had hurt her but he was so desperately wanting to know & be assured that it was not his son Jason if not he would have to take matters into his own hands.
Ashley: Do sit down. I will get you a cold drink.
Mr. Matt: No, there is no need for that.
Ashley: Please. It will just take a few mere minutes. I will be shortly back.
Mr. Matt: Alright then.
While Ashley was a way, Mr. Matt took time to look around her house & saw pictures of her family. She did indeed have a very big family. On the wall were also a few of Ashley's certificates which had been posted. Ashley's house was neat & tidy. Still had little messes here & there but still things were in place & very tidy. He liked that in Ashley.
Ashley placed the cold orange juice on the table & saw that Mr. Matt was looking around. She didn't mind him looking around but was curious as to why he was in her house. But still managed to keep her calm especially after the Jason incident.
Ashley: Your drink is ready.
Mr. Matt: Thank you. You have a nice home & you have a huge family. How many people/members are there in your family?
Ashley: I lived in an extended family. We have all together 3 families living together in one huge house which my grandfather bought in the 1920's. My grandparents, my parents with me & my sister, my uncle & his wife & their 3 children. Then my aunt & her husband with her 2 children & then last but not least my 2nd aunt with her husband & 2 children. Total there are 19 (including myself) are living together.
Mr. Matt: Wow!!! So many people in one house. Must be nice to have such a huge family.
Ashley: This is common in India. Extended family is nice. It does have it's up & down but still very nice.
Ashley: Before anything else,can I ask you something? Why are you here sir?
Mr. Matt: I came to visit you. Also among other things as well.
Mr. Matt: You sure must be lonely for you to be here all alone in this apartment.
Ashley: It's okay. I just wanted to learn how it felt to be alone. It's too quiet & lonely at times but I'm used to it. Still not that used to it but getting there.
Mr. Matt: Can I ask you something?
Ashley: Most certainly.
Mr. Matt: How did you get those bruises on your hands?
There was a long awkward silence in the room. Suddenly Ashley just collapsed on to the sofa & started crying.
Mr. Matt: My dear what happened? I am sorry if I had said anything wrong. Are you okay? Why are you crying. Please stop crying. I do not want to be or put you in any situation.Please. Tell me then cry. Please Ashley. Mr. Matt passed her a few tissues so that she can blow her nose & wipe off her tears.
Ashley: Your son.
Mr. Matt: What? (Long pause)
Mr. Matt was dreading the words that he heard "your son". He took a deep breath & took calm. He told himself, "I have to do what Jason did & undo it, this is why I really came for to Ashley's place & what is really meant do. The rest I will deal later." He places his hands on Ashley's head. Then proceeded with the questions.
Mr. Matt: What did my son do to you?
Ashley: I went for an interview. Then during the interview he insulted me. I don't know why but I was so hurt & angry with his words as they hit me like daggers that I got off the chair & slapped him. Then he came to my house & pinned me against the wall. I'm sorry I hit your son!!! Please don't hurt me. I'm really sorry.
Mr. Matt: No. No. There's no need for you to be sorry. My son is an asshole. I agree on that but this is the first time he was ever physically abused anyone. I'm sorry for what he did to you.
Ashley: Then why are you here? To file a law suit against me?
Mr. Matt: No child. That's not it. I did some digging on you & found you to be the perfect girl for the job as his personal assistant. As you have a clean record & no boyfriend records as well. You're a clean girl & a good girl which is something of a rare find & it was my wife who suggested that you get hired for the job. My wife likes you a lot. She will not be happy or pleased about this Jason news thou. But that's my job to worry not yours. Please do not refuse the job as my son's personal assistant. He did wrong. I agree, but I will have a talk with him. My wife likes you a lot. She normally doesn't take to anyone but you're one of the first few people that she has taken a liking to especially after she found out about your record she likes you even more. It's very hard for us to find anyone trustworthy or with a good record to work at the company. Please. I will increase your salary & give you a few more perks. Do please think about it.
Ashley: What if I do not want to take the job? Then what?
Mr. Matt: I always get my way Miss Ashley. I will get you to work for my son. He did wrong. I know you're scared & upset but I assure you that you only have to answer to me.
Ashley: I do not want just word of mouth. I want it in writing.
Mr. Matt: Very well. Do wait 5 minutes.
Mr. Matt took the phone from his pocked & called his PA which was waiting in the car downstairs.
Conversation between Mr. Matt & his Personal Assistant
Mr. Matt: Zack. Bring up the files & come up immediately.
Zack: Yes sir.
Mr. Matt: Also bring up my check book as well.
Mr. Matt hung up the call & then proceeded to the coffee table & drank the orange juice Ashley had given.
Mr. Matt: You have lovely manners. You're parents taught you well.
Ashley: Thank you.
There was soon a knock on the door. Ashley went to answer the door. Ashley smiled as she opened the door & led the man into the house after Mr. Matt yelled, "from the hall, that's my PA do let him in." Ashley closed the door & walked towards the hall where Mr. Matt was sitting.
Ashley was told to sit down by Mr. Matt. Then the documents was made on the spot. Ashley made her demands & it was all agree by Mr. Matt. The the document was signed by both parties (Mr. Matt & Ashley) & each were given a copy of the document. Also later Mr. Matt gave Ashley a huge check.
Ashley: What is this? Why are you giving me this check? What for? The money is too much!!! Way too much!!!
Mr. Matt: Good God child, why so many questions. Wait. Let me explain. (After taking a long deep breath, he continued talking). This check is your your medical bills & also a small sorry from me.
Ashley: Why sir are you apologizing for your sons mistake?
Mr. Matt: He is my son after all. This is the first & last time I will deal with his brute behavior. I am deeply sorry. Please do take the check & cash it & enjoy it. I will see you at work next week. 1 week to enjoy the money. It's a lot of money. I mean after all it is US$2,000,000. So I want you to buy yourself new clothes & so on.
Ashley: But...
Mr. Matt: No. No buts Ashley. Understood?
Ashley: Yes sir. Thank you for coming & visiting me.
Mr. Matt just put his hands on Ashley's head & said goodbye. Mr. Matt did want to mention Jason's condition about his irrational behavior that everyone is witnessing for the first time but after seeing Ashley cry he just kept quiet.
Ashley walked both Mr. Matt & his PA to the door.
Mr. Matt: Goodbye then. See you next week & do enjoy the money. If anything I will send my personal driver to pick you up & drop you if you need anything. Do take care.
Ashley: Goodbye & take care yourself sir.
The door closed.
Ashley started was both happy & worried at the same time about the job but that didn't stop her from being herself. Ashley went straight to the bank after getting ready as she didn't want to risk having such a huge check in the house.