Skyler, seated on the driver's seat In his car, he was about to start his car when his phone rang from his pocket. Taking it out, he saw the caller ID and answered it.
"How did it go?" That was the first question he heard.
"Did you put a timer on me?" He replied back with a question.
"Let me guess... You just left her office."
"Yes..." Immediately his answer left his lips, he heard the first question again.
"So, how did it go?"
Skyler could hear the curiosity in Camilla's voice. He had later asked for her help and this was the push she gave him— to go and ask for a lunch with Ashlyn.
"She said she was going to give me a call when she's less busy."
"Seriously? That's all? She didn't say yes or no?" Camilla said disappointed by the result.
"Well, she didn't decline so there's still a chance and even if she had declined, I won't just give up like that." Skyler said with confidence.
"Now that's the brother I know." She chuckled softly, "Bye brother." She added before ending the call.
Shaking his head, Skyler chortled before kick starting his car and driving off.
******
After Skyler had left her office, Ashlyn returned her focus back to her work as she went through stacks of paperwork that needed her attention. Every other thing was pushed to the back of her mind including her dream or better still, she was trying to push it to the back. It was no use thinking about it because no matter how hard she thinks, more and more questions just keep on adding up, it was better she let things unanswered this way.
After hours of working, Clara came in holding a file in her hand. "Here, this is the last one." Clara dropped it on her desk.
Only lifting her head a little to see the file, Ashlyn took it and opened the first page. As her eyes scanned through the page, she heard Clara's voice.
"You know it's almost time for your date, right?"
Pausing immediately, she lifted her head again to look at Clara. "Must you always remind me of things like that?"
"It's my responsibility." Clara said and Ashlyn knew she was being teased here. Giving her a hard glare, Ashlyn closed the file and dropped it on her desk and stood up.
"I'll drive you there." Clara offered but Ashlyn declined immediately.
"I don't need you to drive me. I can get myself there." Ashlyn said and started walking towards the door. "Attend the meeting and fill me in when I'm back." She added before leaving her office with her purse and phone.
She was wearing a black turtleneck under her brown coat with a black cotton trouser and her feet was fitted in a black high heel. A silver necklace with matching bracelets and earrings adorned her neck, wrist and ear. Her natural beauty radiated with no additional cosmetics on her face and her figure was perfectly graceful. Though her outfit was simple yet, it was expensive with fine quality that showcase the wearer as a person of high fashion taste and quality sense.
Leaving the company building to where her car was safely parked, she entered and kept her purse on the passenger seat. Dialling her mum's number on her phone, she waited for it to get connected.
"Are you there already?"
Ashlyn bit her lips immediately she heard her mother's question. "Mum, shouldn't you atleast ask how your daughter is doing first before asking her about a date?" Ashlyn said, her voice filled with dissatisfaction.
"I already know my daughter is all right so there's no need to ask again. So now you tell me, are you there already or you're on your way?"
Hearing her mother's words, Ashlyn sighed. It was no use asking something like this to this woman. Kait was right, her priority right now was seeing her get married.
Answering her mother's question, "I'm going there. Have you gone for your check up."
"You have to go there on time and don't act like a spoiled brat. You better bury that character within you."
Ashlyn heard her mother's words and from the tone of her voice, she could tell her mother was beaming in joy. She could only imagine the look on her mother's face right now, those smile — her smile that she always loved to see.
How she wish she could always see that. Wouldn't it have been better if she was someone who could love a man and make her mother the happiest woman but it was all a wish. That word called 'love' was far long removed from her dictionary... She couldn't love, she was unable to love.
"Okay mum, I won't act like that." She said her words lazily and it ignited another happiness for Mrs Pedro.
"Bye my little angel."
"Bye mum. Don't forget your check up." Ashlyn said and Mrs Pedro gave her a positive response before ending the call.
Sighing, Ashlyn kept her phone near her purse on the passenger seat before starting her car and purred it on the road.
After what look like a ten minutes drive, Ashlyn guided her sleek car to a graceful stop in front of the Santos hotel. The exterior exuded an air of sophistication, its sleek, modern design a testament to luxury and elegance. Taking her phone and purse, she stepped out of her car, remotely locked it and started walking towards the entrance of the building.
Inside, the hotel's ambiance was a symphony of muted colors and soft lighting. Plush leather chairs and marble tabletops adorned the space, while Patrons conversed in hushed tones, creating a backdrop of subdued activity.
Ashlyn, going to the receptionist area, "Hello." She said
"Good Afternoon miss, welcome to the Santos hotel. Your satisfaction, our priority." The receptionist said politely with a sweet smile on her face.
"Thank you, I'm looking for someone." Pressing her phone, she opened her gallery and showed a picture of a man to the receptionist. She had asked Clara for Mark's picture and it was sent. She didn't want to stress herself trying to explain to the receptionist just like her last blind date where the receptionist gave her a hard time because her date was a senator son.
"Miss, he's over there." The receptionist said and pointed to a direction after she saw the picture.
Using her eyes to follow the direction where the receptionist was pointing, Ashlyn saw him, Mark Ruckus — her next blind date on the list. How it really creeps her out.